Doggie backpacks

lange · 08-31-2011

Anyone ever use backpacks on their dog? Does it really help work them out better? I'm thinking of getting one for Kuma but I don't want to throw money into something if it doesn't do much for them.

Lunareclipse · 08-31-2011

I have one for Buster. He tends to behave better when we go on walks with it.

lange · 09-03-2011

Well if it can calm Buster down I'd say it's worth a try!!

Funny, along with giving her a better work out I was hoping someone might say it helps kind of calm and center their dogs during walks. Some days Kuma acts like she has doggy ADD.

Lunareclipse · 09-03-2011

lol. Buster has been nothing but a rug since we got him fixed.

reeskujo · 09-03-2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by lange

Well if it can calm Buster down I'd say it's worth a try!!

Funny, along with giving her a better work out I was hoping someone might say it helps kind of calm and center their dogs during walks. Some days Kuma acts like she has doggy ADD.

Seigi and Kuma must be related because I swear he has ADD to..The basic premiss for the backback is to make the dog feel like he/she is doing a job..It's a good idea to put a few bottles of water in their backpack so that they feel like they're carrying something for you..It also tires them out quicker as well..I've recommended this to a lot of my students who had very high energy breeds and it works wonders.

Lunareclipse · 09-03-2011

If it's hot out, you can freeze the water bottles and it will keep them cool in their backpack.

juraswiss · 09-04-2011

Using doggie back packs with weights was recommended by Cesar Milan (The Dog Whisperer) to help give high energy dogs a better work out on their walks. Make sure you start off with just an empty backpack and slowly increase the weights over time. Also, make sure the weights are equally balanced on each side.

I like the idea of carrying extra plastic bags, treats, water, and even things for yourself in it. My dog does walk more calmly when wearing it too.

Lunareclipse · 09-04-2011

I have a low opinion of Ceasar Milan. I think if a dog's going to carry something, it would be better if it was something useful that they can have as a reward after the walk is over so they feel like they earned it. I pack water, food, a few toys, some of my things, treats. I'm not training my dog to be a body builder.

reeskujo · 09-04-2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lunareclipse

I have a low opinion of Ceasar Milan. I think if a dog's going to carry something, it would be better if it was something useful that they can have as a reward after the walk is over so they feel like they earned it. I pack water, food, a few toys, some of my things, treats. I'm not training my dog to be a body builder.

I argee 100% with you on that Luna!

juraswiss · 09-05-2011

My goodness! Who would ever thought of that! No. The "work out" here is not to body-build like what humans might do it for, but for high energy dogs to get a better exercise out of it and tire out more easily, as was mentioned in an earlier post.

Lunareclipse · 09-05-2011

I would still prefer filling the backpack with things my dog can interact with after the walk is over. I think my dog would prefer me pulling his dog bone out of his backpack for him to chew on rather than a metal weight which he can't chew on.

lange · 09-06-2011

I like the idea of fozen water! It would help to keep her cool since she is such a woolly monster. The treat idea is good as long as she doesn't smell it and try to wrestle with the backpack trying to get at it!! LOL

juraswiss, thanks for the confirmation on it helping calm the dog down too. Come winter she's gonna get her burst of energy and I'm not going to last long on our walks..cold just thinking about it....

I'll just have to figure out how much weight is ok now that she's a year.

Quote:

Originally Posted by reeskujo

Seigi and Kuma must be related because I swear he has ADD to..The basic premiss for the backback is to make the dog feel like he/she is doing a job..It's a good idea to put a few bottles of water in their backpack so that they feel like they're carrying something for you..It also tires them out quicker as well..I've recommended this to a lot of my students who had very high energy breeds and it works wonders.

They very well could be related! lol Wouldn't that be cute

reeskujo · 09-07-2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by lange

I like the idea of fozen water! It would help to keep her cool since she is such a woolly monster. The treat idea is good as long as she doesn't smell it and try to wrestle with the backpack trying to get at it!! LOL

juraswiss, thanks for the confirmation on it helping calm the dog down too. Come winter she's gonna get her burst of energy and I'm not going to last long on our walks..cold just thinking about it....

I'll just have to figure out how much weight is ok now that she's a year.

They very well could be related! lol Wouldn't that be cute

You're not kidding about the burst of energy in the winter..Seigi goes at full throttle in the cold weather lol..Just make sure that since she'll be carrying a few extra lbs you don't over walk her..She's still has 6mths to a year of growing to do so you don't want to over stress her hips. Especially since muscles tend to constrict in the cold..If she's like " The Furry Horse" she'll just keep on going no matter how tired her furry body gets lol.

lange · 09-08-2011

Thanks & Definitely Ree. I'm paranoid about that too so I'll plan on taking it slow. I remember getting paranoid in the winter with all the ice too..slips... Love big dogs but man they can be pita's with injuries. First, the couple first years growing, then when they're getting up there with age. Fun fun! She already scared me more in her first year then Wrigley has in all his put together.

Oh and so right on the "keep on going no matter how tired her furry body gets lol"!!..It's that ADD again.