Originally Posted By OregonMouse
Weighing in here: My main problem is that my hiking companion is an 80-lb. dog. I therefore require a bug-free shelter for him as well as me!


Besides the wife, my dog is also my main hiking companion and when it is just her and me, she sleeps fine under the tarp. As for bugs, we treat her (the dog, not the wife :D) with Frontline and Heartguard. I have even been switching to the K9 Advantix for the mosquito months and that seems to work fine. I also make sure to check her every night for ticks etc and pack a pair of tweezers in her pack for the occasion.

At night, I use a makeshift tie-out from paracord that attaches from her collar to the neareast tree, or stake if above treeline. Obviously if your dog needs stronger cord or as a tendancy to chew, then use something other than paracord, but my dog just feels the slightest "tug" and stops.