If you are planning to go camping, there are some essential items you must take with you such as a backpacking tent, food, light, and your sleeping gear. Besides these things, you also need a companion that will make your hiking active and lively.
Your dog can be your best camping buddy.
Having your dog accompany you on your camping sites is a great way of keeping yourself from feeling lonely and bored. Dogs are also great bodyguards because they will always seek to protect you from any threat.
Therefore, in order to ensure a smooth and enjoyable hammock camping with dogs, there are a number of tips you need to consider and practice to make your camping an awesome experience.
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Essential Tips For Hammock Camping With Dogs:
Before You Set-up For Hammock Camping With Your Dog, The following are some of the essential tips you need before you start your hammock camping journey with your dog:
Practice At Home
You will both be more comfortable if you try it at home before you set up for your camping site. This is ideal if you want to train your puppy to sleep with you in your hammock. It can also be a great opportunity to see how your puppy will react to unfamiliar things such as sounds and the new surroundings.
Practicing at home will also help you to identify the best style that will help you sleep comfortably with your dog suppose you are planning to be sleeping with him.
Inquire If Dogs Are Allowed
If you are planning to go to a specific campsite, you need to find out if dogs are allowed in that particular area. You can do this by inquiring from local rangers or check online on the campsite website just to make sure that dogs are allowed.
Choose The Best Campsite Location
The next important thing you need to consider is finding the best location for both of you. Make sure you hang your hammock in areas that are flat.
Flat areas are friendly as they enable your hammock to be in a position that will allow your dog to access and exit the hammock with ease.
Also, it is important to hang your hammock on a strong and steady tree to be sure of the proper support to the additional weight of your dog.
Groom Your Dog Beforehand
Before bringing your dog to camping, be sure to groom him well. Well-groomed dogs are happy and comfortable. Consider trimming your dog’s nails. Hammock fabric is somehow lightweight. Sharp and long nails can, therefore, rip the fabric of your hammock.
They are also painful to dogs, especially during hiking. Trimming them will also ensure a smooth sleep with your dog since it won’t stab you when sleeping.
Equally, you should not forget to give your dog flea and tick protection. This will do your dog a great favor.
Accessories Required For Hammock Camping With Dog:
When going backpacking with your dog, you need to have a checklist of all the essentials that your dog needs. Below are some of the essential accessories required for hammock camping with dog:
Extra Hammock
An extra hammock for your dog is useful, especially if your dog is large. If you were lucky to find enough trees close enough to tie hammock straps, be sure that your dog will enjoy sleeping in his hammock.
Puppy Coat
If you are going to camp during cold weather seasons, consider packing a coat to keep your pup warm.
Puppy Sleeping Bag
A sleeping bag is crucial as it will help to keep your dog comfy and warm.
Dog Cooling Bandana
For warmer seasons, bring dog cooling bandana to keep them nice and cool.
Hammock Tarp
Consider getting a big tarp that will cover both of you. When your dog sleeps beside your hammock, the tarp should be larger enough to provide warmth to both of you. You can also provide a blanket underneath the hammock for your dog to use when sleeping.
Dog ID
Backpacking is not always one place. Most campers tend to move from one place to another and that is the beauty of it. With dog ID, it is easy to look for him in case he gets lost.
Be sure to include your contact information on the tag. You can also provide additional information such as which campsite you are staying at and an emergency contact number in case you don’t have service.
Dog Harness
Most dogs will be impressed with a new environment and you will find them running freely while hiking. It is important to use a harness to control him.
Extra Food
It’s obvious to have enough food which can last the duration of your adventure. However, hiking with your dog will need you to pack an extra bag of nibbles and treats. Food will help to get the dog’s attention.
Recommended Dogs For Hammock Camping:
The size of the dog you choose for hammock camping can also determine your camping experience. Small and medium-sized dogs are arguably to do best in hammocks. Some of the dogs are too large to fit with you comfortably in a one person hammock. Big dogs can still come with you but they will need a separate sleeping gear.
Different Ways To Settle With Your Dog During Hammock Camping:
There are several ways you can settle down with your dog and ensure that it is safe during your hammock spree. They include:
Let Your Dog Settle Down Under Your Hammock
This is the most common way among campers of spending a night with dogs. Placing their mat under your hammock will keep them warm and cozy.
Let Your Dog Sleep With You Inside The Hammock
This is definitely easy if you accompany with a small dog. The dog can snuggle beside you and comfortably sleep with you. Having your dog warm you at night can bring a better sleep during hammock camping and eventually an overall good experience.
Let Your Dog Sleep In A Separate Hammock
For the large breed of dogs, it is quite uncomfortable to let them sleep with you inside one person hammock. It is important to consider setting up a separate hammock as close to you as possible just so that the tarp can cover both of you.
Final Word
Hammock camping with a dog can be an amazing adventure when done in the right procedure. If you consider the tips we have provided, you will be certain to experience a successful camping expedition with your dog.
Happy hammock camping!
