Best dog backpacks according to redditors

We found 86 Reddit comments discussing the best dog backpacks. We ranked the 27 resulting products by number of redditors who mentioned them. Here are the top 20.

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Top Reddit comments about Dog Backpacks:

u/wingsofcolor · 77 pointsr/dogs

Aww. Glad they were so generous about it.

Here's some unsolicited chewing dog advice. Take it or leave it.

With a dog that loves to chew, here's a few recommendations and a blog that is really great for hyper / anxious / chewy dogs. Goes without saying if you're already doing these things then keep on keeping on.

  1. change all meals to puzzle toys like the tug jug and the wobbler. Make them work and think for their food

    https://www.amazon.com/PetSafe-Buddy-Dispensing-Medium-Large/dp/B000KV7ZGQ

    https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B003ALMW0M/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1493834636&sr=8-1&keywords=kong+wobbler

  2. more exercise and consider adding a backpack like the outward hound or ruff wear. Use filled Nalgene bottles for weight for an excellent doggy workout.

    https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00B2KAACK/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1493834678&sr=1-3&keywords=ruffwear


  3. More training. A trained dog is a confident happy dog. Do a new trick a month. Join a class. Etc.

    All this is a recipe for a less chewy dog. If they're tired both mentally and physically and are confident, unwanted behaviors like chewing and barking generally decrease.

    Here's the blog - 3lostdogs (dot) com
u/LowItalian · 10 pointsr/Dogtraining

Here's some of the gear I bought:

hands free leash

Boots + socks

Collapseable Bowls

pack and harness

That's the only hands free leash I've ever tried but it's worked well. I'd recommend it.

Boots - my dog got used to them after a really funny 1-5 min adjustment period every time I put them on. The downside to the boots was they'd fall off and if the dog was heeling we'd have to back track to find the boots. So now I only use them on sharp rocky terrain or grated metal stairs/bridges. Definitely nice to have the piece of mind that if your pup cuts his foot you can throw them on and protect his feet.

Collapseable bowls - for short trips these are great. Using daily for months they became a little gross, leaky and some threads started coming undone. Now we just pack out cheap Tupperware bowls that I have around the house.

Pack and harness -. I have mixed feelings on this one. I actually went through 3 harnesses. Mostly because my pup would chew them while wearing them at first. Not the fault of the gear (and he no longer does it) Luckily Ruffwear was great to deal with and never made me pay full price for a replacement. Though on one harness I did get some wear and tear where the leash attaches. He also got a little raw in his front armpits where the straps went around his chest. We added some moleskin to the straps and that seemed to help.

Overall I'm happy with the pack, but if I were to do it again I'd strongly consider getting a Groundbird Custom Pack. I saw a handful on the trail and they looked great and I wonder if the custom fit might have helped with the rawness in the armpits. Also the same price as the Ruffwear pack.

>Also, how did you train the pup that pack=good trail behavior?

Reinforcement mainly. When we hiked we kept moving, no playing, no picking up sticks (Mac loves sticks so much they called him LumberMac on the trail). For breaks and at the end of day the pack comes off and he's free to be a pet instead of a trail dog. :). And nowadays he gets super excited everytime he sees the pack come out.

Also, another thing I couldn't find details on was puppy claws on inflatable sleeping pads. My dog walked on many of the most popular pads during our hike and none popped, so that's good to know.

Hiking the Appalachian Trail is about as demanding on gear as it gets, so these were pretty extreme circumstances.

If you're planning a weekend hike vs a long distance hike I'd probably give you different sets of advice, but the #1 piece of advice is to always put your pup's well being first. Remember they'll run themselves into the ground trying to keep up with you.

Feel free to ask any questions you have. I'm happy to help puppies become trail dogs. ( :

u/RandomTrashMob · 9 pointsr/BackpackingDogs

I purchased the Cotton Canvas version

​

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00MQGL712/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_U_UmXzDbCK2SB8M

u/pixelneer · 7 pointsr/hiking

As the others mentioned.. Ruffwear

I have the one I linked for my Jack Russell.. GREAT pack!

u/GildedCurves · 7 pointsr/HelpMeFind

This one is pretty good too


Porlik Dog Backpack Harness with Leash Set, Multicolor Dots Backpack Design Outdoor Rucksack Zipper Daypack, Fits to Small Medium Dogs. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07BS9ZPVH/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_zswpDbYPW8PTP

u/Chrissygandti · 7 pointsr/dogs

How long are the walks?

