Dog Community

Doggie backpacks

Posted : 8/22/2006 3:53:25 PM

I bought As a doggie backpack about a month or so ago. I wanted it so that when I couldn't walk her as long as I normally did, that it would maybe tire her out a little bit more.

The other day, I was walking her and a woman at the park said that she heard backpacks weren't good for dogs. That it was a huge strain on their backs and that it could also affect their paws. Is this true? Should I not be using it? My mom had the same concern when I bought it, but I didn't really think about it then.

In case this matter, since I've had it, I've never been sure of how much weight to put in it, so I usually just put a water bottle on each side.

Brian Berry

Posted : 8/22/2006 4:13:16 PM

I wouldn't listen to her at all. If a dog wears the back-pack correctly and doesn't carry too much weight it is fine. The only breeds i would recommend not using a backpack for are ones known to have back-problems, like dacshund, but i dont tihnk i have ever heard of a doxie wearing a back-pack.

pumaward

Posted : 8/22/2006 5:33:59 PM

Hmm, that's the first I've heard of it and Maddi's got a pack... On the contrary, dogs can carry up to 30% of their own weight (provided they've been conditioned for that). Also, depended on the type of pack, it should disperse most of the weight across the shoulders rather than on the dog's back.

Most only concern would be, as already mentioned, dogs prone to back problems and young dogs. I wouldn't have a dog younger than 18mo carry much for weight.

ashland

Posted : 8/22/2006 5:45:36 PM

Uh-oh. I have a back pack that goes pretty much along her back. I saw one that was primarily on the shoulders, but it looked weird and uncomfortable so I didn't get that one. I thought it looked like it was placing too much weight upfront. Should I have gotten that one though?

ashland

Posted : 8/22/2006 5:48:14 PM

[linkreviousText=backpack&N=2023689]http://www.petsmart.com/global/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524441814698&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302032065&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=2534374302023689&bmUID=1156286675655&itemNo=0&Ntt=backpack&In=Dog&

reviousText=backpack&N=2023689[/link]>http://www.petsmart.com/global/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524441814698&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302032065&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=2534374302023689&bmUID=1156286675655&itemNo=0&Ntt=backpack&In=Dog&

reviousText=backpack&N=2023689]http://www.petsmart.com/global/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524441814698&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302032065&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=2534374302023689&bmUID=1156286675655&itemNo=0&Ntt=backpack&In=Dog&

reviousText=backpack&N=2023689[/link]

this is the one i bought her

Katie M.

Posted : 8/22/2006 6:02:57 PM

If your dog is in good physical condition and you don't put too much weight in there (personally, I'd say 10% or less) then it's probably not an issue. But if you decide you both like it and want to do more, I'd get a more "professional" pack. Mine use the Kelty Chuckwagon and it's by far my favorite. With this pack, they carry about 20-30% of their weight.http://www.kelty.com/kelty/index.cfm?cid=411&fuseaction=Packs.ShowProduct&type=dog&ID=18

dawn

Posted : 8/23/2006 9:05:22 AM

I'd agree with other responders. Not to much weight, make sure it fits right. Occasionally I've heard of a dog getting sore paws after backpacking, but all these cases were dogs that had hardly ever been taken for walks, and then the owners decided to go on a 10 mile hike or something so the dog's paws weren't appropriately "calloused" or whatever. Most dogs would be fine.

pumaward

Posted : 8/23/2006 11:30:46 AM

I agree with colliewog... just don't have her carry much weight.

I bought the Palisades II pack from [linkhttp://www.ruffwear.com]http://www.ruffwear.com[/link] . It has a harness that seperates from the saddle backs (making for quick, convenient pit stops). The harness also works to disperse the weight. I'll take a picture of just the harness so you can see what I mean.

The pack I got it pretty expensive though... they also make a less expensive model for begginner hikers.

diane303

Posted : 8/23/2006 12:10:49 PM

I use a back pack on my pointer. We go visit Dad at the office with a bottle of soda and and sandwich. It seems to keep her mind off of "every little critter out there" when we walk and she seems to know that she is doing a service for Dad. She's a pretty muscular gal and it doesn't bother her at all. More of a shift in focus for her that anything else.

pumaward

Posted : 8/23/2006 12:17:38 PM

Here's the harness that the saddle bags sit on:

The majority of the weight from the pack is distributed across the shoulders by attaching with clips on either side of the base of her neck. The back clip it to keep the saddle bags in place.

Ruth

Posted : 8/23/2006 1:15:38 PM

Ace has the Palisades II pack as well. It's worked really well for us. Sometimes it is a little lopsided, but I like the harness system and the water bladders. At first he didn't like it, but as soon as he learned that it meant he was going to get to run around off-leash somewhere interesting, he loved it. We don't use it on regular walks, only hiking or camping. He doesn't even seem to notice it now that he's used to it -- he runs just like usual, and he tries to fit in small spaces that he can't really fit into with the backpack on, and always seems surprized when he has trouble. The only thing is that he can't really sit while he's wearing it -- too awkward, I think. But I always forget and ask him to sit, and he stops and just looks at me pleadingly, like he wants to but can't and is sorry.

Obligatory doggie backpack picture:
[linkhttp://files.dogster.com/pix/dogs/25/126125/126125_1127523148.jpg]http://files.dogster.com/pix/dogs/25/126125/126125_1127523148.jpg[/link]

kpwlee

Posted : 8/23/2006 1:47:31 PM

we've got this one
[linkhttp://www.campmor.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?productId=39096246&memberId=12500226]http://www.campmor.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?productId=39096246&memberId=12500226[/link]

He likes it but it is pretty big for him and he weighs 95lbs and about 27.5- 28" at the shoulder - you'd have to have a wide set dog at 70lbs for it to fit
note that in the pic if you look the strap is hanging down under his belly - that was after tightening it 2x - this is a pretty big pack!

and I know his head looks funny - he was in the training stage with his invisible fence so had to have the collar on tight enough that he knew it was on [sm=smile.gif]- this was the night before we took him to the NC mountains for some hiking

ladida

Posted : 8/23/2006 6:54:10 PM

Zoe has the same pack, an Outward Hound pack. This is a pic of her wearing it (it was only carrying their short leashes). My only quibble is the front strap which I am going to resew so it goes inbetween her legs.

ashland

Posted : 8/23/2006 7:19:50 PM

I absolutely love seeing your pictures! Both for seeing the packs and also for seeing how cute your dogs look with them on! =)

I will make sure I'm only having her carry 10% of body weight for now. At least until I get her another pack that distributes better I guess. Right now she just carries 2 water bottles. I think they're only 8 oz bottles.

ashland

Posted : 8/23/2006 7:20:09 PM

8 FLUID oz bottles.