Thread: Camping with dogs

Sorry if this post is in the wrong spot. I’ve just got a little pup I plan to take deer hunting for other me in the future. Just looking for tips and tricks people have discovered while camping with their dogs, what are the do’s and dont’s and what gear do you wish you had from the start.

Great question. A couple of suggestions. Don't take the dog camping until it is fully trained - they only need to make a mistake once for learned behaviour to kick in. The Blueprint is a great start. You need the dog to be in range unless your a pig hunter. The Garmin Alpha and tracking collar are great tools for complimenting proper training and ramge reminders.

Trained mine to lay down on a half piece of thermarest zmat (foam pad). Means he knows where his place is. and helps keep him warm at night.
Use a fleece top at night. Eventually gave up on dog jackets in favour of my summer quilt to keep dog (single coat city vizsla) warm at night. Include dry dog biscuits in dog's daily diet so when you do go camping you can bring dry food in ziploc bags.

Found an enclosed shelter (tent) better than an open tarp as dog will sleep and not stay up all night on mouse duty. Don't trust them around camp, things will get eaten (like panadol) and they will get up to mischief. Under control at all times

Enjoy them. They will like us make mistakes, but are great company and a lot of fun.

my dog hates wearing a jacket/vest/backpack. I wish I'd introduced her to those items as a pup.

go tent size up (if you can/use a tent). A 1 person tent with you and a dog is not much fun on days that are rained out.

Depends on the breed a little and how they deal with the cold. Like Snoppernator I have a Viz that really feels the cold.

A piece of foam mat is good and train them to stay on it like you would there bed in the house. Spend a few nights in you tent on the back lawn to get them used to it and see how they behave before heading into the hills.

I have a down jacket for my boy while sleeping and it's been brilliant. I also lay my down jacket over him if it gets real cold.

Tents are better than flies when still young as a the scents blow through a fly keeping them up and you all night.

I have a 2 year old Hunterway, I just started slowly on day walks, (doc trails) on long lead then a few bush walks until she had learnt to stay around me. As @Bobba said tent in the yard a few nights or under tarp if thats what you are going to use. Then slowly introduce night stuff and whilst mine was and sometimes still is a pain in the arse for actually getting any hunting done, shes really getting there and is great company.

Also dog harness / jacket with pockets from pup as they really get used to them and can then carry their own stuff ruffware does a couple of very good ones

Thanks for the advice!

I usually camp in a tent, however I do have a seat of Summit air mattress. Is there something I need to revise and risk of punctures?
Also, the pup has taken to lying on my jacket, which I’m not opposed to. Less carry into the bush, but is a Thermorest mat good for both of us?

Also, I did want to get a GPS collar just in case. Garmin being the obvious choice is it worth getting GPS and training or just GPS capabilities?

Originally Posted by IamRobertoPualson

Thanks for the advice!

I usually camp in a tent, however I do have a seat of Summit air mattress. Is there something I need to revise and risk of punctures?
Also, the pup has taken to lying on my jacket, which I’m not opposed to. Less carry into the bush, but is a Thermorest mat good for both of us?

Also, I did want to get a GPS collar just in case. Garmin being the obvious choice is it worth getting GPS and training or just GPS capabilities?

Garmin are the business and either collar will tell you where your dog is but if you buy the "fry the dog" model get some one to show you how to use it properly and its NOT "frying the dog" in any respect.

i have had a vizsla that I used to take up in the Canty back country including winter hunts. Polar fleece dog coat is good, sleeping mat is good as it wouldnt move off it, [I could take a motorbike to my camp so pack size/weight wasnt an issue] . Tent manners is good as winter nights are long.

I would suggest if you need a tracking collar on an indicator dog like a vizsla while hunting you have not got it trained. It should be walking in front of you not off on its own.

If you can help it, don't let it hunt possums.

Mine trees them at home and waits for me to shoot them which isn't a problem.

Pain in the arse in the bush as I'm not inclined to use a center fire rifle on treed possums for several reasons.

Especially if one gets a bit close to camp, damn near get bowled over in the inevitable melee.

Which reminds me. I tie my dog up, especially when cooking. And I makes sure my cooking site is outside the reach of her rope.

Originally Posted by mikee

Garmin are the business and either collar will tell you where your dog is but if you buy the "fry the dog" model get some one to show you how to use it properly and its NOT "frying the dog" in any respect.

If you do go with the Garmin electronic dog collar, before you put it on your dog strap it around your leg and zap yourself.

You know what you are doing to your dog then and can adjust the level accordingly. Don't start on high.