I will say right now that I have a dog that gets 2x walks a day but if he doesn't wear a backpack then it's like I didn't even do anything. Your dog is a working dog. So she's gotta work. And a dog walk where she gets to stroll down the street isn't going to cut it.

I wanted to add that also. Your dog could've killed that dog and she didn't. Yeah she wounded it, but it takes a bite to grab, a bite to snap to kill an animal. She's not some monster and, on top of that she DIDN'T do anything wrong. She went after prey. It's what dogs are designed to do. You have to let go of that and not be resentful for her doing what's in her nature.

Don't feel guilty that you can't give her a backyard to play frisbee, etc. Call a rescue or a boarding place and see if you can rent their outdoor space for your dog. See if you can find a spot that you can take her to where she's protected and can be off leash for awhile.

But to answer your question. No I don't think you should give her away. She's fearful and she has a bite history and a rescue doesn't have the capacity to do something with her. If you have a child, then you'll have to do some extensive training with your dog and potentially have gates set up where the dog can't access baby while baby is out roaming. If you have a child, you're going to have to teach your child boundaries when it comes to the dog and not expect the dog to accept a baby poking it in the eyeballs.

u/loki93009 · 7 pointsr/Dogtraining

He might need more exercise.

My brother has two malamutes and they get antsy like this when he can't walk them as much (he injured his foot and couldn't for a few weeks luckily his neighbor heard and came and took them for runs)

Malamutes are sweet dogs but they have a LOT of energy.

You might want to see if there is a place where you (or your girlfriend) can take him to pull tires or something. OR there are these backpacks you can get that you can add weight to when you walk him that help.

something like this:
https://smile.amazon.com/OneTigris-Cotton-Camping-Backpack-Rucksack/dp/B00MQGL712/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1485529270&sr=8-1&keywords=weighted+dog+vest

edit:
Just talked to my sister in law about her dogs and apparently her younger one (who is just over one) destroyed their xmas tree and chewed through her laptop cord sooo you aren't the only one with naughty malamutes. (My SIL & Brother has to work more than usual this week so pups are misbehaving.)

u/1506892 · 6 pointsr/reactivedogs

I use this dog backpack : https://www.amazon.com/Outward-Hound-DayPak-Backpack-Hiking/dp/B00MNSKLXI/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?keywords=dog+weighted+backpack&qid=1574369909&sr=8-3

Put two water bottles in each pouch and walk him in the morning for about a mile.

Once we get back I’ll take it off, put on his thunder shirt, give him a blanket that smells like me, and put his breakfast in his Kong toy and leave when he is distracted without saying goodbye.

When I get back from work I’ll take off the thunder shirt, walk him with the bag, and give him his dinner regularly.

Works like a charm!!

u/heyjoob · 5 pointsr/dogs

Ahh definitely a problem I'm familiar with (high energy dog... in an apartment). I think it's great that you're thinking of it now. One thing that will go a long way is amping up the mental stimulation. This weekend discussion has a ton of examples! Mental stimulation is great for tiring their brains out - kind of like the tired feeling you experience after studying really hard for an exam. A lot of ways to get creative with this too!

Given her hunting skills, I'm guessing she's got a decent prey drive? Will she play fetch? We like to do some pretty intense fetch sessions to tucker our dog out.Flirt poles are also fantastic exercise tools (you can make your own for a fraction of the cost - I just linked one on Amazon). If you guys like to hike or go on long walks, have her wear a backpack. It'll tire her out much more than an unweighted hike/walk.

