Backpacking with your Dog

The Kalmyk

The Kalmyk

Well-Known Member
There are plenty of articles on line that cover this topic but I am looking for very specific advice from anyone who has done this... I am doing an overnighter this weekend and the dog has to come... I have the food and water thing nailed down... The distance we will be walking is a piece of cake for her... My concern comes with sleeping... I only have a one person that wont fit the two of us... Has anyone every overnighted with their dog and kept them just outside the tent???
 
I haven't had to keep my dog outside my tent as of yet, but I guess my only advice would be to make sure to put some good padding (either tarp or something plastic) underneath the dogs bed, esp if its a short hair breed. It will go a long way keeping the cold and moisture from the ground penetrating the dogs bed. I bought a nice dog sleeping bag at REI before I did my trip across the country and it worked great. Just make sure you check on the pup to see if any shivering is going on.
 
What kind of dog is it? Is it big? I no my lab would force her way into that tent and have me sleeping outisde.🙂 I think most sport or working dogs would be fine sleeping outside overnight. Its probably up to the individual dogs personality and if it doesnt mind being separated from you. I would think a weatherproof pad would be all they need.
 
Some state parks will not allow you to camp over night with pets. I know that Waywayanda has that rule. Best to check with the area you are camping in.
 
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Norm said:
Where are you camping? Bears and dogs don't do well together.
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I am going to Harriman... Honestly I haven't given this any real consideration... I was under the impression the bears in New York aren't nearly as bad as in New Jersey... If I am wrong please someone chime in



I Ride Bikes said:
What kind of dog is it? Is it big? I no my lab would force her way into that tent and have me sleeping outisde.🙂 I think most sport or working dogs would be fine sleeping outside overnight. Its probably up to the individual dogs personality and if it doesnt mind being separated from you. I would think a weatherproof pad would be all they need.
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Australian Cattle dog... I was going to make pile up some downed leaves and pine needles but sacrificing an old foam pad is where this seems to be going...
 
A few years ago, I did a multi day backpacking trip in West Virginia. My buddy brought his dog. I don't know anything about dogs so I'm not sure what kind it was. To me, it was one of those little yapper dogs. Anyway, that little bugger served as great bear repellant. Thing was well behaved and not a burden at all.
 
So we ended up doing 24 or so miles between Saturday and Sunday... Harriman being fairly close is great place all around... I did bring a foam pad for the dog and set it up over some dead leaves... She opted out and slept on the ground... My concerns of her being jittery and howling at night were so off base... She settled in nicely all night... All in all it was an awesome experience with her... I have full intentions of doing this again with her... She carried around 5lbs on her back 3 of which was my stuff... Bringing her was such an advantage being that my total pack weight was 17.75lbs

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She's cute! Sounds like this could be a regular thing for her. Wish my pup was that reliable!
 
Mare45 said:
I have never met her yet, but what a cute pup!!
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She is really good on bike rides but I won't bring her with me in large groups and that's when I usually see you🙂... It doesn't go over well with everyone having a dog on a ride


rlb said:
She's cute! Sounds like this could be a regular thing for her. Wish my pup was that reliable!
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YES!!! I am planning a light weight overnighter in the Berkshires in October which she will be joining us... That will call for a jacket of some sort for her at night... I put her in the tent with me and she wanted nothing to do with it
 
those pics look like the red dot trail at the 1st parking lot on 7 lakes drive, towards pine meadow lake maybe? I recognize the rocks.
 
MMuller said:
those pics look like the red dot trail at the 1st parking lot on 7 lakes drive, towards pine meadow lake maybe? I recognize the rocks.
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They are the red dots for the Ramapo-Dunderburg Trail which does cut thru Seven Lakes Dr.... We came up from Lake Tiorati to get to this point... There was a road we crossed at the lake but not sure if it was S even Lakes
 
Great story Spencer, sounds like a great trip and I am sure that Fiona loved it! I remember riding with her; her speed and agility always impressed me.
 
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