Advice needed: Taking Doodle puppy camping for the first time!

[Flora Wan]

I have a 4 1/2 month old Goldendoodle puppy and I love her to pieces, she is such a sweet dog! Our family is planning a camping trip in 2 weeks and I was wondering if you have any advice as to how to keep her (relatively) clean, or is it a lost cause? If she gets wet from the rain or from swimming, should I wait until she dries before I brush her off or do it while she's still wet? Incidentally, she's a cream GD with what my friend calls "swiffer" fur -- that is, it picks up all the dirt on the ground! Any advice in regards to keeping her clean or for camping in general would be greatly appreciated, thanks!!

By the way, she does have all her vaccination shots and she is on a monthly dose of Revolution for fleas and heartworm. I've been taking her to the park and various trails around our area and she does well, though she's at the stage where she tries to pick up everything on the ground (especially leaves, grass and twigs!).

[Karen & Lucy]

We are going this weekend too. I take Lucy with us always. It is calling for rain so this should be fun. Although, we have a motorhome with a bathroom and I can hose her off. She will probably be teathered to me if it is muddy and rainy so I can control where she goes and how muddy/dirty she gets. Take alot of towels!!!! HAVE FUN!!!!!

[HANNAH 8/2/07 & HONEY 7/2/08]

Do you have a blanket or quilt you can take along for her to lie on when you are not moving around so much so she is not lying in the dirt. You might also want to "TRIM" lol... her fur a little so its not dragging on the ground. Being a Swiffer is hard work..lol. Tethering her is also a great idea so you can control when and where she goes....they have cheap ones at Walmart for like $8.00 and are about 30 ft. long. Hope you have nice time camping and safe trip.

[Flora Wan]

Thanks for all the suggestions! I will have her tethered to me or to a stake in the ground on the campsite. I'm really hoping it doesn't rain with her rolling around the muddy ground! But what can you do, right? :) As for the exercise pen, I actually do have one, but she has figured out how to climb/jump over it when she was 9 weeks old! I think the Poodle part of her makes her good at jumping.