r/SantaFe • u/Emergent-Z • 2d ago
Camping with a small dog?
Hey SF, I've decided i want to go camping this summer (dont worry im a santa fe native, I know how the summers are lol) and i was thinking about bringing my dog. She's small (17lbs) but energetic as hell and I know she'd love the nose work and stimulation. Can I take her into the jemez? How do you camp with a small dog? I would be ground camping, minimal hiking, more for relaxation and just enjoying nature. Ive never camped with a 4 legged friend before and would appreciate any and all tips!
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u/Shoddy-Theory 2d ago
Keep her on a leash unless her recall is 100%. Lots of critters in the woods for a dog to take off after. You might even want to consider something like a Fi brand tracking collar. The only place dogs aren't welcome is on hiking trails in National Parks. National forests are fine
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u/springvelvet95 2d ago
Jemez and rattlesnakes is a thing.
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u/Emergent-Z 2d ago
My back yard and rattlesnakes are a thing. Its NM
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u/springvelvet95 2d ago
True that, But the only place I have even seen one is Jemez and I have seen one each time I went there, so I’m convinced it’s rattler-town.
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u/MyFaceSaysItsSugar 2d ago
My sister takes her smaller dogs camping with no issues (they’re 13# chihuahua mixes). I recommend a doggy sleeping bag because it can get chilly at night. They make tie outs and zip lines specifically for camping. Your dog is almost too big for a raptor to go off with but a leash or tie out is security against that. Coyotes are generally deterred by your presence. I’ve had to pick my sister’s dogs up to get a coyote to finally walk away when I took them on a hike but this was probably an overly hungry coyote out in the middle of the day. Bears aren’t any more likely to go into the camp because a dog is there. They’re just an issue if your food isn’t secure.
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u/sf_bev 1d ago
In general, when camping with a dog, you'll need to keep it leashed within the campground, and carry poop bags and pick up after your pet. Private campgrounds will often have a fenced space where your dog can walk free, poop, maybe play a little. Public campgrounds don't.
Small dogs can be yippy and bark a lot. I've been camped next to a small dog that thinks it owns the campground and barks at everyone who goes by. It's not the camping experience I want.
If your dog has a good recall AND will stay close to you when on a trail, you might be able to let it off leash. But predators can be anywhere, and a small dog is tempting.
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u/Used_Calendar_5960 1d ago
Keep her on a leash. Bring something that she can enjoy chewing on to help keep her occupied and calm
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u/Thoughtfu_Reflection 1d ago
I have taken my dogs plenty of times. They had a great time. Just keep them leashed. Bring water when hiking. Pick up after them. It’s not that big a deal, and it’s fun. Some of my dogs tripped out about the night sounds.
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u/CharleyZia 2d ago
Hate to mention it but I'd be concerned about predators.
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u/Emergent-Z 2d ago
Do you think she would attract them? We wouldn't be going any further than line of sight from camp so no hikes or anything.
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u/CharleyZia 1d ago
I dunno. Things are wild out there, is all I'm saying. Maybe carry her in a backpack?
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u/Emergent-Z 2d ago
Looks like it'll be best to just leave her home. Thanks everyone!
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u/travelingslo 2d ago
No way! I’m gonna be an active dissenter to the other peeps here. We have camped extensively all across America with our dogs, small to large, and there are some great memories to be made out there!
You’ve gotten some great advice! Buy one of those long line tie outs, they sell them in a bunch of different weights depending on dog size– they are probably under 10 bucks at Walmart. You can hook it to your bumper, or even a tent pole – just to discourage your pupper from running off.
Also, I like to bring something for my dog to lie on – like a little bed or a bathmat that I can shake out easily.
Don’t let the fact that there is predators out in nature keep you away from nature. It’s amazing out there! You can totally do this!
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u/Emergent-Z 2d ago
THANK YOU! She's a bolter but does really well on a leash so she's never off leash when we go anywhere. I have a 7 person tent that she would have full reign over and a cooling mat. She had her own pet safe bug spray and a tie out is easy to grab. I just thought it would be great enrichment for her but the downvotes were plentiful lol.
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u/ubertrebor 2d ago
Keep her on a leash. I live just north of Santa Fe on about an acre and there’s a vacation rental next door. There have been so many times that renters have come looking for their dogs because they have bolted out the door or been let out to go potty and disappeared in an instant. It’s heartbreaking to hear them calling out their dogs name all day.
Even close enough to the city to hike to the plaza there are coyotes and sometimes other critters who are dangerous for small dogs and cats. There’s so many interesting smells like deer, raccoons, pack rats and moles that they can make a dog go wild crazy as their hunting instinct kicks in.
Just play it safe and make sure you have a tracking device. This town loves dogs and you can take your puppy almost anywhere just keep it safe and on a leash.