If you want to start dabbling into dog sports, I bet she would love Barn Hunt. In it, dogs search for a live rat in a PVC pipe (it's safe, they have strict rules about it) hidden in a haystack. It's a great way to harness some of those searching/hunting skills, my dog goes absolutely bonkers for Barn Hunt. Nosework is another fun one. Similar to barn hunt, they use their search skills to find essential oil scents, like birch, hidden in boxes or other containers. Both sports are really welcoming of newcomers and encourage people to try them, so it's not as scary as it seems to get started! If that does seem like too much, you could always just do a weekly obedience class together. Training classes are a nice way to work their brains too.

u/InterstellarOwls · 5 pointsr/pics

Yup, ofcourse. I got it on Amazon. But the price for this color seems to have gone up. When I bought it about a month ago, it was $44. I should mention that /u/getitaway mentioned that he/she had the same one and it broke after a few weeks. I haven't had any issues yet, but I haven't put it through a lot of use yet, either.

That's part of the reason why I got it haha. She really loves to run through the trails, but that means I have to make sure I don't drop my keys or wallet. Now I can just throw them into her bag and bring a few treats for her, as well.

u/Rain_Walker · 4 pointsr/Septemberbumpers2017

I so, so promise your dogs can do better! I have 3 high energy dogs and I'll tell you what has worked for me.

  1. Walks at least 5 days a week. But don't skip two days in a row. I was doing an hour walk with them before pregnancy but I switched to 30 min each because I'm still working on pulling issues with one of them. Try to keep it as consistent as possible. I walk mine around 6p every night. They know when it'll happen. As they learn to expect it, they will calm down.

  2. Behavior correction spray. This will help with the jumping. First, tell your guests to totally ignore the dogs when they come in. They don't get attention until they are calm and all four feet are on the floor. If they jump anyway, tell them down sternly (but don't yell). If that doesn't work, then you spray. Never at them, but the sound and the smell catches their attention.

  3. Dog backpacks. I use these with the walks. It gives them a job to do so they're mentally focused and by adding in some cans of soup, it wears them out a little faster.

  4. Work on good walking behavior. It's easier to do one on one. They don't leave the house before you and they walk beside or behind you. As they calm down, where they walk doesn't matter as much but at the beginning, it's best they are next to you.


    Link for the spray: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0083F9OTW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_.nmezb891MMK9

    Link for backpacks: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00MNSKLXI/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_Rumezb7XN3S7B
u/fallenelf · 3 pointsr/Dogtraining

Hey I have a pitbull/boxer mix and many of the things you're saying about Jax seem similar to what I went through when I adopted Marty.

  1. Pulling on leash- Pitbull/Boxer mixes have ridiculous amounts of energy and love exploring. Marty sound similar to Jax in this aspect. Marty is great about not pulling within a minute or two of leaving the house, but gets very excited when he know we're heading home. Short leashing helps a ton (look up videos) and when Marty was younger I would literally stop and have him sit for a few seconds by my side whenever he would pull too much. It's a lot of work, but it helps soo much.

  2. Doesn't obey all the time, especially when excited. How often are you doing training? Marty is similar to Jax in that they get insanely excited, but Marty has learned to calm down when I give commands. Marty is 3 and we've been doing training at least twice a day for about 10 minutes at a time ever since I got him (he was 6 months). Before meals, we always run through a trick routine as well. Constant training, coupled with exercise, will do wonders.

  3. Accidents- Marty also had this problem! He would get over excited or randomly scared and have an accident in the house. It's interesting that Jax hasn't gotten over this, but I'd try to be more alert as to what is happening in the house when he has an accident.

  4. Rough play. Marty, like Jax, loves to play rough, but be completely gentle when not playing. The big thing is to help teach Jax when it's playtime and when to stop. Marty learned the "Gentle" command a long time ago. "Gentle" is for when Marty is playing rough and hyper and I want him to calm down. It started with him completely stopping playing, but over time it has shifted to him calming down and licking whomever was playing with him. It's a really good command to have.

