View Full Version : Dogs and Tents (how do people cope)
scrogger
24-03-2009, 10:14
I was just wondering how many people on here backpack wildcamp with their faithful hounds. Obviously on a lovely dry night there are no logistical nightmares to deal with.
But picture this. A 9 or 10 mile mountain walk with high winds and driving rain having found a suitable pitch the tent goes up and man and hound enter. At this point when I go all hell breaks loose. My very obedient Border collie instantly shakes soaking everything.
I sometimes if quick enough take the worst of the wet off with a pack towel. Then there is the unfurling of my lovely down sleeping bag which Skye seems to think is for her to lie on:rant: .
Then there is cooking etc to contend with. I love walking with her but there must be a way to make it easier. So do any fellow dog owners on here have any tips on how they organise themselves.
:thanks: folks.
Andy
Melonfish
24-03-2009, 10:24
get the dog a raincoat?
seriously. also blankets for the dog to lie on, once she's happy she has her own spot she won't get your down bag wet :)
Ventile dog poncho ?
Just tie the mutt up outside Andy, she'll soon learn who's the master
scrogger
24-03-2009, 10:31
Lmao where do you get those from Rich? and what colours do they come in.?
big_swede
24-03-2009, 10:43
I shave the dog:D
I use wax, lasts longer.
On a more serious note, watch the video's of Lars Monsen on NRK.NO, he's is always in the company of his dog and it doesn't seem to bother. It's in norwegian, but a picture is more than a thousand (understandable) words: http://www1.nrk.no/nett-tv/prosjekt/340
I use wax, lasts longer.
Yeah, but they bite harder!
scrogger
24-03-2009, 10:47
:lmao: :lmao: :lmao: do you wax the whole dog Swede of just the bikinni line??;) ;) ;)
Bushwhacker
24-03-2009, 11:11
I don't agree with putting coats on dogs, it can overheat them and possibly restrict movement.
How about a seperate little tent for the dog?
Maybe there's a gap in the market for a kennel tent. :dunno:
I don't agree with putting coats on dogs, it can overheat them and possibly restrict movement.
How about a seperate little tent for the dog?
Maybe there's a gap in the market for a kennel tent. :dunno:
I think I actually saw one of those in Go Outdoors a while ago, bless 'em
BorderReiver
24-03-2009, 11:49
I don't agree with putting coats on dogs, it can overheat them and possibly restrict movement.
How about a seperate little tent for the dog?
Maybe there's a gap in the market for a kennel tent. :dunno:
Dog Tents (http://www.roofbox.co.uk/dog-bag/)
Bit big for backpacking.
scallywag
24-03-2009, 11:52
The biggest problem is not the wet dog, the real pain is THE SMELL of the wet dog.
w00dsmoke
24-03-2009, 12:26
I don't agree with putting coats on dogs, it can overheat them and possibly restrict movement.
How about a seperate little tent for the dog?
Maybe there's a gap in the market for a kennel tent. :dunno:
Up here in Scotland in the wet and sometimes very cold, my dog gets to wear his waterproof coat, esp in winter. He's a collie cross and does quite well in the cold but not the wet and cold, and rather than see him shiver I put his coat on. He sleeps in it when camping too. I know sheepdogs don't wear coats and all that but rarely are sheep dogs sitting around for long in the wet and cold, they usually run around and keep warm that way. At a camp or when out I'd rather see my dog comfortable than subject him to shivering to keep warm.
eat the dog and use its skin as a funny hat ?
- just a thought.
Stuart69
24-03-2009, 12:48
If I take my black Lab with me I generally use a tent and if she's wet or been swimming I have a poncho or tarp set up like an awning. Give her a dry with a microfibre towel and let her lie on one near the fire to dry out. Luckily her coat dries quickly.
Trappertje
24-03-2009, 12:52
Hi Andy,
I also like to go hiking and camping with the dogs. I have two Golden Retrievers that enjoy to be outdoors with me.
I own a one-and-a-half-person tent. The inner tent is 2,5 meters long and 80 cm wide near the food end. At shoulder end it is about 1,40(?) One dog lies at the head end and the other one next to my shoulders.
The tens has an entrance on both sides of the tent, so one is in use as storage for packs and burners and stuff. But its a really small tent where you don't want the dogs to shake themselves!
I have learned my dogs to shake themselves on command. It is really easy: start using the word "shake" at the moment the dog is already shaking itself. Then immediately praise/reward. Soon the dog will understand what you mean. (This also comes in use before you enter the house.) This will help to get rid of most of the water.
A lightweight, quick drying towel can be an extra help to prevent you from having a (still) wet dog in the tent.
Then, when the tent is set up, and it is time to go to bed, I always direct them to their own pads before I even unfold my own sleeping bag.
By the way, my dogs have packs of their own. In that, they carry their pads and a little more. About 1.5 kilo per dog maximum (30 kilo dog)
Hope this helps.
scrogger
24-03-2009, 14:27
That sound like sound advice trappertje will have to try that but the tarp poncho porch sounds good too. I thought there would be more people who travel with their muts in tow thoug I suppose from a bushcraft wild life spotting point of view they may cause problems.
