Control Your Pets
A Guide to Responsible Pet Control
Camping with your pets (mainly dogs) can be a rewarding experience, offering them the chance to explore new environments and bond with you in nature. However, it also comes with responsibilities. Keeping your pet safe and ensuring they don’t disrupt wildlife or fellow campers is crucial. Which brings us to the Campers Code, a set of guidelines that everyone should aim to follow when heading into the great outdoors to have a fun and safe adventure for everyone involved.
The Camper’s Code is important when it comes to interacting with nature and other campers. When pets are involved, these principles become even more important. The key aspects of the Camper’s Code that relate to pet control would be:
Respecting wildlife – after all, we are in their backyard.
Respecting staff and signs – know where your furry family member can and cannot go.
Respect others – your pet is not a fan for everyone, there are people who fear different animals for different reasons.
Don’t litter, your pet waste needs to be disposed of properly as believe it or not it is still an attractant for wildlife.
Trail Mount Revelstoke National Park - Ian Houghton
Respect Wildlife
If you respect wildlife and nature when camping with your pet, you are respecting the most critical aspect of the Camper’s Code. Pets, specifically dogs, can on occasion pose a threat to wildlife if not properly controlled, so please make sure your pet is always on a leash unless in a designated fenced off leash dog area. This not only prevents them from chasing or harming animals but also protects them from potential dangers, like the almighty skunk spray – no one wants to deal with that during a camping trip or ever. Other dangers could be snake bites or encounters with larger predators. Visit AdventureSmart and be in the know about wildlife safety.
If you train your dog with a recall command, you ensure your pets ability to be called in the event they wriggle loose or bolt from an open door. This helps your pet come back to you instantly. Please refrain from letting Fido do his business in the bushes, kids like to trek into areas that they shouldn’t, and no one wants poop on their shoes. Keeping your pet away from nesting areas, spawning streams, and other sensitive environments where they might disturb local wildlife is important too.
Tethered at a Tent Site Gulf Dry Provincial Pak, Radium Hot Springs
Keeping the Campsite Clean
A clean campsite creates a safe campsite. We are not saying you won’t encounter any unwanted guest, but you do certainly lessen the chance encounter. Use proper receptacles to dispose of dog waste and do not leave a bowl of food out for Fido either. When it’s dinner time, feed your pet in the same spot each time and use an old towel or blanket for easy clean up afterwards. Even the smallest missed morsel can attract mice or raccoons, later in the night. Do not bring a whole bag of food. We recommend that you portion out their meals into zip style bags stored in a Tupperware type container, so you bring the exact amount you need, and place it in your vehicle or hard-sided trailer. Do not bring this into a tent or tent trailer as the aroma can still be acquired by those with an acute sense of smell. Visit WildSafeBC to learn more about their “Bare” Campsite Program.
Respect Others
Camping is often about enjoying peace and quiet in nature. Not everyone is comfortable around pets, and uncontrolled animals that bark and carry on can disrupt the experience for other campers. Keep your pet within your designated campsite area and leashed at all times to minimize them wandering into neighboring campsites. Remember some people are fearful of pets or allergic to pets and these people want to avoid contact.
Man and his Dog, Yoho National Park
Tips for Controlling Your Pet
Keep the Noise Level Down
If your pet tends to bark or make noise, try to minimize this behavior through training or by keeping them occupied with toys, exercise or even treats such as a large chew bone, but again, put this away for the nighttime hours to be less of an attractant.
Socialize Your Pet
Before heading out, ensure your pet is well-socialized and comfortable around strangers and other animals. This reduces the likelihood of aggressive or anxious behavior during your trip. Before you go, check the rules and regulations of the campsite or park. Make sure you comply with any specific requirements, such as leash lengths or designated pet areas. Also, you may encounter rules about certain breeds that the campground does not allow, so it’s best to know in advance, each campsite and park may have different rules when it comes to pets. Some areas might have leash laws, while others might not allow pets at all.
Carry Documentation
If you have your pet license and vaccination records, bring them along. Some campsites may ask for proof of vaccinations, especially in areas where wildlife could pose a risk. It also makes sense if there is an emergency with your pet, you have the information a vet needs at your fingertips.
Leave No Trace
The Leave No Trace principle is a cornerstone of responsible camping. It’s all about leaving the environment exactly as you found it—or better, this includes pet waste that needs to be disposed of properly. Don’t leave it behind to decompose, as this can disrupt the local ecosystem and lead to possible encounters of someone walking into it.
Having Fun and Being Responsible
So next time you head out camping into the great outdoors with Fido or your other beloved pet, keep these tips in mind and embrace the spirit of the Camper’s Code.
Published: September 20, 2024
Last Updated: September 21, 2024