    Regarding walks/energy levels, invest in a backpack. I was never able to tire Marty out. We'd go hiking for 4-5 miles, running, 3 walks a day, etc and he'd never get tired. I got him a backpack (http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00B2KAACK/ref=sr_ph?ie=UTF8&qid=1425671232&sr=1&keywords=dog+backpack) and put it on and fill it with water and such whenever we go on a walk just for some added weight (and to make him feel like he's working). His energy level is still high, but a nice hike or run with the pack on is enough to calm him down a ton.
u/codylmais · 3 pointsr/discgolf

EXCELLENT ELITE SPANKER Dog Pack Hound Backpack Saddle Bag for Travel Camping Hiking Medium & Large Dog with 2 Capacious Side Pockets(COB) https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B07Q5HRJHP/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_KyEUDb2WD0K0E

u/NYSenseOfHumor · 3 pointsr/pitbulls

The closet thing to your price range may be this $35 item from OneTigris

I have not used it personally nor do I know anyone who has used this product, however their products have a reputation as “good value” items.

I would suggest spending a little more and get a Ruffwear product. The company has a good reputation for high-quality, comfortable dog harness and packs

u/beepboopbadiba · 3 pointsr/mlem

I use this

He loves it! He loves having a 'job' to do and gets exited when he sees the bag once we get to the trail. I love it too! Its very sturdy and I just hose it and let it dry in the sun when it's hot. It only comes in one size though and it's the tightest it can be on him and barely fits. It's pretty hefty, but Ethan is a strong dog and can deal with it. It holds a lot of stuff, too. All in all I like it :)

u/I_am_Bob · 3 pointsr/CampingGear

There's a lot of backpacks/saddlebag options out there for dogs. Iuse this one for my 60lb black lab mix. I've taken her on a few overnights and one 3 day trip with it and it worked great. My only compliant is that this pack has no leash clips and I usually walk her with a harness so they kind of interfere. Also if you don't weigh out each side really equally it will start to shift to the heavier side. But that may be me not having it adjusted right...

I'm thinking of upgrading to Ruffwear which has the rear clip and looks a lot more durable for longer trips hope to take with my dog. People really seem to like the ruffwear gear. but I don't have any personal experience with it.

u/Hexarium · 2 pointsr/pitbulls

Looks like this one. We have the green one and it's great!

u/-booplesnoot- · 2 pointsr/dogs

Oooh yeah I wouldn't trust that pack to clip a leash to. The buckles are flimsy and aren't positioned to ergonomically distribute any pulling force.

If you want to hook to the pack, get one that's based on a proper harness like the Ruffwear Palisades or Ruffwear Approach. Mountainsmith makes one too but the comfort and quality are not quite as good as the Ruffwear ones so I wouldn't trust it on a dog that pulls.

u/dustincole · 2 pointsr/goldenretrievers

http://www.amazon.com/Kyjen-2490-Backpack-Removable-Saddlebag/dp/B0081XIEHE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1396967012&sr=8-1&keywords=dog+backpack

it's the cheapest but also the most popular pack on amazon... and it's really good actually! you have to keep the two packs balanced or it'll sag to one side. i've only gone on one hiking trip with it but toby tried to hit every rock on the mountain with the pack and it's still in good condition. so i think it'll do just fine.

u/5ubv3rsion · 2 pointsr/AustralianCattleDog

Amazon? He wears a medium and he's a pretty average sized ACD. The bags are removable so you can take them off and leave the harness part on if you stop for a break. Both pockets have a zippered mesh compartment in them, too.

u/Teuvil · 2 pointsr/lookatmydog

I have the same one - It's an awesome pack and the leash is amazing.

u/purplecowgirlnerves · 2 pointsr/RunningWithDogs

Thanks! He is indeed. It's an Outward Hound brand dog backpack. I got it from Amazon. They run pretty big, though, so if you do get one like his I'd recommend choosing a size down than what they recommend. I got the large for Linus, who is ~80ish lbs, and he probably could've taken the medium.
http://www.amazon.com/Kyjen-2490-Backpack-Removable-Saddlebag/dp/B0081XIEHE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1394999539&sr=8-1&keywords=outward+hound+dog+backpack

It's so freeing when they carry their own stuff! Plus they feel like they're serving a purpose or working when they wear them... or so says the Dog Whisperer, anyway. What kind of dogs do you have?

