I've always brought my golden retriever with me camping in the BWCA and I've historically only used a tent. I just purchased my first hammock this spring and am going on my first trip with it in the near future. I'm wondering how others have hammock camped with their dog and what advise they would give? I'm guessing having the dog sleep under your hammock is the only option. What type of pad or bed do you bring for your dog to sleep on? If you go in bug season, what do you do to protect your dog? I usually spray her with lemon eucalyptus oil if the bugs are bad but I am wondering if that will be enough for her to get through the night? I was also considering leaving my thermacell on next to her all night but again, not sure if that is enough.

As far as warmth, I was thinking about bringing a heavy fleece doggie jacket that was custom made for her. That would help with warmth and cover a large portion of her body from bugs.

Any advise would be greatly appreciated.

I've gone twice solo with my dog but always in a tent. In September I'm taking her and I will use my hammock and I bought her a "pup tent" that I will keep under me. The fleece is a good idea. I bring a fleece coat and also a synthetic filled pad for her to lay on.

Here's what I bought. It's 2.8 lbs but not waterproof on top, only the floor. Pup tent

I have been on several trips with my dog sleeping in the hammock with me. He is a #50 spaniel. I get in first, and when sitting call him to my lap and guide him to the foot area. He sleeps around my ankle to knee area. I gradually introduced the hammock and bug net zipped. Check Max weight capacity. I spray my clothes with permetherin, for the dog I spray a bandana and wrap it around his neck. Smokey fires also work well. I also give him bravecto which they say repels ticks and mosquitoes.

Thanks for sharing. I thought about having my golden sleep in the hammock with me and its still a possibility. We would be well within the weight requirements and she already usually sleeps snugged right up to me at home. Do you put a pad or blanket or anything underneath where the dog sleeps?

I also use bravecto. It does not do anything for mosquitos. Check their FAQs on their website - bravecto only protects against ticks and flees.

My dog sleeps hot. I have a 3/4 length underquilt so there is good air flow for him. I use a box store closed cell foam pad in the canoe to keep him out of the water, I'll use that for him if it's below 40.

I have a 50 Lb. border collie and could never imagine her in the hammock with me. LOL. She would probably end up laying on top of me.

I ended up just putting the dog's pad and bug net right underneath my hammock setup and it worked great. Not shown in the pic is the pad I had for her to sleep on. It got into the low to mid 40s on the coldest night - I'm glad I brought the dog's fleece jacket.

I have used your same setup but netless hammock. You can cut the corners out of the top of the bug net and hang the hammock through the net, pad for dog to lie on, pack for dog to sleep next to as a windbreak. Warning: Labs who run through screen doors at home will also run through the bug net ;)

Some people do have their dog share the hammock with them. Mine would never go for that - he'll snuggle briefly, but overheats quickly and wants out, so that's just for lounging, not overnight. He just sleeps straight on the ground, with a steel cable tether to one of the trees. I'll bring a pad for him in the winter, but he won't use it unless it's below zero, and even then is iffy. (He's an Alaskan Malamute, so cold really isn't an issue.) That pad is the Ruffwear Highlands one, which has a nice accordion fold for packing.

For bugs, it is actually safe to spray diluted permethrin right on your dog, as long as you avoid their face and genitals, and they aren't pregnant, nursing, or sick. Do NOT do that if they also live with cats, however. Mosquitos don't seem to bother him, but flies will.