Puppy overnighter

“Hey ya'll.

Just a dog question for those with trail dog expirience---

The pup is roughly 4 months old now. In a couple weeks I will be camping---thought I'd take the puppy with me but I'm wondering if 4 months is too young? He walks fine on a leesh now, doesn't bark, and has been giving some simple comannd training by me like sit, etc. and doesn't run off if he's off leash. He doesn't get cold easy but he's never slept in a tent. i'm thinking of getting a cheapo tent for the first few times just incase he finds my bp tents too confining/scary at first. I'll set it up in the yard and get him used to if first of course as he gets scared easy of things he's not used to.

If anyone has any suggestions, go ahead and give em :)”

“Ummmm, I take mine when they are 10 to 13 weeks old. They sleep in the bottom of my bag with me. Dogs are suppose to bark, and puppies are suppose to have fun, you better hurry up and get the dog out, lol. At 4 months old the dog should have plenty of time under the stars, rain or shine.”

“BP, I haven't had him long LOL I've had him about 4 weeks now but he had fear issues as whoever had him before kept him confined all the time. But, he's blooming and has lots of fun with me and he's gotton much better. He's no longer scared of kitchen chairs, my other dog, or cars while on walks. Withen a week I had him housebroken. Poor little guy just wants to be praised and told he's a good boy :) he already knows to "bring me the ball" and makes it his mission to find the ball to bring to me when I say it. Myst be the border collie in him, he loves having something to do! :) He's very reserved of strangers, even scared of them when I am out walking him but he's starting to get slightly better about it.
last edited: 3/03/09 8:03:41 AM”

“Spirit my chessies always sleep rather close to me at night. I have also found that draping my jacket over them if it gets cold helps...LOL and keeps the jacket warm for the morning.”

“I think it is good to get them out on the trail young. But don't over exert your pup and keep the hike pretty short and not too techical.

If the dog will be sleeping with you in the future, sleep with him now. You keep eachother warm and can assure him when he gets worked up over things that's it's o.k. Keep water right outside the tent door so you can let him get some. Keep him on a lead at night so you can handle it if an animal comes into camp and he gets all excited.

If you leave him alone in a tent with the fly closed, he will probably not be happy. If you leave him alone with only the screen closed, he will probably trash your screen with his claws. I just leave the tent open while I am up and in camp if there are no bugs, so the dog can go in and out when she wants. Depending on how apt your dog is to wander, if you will be distracted in camp, stake him out.

A blinky light at night helps you keep tabs on them if they are off leash.

Depending on his size, he may want to get into the bag with you. Eventually my dog got too big for this and just slept between me and the wife, or at the foot of our bags on a down vest.

Check for ticks!

Get your dog a vest. I like the ones that are like a horse blanket and have a breathable nylonish exterior that you can make water resistant with scotchguard or whatever and have a layer of fleece on the inside for warmth.

If you will be going over rocky terrain, think about booties.”

“XL, I try to wear him out before bedtime but I swear the pup never sleeps...not for more then a couple minutes at a time. I often wake up hearing him wandering around the house or chewing shoes LOL. he prefers sleeping on the floor then on the bed, I think he gets too warm. He has a thick coat and loves to curl up in snow.”

“SC...my pups started out that way and after a year or two...you get the fun of that nice warm coat up against your back on a cold night...(LOL)”

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“Ok, i will definiatly bring him a fleece blanket to sleep with---though he tends more to throw em around then sleep on them, LOL!

He is like the most awesomeist doggy ever:) I have so much fun with him everyday. Of course I love my hound too, but she has a compleatly diffrent personality and would rather do her own thing all the time...Jack jsut adores me and never leaves my side, he isn't super hyper but does like to play.
last edited: 3/03/09 8:19:50 AM”