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You are here: Home / Rocco / Training Thursday: Benefits of a Dog Backpack

Training Thursday: Benefits of a Dog Backpack

October 26, 2012 by A Husky Life 9 Comments

A tired dog is a happy dog – we all know this saying. But what many dog owners might not know is that physical exercise alone will not tire their dog out…it will simply condition it for more exercise. Adopting a Husky, I knew I’m signing up for a LOT of work, but I also knew that I will need to find ways of tiring him out physically and mentally. After all I can’t be running a marathon everyday! One of the best ways to get a dog mentally engaged is training, of course. But giving your dog a purpose, a task to perform will keep their mind engaged and fill them with a sense of purpose – a must for working dog breeds.

Rocco falling asleep standing after an hour walk with his backpack.

There are many benefits of a dog backpack:

– It’s great exercise. Start with an empty backpack, based on your dogs health and age, you can slowly add weight. Dogs can carry up to 10-20% of their body weight. A healthy, conditioned Husky can carry even up to 35%!! After the summer break (too hot for a backpack) Rocco is working at 5% and we are aiming to get him up to 25% by the end of spring. We’re using water bottles for weight, but beans or rice in a zip lock bag will work just as well.

– Makes your dog more focused. As your dog is working, they are less distracted, more focused and attuned to you. With a backpack Rocco is less interested in chasing squirrels and more focused on heeling.

– It gives them a sense of purpose and a job to do.

– Makes your dog more visible. This is especially important during hunting season. With a backpack it’s less likely a hunter will take your dog for a wolf or a coyote (something a Husky owner always has to keep in mind!)

 

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Filed Under: Rocco, Training Thursday Tagged With: dog backpack, dog sport gear, Dog Training, Training Thursday

Comments

  1. mollieandalfie says

    October 26, 2012 at 12:21 pm

    Totally agree, a tired dog is happy. I have a back pack for Mollie, I balance it with our water bottles if we are going for just a walk. Normally it the park and hours of the ball, but it’s good just to walk sometimes.. xx00xx

    Mollie and Alfie

    Reply
  2. Deena O'Daniel says

    October 26, 2012 at 2:44 pm

    Good info – thanks! I thought maybe a day-glow orange backpack for Rocco might be safe for him, considering his very handsome wolf-like appearance! Maybe the word “DOG” could be embroidered on the side?

    Reply
    • A Husky Life says

      October 26, 2012 at 3:10 pm

      Those are great suggestions! I’m looking to get a pulling harness and possibly a new backpack and I was thinking of putting Canine Epilepsy on it, but adding DOG to both sides is also a great idea. We just had an incident with a hunter killing his own dog by accident…sigh…

      Reply
  3. Clowie says

    October 29, 2012 at 9:25 am

    I carry a rucksack on hikes, they say it helps if I carry some of my water. I’m really pleased with myself if one of my bipeds puts their keys or phone in my rucksack.

    Reply
  4. Ann Paws says

    November 19, 2012 at 12:51 pm

    What a great idea! Your pooch is very handsome by the way!

    Reply
  5. dawn says

    November 19, 2012 at 5:06 pm

    Rocco does look like he is ready to fall over. :>) What brand is the backpack you use? I have one I’ve had for awhile but never used as it’s too big for my Springer.

    Reply
    • A Husky Life says

      November 19, 2012 at 5:55 pm

      Hi Dawn, the brand is called EzyDog. I’m really happy with it, it’s very durable.

      Reply
  6. Paul says

    December 12, 2012 at 3:43 am

    what size backpack is that?

    Reply
    • A Husky Life says

      December 12, 2012 at 12:28 pm

      Hi Paul, It is the large size. It’s always a challenge for us to fit him with the right backpack or harness, he’s medium sized (23kg), but because of his broad shoulders and thick neck (not to mention the coat), we end up getting the size up and tightening it well.

      Reply

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