There’s nothing quite like heading to the cottage with your dog – the open space, the fresh air, and the freedom to explore together. For many Canadian families, the cottage is the highlight of summer. But a new environment packed with water, wildlife, and wide-open space brings risks your dog doesn’t face at home.
The good news? A little preparation goes a long way. This guide covers everything you need to keep your dog safe, happy, and well-behaved at the cottage, so you can both enjoy every minute of it.
Before You Leave: Preparation Is Everything
Brush Up on Recall
If there’s one command that matters more at the cottage than anywhere else, it’s recall. Your dog needs to come when called, reliably, the first time, especially around water, wildlife, and roads. If your dog’s recall is shaky, now is the time to work on it, not when they’re sprinting toward a porcupine.
Practice in your backyard with increasing distractions before you go. If your dog ignores you when a squirrel runs past at home, they’ll absolutely ignore you when a deer appears at the lake.
Pack a Dog-Specific First Aid Kit
Your cottage first aid kit should include supplies for your dog, too:
- Gauze, medical tape, and self-adhesive bandage wrap
- Antiseptic wipes and wound spray
- Tweezers (for ticks and splinters)
- Benadryl (diphenhydramine) – ask your vet for the correct dosage before your trip
- Your dog’s medications and vaccination records
- The number for the nearest emergency veterinary clinic to your cottage
- Ingredients for DIY skunk deodorizer (3% hydrogen peroxide, baking soda, liquid dish soap)
Look up the closest emergency vet before you leave. In cottage country, the nearest clinic may be 45 minutes or more away, so knowing the route in advance could save critical time.
Update ID and Microchip Info
Dogs get lost more easily in unfamiliar territory. Make sure your dog’s collar tags are current with your cell phone number (not just your home number), and confirm your microchip registration is up to date. A temporary tag with the cottage address or nearest town is a smart extra step.
Water Safety
Not Every Dog Is a Natural Swimmer
It’s a common assumption that all dogs can swim. They can’t. Breeds with short legs, flat faces, or heavy builds like Bulldogs, Dachshunds, Pugs or Basset Hounds can struggle in water and tire quickly. Even breeds known for swimming, like Labradors and Golden Retrievers, need supervision and a safe introduction to open water.
If your dog hasn’t been in a lake before, start shallow. Walk in with them. Let them feel the bottom under their feet and build confidence gradually. Never throw a dog into water or force them off a dock.
Dock and Boat Safety
Docks can be slippery, and dogs can panic if they fall in unexpectedly. Teach your dog where the shore entry point is, so if they fall off the dock, they need to know how to get out, not just how to stay afloat. The same applies to pools: always show your dog where the steps or ramp are.
If your dog joins you on a boat or canoe, a properly fitted canine life jacket is a good idea, even for strong swimmers. Waves, currents, fatigue, and cold water can overwhelm even the most confident dog. Choose a life jacket with a handle on the back so you can lift them out of the water quickly.
Drinking Lake Water
Dogs will drink from the lake. It’s almost impossible to prevent entirely, but try to minimize it by always having fresh water available. Lake water can contain blue-green algae (cyanobacteria), Giardia, Leptospirosis, and other parasites. Blue-green algae blooms are especially dangerous and they can be fatal within hours. If the water looks green, slimy, or has a film on the surface, keep your dog out completely. No swimming, no wading, no drinking.
Wildlife Encounters
The Big Ones: Bears, Moose, and Coyotes
Cottage country in Canada means wildlife. Your dog’s natural instinct may be to chase, bark, or investigate – all of which can turn a harmless encounter into a dangerous one.
- Bears: A dog that chases a bear will often come running back to you, with the bear right behind them. Keep your dog leashed on trails and near the cabin, especially at dawn and dusk. Store food securely and never leave dog food outside.
- Moose: A moose with calves is one of the most dangerous animals in Canada. Dogs that approach will be kicked, stomped, or chased. Keep your distance, always.
- Coyotes: Coyotes live alongside us everywhere in Canada, and cottages are no exception. Don’t leave your dog outside unsupervised after dark. Coyotes are extremely protective of their dens and families. A curious dog can provoke a coyote to defends itself or their young.
Porcupines and Skunks
These are of the most common, and most miserable, cottage encounters for dogs. A face full of porcupine quills requires a vet visit (do not try to pull them yourself; they have barbs and can break off under the skin). A skunk spray is less dangerous but intensely unpleasant and notoriously difficult to wash out.
The best prevention? Supervision and recall. If your dog is off-leash, you need to be watching, and they need to respond when you call. A dog that ignores you to investigate a rustle in the bushes is a dog that’s about to learn a painful lesson. Always keep the ingredients for skunk spray handy (3% hydrogen peroxide, baking soda, and liquid dish soap)
Snakes
Most snakes in Canada are harmless, but the Massasauga Rattlesnake is found in parts of Ontario cottage country (particularly the Georgian Bay area). Keep your dog on trails, away from rock piles, and out of tall grass. If your dog is bitten by any snake, get to a vet immediately, don’t wait to see if symptoms develop.
