Has anyone see/used a hammock with a dog?

[Ricky&Jack]

I have never used a hammock before. Only tents, because I try to hike with my 6mo old Husky, Jack.

I saw a "Skeeter Beeter pro" at a sporting store for only $79. I Think i read it had a 400 lb weight limit. And I want to buy it.

I weigh 240, and full grown my Husky should be 60 or so lbs, so together we would be around 300 lbs.

But the biggest fear of using a hammock would be that his claws etc may tear it (after enough hiking, his claws would self trim themselves down)

Has anyone used a dog in a hammock? Do you think theres a real danger with hanving one in a hammock?

Im thinking he may be able to get used to 'sleeping outside' of the hammock on the ground eventually, but im not sure.

I really like the idea of taking a hammock. But I almost always go with my dog.

Any recommendations or advise?

[kayak karl]

my lab is 100 lbs now (3 years ago in pic). i have a DIY 12' 1.9 coated nylon hammock without bugnet. some times she sleeps under it on her poncho liner quilt.

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[Ricky&Jack]

that looks awesome.

One of my other worries, is what to do if we do section hikes on the A.T. and it rains for a few straight days...... I would think if we were in a tent, it would be alot easier to both stay dry and could move around so were not just napping and being bored in 1 spot for the whole time.

what do you do for yourself, and your dog if you have several days of rain?

Do you have any personal rules/philosophies such as "if the weather says it will be a big 3 day storm, instead of using the tarp we're just gonna get a motel, etc?"

Im really interested in trying out tarps instead of tents, but am worried a dog would hold that back.

[MDSection12]

Having torn a hammock after a very slight brush with a rock, I do believe a dog's nail could absolutely puncture a hammock. That said, I bought a pair of dog booties from dogbooties.com to protect my dog's pads and found they protect my hammock as well. Now when I backpack with him I take them (which is a good idea anyway in case he injures a pad) and put them on him before he gets in the hammock.

I have slept in the hammock with him once. He's a big boy at 75 lbs, but it wasn't as bad as I expected. Not ideal but workable.

[MDSection12]

that looks awesome.

One of my other worries, is what to do if we do section hikes on the A.T. and it rains for a few straight days...... I would think if we were in a tent, it would be alot easier to both stay dry and could move around so were not just napping and being bored in 1 spot for the whole time.

what do you do for yourself, and your dog if you have several days of rain?

Do you have any personal rules/philosophies such as "if the weather says it will be a big 3 day storm, instead of using the tarp we're just gonna get a motel, etc?"

Im really interested in trying out tarps instead of tents, but am worried a dog would hold that back.

Look up the Warbonnet Superfly if you haven't... I'd much rather spend three days under that than a tent.

[Ricky&Jack]

i didnt even think about dog booties for the hammock.

Im really glad I posted here instead of just winging it.

[slbirdnerd]

I met a guy in camp a few weeks ago who had his dog in the hammock for a while, but he later ended up on the ground with the dog. I think you have to train them for it, as well as train them to be comfortable sleeping under it. This could be a difficult transition if they are used to sleeping up against you, in a crate, etc. I like the booties idea.

[Mobius]

Note that if you go hammock, don't forget the non-optional accessories: tarp, underquilt/pad, and (if not already integrated) bug net.

I'd think that unless the dog is happy sleeping under the hammock it'd be easier to stay with the tent.

[flemdawg1]

that looks awesome.

One of my other worries, is what to do if we do section hikes on the A.T. and it rains for a few straight days...... I would think if we were in a tent, it would be alot easier to both stay dry and could move around so were not just napping and being bored in 1 spot for the whole time.

what do you do for yourself, and your dog if you have several days of rain?

Do you have any personal rules/philosophies such as "if the weather says it will be a big 3 day storm, instead of using the tarp we're just gonna get a motel, etc?"

Im really interested in trying out tarps instead of tents, but am worried a dog would hold that back.

I would think that unless the dog sleeps in bed with you @ home, It should be fine sleeping beneath the hammock. Also, the tarp of your hammock kit is actually easier/dryer to setup in the rain than a normal tent. I just came back from a hike where it rained for 2 solid days. It was warm enough that I didn't use my jacket. But whenever I stopped to camp, I pulled the tarp out and hung it first. Then was able to change, cook, hangout all while staying very dry.

[gunner76]

I had two Labs that would not get in the hammock but had no problem with sleeping under it. The only problem was they wanted to use the hammock while I was in it as a back scratcher.

[Ricky&Jack]

I had two Labs that would not get in the hammock but had no problem with sleeping under it. The only problem was they wanted to use the hammock while I was in it as a back scratcher.

Have you used the dogs and hammocks on long hikes?

I feel a hammock would be better for me, personally. But what do you do if you have your dogs ans it rains for 2-3 days?

I figure with a tent, the 2 of u can stay inside and keep dry.

But if i take a hammock on a long hike and it rains at night, what do I do with the dog? I know I would be dry from a tarp, but he would be o the ground, right?

Im curious how people handle hammocks and dogs if its raining.

[Wise Old Owl]

one suggestion is a dog rain coat to keep the core temp warm.

Here is two tents and his dog with a hammock - I think they sleep together.

dscn0516ab.jpg

[Deadeye]

Personally, I couldn't sleep with a dog in my hammock - just not enough room, and the sides of the hammock tend to squeeze everything into the middle. If I was intent on sleeping with my dog, I'd go for a bridge hammock.

[flemdawg1]

Have you used the dogs and hammocks on long hikes?

I feel a hammock would be better for me, personally. But what do you do if you have your dogs ans it rains for 2-3 days?

I figure with a tent, the 2 of u can stay inside and keep dry.

But if i take a hammock on a long hike and it rains at night, what do I do with the dog? I know I would be dry from a tarp, but he would be o the ground, right?

Im curious how people handle hammocks and dogs if its raining.

The dog will fine under your hammock unless you set up directly over a puddle.

[Ricky&Jack]

okay. I think this info made me more confident in selecting a hammock and not feeling like an @sshole for making my dog stay outside even if it rains, as opposed to a tent.

I saw a skeeter beeter pro for $70 at a chattanooga store and may go get that...... But ill worry about a tarp later. I just want to get used to a tarp and etc with a few 1 nighters in clear weather first.

[MDSection12]

The dog will fine under your hammock unless you set up directly over a puddle.

+1

Just make sure not to set up where rain will run or collect and pitch the tarp low if its really raining.

[nu2hike]

I tried to hammock with my dog as it is my preferred way to sleep, but it didn't work out! I move around a lot at night and having a dog in the hammock with me was just not doable.
I tried putting him a sleeping mat underneath my hammock but he is too insecure at this point to be comfortable with that arrangement. He saw monsters behind every tree!
I now tent when he goes with me. I compromise a little comfort for the pleasure of his company!

[HoopProf]

The ENO folks make a "gear sling" which is basically a small hammock that hangs underneath your hammock so you can reach your gear easily at night and keep it in out of the rain with you. I don't see why it couldn't be used as a dog bed.

[kayak karl]

The dog will fine under your hammock unless you set up directly over a puddle.

what time of year will the dog be OK? Cold wind, rain, snow, ice, fog? Would you sleep under a hammock?

[No Directions]

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This is what you do when there is multiple days of rain. You can't do it when the shelter is crowded though. Someone else recommended the Warbonnet Superfly and I second that. It is light and big and does a good job of keeping you and your gear dry. I've never tried it but I think it would be crowded with a dog in a hammock.