I use a Wild country voyager only has one porch so when its due to be replaced ill look at hillerberg me thinks. However in the summer and spring I think its gonna be tarps and bivvy from now on seems to make more sense.
w00dsmoke
24-03-2009, 17:54
My dog is a rescue dog and still very nervous. He likes to keep close at night. When Hammocking , he sleeps under me on a kip mat, usually wrapped up in his towel or my jacket. In midge season, I make a wee midge free tent out of netting for him. I'm going to buy a uk army midge tent (£10 or so) just for him for this purpose.
When ground hugging, he sleeps curled up behind my knees, either under the sleeping bag in winter(used as a quilt) or a poncho/jacket for the rest of the time.
ocean1975
24-03-2009, 18:41
I took my dog on a overnighter,he is a labrador/collie cross but more like a small doberman.and he slept in the hammock with me,but got to say it wasn't the best nights sleep,going to use my new bivy bag at the weekend under my tarp and see how we get on.If that's no good thinking about getting a pop up ,one man tent for us,coz if your going for a long hike you want the dog with you and there great company.
Spaniel man
24-03-2009, 18:56
I have two dogs out with me most of the time. I use these for mine... Genius!
http://www.petspantry.tv/acatalog/dog-towel-bags.html
Apart from them, I use Orikaso fold flat bowls for them, dry food in a zip lock bag, and a spare pack towel to dry them off/sleep on.
scrogger
24-03-2009, 19:59
they look useful spanielman not much info on the link but looks like something you could put on the dog whilst in the tent to dry of, this would stop the shaking etc then after they have dried of looks like it might double up for a bed with an old bit of kip mat on top.
Dave Budd
24-03-2009, 20:35
I don't do much camping these days, normally I'm tenting when at shows and so have my car. The dog stays there ;)
I used to try sleeping in the tent with him, but he would manage to push me off the thermarest and end up on it himself (even though he had a blanket). He also struggled to work out that the door will not open automatically and kept trying ot throw himself through the wall! :rolleyes:
I only take the dog when i know the weather is going to be half deacent. I tried to get her in the hammock but it was a nightmare so gave up on that idea.
If i am taking the dog with me i will sleep on the floor which makes it a lot easier. I allways bring an extra blanket for drying the dog and to cover her up at night.
If i am honest most of the time the dog just keeps headbutting me in the middle of the night until i let her crawl down to the bottom of my sleeping bag for a kip :rolleyes:
I do love taking the dog but sometimes its just not practical. Especially if hunting for bunnies n such. Being a staff she is bloody useless in the woods.
http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o218/dwardo/patscamera256.jpg
Dave Budd
25-03-2009, 17:22
I love the idea of trying to get a dog in the hammock with you! :lol: Mine is taller than me on his hind legs and takes up more than his fair share of the double bed, so I don't think I would ever try it in a hammock :D
I love the idea of trying to get a dog in the hammock with you! :lol: Mine is taller than me on his hind legs and takes up more than his fair share of the double bed, so I don't think I would ever try it in a hammock :D
Yeah i knew it was going to end in failure but i do prefer a night in the hammock as opposed to the floor :(
Ah well atleast the dog keeps me warm when i do have to floor dwell....
I use a blanket, she is happy as long as she is close to me. I pack a towl to dry her off a bit too, she has a short coat so that helps alot.
Plus If i'm using a tent she stays in the pourch of it.
I don't take her out that much as she is getting long in the tooth now, plus if its raining unless she gets soaked fast she hate it and would rather be in the warm inside.
We used to take Rocky with us regularly. Very easy to have in the tent.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3630/3387682866_6707b6dedf.jpg
We found a rug or piece of cloth he was familiar with would help to keep him where we wanted him within the tent. In a 'something to lie on' sense. We are big fans of a tarp for cooking under which helps. We also have a couple of 'Pigs willies, ground anchors, if you know what I mean for canoeing, which can be used for when the child clutching afraid of the devil dog types get too OTT. Also goes down well with the farming community!
Collapsible bowl, dried dog food and other usual dog paraphernalia to find space for, but all part of the joy of dog ownership.
Rocky is no longer with us, he's chasing the celestial postman now. He's given us many fine memories from trips though.
Al
penvisser
27-03-2009, 15:25
My dog, Nûk, is always with me when out and about.
In my small army tent she sleeps in front of the opening, on a woolen army blanket.
When expecting rain I fold her blanket over my sleepingbag and in the evening when she enters the tent, at least my sleeping bag is staying dry.
However sometimes, well most of the time.....she is lying already on my side of the tent.
And very reluctant to move!
She is a good companion, very alert and hearing everything. She is part Ridgeback.
Very strong dog.
Si I dont mind when I am disturbed in my sleep because she is making a nest again.
When I sleep in my hammock, she sleeps under it, on her woolen blanket, no problem at
all.
Best regards,
Penvisser