Ticks
Cottage country is prime tick territory. Lyme disease is spreading across Canada, and dogs are very susceptible. Talk to your vet about tick prevention before cottage season starts. Do a full tick check on your dog every evening pay special attention to ears, leg joints, the groin area, and between the toes.
Toxic Plants, Mushrooms, and Other Hazards
Plants to Watch For
The cottage property and surrounding woods may have plants that are toxic to dogs. Common culprits include:
- Wild mushrooms : many varieties are toxic, and dogs often eat them before you notice. Check the property regularly and remove any mushrooms you find.
- Foxglove : beautiful, common in gardens, and extremely poisonous.
- Lily of the valley : every part of the plant is toxic to dogs.
- Water hemlock : grows near water and is one of the most toxic plants in North America.
- Rhubarb leaves : the stalks are fine for humans, but the leaves are toxic to dogs.
If your dog eats something unfamiliar and starts drooling, vomiting, trembling, or acting lethargic, call your vet or the Pet Poison Helpline (1-855-764-7661) immediately.
Keeping Your Dog Secure in an Unfamiliar Place
Inspect the Property
Before letting your dog explore freely, walk the property yourself. Look for:
- Gaps in fences or under decks where a dog could escape or get stuck
- Old sheds or outbuildings with sharp objects, chemicals, or rodent bait
- Compost piles (mouldy food is toxic to dogs)
- Neighbouring properties with dogs that could cause fence-line conflicts
- Roads — cottage roads may seem quiet, but drivers don’t expect a dog to dart out
Create a Safe Zone (inside and out)
Give your dog a designated area in the cottage where they can rest and decompress – a crate, a pen, a bed, or a room. Even dogs who love adventure need downtime, and a new environment with new smells, sounds, and animals can be overstimulating. A familiar bed or crate from home makes a big difference. When outdoors, a secure tether (overhead is best) or a gated in area on a deck is advised, when you are not directly interacting with your dog. Curious or bored dogs can wander off when you least expect it.
Campfires and BBQs
Dogs are curious, and a campfire or barbecue is full of interesting smells. A wagging tail can catch a flame. A dog can burn their paws on hot coals or hot grill grates. Corn cobs, kebab skewers, and cooked bones left within reach are choking and obstruction hazards.
Keep your dog at a safe distance from the fire pit and the grill. Dispose of food scraps in a sealed container, not in an open garbage bag your dog (or other wild animals) can raid.
Heat and Sun Safety
Summer at the cottage often means full days of sun and activity. Dogs overheat more easily than we do because they can’t sweat like humans and rely on panting to cool down.
- Provide shade and fresh water at all times
- Avoid heavy exercise during the hottest part of the day (typically 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.)
- Watch for signs of heatstroke: excessive panting, drooling, bright red gums, stumbling, vomiting, or collapse
- Never leave your dog in a parked car, even with the windows down, temperatures inside a car can become fatal in minutes
- Dogs with light-coloured or thin coats can get sunburned, especially on the nose and ears. Pet-safe sunscreen is available for sensitive areas
The Car Ride Up
For many dogs, the cottage trip starts with a long car ride and car anxiety or motion sickness can put a damper on the whole experience.
- Use a crate or a crash-tested harness to keep your dog secure in the car
- Take breaks every 1–2 hours for water, a bathroom stop, and a short walk
- Feed a light meal 3–4 hours before the drive to reduce nausea
- Keep the car cool and well-ventilated
- Bring a favourite blanket or toy to help them settle
If your dog has severe car anxiety, talk to your Bark Busters trainer before the trip. Car anxiety is very treatable and it’s much better to address it in advance than to struggle through a three-hour drive with a panting, drooling, panicking dog.
A Quick Cottage Safety Checklist
Print this out and stick it on the fridge at the cottage:
- ☑ Recall training practiced before the trip (long lead/tether packed)
- ☑ Dog first aid kit packed (including vet clinic info for cottage area)
- ☑ Collar tags updated with cell number
- ☑ Tick and heartworm prevention current
- ☑ Life jacket for boating
- ☑ Fresh water bowl — always available, always full
- ☑ Property inspected for hazards (gaps, chemicals, mushrooms, toxic plants)
- ☑ Food and garbage stored securely (for wildlife and your dog)
- ☑ Fishing tackle and BBQ supplies stored safely
- ☑ Dog supervised near water, fire, and wildlife at all times
- ☑ Dog sleeps indoors at night
- ☑ Tick check every evening
When Training Makes All the Difference
Most cottage safety comes down to two things: your preparation and your dog’s training. A dog with reliable recall, and the ability to settle in a new environment is a dog you can actually enjoy the cottage with, instead of spending the whole weekend chasing, and worrying.
If your dog doesn’t yet have those foundations, or if you’re dealing with specific issues like chasing wildlife, bolting out of the car, or anxiety in new places, a Bark Busters trainer can help, in the comfort of your own home, before you head to the cottage.
Every Bark Busters program comes with a Written Lifetime Guarantee, so you’ll have support all summer long and beyond.
Bark Busters has certified in-home dog trainers in communities across Canada — from Vancouver to Montreal. Find your local trainer →