5 month old's first camping trip

[MightyThor]

So, this weekend we'll be heading out on our first camping trip with Thor. We're pretty primitive campers, usually camping in the middle of nowhere with no facilities and sleeping in the back of our pickup truck.

I can't decide what I want to do for Thor at night. He sleeps in his crate in our living room at home, and has never slept anywhere else. Night time temps will be in the mid 50s. We have a few options. What would you do?

• Bring his crate and put him inside the cab of the truck inside his crate (we removed the back seats, the crate fits in there but it's super awkward to get it configured - this is definitely the most complicated option).
• Let him sleep in the cab of the truck without his crate (might chew or get into things he shouldn't - we keep it pretty cleared out but seat belts/seats/etc can't be removed)
• Crate outside the truck, but right next to it so he can see us and where we're sleeping: concerned about nighttime temp, but we could throw a blanket over the crate for some warmth.
• ExPen: bring the expen and set it up next to the truck so he can see us (and we can see him), plus it gives him some more freedom around camp if we need to 'puppy jail' him due to behavior. Concerned about nighttime temps though.

Trying to figure out the best solution for a pup-in-training! I don't want him loose around camp, but I do want him to start getting used to the experience since we'll be spending a lot of time outdoors with our guy. I also am not sure how cold is too cold for him outside at night. I want him to be comfortable and safe, but I also don't want to coddle him since he has a long future of outdoor adventure.

[colding]

Why not let him sleep with you in the back of the truck? Bring the ExPen, too, just in case it doesn't work out.

[ZRabbits]

Hi, new member here. If it was me, I would take the crate, as Thor is really used to his "safe" place. I would set it up outside the truck with a few blankets. He knows his crate, he knows you are close, and with the temp dropping the blankets will keep him warm.

Hoping Thor has a blast on his first camping trip!

KAZ

[Bamps]

When we took Opie for the first time we had a pup tent and my grandson and Opie slept in that together.

I would agree with the crate. Bring it along, he's already familiar with it. Have fun!!

[JenC]

First time we took Hudler camping as a wee pup, we brought his crate. Xpen or crate should work for you.

[arentspowell]

Even though it seems like a pain I would set the crate up in the car. That way he's protected from the elements and anything else that might be lurking around.

[Kain's Mommy]

I agree, bring the crate and leave it in the truck. Nature is nature after all and you'd hate for some creepy crawly or mean raccoon to mess with him in the crate while you were sleeping.

[kcrady]

Not sure I'd trust the ExPen, unless yours is much sturdier than mine. My 5 month old could get out of it if she really wants to; overnight and unsupervised I'd be worried about finding an empty pen and no dog in the morning. I'd opt for the crate and blankets.

[Maxx&Emma]

Not sure I'd trust the ExPen, unless yours is much sturdier than mine. My 5 month old could get out of it if she really wants to; overnight and unsupervised I'd be worried about finding an empty pen and no dog in the morning. I'd opt for the crate and blankets.

The ex-pen would not be my choice at night either. The risk of escape plus the ability for another animal to get at Thor, no thanks! Will his crate fit in the truck bed next to you? If not I would keep the crate safely inside the truck. JMHO.

[MightyThor]

Thanks everyone! I'm going to try the crate in the back of the truck again today. The problem is that I don't want it in there for the drive - he has a ton of space back there and I don't want to force him into the crate for the ~6 hours we'll be spending in the car. He's a pretty happy car rider and loves his space back there. I'd have to break down the crate and store it in the bed, then set it up inside the cab in camp. My husband has done it, but he just had hernia surgery so I'm doing all the lifting/setup on this trip and it's making me a bit crazy (well, more his 'coaching' is making me crazy hehe). I forgot to mention that we also have a strong stake and 20 foot line that Thor can be on around camp to give him some freedom to move without the fear of him bolting after his first antelope or squirrel or bird or fly or whatever grabs his attention.