Our best friends love to accompany us on a camping trip. Some years ago, I had taken my small dog on a camping trip in the Poconos. The place where we camped was not  a traditional camp site but on the land that a friend owned.  There were no facilities or other campers on this site so we really had to “ruff” it. In the evening two friends, myself and my small dog were comfortably sleeping in our tent when all of a sudden, my dog began to growl. I peeked out the small window in the tent and saw a black bear breaking twigs very close to our tent. Of course, I panicked and my small dog began barking as I frantically tried to stop him. The bear heard my dog and actually ran away. Whew!!! I was never so scared in my life.

If you decide to go camping with your best friend, I strongly recommend that you choose one the many campsites in the U.S. These sites have supplies, facilities and most of all there are other campers in close proximity. Petfinder.com has put together valuable tips for what you should do with your dog while camping.

Once at the camping ground, keep your dog on a leash or otherwise confined so that other campers are not disturbed and your dog is not at risk for becoming lost or injured. Be aware of keeping your dog away from things such as campfires and cooking utensils that can cause injury. A “leave it” command is also useful in case your dog begins to explore or picks up something dangerous in his mouth.

Keep your dog close to you during your camping expedition. If you are unable to supervise your dog, be sure he is properly confined. Do not leave your dog confined in a closed car or tied to a stationary object though. Provide a dog carrier, dog crate, or portable fencing unit instead.

While camping, check your dog’s fur and skin regularly for ticks as well as for plant material like thorns or burrs. Plant materials should be brushed free of your dog’s hair, if possible. In some situations, cutting or shaving the hair may be necessary to remove these items.

Remove ticks promptly by grasping the tick near the skin and pulling gently and slowly away from the skin. It’s a good idea to bring along flea and tick products for your dog. Wear gloves when doing so. Do not handle ticks with bare hands as they can transmit diseases to you as well as to your dog.

Remember, pets are family!

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