I've camped with my dog many times and would also suggest that he be in the tent.  When car camping the skunks and racoons make their rounds just after dark and in Algonquin there's plenty more critters around so good chance the dog will get in a dust up or worse ... 

For our mutt we always put down a blanket so that his nails would not cut the floor ...  other than that he was A ok in the tent .. loved it. 

I'd also suggest you get him in the canoe as early as possible ... mine got in late and never sat still ...

Funny story ... I was fishing in a boat with my dog and landed a pretty good pike ... the fish was not yet played out and was flopping all over the place .. scared the crap out of the dog and he jumped out of the boat !!  Luckily we were close to shore and he just swam in ...

You need to protect him/her from bugs.  Depending on the dog it will be up listening to the noises etc at night. It would be terrible to loose your dog in the park if he took off after something. Keep him or her inside with you.
I tried camping in the tent one night with Bert, my current beagle. He sat at attention at my feet just listening and smelling things. Pretty sure he did not sleep. He loves the chase.  So if something small came in the night,  he would be gone.
Get your dog a good fitting life jacket. Dogs are particularly prone to hypothermia in water if exposed to long. I have a nice Salus I have for my friends beagle to come on the boat with me. Made in Canada and I can pick up the dog by the hand lifts and she is completely comfortable. Does not even get excited. She also runs around with it on just like her harness. Doesn't slow her down at all. Bert  is new to the family and will have one before he boats or canoes.

Get a small dog first aid kit. You will find lists of what you need on multiple web sites. I think in one of Kevin Callens books he has a list of the basics you should have to take care of your dog.

Last edited by Shark (9/07/2017 8:58 pm)

I have honestly never been camping without one of my dogs. I've literally spent thousands of nights in a tent with at least one dog. My German shepherd (12 years old)used to stay up all night listening to every little noise, but not once has he woken me up because of another animal (in the back country anyways). He is getting very old now so I recently started bringing our 1.5 year old Shepherd/Retriever mix. I started her in the canoe when she was under a year old, whereas the 12 year old wasn't introduced until 5 years old (rescue dog), already the younger dog is much better behaved than the older one is to this day. 
I always let them sleep inside the tent, I don't think they have ever spent a night camping outside of the tent actually. I have a "two-person" tent for when going solo with just one dog, which is a perfect size. I bring along fleece Hudson Bay blanket which weighs nothing and packs down to nothing, the blanket fits perfectly on the bottom of the tent to stop the dogs nails from piercing the thin material.
Earlier this year I knew it was going to be a clear night so I decided o go flyless, well when the sun went down my dog decided she wanted to go to bed so she clawed her way through the mesh on the door. So if your dog really likes being in the tent, always keep the fly on, and vestibule closed.  

basilthegood wrote:

...The thought of having her in the vestibule crossed my mind when I started thinking about how filthy she could get, especially when wet and muddy.
...

It's guaranteed that you'll be sleeping with a wet dog at some point, but I've been pleasantly surprised over the years at how much they do tend to dry off before bedtime. Still, it's worth packing a towel to wipe them down. 

 

There is a 2 person Midori. Go with that or continue with the 3 person. I can't imagine Bert being left outside. If he is wet and dirty, clean up to best of your ability. I can't imagine while you are tripping you are perfectly clean. Definitely bring him a blanket. Bert would be allowed in my bag and I am 6'3. I would not want him cold all night. More likely spread out the cover below us and rectangle bag over us. Depending on temperature or two rectangle bags.  Think about it. If he is already wet,  he will be cold over night and he can't huddle with his pack for warmth if they are in a tent he can't get to.

Greatly appreciate the wealth of info and opinions coming through here. 

I'd like to clarify I have no problem having the pooch sleeping in with me, it's more so if I can reasonably expect both of us to be comfortable in the solo. I'm 5'5'' and she'll be no more than 40lbs tops.

There wouldn't be enough differentiation between a 2 person and my Volt 3 to justify a purchase, particularly in the >$200 range, whereas the solo would cut down considerably in packed size and weight. My Volt 3 is 5.5lbs, the Midori Solo is 3.5lbs. If I looked at the Midori 2 its 4.4lbs. So it comes down to either keep rolling with the Volt 3 or buy a solo.

Just when I thought I have all the gear I'd ever need, I get a new family member to buy gear for. Good thing I like gear.
 

Our dog sleeps in our bed at home.   Before we got a trailer for car camping we would have a blanket for her in our tent.  Worked out fine, expect on cooler nights. 


Yes,  that's her tail. 

FWIW, I'm 6'1 and I used to camp with a golden retriever at my feet in a solo tent (MSR hubba). I didn't buy the tent for that purpose and it was a little cramped, but it worked. I've thought of putting dogs in the vestibule but I'm just nervous about sleeping through ugly animal encounters and stuff.

As to the question about whether a solo tent is worth the weight savings... in canoe tripping and especially solo tripping, it's more about bulk than weight. Will the smaller tent make a difference in your total pack setup? Will it get you down to one backpack so you can single-carry portages with your paddle tied to the thwarts? Or at least make double-carrying easier?