u/sopsign7 · 2 pointsr/BackpackingDogs

I got OS Pet Saddle Bag backpacks off Amazon. They have bags that clip into the sides. The only issue is that the leash clip is too far back on the harness, so if the dogs move too far off to the side, the bags will rotate underneath them. I need to replace them.

u/Erehwon15 · 2 pointsr/bernesemountaindogs

We have our Berner wear a backpack on almost every walk. Usually we fill it with some water bottles and a collapsable bowl (so basically he's carrying his own stuff). And he LOVES it! He knows his backpack is for "working" and after we put it on he has to make a big deal of showing it off to each of us. He always looks so proud of himself!

As long as yours isn't overly heavy and as long as the backpack isn't too big you shouldn't need to worry about heat. For the most part they're usually pretty breathable. You want one with a meshy material for the pads that are on the underside against the dogs back.

This is an inexpensive one we've used.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06X9SPY9V/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apip_gXH5xECuCk61Q

u/sourtastingbunny · 2 pointsr/germanshepherds
u/Bytchen · 2 pointsr/backpacking

She has a small pack that I bought at pet smart but after 15ish trips with it, it ripped above the zipper. I finally bought her a Ruffwear Palisades Pack http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B005OTYE3Q/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?qid=1419083776&sr=8-2&pi=AC_SY200_QL40#
For $100 on sale. This pack is way nice and she is worth it

u/zombieninja9000 · 2 pointsr/Showerthoughts

OneTigris Dog Pack Hound Travel Camping Hiking Backpack Saddle Bag Rucksack for Medium & Large Dog (Dog Pack - Cotton Canvas) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00MQGL712/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_3B7jDb3KFAA1S

u/gooberlx · 2 pointsr/dogs

check out /r/backpackingdogs.

I have the Mountainsmith K9, and it's pretty good. I prefer the way its chest piece/harness works to the Ruffwears. That said, the Ruffwear Approach is probably most often recommended. The prices on Amazon for it are kinda shocking. I've definitely seen it for less in the past.

Like the reviews you've read, I found Outward Hound to be garbage for quality. I know some people use and like the tactical/MOLLE vests, but I can't vouch for them.

In any case, the K9 is pretty good bang for buck. I'm guessing your dog would be a medium. There's a used medium on Amazon for ~$45.

FWIW, my next pack will be a custom fit groundbirdgear rolltop pack. Much pricier sure, but I'd rather the super high quality customized fit.

u/GalacticGonads · 2 pointsr/blueheelers

RUFFWEAR - Approach Pack, Orange Poppy (2017), Small https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N10EY28/ref=cm_sw_r_other_apa_i_bQ2jDbJY49H13

u/aurical · 2 pointsr/hiking

Amazon!

The manufacturer's website has a sizing chart. Rose is about 43 lbs, but I got a large because of her deep chest measurements. The harness fits well but the bags seem a bit large.

I don't think they'd hold up for serious backpacking but they should be fine for light daypacking I'm planning on.

u/shmashmorshman · 2 pointsr/GearTrade
u/okcmaniac2 · 2 pointsr/samoyeds

OneTigris Dog Pack Hound Travel Camping Hiking Backpack Saddle Bag Rucksack for Medium & Large Dog (Dog Pack - Cotton Canvas) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00MQGL712/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_OlJZAbT7Z0ZA7

But honestly you can get better packs. This one has some issues with the stitching and tightening of the pack. It works for casual stuff but if you need something for long hikes than you might look for a different pack. If they have one that can double as a harness that's a plus. This one absolutely can not be used to attach a leash/lead. One good tug will rip the stitches

u/FairyGodDragon · 1 pointr/dogs

We bought a ruffwear pack for hiking which was $80 and then about $60 on westpaw design toys that are not very destructible supposedly.

u/traslin · 1 pointr/WildernessBackpacking

I thought about doing this, but the bags I looked at seemed a little gimmicky. I also have no idea how my dog would handle having weight strapped to her during the hike. It is definitely something I'm going to consider in the future, but I don't think I have enough time before this Thursday to make sure it will be worth the hassle.

