http://www.sacpaws.com/home/Blog/SacPaws/265 It's camping and hiking season (well, arguably every season is camping and hiking season...!) -- perfect time to pack up the car, round up your dogs and hit the great outdoors.  Here are some top tips for camping and hiking with your four-legged friend: Camping Call ahead to find out if the campground you are visiting allows dogs and learn their rules. Try to get a site with some shade for your dog.    Have your dog’s vaccinations current (look into a Lyme disease vaccine) and get a health check from your veterinarian. Also, bring along his rabies vaccination certificate and vet's phone number in case of emergency. Don’t forget any medications and a copy of prescriptions. Keep id tags on your dog. Add a temporary tag with campground and lot number. Supervise your dog closely around children, other visitors and other dogs Leave a persistent barker home with a sitter.   Let your dog have time to adjust to his new surroundings.  Keep an eye on how weather conditions affect your dog: heat, cold, rain etc.  Consider use of a crate for travel and short term restraint, while you are near. Your pet could be stolen if not watched carefully.  Protect your pet from fleas, ticks and mosquitoes. Bring an extra tent and dog bed or sleeping bag in case it gets cold at night. If staying near water, swimming or boating, pack a life jacket for your dog and a towel to dry off.  Don’t give you dog water you wouldn’t drink yourself. Bring a pet first aid kit. Hiking If you plan a long hike, condition your dog gradually ahead of time to endure the long distance. Bring plenty of water for drinking and to help cool your dog down in case of heat stress. Stay on the trail – pets should not run off. Pick up pet waste. Check the terrain – if rough, bring dog boots or take a different trail. It's camping and hiking season (well, arguably every season is camping and hiking season...!) -- perfect time to pack up the car, round up your dogs and hit the great outdoors.  Here are some top tips for camping and hiking with your four-legged friend: Camping Call ahead to find out if the campground you are visiting allows dogs and learn their rules. Try to get a site with some shade for your dog.    Have your dog’s vaccinations current (look into a Lyme disease vaccine) and get a health check from your veterinarian. Also, bring along his rabies vaccination certificate and vet's phone number in case of emergency. Don’t forget any medications and a copy of prescriptions. Keep id tags on your dog. Add a temporary tag with campground and lot number. Supervise your dog closely around children, other visitors and other dogs Leave a persistent barker home with a sitter.   Let your dog have time to adjust to his new surroundings.  Keep an eye on how weather conditions affect your dog: heat, cold, rain etc.  Consider use of a crate for travel and short term restraint, while you are near. Your pet could be stolen if not watched carefully.  Protect your pet from fleas, ticks and mosquitoes. Bring an extra tent and dog bed or sleeping bag in case it gets cold at night. If staying near water, swimming or boating, pack a life jacket for your dog and a towel to dry off.  Don’t give you dog water you wouldn’t drink yourself. Bring a pet first aid kit. Hiking If you plan a long hike, condition your dog gradually ahead of time to endure the long distance. Bring plenty of water for drinking and to help cool your dog down in case of heat stress. Stay on the trail – pets should not run off. Pick up pet waste. Check the terrain – if rough, bring dog boots or take a different trail. en-us