B and I have three dogs, basset hounds, that we’ve rescued. Through the summer the bulk of our travels with the “boys” revolves around camping and/or boating and we generally are on the go as much as possible. Whether camping in a public campground or boating in a public marina, care must be taken to ensure the boys are safe and comfortable through all of our outdoor activities so today I am sharing five amazing summer travel accessories for dogs that we absolutely love and use all the time.
These five products are things we’ve tested and use regularly for our three furry friends and that’s why I am comfortable sharing them with you to try for your dog(s) as well. Some of these products are new to us where others have been used for years.
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A good and sturdy leash.
B and I have had dogs for most of our relationship. Our first dog, a lab, joined our family before we were even engaged. Over the years we’ve tried a number of different leashes. Ones that are easy to use, ones that retract, ones that have padded handles and hands down, our absolute favorite are our current leashes, these heavy-duty locking dog leashes.
The primary reason we tried these in the beginning was for the locking clips. Unlike most dog leash clips that we have had come open and dogs get loose from, these clips work more like hiking carabiner clips and to make them even better, there is a locking piece that keeps the clips for coming open until the lock in pulled off.
Additional benefits of these leashes is the additional handle closer to the hook. This great addition means when we are walking near traffic or someone is coming close with another dog, we can keep our boys closer to us by holding this extra handle.
Both handles are padded which is more comfortable especially when these guys start tugging. My dogs aren’t the best walkers.
Biodegradable “Doodie” Bags with Leash Dispenser
We typically spend about two weeks each summer at a campground along the coast in Delaware as well as travel to a few other campgrounds in PA. During these trips we need a quick and easy way to pick up their “business” when nature calls. We used to carry grocery bags or cheap dog bags but when I found these that come with the dispenser and are also more earth friendly, I had to give them a try.
These bags aren’t the cheapest option out there but I never fear that they are going to tear when I am picking up a pile. They are sturdy and pull apart easily without falling apart.
Our dogs aren’t large but they aren’t small and these bags are plenty large enough to contain everything and I don’t feel guilty disposing of them once they are used.
The Pooper Scooper
Our three dogs can be quite a handful when walking all three at once. Especially when we are in a campground where there are always lots of things to distract the boys, new smells and sounds and people to check out. Not all the boys are on the same schedule if you know what I mean so when one “goes” and the other two are anxious to get moving, having this handy scooper to grab and go makes life easier and the boys content.
There are bags made specifically to fit this scooper but we particularly like this one because you can also use regular old grocery bags. They aren’t exactly environmentally friendly but I do feel a little better getting an extra use out of them. This also makes cleaning up our yard a breeze and there is no mess.
B isn’t super tall, but he’s taller than me and even he feels the handle is long enough that it’s not uncomfortable. We use this all the time!
Silicone Collapsable Dog Bowls
One of the greatest travel accessories for the dogs are these collapsible bowls. We have three dogs so someone is always wanting a drink. What I love about the set is that I can keep one in my purse, one in the car, one on the boat, etc. That means I always have a bowl for water and because they collapse, they don’t take up much space at all. They are also very lightweight so especially for carrying in my purse, they don’t add weight to my bag.
We have used these bowls more times than I can count and I know the boys appreciate it when they can get a sip of water even on a long car ride or when we aren’t at the camper.
Dog Cooling Vest and/or Cooling Mat
One of our newest additions to our camping and traveling list for the dogs are the cooling vest and mat. Our elderly dog, LJ gets hot very easily and with this heart condition, our Vet has recommended to keep him cool and comfortable. This dog cooling vest uses the simple effects of evaporation to keep his chest cool. Simply keep the padded area wet and voila, it keeps him cool.
The cooling mat is a bit different. It’s more of a plastic/ vinyl mat with gel pockets. This mat is also pretty heavy but it naturally feels cool. I have noticed that when sitting for a while it can begin to warm up so when that happens, I get the gel moving around a bit and it begins to feel cool again. I have even used it on my own legs so I know it works and the boys have all been found napping on it so they must feel the difference too.
That’s it, my five absolute favorite travel accessories for the boys this summer. All are items we have purchased and used and swear by to make traveling easier and more fun for all of us.
Hopefully I’ve given you some ideas for possible additions to your dog’s travel list so he or she will be more comfortable and tidy.
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