I'll likely pick one up eventually so I can do some test hikes with my dog before my next trip. Do you have a recommendation for a particular bag? I thought this one looked pretty decent.

u/ChampagnePapi_ · 1 pointr/pitbulls

I got it on Amazon, Outward Hound DayPack. The backpack comes off with 3 buckles and doubles as a nice harness!

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00MNSM6CW/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

u/KestrelLowing · 1 pointr/WildernessBackpacking
u/ski3 · 1 pointr/dogs

We don't live in Colorado (yet, we actually just started to apply for jobs out there and hope to move to the Denver-area later this year. We've already mapped out the drive and done some brainstorming about where we'll stay on the road since from where we live (Pittsburgh), it's about a 24 hour drive, so let me know if you need any help on the research we've done on that), but do camp (in OH, PA, and MD), hike, and road trip with our 1.5 year old Golden Retriever pretty frequently when the weather is warm. I'll discuss what we have for our dog's set ups.

Road Trips

  • Car Harness (we use the Ruffwear Loadup) to help keep him safe in the car and to keep him in the backseat
  • Car Seat Cover to protect your car
  • Cleanup Supplies just in case your dog gets sick (my policy if that if you have them, you probably won't need them. But that one time you don't have them is when you'll probably need them). We keep a bottle of Nature's Miracle and paper towels in the trunk.
  • Something to carry your dog's kibble in. We use the Ruffwear Kibble Kaddie
  • Travel Dog Bowls. We really like these Doggie Bento Bowls for travel, since they're sturdy and the top one is keeps water in without leaking.
  • Treats
  • Crate for the hotel room/wherever you'll be staying on the road if your dog is crate trained.
  • Leash and poop bags for when you take your dog out to potty at various rest stops, etc.
  • Toys for when you get to your destination/your nightly lodging
  • A bag to put everything in. We just use a folding duffle we've had lying around the house for a while.
  • Collar with vaccination tags, as well as a tag with your home address (if it's a short trip) or the address of where you will be staying (if it's a longer trip)
  • Doggie First Aid Kit (include items such as disinfectant, hydrogen peroxide (can be used to clean wounds or induce vomiting), vet wrap, gauze pads, activated charcoal, tick key, thermometer, ace wrap, scissors, tweezers, styptic powder, etc.)

    Camping

  • Tie-out stake and tie-out line for the campsite. It's extremely useful not having to hold your dog's leash constantly while you're setting up camp, starting fires, collecting wood, etc.
  • Something for your dog to sleep on (optional). We use the Ruffwear Highlands Sleeping Bag and the Ruffwear Highlands Sleeping Pad (we got both for over half off at L.L. Bean). Summit usually ends up ditching the sleeping bag and trying to climb into ours and cuddle though. The sleeping pad is really nice to have since we can easily move it to near the fire so he has a nice place to lay.
  • Toys you don't mind getting dirty. We especially like light up and glow in the dark toys for at night around the campsite since we can actually find them once it starts to get dark.
  • Food and some way to store it (we generally use the Ruffwear Kibble Kaddie for this too and store it in either the car or a bear box when it's not being used).
  • Travel Bowls. For camping we tend to use the Ruffwear Quencher Cinch for food.
  • Water and bowl (we use a Nalgene Bottle with a [Pupwerks PupCup](http://www.pupwerks.com/shop/the-original-pupcup, which when not in use, fits snugly on the bottom of the water bottle)).
  • Treats
  • Leash and poop bags
  • Doggie First Aid Kit
  • Light-up Dog Necklace to make your dog easier to see at night

    Hiking

  • Harness/backpack. Summit has the Ruffwear Palisades Pack for hiking, but so far has only used the removable harness from it and not the pack (we didn't want him carrying the pack last summer while he was still growing and can't wait to try this summer).

  • Leash and poop bags. We really like the Chaco Dog Leash since it has a buckle to allow us to clip him to different places, and you can adjust the leash to clip it around yourself to walk hands-free if needed.

