Wild Northerner Magazine Summer 2016 | Page 46

Q-How do I avoid the risk of a bear visiting our site?

A-Proper food storage is important for humans and dogs. Store your dog food in a portable air tight container. The container should be put away either in your RV or trunk of your car.

Most dogs will leave traces of food crumbs when they eat. It is important to thoroughly clean and put away their dish when they have finished eating, and to clean up any leftover bits on the ground. Free feeding your dog and allowing he/she to graze is not possible when camping. Leaving dog food out all day will increase the risk of a bear wandering on your site. Prepare your dog’s meal, and encourage him to eat. Remove the dish when he loses interest and try again at the next feed time.

Q-Can I swim with my dog?

A-Dogs get hot and need to cool off as much as humans do. Provincial and private campgrounds do not allow dogs to use the public beach area. Some parks have designated areas for your dog to swim. Use a designated swimming area, or find a spot far away from the public beach to swim with your dog. Make sure that they stays close to you to avoid any chance of her getting away and disturbing others.

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