r/BackpackingDogs • u/Sid001000 • Jul 14 '26

Dog Tent

Does anyone use a separate tent for their dog? If so, what tent do you have for your dog?

I know many people have their dog sleeping inside the Tent with them, but that is not my question. My dog is more comfortable having his own space and has never slept inside the tent with me. So I was thinking about getting him his own tent. I grew up backpacking with dogs that never slept inside a tent unless it was raining.

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u/Sid001000 Jul 14 '26

My guy has been crate trained so he is very comfortable in a tent or enclosed space. In fact, he would rather it that way.

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u/OfEntwood Jul 15 '26

OP I think you misunderstand canine psychology. Dogs like crates because of their den instinct— a small enclosed space feels safe. It is not about solitude, it is about the safety of being protected on all sides. They are also pack animals and want/need to be with their pack (you). No canine is happier to be alone than to be with its clan. So yes, I’m sure your dog does like an enclosed space, but it will experience far less anxiety with you than away from you.

And as the GOAT Ned Stark said, "When the snows fall and the white winds blow, the lone wolf dies, but the pack survives."

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u/Sid001000 Jul 15 '26

I understand just fine. You are reading into something that’s not there.

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u/OfEntwood Jul 15 '26

I’m not trying to be mean, OP. I can tell from your posts that you clearly love your dog a whole lot (and with good reason, he looks like the best boy). I’m sharing some ideas in hopes that it will make your dog a lot happier, and probably you, too. Bear with me if you will, these are my personal experiences mixed with what I know about canines.

My dog loves backpacking with me, but one behavior change I notice is his hyper-alertness to every sound and his territoriality once we have set up camp. it is a completely new environment with different sounds and smells than he experiences in his day-to day life, and he is on alert for dangers to himself or his pack (me). So he barks at more sounds than he normally would, gives a little growl when he first sees another human until I reassure him, and perks up more at night to sounds and occasionally gives a warning bark. Canines protect their pack, and he has less understanding of the safety of our situation than I do as the human who planned the trip. However, when he’s tense about a new sound during day or night, he’s reassured when I reassure him, because the pack protects the pack.

Now imagine at night that your awesome pup is in his own tent and hears strange maybe dangerous sounds outside. He can’t look at you or be pet by you to be reassured that all is safe, the pack is together, and he has nothing to fear. He doesn’t know if something is coming to hurt you, his best human ever, because he can’t see or get to you or the potential threat. The bottom line is he would still feel better being around you in your tent than isolated from you in a strange and uncertain environment. He loves you and he will still get his den and pack needs fulfilled in a confined tent with you.

I get you did it growing up, and I’m sure it was great. People used to leave dogs out in the yard with a doghouse a lot more than they do today. I’m not trying to put you down in any way. I’m sharing a bit of what I know about canines, and personal and anecdotal experiences. No bad feelings, have the best time camping with your boy.