Doggy Life preserver and camping

[c0_re]

Hey everyone I'm going canoeing with Moslon this weekend, even though he loves playing in the water and sprinklers he's never gone in water deep enough for him to have to swim, so I'm not sure exactly how he'll handle it.

Either way I'll be picking him up a life jacket as it'll be 3 days on the river in a fully packed canoe. I'd like him to be able to jump in the water on his own and not have to worry about him drowning. I already have an extra long leash(25 feet) for when I can't supervise him(on land) and I'll be picking up a life jacket(for him) this week, I want something that comfy and functional for him while in the boat.

Any advice on canoeing\camping with small dogs(23Lbs)(in the Minnesota North woods) and or doggy life jackets would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

[bigdoglover]

I'm sure you already know, but I would put together a first aid kit especially for the pups. I would also bring your own water from home, as campground water may give them the runs (eeewww).

As for life preservers, I've never bought one, but I would think you would want it to fit snug, just like on a human. And make sure it doesn't rub anywhere and create a raw spot.

[Barrett]

We have life jackets for our dogs. They are from Outward Hound and we bought them at a Petstore in Seattle. http://www.partipoodlepetsupplies.com/kypebja.html
This is what they look like. They keep our dogs head above water and they can swim for hours. THe legs are free so they don't get rubbed raw while swimming.

[mulroony]

I would do a nightly check for ticks, and bring along equipment to remove them. Even at these temps I would not rule the little suckers out.

I would try to tire the pup out before getting in the canoe, the last thing you want is a crazy dog running around an unstable canoe...

[ewarp]

Practice with the tent now!

There's nothing like having a dog that's either scared of the tent or doesn't comprehend that it's time to settle down and go to sleep. Pacing and pacing on that tent bottom gets noisy, and lunging at the side of the tent at strange noises generally results in a hole in the tent.

I'm also going camping this weekend. I'm bringing Hippo and Shasta, my foster.

I don't know what your weather is supposed to be like, but we've had a few chilly days here in IL. Make sure your pooch will be warm enough when it's hanging out in the canoe, and even when you're bumming around camp in the evening. It's supposed to get below 60F here at night when I go camping. It's actually why I'm not bringing Saboo, my Basenji. She'd be chilly until I went to bed with her.

Also, have you ever canoed with Moslon before? If not, spend a half hour before you set out on the banks of the river showing him how to jump in and out of a canoe, and help him realize that they can be wobbly. Make sure there's a soft, dry spot for him to hang out in your canoe. Just familiarize the dog with canoes before asking him to sit in one for several hours.

I was originally going to go on a kayaking camping trip- I decided not to because Shasta has never kayaked before and it's just going to be me and the dogs.

Best of luck!

[c0_re]

>>>>>>>>>>I'm sure you already know, but I would put together a first aid kit especially for the pups.

I know there’s info somewhere on the forum about what to have in this kit, I might just buy a premade one from one of the pet supply stores.



>>>>>>>>>>I would also bring your own water from home, as campground water may give them the runs (eeewww).

No Campground water, were camping along the side of the river. Were bringing bottled water for people and dogs but most of the time they’ll probably end up just drinking out of the river.


>>>>>>>>We have life jackets for our dogs. They are from Outward Hound and we bought them at a Petstore in Seattle.

Yup they have em at Petsmart I’m going to take him with me and try on a few sizes. Wow 20.00$ what a great deal.


>>>>>>>>I would do a nightly check for ticks, and bring along equipment to remove them. Even at these temps I would not rule the little suckers out.

Yup absolutely, it’s cooled off here in MN so hopefully they won’t be so bad this year, I’m experienced with tick removal :-)


>>>>>>>>I would try to tire the pup out before getting in the canoe, the last thing you want is a crazy dog running around an unstable canoe...

This is going to be the hard part, I’ll run him before we leave but it’s at least a few hours drive up there. Well take a few brakes on the way up there to stretch legs and so on so forth but when we get there I’ll have to figure out some way to tire him out. I’ll bring his toys so we’ll figure something out.


>>>>>>>There's nothing like having a dog that's either scared of the tent or doesn't comprehend that it's time to settle down and go to sleep. Pacing and pacing on that tent bottom gets noisy, and lunging at the side of the tent at strange noises generally results in a hole in the tent.


OH that’s funny I’m hoping this isn’t going to be a problem he’s usually the one to fall asleep long before me. I’m setting the tent up in the yard ahead of time anyways so well tackle that tonight or tomorrow night.


>>>>>>>I don't know what your weather is supposed to be like, but we've had a few chilly days here in IL. Make sure your pooch will be warm enough when it's hanging out in the canoe, and even when you're bumming around camp in the evening. It's supposed to get below 60F here at night when I go camping. It's actually why I'm not bringing Saboo, my Basenji. She'd be chilly until I went to bed with her.

Yea looking like it’s going to get cold at night maybe in the 50’s, I’ll have his doggy sweater with. It’s funny he doesn’t’ actually mind wearing it. Maybe I’ll get him one of those light up collars to so he’s easier to keep track of.


>>>>>>>Also, have you ever canoed with Molson before? If not, spend a half hour before you set out on the banks of the river showing him how to jump in and out of a canoe, and help him realize that they can be wobbly. Make sure there's a soft, dry spot for him to hang out in your canoe. Just familiarize the dog with canoes before asking him to sit in one for several hours.


Nope he’s never even been in ANY boat, great advice we’ll spent time on shore playing and around the canoe so he gets the idea. I’ll get something together so he has his own comfy spot to hang out at and I’ll keep towels handy to dry him off when he jumps in and out of the boat.


Thanks for the useful advice\tips everyone and have a safe and fun canoe trip Ewarp!