u/TheKasPack

We're starting to do our research for booking our 2027 season, and decided we'd like to make one of our trips this year to Algonquin. That said, it started a conversation between my husband and I about the different campgrounds and I'm curious - what are your favs and why?

Some context: We are both front and backcountry campers, although this trip would be front country. We are tent campers, travelling with 2 dogs and 2 cats. One pup is reactive, so we prefer more private campsites, or sites that can be set up to be more private. Fav activities include hiking, canoeing, and swimming (with the pets).

I would like to preface this by saying I am NOT getting a new dog. We have two AMAZING rescue pups that we love so much, and two is more than enough for us.

But I was having a conversation with a friend the other day about dog breeds and breed traits, and it got me to thinking... What dog breed to most adventure lovers believe is best suited for the outdoor travel lifestyle? Do you think there is a best breed?

My thoughts...

I think it varies depending on your idea of the ideal adventure. Our Anatolian Shepherd mix is a great pup for hanging out at the campsite, relaxing around the fire. She is SUPER happy to just chill and relax. On the other hand, our German Shepherd/Australian Cattle Dog is the best little buddy on my more active adventures. He lives for hiking, swimming, canoeing, etc. I love bringing him along on my backcountry adventures, because he's totally in his element.

I know it’s nothing new, ticks have been around for ages now, but it seems like every year we’re being warned that the populations are growing and the risk is higher. Hiking the bush with our pups, it’s not something I want to take chances with! The risks are just too high not to take some steps to keep everyone safe…

Here’s what’s worked for us, and I’d love to hear what your tick routine looks like, too.

 

Prevention starts before you hit the trail

The biggest thing I’ve learned is that prevention is way easier than dealing with a tick later. We try to be extra careful during peak tick season, which usually means sticking to the trail (which you should do anyway), avoiding tall grass when we can, and being a little more selective about where we let the dogs wander.

For our own dogs, we also make sure we’re using a vet-approved tick preventative that makes sense for their size and lifestyle. A lot of people think tick prevention is just for “deep woods” trips, but we’ve found it’s worth being consistent any time you’re out in tick habitat.

I recognize that not everyone chooses the conventional prevention route. There are also some great all-natural options. It’s a topic like raw vs kibble or training styles that can stir up a lot of debate. No hate from me AT ALL for those who prefer natural solutions. We honestly use a multi-prong approach with conventional and natural preventatives when we know we’re heading into a high-risk area.  

 

A few simple habits help a lot:

• Keep your dog on the trail as much as possible.
• Avoid letting them push through long grass or brush.
• Check your dog as soon as you get back to the car or home.
• Pay extra attention to ears, armpits, belly, between toes, and under the collar.

 

What we do after every hike

Even on short walks, I do a quick tick check before everyone piles into the vehicle. If you catch them early, it’s a lot easier to deal with. Getting rid of them ASAP also means a much lower risk of tick-borne diseases.

I usually run a lint brush over their coat first, spending a little more time looking at the tick hot spots (ears, underarms, groin, paws, around the tail, under the collar), then do a more thorough check once we’re home. On lighter-coated dogs, like our girl Willow, they’re easier to spot. With fluffier coats or darker coats, you really have to be deliberate about it.

We’ve recently been eyeing up the TiCK MiTT as an option to add to our routine. Thoughts, anyone?

 

If you find a tick

If one has latched on, the main thing is to stay calm and remove it properly. Fine-tipped tweezers or a tick removal tool work best. You want to grab it as close to the skin as possible and pull slowly and steadily straight out, without twisting or crushing it.

 

A few things we avoid:

• Don’t use your fingers.
• Don’t yank it out fast.
• Don’t try to burn it off or smother it with random home remedies.

 

After removal, clean the area and keep an eye on the spot for irritation. If you’re unsure whether the whole tick came out, or if your dog seems off afterward, it’s always best to check with your vet. Worst-case scenario, you “waste” a bit of time on the visit for peace of mind.

 

This combo of prevention tips and tricks doesn’t make ticks disappear, but it does make the whole situation feel much more manageable.

What’s your routine for tick season? Do you rely mostly on preventatives, trail habits, or super thorough checks after every outing? Are there products you love?