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Do you have a reactive dog?
If so, I understand your struggle!
My German Shepard would get anxious at everything, from other dogs to cleaning products!
And a barking dog is not ideal at a campsite. Not only does it annoy other campers, but it also ruins ‘your’ camping experience, right!?
But don’t worry…
In this article, you will learn how to control your dog’s behavior, so you can enjoy a stress-free camping trip.
How To Stop A Dog From Barking On Your Camping Trip
1.Avoid The Problem Completely
If you have an anxious, reactive, or aggressive dog, you should choose your campsite carefully. My dog used to get stressed out around other people, so It was best for me to camp in more secluded areas.
Survival camping was great!
You need to find what triggers your dog before it will stop barking.
Once you know what’s causing the problem, you can act on the issue.
However, avoiding other people on your camping trip is not ideal. After all, camping is about adventure and new experiences, right!?
That means you’re bound to run into people at some point.
So keep reading.
I have more practical tips below.
2.Take Your Dog To The Gym
What happens if you miss the gym for too long?
You get stressed!
And it’s exactly the same for your dog.
Of course, you can’t take your dog to the gym. However, exercise is critical if you want a relaxed and happy companion.
The more stressed your dog is, the more it will bark.
Therefore, I recommend taking your furry friend out for long walks (and runs!) when camping. Next time you have an evening stroll around the campsite, bring your dog along for the ride.
The last thing a dog wants is to be stuck in a tent day and night!
And if you want to get some exercise when camping or RVing, then check out this article.
3.Use Food To Get Your Dog’s Attention
If your dog gets startled by something in the camping environment, you can use food to harness his attention.
This should stop the barking and make him more interested in the food.
For this to work, you will need to pack extra food.
However, please only use this method from time to time. Otherwise, it may have adverse effects. For example, your dog might bark on purpose if he knows food is being handed out freely.
4.Train Your Dog From Young
Many dog owners leave it too late before they start training.
And that’s not ideal when camping.
You need to get your puppy used to the outdoors from a young age. That way, he will be more prepared as he ages.
Some of the most overreactive dogs I know are ones that don’t have much contact with the outside world.
An excellent example of this is dogs that grow up on a farm. Because they don’t see many humans, animals, and cars, they bark at everything!
However, training in a group setting ensures your puppy is comfortable around other people. Therefore, when you take your dog camping, it won’t react to everything in the environment.
If your dog is already a few years old, you can still start the training process. It may take a little longer, but it’s definitely possible.
5.Consider Dog-Friendly Campsites (Or Not!)
Dog-friendly campsites are excellent, but only for specific dogs.
If your dog barks at the sight of every other dog, it’s a big no-no.
On the flip side, if your dog only overreacts to the squirrels and other small animals, it could be a good idea.
Being in an environment with other dogs gives your dog a distraction. Rather than being distracted by everything that moves, he can enjoy some playtime.
That way, you won’t have angry RV neighbors banging on your door everything second of the day!
6.Get A ThunderShirt For Your Doggo
Sometimes it’s difficult to calm your dog down, no matter how much you try.
In times like these, you need a little help.
And the ThunderShirt provides exactly that!
A ThunderShirt is a jacket worn by your dog. Rather than keeping him warm, it has a different purpose.
ThunderShirts apply consistent gentle pressure to your dog’s torso, creating a comforting sensation.
I know what you’re thinking…
“Does this really work!?”.
Absolutely.
You just have to look at the thousands of 5-star reviews. Many customers are shocked at how well these jackets work.
Not just for calming your dog, but also for taming over-reactive ones.
7.Use Medication (Herbal, If Possible!)
I understand that drastic times call for drastic measures.
Personally, I don’t feel comfortable giving my dog medication for a natural reaction to noises, people, and other dogs.
However, sometimes it’s the only solution.
Luckily, you can get your hands on some excellent herbal remedies for your doggo.
These are Skullcap and Valerian.
Bother these remedies are 100% natural and found in nature. However, you don’t need to go hunting through the wilderness to find them!
There are countless companies that sell these products for your overreactive dog.
But you can’t go wrong with Prosense Anti-Calming Tablets. They contain Valerian, but also other calming herbs, such as Ginger Root and Chamomile.
8.ThunderWonders Will Calm Your Dog
Remember the ThunderJackets we discussed previously?
The same company that creates them (Thunderworks), also sells chewable treats for dogs.
But not just any dog…
Overreactive ones!
ThunderWonders come in two formats. You can either purchase them with or without hemp infusion.
Personally, I think the hemp-infused version is superior. This is because hemp has been shown to decrease anxiety. Combine that with the other ingredients (Thiamine, L-Tryptophan, Melatonin, and more), and you’ve for the perfect calming recipe.
How To take A Hyper Dog Camping: Additional Tips
Bright-Colored Dog Vests Are Essential
With large forests come hunters.
If your dog manages to flee the campsite, it might run into some hunters. From a distance, they might mistake your dog for prey.
And that’s a whole other issue.
To prevent this from happening, I recommend buying a bright dog jacket. Put this on your dog at all times in case he escapes.
Bright jackets don’t only help hunters identify your dog, but also make him easier to locate if he disappears.
A Long & Strong Leash
The only thing separating your dog from the environment is a leash.
So it’s important to buy a strong one!
It’s also a good idea to buy a long leash. For this, I strongly recommend getting a retractable lead.
Retractable leads let your dog roam large areas freely. However, you still have complete control over your dog.
This means you can tire your furry friend out before getting back to the campsite, so he is relaxed.
And the more relaxed your dog, the less he will bark.
Bring A First Aid Kit
You probably already have a first aid kit for camping.
However, I recommend getting one specifically for dogs. Some first aid kits fit around your dog’s neck in case of emergency.
The one that comes to mind is The Wolf Pack by Uncharted Supply Co.
I like The Wolf Pack because of its lightweight design. With other dog first aid kits, the extra weight around the neck is uncomfortable for your dog.
In addition, it’s complete with all the equipment necessary to treat minor dog injuries, such as cuts, burns, and bee stings.
If that wasn’t enough, it’s approved by qualified veterinarians.
Set Up A Comfortable Area
One of the reasons your dog may overreact when camping is because he is not familiar with the area.
The solution is to create a ‘safe space’.
I recommend doing this in your tent. However, tent vestibules work excellent for this reason, providing they are fully enclosed.
Otherwise, your dog may be distracted by other dogs, which will only add to the problem.
Creating a safe space works by setting up a relaxation area. Make sure it’s comfortable, warm, and includes your dog’s favorite toys.
Every time he starts barking at passersby, you can bring him back to this safe space.
Before We Part
Having a dog bark at everything is annoying, to say the least.
However, the tips and tricks mentioned above will calm your dog in no time. My first point of call would be getting your dog a ThunderJacket.
This will relax most dogs.
However, if you have an outliner, my next step would be ThunderWonders dog treats. Infused with hemp and other calming herbs, you really can’t go wrong.
Continue Reading: The Guide To Keeping Your Dog Warm When Camping
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