English Bulldog Archives - Pibbles & Bits

Summer weather has finally arrived and you and the family plan to go camping. Whether you plan to glamp in a well air conditioned RV or rough it out in a tent there are few things to consider if your English Bulldog is coming along. Can English Bulldogs go camping? As a general rule English Bulldogs can go camping but you must be well prepared. Location, weather,and packing the appropriate gear needs to be well thought out prior to your road trip. Being ready for every situation when camping is vital for your Bulldog’s safety. Prior to heading out on your road trip to the camping spot with your English Bulldog there are several things to consider. In this post I will go over everything you need to ensure your English Bulldog is safe, comfortable, and able to enjoy their camping adventures. Camping With An English Bulldog - Prep, Gear, And Safety Camping is a rather simplistic activity on the surface, but it takes a lot of thought and preparation when bringing your English Bulldog. These are some of the things you need to add to your checklist of prep, gear, and safety before you head out camping. Work On Training Before You Go Spending time in the great outdoors is wonderful. There are however no fenced in areas, and lots of new smells and things to explore. Before you head out camping with your English Bulldog you need to practice some training skills. Brush up on your English Bulldogs recall skills. Practice the “come” command and ensure you have a confident level or response. While camping your Bulldog will be free to roam and being able to have them “come” when called is very important. Additional training skills such as “drop it” and “leave it” will be vital. There are lots of new smells and things for your English Bulldog to explore while camping. As a result you need them to drop anything they put in their mouth, or leave it when you see them becoming curious. Poisonous plants, dead animals, animal droppings, and other human garbage will be present while camping. You need your English Bulldog to be responsive to your commands to ensure their health and safety. Resources & Reviews - The Best Dog Training Courses, Books, & Tools Choose An Appropriate Location Check with the campsite prior to leaving that they are dog friendly. Some camping areas have restrictions on pets, others have restrictions on certain breeds, and some are 100% pet friendly. Avoid the disappointment of arriving at your camping site and finding out your English Bulldog is not allowed. Find a camping area that is suitable for your English Bulldog. A cool spot with plenty of shade is highly recommended. Your camping area should also be open enough for your English Bulldog to roam freely on a long leash or tether without venturing into heavily wooded areas. Prepare For The Weather The majority of camping happens in the warmer months of the spring and summer. Weather can change at any point and you need to be prepared to keep your English Bulldog comfortable. Specifically when it comes to keeping them cool. Check the weather forecast and see what the temperature is going to be during your camping trip. Extremely hot weather will be a problem for an English Bulldog and should be avoided. Rain and other cold snaps can also happen during a camping trip. Be prepared with plenty of towels, blankets, and rain gear. What Temperature Is Too Hot For English Bulldogs? English Bulldogs are very sensitive to the heat. As a general rule temperatures in the high 70’s and low 80’s can begin to give your Bulldog problems. Because the Bulldog is a brachycephalic breed of dog, regulating their temperature and breathing can be difficult. Prior to setting out on your camping trip it is important to know what the temperature will be. When hot weather reaches the low 80’s it can be very uncomfortable and potentially dangerous for your English Bulldog. If you choose to bring them along, packing a fan, and other materials to keep them cool is vital. How do I know if my bulldog is overheating? There are several things to watch for with your English Bulldog. Signs to remove your Bulldog from the heat include: Excessive pantingLabored breathingLoose and discolored tongueExhaustionFoaming at the mouthUnusual sounds, groans, and whimpers How Do You Cool Down A Bulldog? There are several ways to cool down your Bulldog. Finding some shade and applying cold water on their feet and bellies is a good place to start. Shallow pools of cold water or a wet towel across their belly can help a great deal. Cooling mats can also be a great option. Keeping your Bulldog close to a fan in a shady area with plenty of cold water will help them stay cool. When it is particularly hot outside it is best not to let your Bulldog stay in that environment. Inside an air conditioned RV or home will be a must for your Bulldogs well being. Bring A Tether Whether you are camping in a tent or an RV having a long teether for your Bulldog is a must. This will allow for your Bulldog to freely roam around your campsite and prevent them from wandering off. It also allows them to self regulate between sunny and shady spots when they feel the need. Even if your English Bulldog has amazing recall, a tether is important. You might not be watching them all the time. When you are not there to call them back your English Bulldog can easily explore outside your campsite and get into trouble. Pack Their Favorite Items Familiar and favorite items should be packed for your camping trip. Your English Bulldog may be thrown off by their new environment if it’s their first time camping. Keeping them engaged with their favorite toys, and having their familiar blanket and bed available will help them feel comfortable. Bring A Cooler For Your Bulldog Keeping a separate cooler for your