  • Longline or Flexi-leash (controversial, we personally hate flexi-leashes EXCEPT if we're hiking in an area where there are not many people/dogs nearby. I would not recommend it unless your dog has excellent recall in addition to the flexi). This allows your dog to wander a little farther away from you and sniff and explore on his own a little bit.
  • Water and bowl (we use the Nalgene with the Pupwerks PupCup again for hiking)
  • Treats
  • Doggie First Aid Kit, especially if it's a longer or overnight hike

    Additionally, for camping, I'd strongly recommend doing some camping training in your home before taking your dog camping for real. We set our tent up in our living room and slept in it at home a couple of times with our dog just to let him get a feel for what things would be like before we went outside camping for the first time. Lots of treats were involved to show him that being calm in the tent was a good thing. Also start small. The first time we took our dog camping was at a campsite in Ohio about 20 minutes from our parents' house. We made sure it was just one night and that we had an easy-out in case Summit wasn't ready and started to freak out or disrupt the other people camping. Everything went perfectly but if Summit hadn't been having a good time, we could have quickly packed up and left and slept at either of our parents' houses where he would have felt more comfortable.

    In terms of hiking, also start small. Start with shorter, easier hikes that take maybe 30-60 minutes. Then work up to longer, steeper, more challenging hikes.

    Finally, for road tripping, especially in places that you don't know as well, I strongly recommend taking a look at bringfido.com and dogfriendly.com. These websites will allow you to easily look up different dog-friendly establishments (such as restaurants, hotels, parks, activities, etc.) in the areas that you are traveling.
u/joshlymanismygod · 1 pointr/dogs

Check with your vet before doing this since its a puppy, but you can get a backpack (like this) and slowly add weights over time to increase the amount of work your dog is doing while on walks. That can make shorter walks more effective exercise - but, you need to be taking that pup for a least 60 to 90 minute walks (in a single go).

u/allORnothingCLIMBER · 1 pointr/hiking

Looks to be the Ruffwear Approach. I have the same pack for my Golden and it's great.

u/Weed_O_Whirler · 1 pointr/dogs

Slightly off topic but- I have this backpack for my dog, and what I don't understand at all is what you do to keep it from falling from one side or the other. I try to keep it weight balanced, but as soon as it gets a little out of whack, it starts slipping to one side.

Am I missing an important step?

u/Knarfed · 1 pointr/IAmA

OneTigris Cotton Canvas Dog Pack Hound Travel Camping Hiking Backpack Saddle Bag Rucksack for Medium & Large Dog (Dog Pack) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00MQGL712/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_5y8DxbTZHCTGW

Not the one we have, but amazon has a ton of options. You obviously don't want to kill their backs, but a little weight, or lunch if you're going hiking, makes them feel useful. Or that's what I think is going on in their dog brains.

u/riotcontrol · 1 pointr/pitbulls

Lalawow Cotton Canvas Dog Pack Hound Travel Camping Hiking Backpack Saddle Bag Rucksack for Medium & Large Dog (Classic Coffee) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00V6388MW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_VGzQybB5RW9D3

u/wolfcoladistributor · 1 pointr/Doberman

OneTigris Cotton Canvas Dog Pack Hound Travel Camping Hiking Backpack Saddle Bag Rucksack for Medium & Large Dog https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B00MQGL712/ref=cm_sw_r_other_apap_GtTGCKLuGRS2r

u/Pewpasaurus · 1 pointr/Newfoundlander

That's a reasonable distance as long as your newf doesn't have a history of arthritis or dysplasia. I took mine on a 2 mile loop last month in Florida heat and he was bounding up and down 10ft embankments without any care. Fun historical fact: Lewis and Clark had a Newf
that they took with them to the Pacific and he made it the entire way.

