I'm going in at Kawishiwi Lake and taking a friends dog with me in mid May if the lakes are open that is. She's an older dog and well behaved but has never been canoeing before. I'm sure she'll be fine but I'm concerned about wood ticks and keeping her warm at night. I was wondering if I should bring anything extra along for her.

What kind of dog is she?
This will be my first year to bring my dog, but she is short haired... so the normal camping and canoeing would apply.
A doggy first aid kit, short haired = sunscreen, a pack so she can carry her own goodies, PFD incase the wind kicks in and she doesn't sit well... she may be a swimmer, but it can be a rough swim if the weather kicks up something unexpected. My blanket is long enough for us both - but it was in the 30's last year, so a doggy sweater will probably be packed in my pillow case (extra clothing in a stuff sack). I like doggy booties for my tent (since my pad is a blow up). A vet visit first for precaution vaccines that are recommended.

Definitely take the dog canoeing before your trip. If the dog hates being in a canoe you want to find that out before hand.

Alan

I strongly advise against taking a dog to the BWCA that has never been in a canoe before. Dogs can do funny things in a canoe and it can totally change their personality, you REALLY need to do a few test paddles with the dog before taking it with you. Its even more important considering the fact that you are traveling in May when water temps are still going to be very cold. A dog related tipping in May could be a very serious situation.

Making sure the dog is a good canoe dog is the most important issue. Beyond that there are a few things you'll want to bring along.

Must haves...
1. Leash
2. Food
3. Water bowl
4. Doggie first aid kit

Might needs depending on breed of dog...
1. Brush for a long hair dog
2. Something for them sleep on/in. I bring a small fleece sleeping bag for my dog who has a very short coat.
3. Benadryl, dogs get allergies to and it can also help with irritation from bug bites
4. PFD if the dog isn't a good swimmer, my dog doesn't have one
5. Dog pack, make the dog carrying its own food. Be careful not to over load the dog.
6. Ball
7. Vaccines, we always take our dog in to the vet for a pre trip check up where he gets vaccinated against lyme and giardia. The dog will drink from the lake so why not make sure its safe. Also make sure its up to date on Frontline and Heartgaurd.
8. Towel. My dog sleeps in the tent with us so we towel of his feet before letting him in.

As far as ticks go best thing you can do is make sure you've taken the appropriate preventative actions. Lyme vaccine and Frontline. Beyond that its just a matter of looking them over good at the end of each day. The brush will help if its a long hair breed. I have a vizsla which have very short coats so tick patrol is easy. The short coat also seems to not attract as many ticks. I've only pulled a handful of them off him over the last 5 years.

I have to agree with Alan and Nofish that taking a dog that has never been in a canoe is a risky idea. Even a well behaved dog may react badly to the canoe the first time: the slippery footing, stange sound of water, the tippy-ness can all unsettle them. And in mid May water temps could still be only 45-55 degrees or so, which is serious if the dog jumps out or the canoe tips Get some practice in before hand if at all possible. Since you are going in at Kiwishiwi, you could also consider staying right on the lake and getting some practice in for a day or two before heading in deeper.

I bring a small pad for my dog to sleep on and he is happy with that. A few times when it has gotten especially cold I've tossed a fleece jacket over the top of him. He probably didn't need it but I felt better.

I'll have her at the cabin a couple days before we go in to train her on getting in and out of the canoe and paddle about. If the ice is out the weekend before I can take her then too. Thanks for all the advice, hadn't considered the vet before hand but will make the appt. Also I will bring my lightweight cot rather than the air mattress and an old blanket for her-maybe cut it in half. The doggie backpack and leash I have and her owner has a portable dish. I'll have to get a doggie first aid kit. Is that something you buy somewhere?

A doggie first aid kit is pretty simple and for the most part includes stuff from a human medicine cabinet.

Hydrogen peroxide - can be used to induce vomiting if the dog eats something it shouldn't

Benydryl - for allergies or bug bite reactions. My dog gets welts from the biting flies and he his nose can get irritated.

Neosporin - used the same as it is for humans

Bandages also something that can be used to seal up a cut on the pad of a foot. They make liquid bandages that I hear work well, haven't had to use it yet myself.

You can also look into anti inflammatory medications. Maybe talk to a vet about that one. I don't want to give wrong information.

Tweezers for pulling ticks or splinters

Thats about all that I can think of off the top of my head. Most of the stuff is usually found in my normal first aid kit anyways.

I use a Therm-A-rest foam pad in the canoe for warmth and keeping the dog out of the bilge water. It also serves as his ground pad in the tent. I also take along a sweater for the dog and a fleece sleeping bag liner. The dogs own towel comes in handy for drying off before going into the tent.

I would ask the vet about medicine for diarrhea so that you can have that on hand.