English Bulldog’s camping trip is important. This is where you will want to store their food, kongs, and other food items. A cooler will keep their food fresh and also avoid unwanted wildlife visitors that may be attracted by the smell. Reflective And Glow In The Dark Gear Keeping your English Bulldog visible at night while camping is going to be vital. Things like glow in the dark collars are a great way to keep your dog easy to find in the dark. This is not only for your English Bulldog’s safety but yours as well. Tripping over your dog near a campfire can be disastrous. The Blazin’ Safety LED Dog Collar & Leash are fantastic products you can grab off Amazon for a good price. These LED lights are visible up to 350 yards, durable, and have 3 setting for strob, blink, and constant. BUY ON AMAZON Clean Those Skin Folds Cleaning your English Bulldogs skin folds in a regular setting should be a daily or weekly practice. This is especially true when camping. Be sure to pack enough wipes to clean out your Bulldogs folds and wrinkles. Lots of dirt and debris will be around and keeping your Bulldog clean is important. My go-to wipes have always been the Earth Rated Dog Wipes. They are hypoallergenic, environmentally friendly, and overall an amazing dog wipe. I use these all the time on my Staffy and Pocket Bully. They are a great product at a fantastic price point on Amazon. BUY ON AMAZON Flea & Tick Medications Prior to leaving for your camping trip make sure your English Bulldog is up to date with their flea and tick medication. It’s no secret that bugs are around when camping. Keeping your Bulldog’s treatment current will help prevent those pesky bugs from ruining a trip. I would also recommend bringing along your English Bulldog’s grooming brush. Giving them a good brushing everyday can help remove some of the pesky critters. While you’re at it a good inspection of their skin and coat should take place to ensure they are free of ticks and fleas. Bring A Life Jackets Camping areas that are near water will require an additional layer of safety. Getting a life jacket for your English Bulldog will be needed. English Bulldogs are generally not very good swimmers, so being unattended near water could be trouble. Bring a life jacket and have your Bulldog wear it anytime they are in the proximity of water. This added layer of safety will give you the peace of mind that if your English Bulldog wanders off they are safe from water hazards. Resources & Reviews - The Best Dog Gear & Safety Accessories Poisonous Wild Plants For Bulldogs Get to know your environment when camping with your English Bulldog. There are many natural wild plants that can spell disaster for your dog. Everything from toxic ingestion, to skin irritation and respiratory issues can arise. Know what to look for and keep your Bulldog clear. These are some of the more common poisonous wild plants for English Bulldogs. Ragwort Common TansyYarrowBaneberryButtercupMonkshoodJimsonweedNightshadePoison HemlockWater HemlockSkunk CabbageMilkweedPokeweedBloodrootDeath CamasDogbaneVelvet GrassCorn CockleBlack WalnutChinaberryAutumn CrocusDaffodilFoxgloveLily of the ValleyWild Mushrooms If you believe your dog has come into contact with any of these plants contact your Vet or a local 24 hour emergency clinic immediately. Take pictures of the plant your suspect your dog has eaten or come into contact with. I would highly recommend getting the book “Poisonous to Pets: Plants Poisonous to Dogs and Cats” to keep with you while camping. This is a great resource with large photographs and descriptions of various toxic plants, reactions, and threat levels. BUY ON AMAZON Bring A First Aid Kit Pack a first aid kit for your English Bulldog’s camping trip. Bumps, scraps, and allergic reactions can happen and it’s best to be prepared. Your kit should include the basics of antiseptic, gauze, medical tape, scissors, wound wraps, and medications like Benadryl. Arca has a terrific travel first aid kit available that has everything you need. From the basic bandage materials, to a pet thermometer, tick remover, and emergency collar. Lightweight, and easy to pack for your camping trip. BUY ON AMAZON Beware Of Wildlife Camping usually means you are going to be in proximity to wildlife. From bears, to skunks, to porcupines, to deer. Camping with your English Bulldog can present a unique set of smells and challenges. Always mind your surroundings and watch for wildlife. A Bulldog may be curious, or give chase to a skunk or porcupine and that could be a bad experience for everyone. Get to know the wildlife risks in your location and take all precautions necessary. Keep food sealed and stored away. Make sure your English Bulldog is not able to wander off or give chase. Keep your English Bulldog safely in your tent or RV when you leave the campsite and your dog behind. Final Thoughts Camping with your English Bulldog can be an amazing experience for you both. Bulldogs love to be around their family and involved in various activities alongside you. With that in mind you must be prepared for the great outdoors. Heat is going to be one of the biggest concerns you will need to watch for. While camping with your English Bulldog you need to ensure they have access to shade, and ways to cool down when temperatures get warm. Keeping your English Bulldog safe and secure while camping is a matter of good planning and packing. Use this post as a checklist to be sure you pack everything you need for your trip. From first aid to life jackets and teethers, to food storage and knowledge of the wild plants and animals in your environment. It’s a big world out there for your English Bulldog. All sorts of new smells and things to explore. Make your camping trip fun and safe with a little extra prep work in the beginning.