Re: Looking for new DIY camping projectss...
Yeah, camping with dogs is a bit different in a good way. They're like kids in that they get so excited about being out there, that it rubs off on you. They've seen their first raccoon and their first coyote - the raccoon really made Bat-dog go "Whoa!" since she hasn't seen anything like it before. They both got very excited about the coyote. And of course, the lizards, birds, squirrels and chipmunks are always good for a chase. Their last trip they even had cottontail bunnies hanging around camp.
As Willa is a black dog (like Moose-dog and Bat-dog), remember that she'll get overheated easier than other dogs. Keep a bandana or t-shirt in the cooler and you can use that to cool her down when/if needed. Also can be used to wash her off (although with her coat, mud and gook should just dry and flake off her easily). Keep an extra collar and leash in the car - that way if the one she has breaks, you have a spare.
You might also start to get her accustomed to a doggie backpack. Mine each have one that will fit their snacks, a couple water bottles, and some plastic baggies. I make sure to equalize the weight on both sides of the packs. I started using one on my shepherd-lab, Dog. I had hopes she could carry some of my camera gear (filters, extra batteries, etc.), but she liked to squish between rocks and jump in the lake, so she only carried stuff that couldn't get ruined. Both Moose-dog and Bat-dog started carrying at about 2 years old (don't want to start while their bones are growing) and have no problem with it. I tried it on my sibling's dog once and she just sat down and refused to move - what a spoiled brat.
Here you can see them with their packs on (they're at a standstill with the mighty lizard, he's sitting on that rock in the middle of the photo watching them watch him):
Yeah, camping with dogs is a bit different in a good way. They're like kids in that they get so excited about being out there, that it rubs off on you. They've seen their first raccoon and their first coyote - the raccoon really made Bat-dog go "Whoa!" since she hasn't seen anything like it before. They both got very excited about the coyote. And of course, the lizards, birds, squirrels and chipmunks are always good for a chase. Their last trip they even had cottontail bunnies hanging around camp.
As Willa is a black dog (like Moose-dog and Bat-dog), remember that she'll get overheated easier than other dogs. Keep a bandana or t-shirt in the cooler and you can use that to cool her down when/if needed. Also can be used to wash her off (although with her coat, mud and gook should just dry and flake off her easily). Keep an extra collar and leash in the car - that way if the one she has breaks, you have a spare.
You might also start to get her accustomed to a doggie backpack. Mine each have one that will fit their snacks, a couple water bottles, and some plastic baggies. I make sure to equalize the weight on both sides of the packs. I started using one on my shepherd-lab, Dog. I had hopes she could carry some of my camera gear (filters, extra batteries, etc.), but she liked to squish between rocks and jump in the lake, so she only carried stuff that couldn't get ruined. Both Moose-dog and Bat-dog started carrying at about 2 years old (don't want to start while their bones are growing) and have no problem with it. I tried it on my sibling's dog once and she just sat down and refused to move - what a spoiled brat.
Here you can see them with their packs on (they're at a standstill with the mighty lizard, he's sitting on that rock in the middle of the photo watching them watch him):
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