If you're looking for a pack, I recommend the Ruffwear Approach. I got one last year and you can fit an entire 1-gallon jug on each side.

u/floorpoop · 1 pointr/dogs

http://youtu.be/24pdruHwmqs

http://www.amazon.com/Kyjen-Outward-Hound-Backpack-Large/dp/B0081XIEHE/ref=sr_1_2?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1372306887&sr=1-2&keywords=backpack

The pockets are very large and the entire "backpack" park is connected by velcro and one single clip to the straps, so its easy to pull off and the harness part is still on in cases where you want to do it quickly.

u/astarael97 · 1 pointr/husky

The complaint I have about the one I bought (http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0081XIEHE/ref=sr_ph?ie=UTF8&qid=1420752800&sr=1&keywords=dog+backpack) is that it has to go over her head to get it on. And she's pretty terrified of it. We're working on it slowly with treats, though.

u/helleraine · 1 pointr/dogs

I don't have any experience with that company. I prefer the canvas/tarp type material. I have this for Tesla - I like that the bags are removable.

Ruffwear has a super nice multi-day hike type backpack for dogs (I wasn't sure if you were looking for a plain vest or a pack type vest since the examples are different).

Company has a lifetime warranty. Wonder what their CS is like?

u/Enraiha · 1 pointr/aww

His is pretty good, but I prefer Ruffwear's Palisade model. The harness and saddlebags are connected on his pack, whereas the Palisade model has detachable bags (good if you're doing some bushwhacking/backcountry adventures).

Here's my girl with it on: http://i.imgur.com/iFq3P3a.jpg

Quality stuff, use the harness separate a lot for running with her, but the pack itself is well balanced. She's held 2 liters of her own water, food, and treats while in the backcountry with no problem. Most the time she likes having her own pack because she knows she'll be going out on an adventure and gets super excited.

It's a bit more expensive than the approach packs, but you can often find the Palisade model for sale for under 100 bucks. I got mine during an REI sale for 80 bucks. Here's an Amazon link for reference though: https://www.amazon.com/Ruffwear-Palisades-Multi-Day-Backcountry-Currant/dp/B005OTYE3Q

u/silverbeat · 1 pointr/dogs

I really wanted a pallisades pack from ruffware but it was out of my price range. I went with outward hound and am very pleased. The pack detaches if you need to give your guy a break and the bags can hold a lot of bulky stuff. My only qualm is that doesn't seem as sturdy as ruffware packs. But after a year of use it's still holding up just fine and at $30 I won't mind replacing it when it does finally tear.

u/astrofizix · 1 pointr/camping

Keep in mind the weight that you plan on putting on him. I believe the suggested load is only 10-15% of his body weight. Water weighs 2.2 lb per liter. Things add up quick, so plan on using a little scale to be sure you are not overloading your pup. I believe I put a little less than 2 liters in my beagles' ruffwear so it comes out to ~4 lb. He weighs 37 lb and doesn't mind at all. I use this one which appears to be getting pricy since it isn't being made anymore, but for a small dog I wanted the smaller pouches. Watching him snag trees on large pockets was not cool.

u/StimGeekPhD · 1 pointr/BackpackingDogs

I'm also interested in packs for dogs. Amazon had this one...http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0081XIFWS/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=3DZTZFVVKBJWN&coliid=I2TRVGPM04JUNF&psc=1The hardest part is what size to get and how these will sit. I have a black lab she's smaller and 60lbs her coat is so slippery and the way she walks everything slides to the left....even if there is nothing weighted.

u/fijita · 1 pointr/corgi

No recommendations but hopeful to see what comes of this. I've been looking myself and haven't really gotten anywhere. Corgis aren't often thought of when creating doggy accessories... I can't tell you how many times I've bought something on a whim and just completely failed at properly gauging the right size by eye alone.


Are you looking for just a backpack with handles? This is what I've had my eye on the last few days but haven't purchased yet.

u/lordofthefeed · 1 pointr/puppy101

Agree with /u/zelyre about a non-crazy colored saddle bag set. Quickly googled to see general pricing and found this one they might like. That said, I think that reflective stripes would be an add on, so I'd pay comparable pricing for a normal-looking saddle bag but probably not more than $50.

u/boobiesiheart · 1 pointr/BackpackingDogs

I have this: [Outward Hound 22002 DayPak Dog Backpack Adjustable Saddlebag Style Dog Accessory, Small, Green] (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00MNSM6CW?ref=yo_pop_ma_swf)

My dog with aforementioned pack