Getting ready to embark on a backpacking trip with the goodest adventure partner? Alex Canby, the founder and head trainer at Strong Bond Dog Training in Boulder, Colorado, works with his fair share of adventurous dogs and their humans to make all sorts of outdoor quests as much fun as possible - even if it’s type-two fun. Alex believes that successful training comes from building trust and earning cooperation, rather than forcing obedience.
When it comes to dogs wearing backpacks, Alex says, “I always make sure that they know that dogs are not carrying animals; their spine is not built for carrying a lot of weight. So, keep it really low-weight - whatever you’re putting on your dog’s back.”
It is recommended that your dog should carry no more than 10-15% of their body weight. Each breed, and each individual dog, is different, Alex explains. Talking to your vet is a key step in figuring out how much to load into your dog’s backpack. You can also start with a quick Google search (and be sure to include their breed, if known).
Alex also says to never put backpacks on puppies (under one year) because it can impact their growth and have long-term effects on their bodies. Vets add that, of course, dogs with neck or back injuries shouldn’t carry a backpack at all.
As your dog becomes more comfortable with a backpack, you’ll be able to tell how much weight is right for them.
Top 3 Tips to Prep Your Dog for Their Backpack
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“Wear it empty and play.” Make wearing a backpack a really fun and easy experience that includes lots of treats, attention, and praise. “I would put it on and give a treat; take it off, give a treat,” Alex says. “So it’s very routine, and not some scary, big event.”
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“Leave it on for a while and go do something fun without any weight in the backpack, so it’s just like an article of clothing that they associate with fun and adventure,” he says.
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Start testing really slowly by adding just a little bit of weight to see how they do. “Pay attention and treat every little outing like an experiment,” Alex suggests. Watch out for limping or extreme exhaustion after adventures - if your dog is experiencing any pain or discomfort, be sure to back off on the weight.
When you’re shopping for a backpack, Alex says to look for a study one - ideally, with both front and back attachment points - and be sure that it fits well. And Wilderdog’s Dog Backpack checks all those boxes!
“Everything is about relationships,” Alex says. “If your dog has a good relationship with putting on a backpack, then it’s going to be easy. If it’s a stressful relationship with having a backpack on, it’s going to be a nightmare.” Think about what type of relationship you want your dog to have with a backpack - or anything - and make sure that [your dog] has experiences that build it.
After you’ve properly prepped your pup for donning a backpack, load it up (gently) with treats and try a short trip. Once your dog has a strong bond with their backpack, they can help carry water, snacks, their own bowl, and even their own poop bags! (Especially that!)
