Camping tips

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Simba13

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I am camping for the first time at an agility show this weekend :)The show is Saturday, Sunday and Monday. I was hoping for some tips from experienced agility campers. I'm sleeping in a tent so have no electricity. I have cooked up some sausage for Simbas rewards but don't think they will keep past Sunday. Any advice on treats that keep well? The last time we where in this location Simba was very worried and scared and I ended up having to pull him from the competition. I was planning on brigning my puppy along for comfort for Simba but how easy is it to camp with a hyper puppy? I'm signed up to help out a lot during the day and so don't have much time to be taking the 2 out for long. Would I be better leaving him behind with the other dogs? I'm excited about our first camping experience and want to make sure it runs smoothly for both myself and Simba :D Any other tips would be great!
 
I actually think that camping at agility trials isn't super common here in the U.S. Or at least that's the case in my area--most people get hotels or have an RV to stay in.

I would be tempted to bring a nice cooler for your treats and maybe run out once to buy extra ice a day or so in to your stay. That way your treats will keep and you can have cold drinks.

I would think that bringing a puppy along wouldn't be much trouble. We took our puppies to all of the trials we went to--it's not really any extra work and people there will love to play with them! Just make sure that you have a safe crate and that he can stay cool. We use fans and ice water.
 
Camping with a puppy is easier if they are tired from a long day of hiking :) Gavin would fall asleep easily, but then be up as soon as anyone was awake. No sleeping in for me! The trick is to get the dog to think of the tent as 'home' and not focus on what is outside the tent.
 
We've been camping a lot this year because of the early summer we've gotten! A cooler is a definite MUST.. the bigger the better so you can bring human and dog food! I'm lucky because Cruz is a great little camper and nothing really phases him but if your boy is a worrier I would probably bring his crate along and have him sleep in it in the tent. And yes bring the baby!!
 
That's interesting - it must be a UK/Ireland thing because it is an integral part of doing agility here!

OK tips -I have had a lot of experience camping at dog shows in a tent with no electricity so here's some thoughts:
1. Make sure your tent doesn't leak! Sounds obvious but we had this last year in torrential rain so I always have a tarpaulin on hand just in case to provide extra protection if needed.

2. Most people have an agility 'garden' which is a fenced off area next to or surrounding the tent/caravan. Can be really cheap and cheerful using the orange roadwork netting. I use puppy pens (the type that fold flat and are basically a line of wire panels joined together). They don't cost much, are secure and can be adjusted to the size of space available. Make sure they are high enough not to be jumped. I have ordinary beach windbreaks round mine, which stop the shelties barking at everything and also give them protection/privacy from the dogs walking past. Also does the job of keeping draughts out! You may have seen some very fancy set ups with caravans/campers but I use this all the time and it seems to work very well.

3. I do a lot of helping on the ring but people are very understanding and you can check on your dogs when you need to. Personally with a pup I would ensure he has sufficient exercise/mental stimulation early morning then you can pop him in his crate either inside the 'garden' or somewhere secure. Mine are fine by themselves in their 'garden' and are usually asleep when I pop over. People will also keep an eye if you ask them to as well. The neighbourhood watch system seems to work fine at shows.

4. Treats. Yes this is a tricky one and I will have the same problem with Angus (also a sausage lover!). I use the precooked cocktail sausages cut up. They seem to keep well enough and I have a cool box (not bag) with several ice bricks. Sometimes a kindly person with a caravan fridge may store milk/treats for you too but usually there is a local shop within striking distance of the showground to stock up on these essentials if necessary.

5. Take several coats! And wellies! And dog towels. You hopefully won't need them but at least you'll be prepared for the worst.

6. if your dogs are in the tent at night in crates then cover the crates. It keeps the dampness off.

Camping is so much fun at agility shows, it really is another level and the dogs seem to love it too. You'll have a great time. Look forward to hearing all about it. (I'm presuming that it is the weekend coming rather than the one just past?)
 
I just made some heart for Piper this past weekend. I trimmed it then sliced it thin then boiled it until cooked (didn't take more than 10 minutes. Then I placed it on paper towels to dry then onto a parchment lined baking sheet and into a 250 degree oven to dry. Took about 45 minutes but could be more or less depending on how dry you want it. Afterwards I'd just break pieces off for him and he loves it. Available at most meat markets but may be in the freezer section. Keeps well when dried, kinda like jerky.
 
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