Teaching dog to sleep in tent??

[Longfan]

Both of our dogs slept fine in the tent first night out. Both are crate trained. I think if your pup is tired the dog will sleep fine.

[jaymann]

Be sure to tire him out with lots of exercise before training, so he is less likely to be distracted; in my experience this makes them easier to train. In your case, having him tired before tent training will enforce what you are trying accomplish with him, to go in and lay down. Also, I would get him started with a pack as soon as possible, just leave it empty for a while so it doesn't stress his hips.

[Wise Old Owl]

Me and my wife took our one year curly coated spaniel (poodle) through the SNP last summer. We took our pooch on serveral training hikes before the 100miles of SNP. Acclamation is the key. First night (without hiking) she didnt sleep at all. Didnt even lay down. Sat up all night. She was nt worth a flip the next day. But after that she loved the trail. We only did 10 or less miles a day, except on day it was 55-60' we did 16. Good luck. Your pooch looks like a bundle of energy.

Hmm ddon't try this at at park... Try this at home! ( been there done that!)

[onecamper]

http://


Smart dogs prefer hammocks

[shelterbuilder]

Just some thoughts --

1.) Some dogs do not like booties (I've had a couple who could CHEW through a pair faster than you could believe.
2.) A blanket that SMELLS like the dog - and is used in the crate as a floor covering) will reinforce the idea that "I sleep where my blanket is".
3.) Sleeping tethered to the dog by a leash will give you a bit more control over the dog in case he hears/smells critters.
4.) If it's raining, try a doggie raincoat to keep most of the dog from getting soaking-wet. Use the towel for the rest of the dog. I guarantee that the dog will try to dry off on your nice dry sleeping bag otherwise!
5.) Enjoy the trip, and remember to gauge rest breaks and mileages according to what the dog is telling you with his behavior.

[Tinker]

Tethering the dog is a good idea. I read in the book A Walk With Sunshine about a man whose dog tore through the vestibule of his tent (leaving it partially unzipped will probably prevent it from tearing) to chase down a skunk in the middle of the night. The following few days were not pleasant for either party.

I would place the tether outside, so the dog wouldn't rip the tent, and, personally, I'd try to train the dog to sleep in the vestibule. If he has Advantix or similar treatment, the biting bugs should leave him alone. Bring a piece of Tyvek for the vestibule floor and a blanket to put on top of that.

I haven't owned a dog in years, though I worked around them at Petco a few years back, and helped the store animal trainer, so I got some tips, and a lot of good tips will come by way of "common sense" from a lot of other campers, both dog owners and not.

[mark jer]

My dog went right to sleep

[SawnieRobertson]

When I was a kid we took our dog camping all the time. Teaching him to sleep in the tent was no problem. The real trick was teaching the skunks not to walk by the tent in the middle of the night. The result was the tent got a new back door and the dog got a bath.

Hardly a laughing matter at the moment, I am sure, but a great story later. I have skunks that winter over around and under my house. Before my dog goes outside, I stand with the door slightly opened and give the Great Outdoors the sniff test. Don't want to get skunked ever.--Kinnickinic

[hauptman]

I'll tell you how to teach. Take him out, set up tent, and wait for shivering dog to paw at door.