backpack

ORIGINAL: Ixas_girl

Hooray, our backpack finally arrived! I can't believe how calm it makes Ixa. She seems so purposeful, wearing it []

Really works her harder, too.

Now there's...one happy looking dog.[]

Sioux wants to know what's in the backpack?  (She thinks it must be liver treats.)

"I can't believe how calm it makes Ixa. She seems so purposeful, wearing it [] "
 
 
I may try that with my 38# Siberian female.  How do you decide what would be comfortable amount of weight to put in it?  Wonder what size my girl would need?
 
My girl has a lot of energy and her walking is certainly improved on the easywalk harness.  She still seems like she would love to run off at the start of the walk though.  She loves my daughters pink fuzzy slippers and we were laughing about how we ought to wear those to keep her by our side!  But perhaps a back pack would be more sophisticated looking, LOL!
 

ORIGINAL: spiritdogs

Sioux wants to know what's in the backpack?  (She thinks it must be liver treats.)

 
I dont think that even having the pockets full of treats that would weight enough to make a difference []

ORIGINAL: Ixas_girl

Hooray, our backpack finally arrived! I can't believe how calm it makes Ixa. She seems so purposeful, wearing it []

Really works her harder, too.

Where did you buy it from?

With my huskies,I will place 2 16 oz,bottles of cold water,and some ice.I also let them carry 1st aid supplies,and some treats.

 I keep the treat sealed up in a zip lock in case we run into other dogs..

 On hotter days,I will pack as much ice as I can into their packs.

I bought it from our sponsor! [] I bought a medium, and like I suspected, it's almost too big (Ixa's 45#), I'm going to have to cut the straps, and maybe pad them to make them snugger. One day I'll get a $65 Wolf Pack for backpacking, but this is an inexpensive way to get started ($15, I think).

I started with a liter water bottle in each pocket - ya really have to balance the weight or it rides lopsided, heh. I've been adding other stuff (like treats []) as we go. We've been beach romping, walking, and jogging with it. I just keep an eye on her gait, mood and her energy to assess how it's going. I bet I could up the weight faster than I am, but I'm cautious []

I'd love to see a pic of dog walking in pink fuzzy slippers [8D]

Thanks, yes! I'm really proud of how happy and balanced Ixa's becoming. Being a new dog owner/handler, I was afraid I took on too much in a cattle dog/chow mix with a mixed bag of so-called "timid/shy/aggressive" issues. We've done a lot of good work on each other!

Below is Ixa's shelter picture, from January; they called her "Molly." She looked kinda hard and vacant. Now she's very soft and smiley!

Ixa is a sweet looking dog.  Everyone likes to feel useful and sounds like you are doing great with her.

The pink fuzzy slippers actually are mine, and my daughter has a pair of white fuzzy/kitty slippers which are even more fun for our female Sibe to chase and bark at.  Her brother  just stares at her like she has lost her mind.  He has no desire to chase em. (talking about the Sibes bro, not my daughters brother! 

Maybe we will use both the slipper and the backpack method, lol.  I actually think I have a backpack from an older dog in the attic.  But it is most likely too large for her.  She is a little dog. 

I got one of these from ruffwear:

Haven't had a chance to use it too much, but it's cool because it has integrated bladders for filling with water.  My dog is 45 lbs as well and I ordered a medium but had to send it back for a small.  I think the instructions say you can gradually work your dog up to a third of his body weight.

What beach is that Ixas_girl?  I love taking my dog to the Huntington Beach dog park!

Sixty bucks for a backpack [&:]? Did NASA design it? [8D]
I have to get one for camping, let the dog carry his own food. (And beer.)

I'm going to get a backpack for mine and I hope she likes it!  I found a really cool looking one at Target (made by Eddie Bauer).  Now I can't find it online so I'll have to go back and get it since it was the last one.

Trevell - how is Huntington Bog Beach? I've been curious - it's off leash, right? Is it like one big doggie park with lots of poo? [8D] How much was your ruffwear pack? Also, how does the dog drink form the bladders? I saw a doggie camelback, and I wondered how the dog would drink from it?! Your pupper sure is cute [] The beach we've been going to is Leo Carillo, at the north end of Malibu. Dogs are allowed on leash, and it's a camping beach, though we havent camped there yet.

Yeah, the outward hound I bought is the one Milan uses on his show, good for the daily walks. Because of the way it fits, I don't see keeping it on Ixa for hours. The wolf pack seems pricey, but good gear like pack and boots are worth putting money into, IMO. I want to do some 3 day pack trips this summer, so I need her equipment to be bomber.

Which reminds me, I must now look into doggie boots! (anybody know much about those?)

I think after reading this I'm going to get Willow one too!  We've been hiking on light trails lately and I think this will help her focus even more.  And, I love Ruff Wear stuff, she just got a harness from them which is the best. 
Thanks!!![]
 

  Which reminds me, I must now look into doggie boots! (anybody know much about those?)

 
Honestly, if you really want to try them I'll give you ours.  She never wore them past just trying them on.  She wouldn't even walk in them. She's 45-50 lbs. I forget exactly what size but I'll look when I get home.  If you want them PM me and I'll send them to you.  Really, they are brand new sitting in my closet.

I just got to take this opportunity to plug the backpack that we use:

[linkhttp://www.wolfpacks.com/saddlebag.htm]The Wolfpacks Saddlebag[/link]

It's a good day trip size: a couple water bottles, the collapsable water bowl, some poop bags, my wallet and cell phone. It's a great design in that there's only one closure for you to mess with. One velcro strap and that's it. No buckles or snaps or anything, just velcro. It's also highly adjustable--the one I have can be worn by both dogs even though Conrad is twice the size of Marlowe. I also real like that it is fit so that the weight is carried up by the dog's shoulders, not halfway down their back, which can be bad for a dog's spine.

Anyway, that's my story and I'm sticking to it. []