[Bernie's Mom]

This past weekend we took Bernie on his first camping adventure. We went with another couple and their 4 human kids and 1 fur-kid name Cotton. Bernie and Cotton play well together and have become buddies so we were excited that Bernie would have a play mate. And did he ever! Those two played and wrestled to the point they could barely move and then they would sit and mouth at each other because they didn't have the energy for a full out wrestling match.

We had cables tied between trees with cables attached to the dogs to create a run for them so they could have plenty of room to play without having to worry about them running off. This worked really well except for the times they got tangled up and boy did they get tangled up!!

Bernie's new hobby... "Creative Leash Braiding"


I bought a collapsible/pop-up fabric crate (http://www.tucknrollacres.com/images/pucrate2_.gif) to use for camping and by the end of Friday night Bernie was so tired he went straight in it and went bed. Without ANY food coercion at all!

The next morning Bernie and Cotton were geared up and ready for another round of wrestling and then on to do a little hiking and site seeing. Bernie was already pooped after a morning of playing and hiking so he decided to take a dip in a little waterfall. He would have plowed all the way in if i hadn't stopped him.


It didn't revive him too much though because as the day went on anytime we stopped or not he would just plop wherever the mood struck.


Seriously? You want me to WALK?


By the time we got back to camp Saturday night both dogs were too tired to play but that didn't stop them. They played or either one of the kids would take them for a walk while we prepared dinner. Finally they both had enough and...

PLOP


By the time we went to bed saturday night Bernie was trying to get in the tent before i could unzip it and absolutely refused to come out of his crate long enough to get his harness off.

Sunday morning the wrestling ensued. I think neither one wanted to stop but both were too tired. We packed up everything and loaded up to head home. In less than 2 minutes Bernie was snoring and barely moved during the 2 hour drive home.




I have never seen a dog so exhausted in my life! Even this morning all he could muster was going out to potty and eating his breakfast and after both of those "strenuous" activities he went straight back to bed. If we leave the room he will follow us and just plop wherever it is he stops. Just so long as he is in the same room he is happy. I spoke to my friend and Cotton is in the same shape, which surprises me because he is a Chi-Weenie and full of bounciness all the time.

No doubt about it, they are two very pooped pups!

 

[Boomer's Mom]

What a fun camping adventure! You will have a terrific camping buddy from now on, I bet.

Bernie is a very handsome basset, by the way. Beautiful coloring!

 

[Mikey T]

bernie if you want to be able to keep your energy level up day after day of camping have your mum invest in some CPN Power Boost

see
Glycogen Replenishment in Hard Working Dogs for how it works

Dogs that perform intense exercise, especially on successive days or successive times in one day, may require a supplemental carbohydrate source post-exercise to help them recover and replenish glycogen stores.
Recent research has shown that the most effective way to replenish carbohydrates in a canine athlete is through provision of modified starches called maltodextrins.

and feeding a high protein high fat diet weeks before such and outing as well. see FEEDING THE HIGH PERFORMANCE BIRD DOG

Additional research conducted by the Iams Company recognized that dogs on high-fat diets were better able to burn oxygen, even without extra conditioning. When highly conditioned dogs were fed a normal-fat food and sedentary dogs were fed a high-fat food, the dogs fed the high-fat food were better able to utilize oxygen and had more energy to burn. When the sedentary dogs were conditioned as well as fed the high-fat food, their energy burning ability went up even more.2

...In one research project completed by Iams scientists, racing sled dogs were fed diets of 16, 24, 32, and 40% protein. None of the dogs on the 16% protein food made it though the training season without at least one injury serious enough to remove them from training.

if she does this you will never ever be tired again, just don't tell her that part moms can be funny that way they seem to like it when we're tired

 

[Lightning&Stomps]

That picture of him asleep on the rock is hysterical.

 

[WatsonBoy]

We are taking Watson camping for the first time this coming weekend. We are a little nervous but it looks like Bernie had an amazing time!! Hopefully Watty will have the same experience. I love how many camping families are on these boards -- I feel like [some] people don't appreciate a good weekend in the woods anymore!

 

[CatherineM]

I have seen bassets pretty tired, and they will play until they literally drop.

 

[Gracie's Mama]

Looks like bernie had a lot of fun! Looking at those pics makes me want to go camping! I was a little nervous about taking Grace. But, it looks like you guys had a really good time.

 

[Annie714]

Awwww I miss camping! Grew up going in our tent trailer

Looks like Bernie had an awesome time!

 

[charady2]

I cannot wait! We usually go camping once at least every summer, started it back in 2006 when I was pregnant. Kids have a blast and we used to take Taz (rottie) with us. I hope flash likes it too!

Are bassets a dog that overheat easily? I know dark fur contributes to that, flash is brown and white. We always get a shady spot anyway, just a question that popped into my head!

Looks like you all had a blast. Dogs make everything more fun

 

[Wworm]

yes, i do believe bassets overheat. that was the reason for moving the basset playgroup to earlier time in the summer, before getting too hot...

Bernie-- what great pics of u and ur family! u are such a pretty red-brown color and u remind us of Doppler, the basset mix on this forum. camping is so much fun! r u recovered yet???

 

[Bernie's Mom]

Bernie has definitely recovered! We were late getting home from work yesterday so he had some extra resting time. I knew he was recovered when he brought me toys to throw. lol He was in full on puppy mode! I can't believe he will be 6 months old friday!! Wow! He is growing so fast!

Yes, I agree, bassets can get overheated easy. At least from my experience anyway. They have no stopping sense and will just keep going and going! lol

We all had a blast that's for sure! It's been a while since we've been able to go camping because our last dog, Remy, a great dane, was not friendly with other dogs so we couldn't take him anywhere or let anyone puppy-sit for us. We decided to go back to a "small" dog when we lost Remy (yes, bassets are small compared to 180 lb great dane, lol). we have missed bassets so much and had been wanting another one for a long time. Our last basset, Byron, went everywhere with us so we are extremely happy that Bernie travels well!

 

[CatherineM]

I do recall a really tired basset once that insisted that I carry him into the house like the rest of the camping equipment.

 

[Bernie's Mom]

I do recall a really tired basset once that insisted that I carry him into the house like the rest of the camping equipment.

That's what I had to do with Bernie!!! As soon as i set him on the ground he went flat basset and wouldn't budge. ROFL

 

[Bella the hound dog]

so adorable!