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Last autumn we adopted a spaniel. This summer I want to take here off for a 2-3 day walk, camping en route.
Currently got a trailstar tarp, but considering replacing it with something more midge proof. Question being, If I were to get something with a full midge proof inner and groundsheet, will my mutt destroy the groundsheet the first time she steps in?
Secondly if I were to keep her out of the inner tent, will she become driven insane by midges? (I'm guessing so)
ta
If it's only 2-3 days shampoo her with citronella shampoo before you go?
Mine both are ok in a tent although it's a race to get out to chase rabbits in the morning. Small tent kept warm by two large dogs, lots of air movement to reduce dampness.
I've done numerous trips involving tents and our two collies - never had a problem with the dogs damaging the tent.
They share the inner with me - helps with warmth. I tend to carry a thin bit of foam underlay for laminate flooring for them to crash out on - just gives them a bit of insulation from the floor, and if it's chilly, the big one appreciates the chance to lie on a spare jacket as well. Wee one usually wheedles her way into one of our sleeping bags if it's chilly.
I carry a couple of sections of microfibre towel in a ziplock bag to dry them/wipe them off if they arrive at camp wet and/or muddy. In the summer, I tend to carry a little dog comb in the bag as well, so I can comb them through to try and eliminate any ticks or other nasties they might have picked up.
Snuggling with a big warm fluffy dog on a cold winter night is one of life's great pleasures!
Snuggling with a big warm fluffy dog on a cold winter night is one of life’s great pleasures!
Until it drops one of those deadly dog farts😉
Camping with our soft-as-anything lurcher in Wales last May. Early one morning, a bee got stuck between the flysheet and inner and she went ape. In her haste to try and get out, she tore a 4 inch rip in my sleeping mat - I sat bolt upright, half-awake, on a rapidly deflating bed - she promptly dived behind me and curled up in a ball. It was a great way to start the day - I'd recommend it to anyone.
It was marginally less stressful than the time we were in the Borders and a badger raided our food bag in the porch. She was pacing and shaking like a heroin addict gone cold turkey for the rest of the night. Still, I gained a new, entirely true catchphrase: a badger stole my malt loaf.
Your muttage may vary.
I think sleeping in a tent with a human is a very natural environment for a dog. As long as you don't mind them snuggling up close, and a wet nose in the face at sunrise, it will be fine.
No issue with her snuggling up close, it's more whether her claws will destroy a new tent inner in the one weekend.
Sounds like it'll be 'reet tho.
put a fleece blanket down to cover the groundsheet
Like ditch jockey and others we have done hundreds of nights in a light backpacking tent, the dog has never damaged the tent at all but he has pierced a couple of neo air sleeping mats. We tried him sleeping in the porch but he just wasn't having it unless it was roasting hot. If he's out there then we tie him up in case he goes walkabout. He generally likes the tent but if it's windy and the tent is really flapping he tended to get a bit twitchy. Seems to be used to it now. Typically he will sit outside and scan the area before coming in, I reckon it's an animal safety thing.
The midge issue can be a problem though - if he goes out for a pee or nose about, he'll get bombed by them and then they get brought in the tent in the fur. So make sure you give the dog a good rub down to get them off first otherwise they will get you inside!
His bed is basically half a roll mat and spare jackets. Given a chance he'll creep on the neo air 'cos it's better. So maybe something nicer is worth experimenting with.
Lastly we have a waterproof for him, very light but the best way to avoid a wet through dog in your tent.
As others have said , camping with a dog is ace. We had a big vango tent with 3 seperate bedrooms . I always nominated myself to sleep with my big chocky lab . He was very cuddly and the sound of him snoring was very soothing. I once made the mistake of letting him out for a pish in Blair Atholl campsite at 3 in the morning and he slipped his lead . He returned after eating shit loads of folks food 45 minutes later. Im sure a load of campers went hungry the following morning.
The only negative was one night when is had a few nightcaps the dog was sick in the tent, well very neatly in my beanie.
put a fleece blanket down to cover the groundsheet
This is exactly what I was going to say. Easily done if you are driving but not light if you need to carry it.