Summer is here in most areas of the country, and that means a lot of people will be headed to the mountains with their pets to explore the great outdoors. There's not a dog alive who doesn't enjoy a weekend in the woods and it can be the most gratifying thing you ever do with your pets. But we want you to be prepared before you pack up your pup and hit the trails.

First and foremost is the leash law. Pets are allowed in nearly all national forests, however there are stiff penalties in place devoted to ensuring your pets remain on leash. If you're not sure what the laws are in your area of the country, visit PetFriendlyTravel for an updated list by state and county. Observe all forest and county laws requiring leashed pets. There are national Forest Service regulations which state that pets in all forest campgrounds must be leashed, specifically on a leash that is 6 feet or shorter. Responsible pet ownership requires that all leash laws be obeyed, for the safety of the public, wildlife and other pets.

Beyond that, here is a look at our picks for the Top 10 Camping Threats to Your Pets:

When you head out to the hills with your dogs, the last thing you want to think about is what could go wrong. Porcupines are slow-moving, mostly nocturnal herbivores that pack a mighty punch with a tail full of long quills that can be easily embedded into your pets face if they aren’t careful.  Luckily, the remedy is fairly simple, but rarely cost-effective. Depending on how obsessive your dog is, and how badly they’ve been “quilled,” a porcupine can shut down a weekend in the mountains pretty darned quickly.

Most dogs refuse to learn when it comes to these curious little creatures. You may think that a nose-full of quills would be enough to deter a dog from hunting these little creatures. But sadly, that’s not the case. I’ve had dogs that return to a campsite and within hours of being seen by a veterinarian, have found their prickly little friend and received yet another nose full of quills. Here’s a little information on what you can do if your best four-legged friend insists on learning the hard way: