So this Memorial Day weekend the family will be camping at a pet friendly camp site. Although we've camped several times before we've never taken our dogs along with us.
Penny is a female Manchester Terrier and Phoenix is a male Golden Retriever mix. Other taking their favorite chew toys and plenty of plastic bags to clean their poop up what else should I consider?
I plan on making some special dog tags that have their names, our names , and our cell numbers.
Thanks Dan
I would make sure that they are up to date on flea/tick medication. Make sure they have plenty of clean water and a shady place to cool off. In all seriousness, are they going to sleep in a tent? I would worry about bears, bobcats and anything else that would take advantage of a chained up meal..er animal.
Be aware of Racoons too, they are extremely vicious to other animals. Keep the dogs in the tent with you for sure. They should get the idea of the tent, the same as the house, and will let you know if they need to go out.
Also be aware that with all the noises in the night, the dogs could possibly be on alert all night.
I would ask your vet for the names of recommended vets/emergency vets along your travel route, and make note of their hours and contact numbers and addresses, if it is more than 3 hours away. Of course with smartphones you can pull that up readily but if you don't have one or lose reception, then a list is handy. Your vet may also have additional information about the area(s) you will be camping in, and if they carry any additional risks to be prepared for.
Make sure they are up to date on flea and tick guard as well as all of their shots (take a copy of their license and all current vaccination records with you). Take a few current pictures with you in printed form, not digital.
I would have treats of differing value such as diced chicken, hot dog and cheese bits, in addition to regular kibble. It keeps their attention on you and not on whatever scent they pick up in the camp. Keep them refrigerated until use, but otherwise keep some on you in a plastic baggie in your pocket and dole them out when the dog focuses on you and not the distracting stuff going on. They will get it. You can also stuff kongs or other hollow chew toys with kibble and cheese and they will spend a few minutes working on that instead of getting into the picnic basket. We have also had success with dog puzzle games, which we discovered in Good Canine Citizen class but have made our own GRM version using a muffin pan and some plastic drinking cups cut to fit. Turn the drinking cups upside down in the muffin tin with treats hidden under some, not all cups. We had to weigh the muffin tin down with a piece of plywood to keep them from just turning the whole thing topsy turvy and eating the treats strewn throughout the carnage. 
Bring plenty of fresh water for everybody. Bring extra dog towels and their bedding. If your dogs get too wound up or anxious about travel, try lavender oil. You can use a small amount on a towel (or a sweatshirt of yours if they won't destroy it) and place it in their area during travel. It can have a nice calming effect. Take plenty of walks together if they are able to, and have fun! 
I have no real advice, MoJo covered it well.
My friend Tom takes his Belgian Shepard hiking in the Adirondacks, camping out all weekend. Max loves it! All those great smells, fresh air, bonding with the boss. Tom bought some doggie back packs so Max can carry his own food in.
In reply to 914Driver:
I love the saddlebags for the dog. It looks like a cross between a Shepard and a BMW G 650 GS... slower and less durable but better off road capability and manuverability :)
Max had a little trouble at first getting wedged between two trees, but he's good now.
You want to see him light up when Tom pulls the pack out! He knows.
914Driver wrote: Max had a little trouble at first getting wedged between two trees, but he's good now. You want to see him light up when Tom pulls the pack out! He knows.
It is almost creepy how observant they are! My dog gets really clingy and whiny if she sees me packing a bag, because she knows I'm going somewhere. If she sees me packing HER bag, she gets super excited. Sometimes I think she picks up on what's going on before I do.
16vCorey wrote:914Driver wrote: Max had a little trouble at first getting wedged between two trees, but he's good now. You want to see him light up when Tom pulls the pack out! He knows.It is almost creepy how observant they are! My dog gets really clingy and whiny if she sees me packing a bag, because she knows I'm going somewhere. If she sees me packing HER bag, she gets super excited. Sometimes I think she picks up on what's going on before I do.
Yes it is. I know several hunting dogs that as soon as they see a gun case they stick right by the person with the gun. My friend's wife says that if we leave their dog at home after loading the hunting gear in the car and leaving that the dog pouts until we come back.
914Driver wrote: I have no real advice, MoJo covered it well. My friend Tom takes his Belgian Shepard hiking in the Adirondacks, camping out all weekend. Max loves it! All those great smells, fresh air, bonding with the boss. Tom bought some doggie back packs so Max can carry his own food in.
I've got a Belgian. That's a great way to wear out a dog that seems to have a nuclear reactor for energy production.
If they are good enough for the Navy Seals, then...well that just kicks so much ass!!!!!!!
16vCorey wrote: It is almost creepy how observant they are! My dog gets really clingy and whiny if she sees me packing a bag, because she knows I'm going somewhere. If she sees me packing HER bag, she gets super excited. Sometimes I think she picks up on what's going on before I do.
Mine is observant of shoes. Put on the right shoes and she knows what's up from mowing the lawn to taking a walk to going to work. She reacts differently to each one.
btw - You can adopt retired military dogs. It's really not hard and they come pre-trained.
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BACK ON SUBJECT (sorry to threadjack)
I'd worry about my guys being loose at first. The one dog would stick with me but the other would be all over. I'd keep yours close. The dog will be restless in the tent at first because they're so much more stimuli than at home. Also, tent sleeping is different than house sleeping. He'll probably calm down after a night or so.
Thanks guys! We'll have them close at all times and they will be sleeping in the tent with us.
914Driver wrote: Max had a little trouble at first getting wedged between two trees, but he's good now. You want to see him light up when Tom pulls the pack out! He knows.
After asking about packs here: http://grassrootsmotorsports.com/forum/off-topic-discussion/learn-me-dog-backpacks/36477/page1/
We've now had a chance to use it more.
Daisy seems to have figured out that her pack makes her wider outdoors so she can usually manage to avoid trees. But as soon as she's inside, forget it. She snags every doorway she possibly can.
Much like her winter jacket she seems torn between not wanting to put it on and wanting to do whatever fun stuff putting it on will lead to.
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