HOW DO I TEACH MY DOG TO WEAR HIS BACKPACK?

Before we get started on the training steps, there are a couple of things to consider. First, you'll want to avoid putting any weight on a dog who isn't fully grown. If you put a weighted backpack on a dog that is too young, you risk serious health issues from bones that don't grow properly to stressed joints to early arthritis. Smaller and medium-sized dogs are usually fully grown at about a year old, but larger breeds are sometimes not fully grown until 18 months or two years old. Check with your vet to find out if your dog is grown enough to carry weight.

On the flip side, also check if your dog is a little on the old side to be wearing a pack. Putting extra weight and stress on older bones and joints is a big risk for injury or speeding up problems like arthritis. Older dogs don't need the added weight training that dogs get from carrying a pack, so take your dog's age into account when making a decision.

Assuming your dog’s frame is fully developed and he is otherwise healthy:

• Make introductions. Allow your dog to examine his new pack all he wants, and then place it on him like a blanket without attaching it. Treat him for standing still during this exercise. Remove the pack and treat him again. Repeat again and again until the dog no longer cares about the pack.

• Now close the clasps. Praise him copiously and give him a treat. Begin to adjust the pack to fit your dog properly: the straps should be snug so the pack won’t shift, but not so tight they cause chafing. You should be able to get a finger or two under them comfortably. Adjust the straps evenly on both sides of his body to keep the pack from listing to one side. 

Continue to make small adjustments the first few times your dog wears his pack, and be advised that weather, changes in his weight, and wear and tear can necessitate adjustments. If your dog shows signs of stress, back off and reward him for letting you simply drape a folded towel across his back.

• Try it inside first. Your dog will need some time to develop an awareness of where his pack is in relation to everything else; let him figure it out without any weight at first—he’ll probably bump into furniture and door frames while he’s learning his new shape. Later add wadded up newspaper to mimic the profile of a full pack. Continue to lavish him with praise and treats.

• Let him wear it empty. Go for a walk, or engage in a vigorous play session—this will allay stress and create a positive association (pack = fun). After a few efforts, begin to add equal weight to both sides: a water bottle or bladder in each saddlebag, or a baggie of rice or beans on each side, for example. On your outings ask your dog to navigate stairs and curbs, and to scramble over logs or even park benches so he’ll learn how to maneuver with weight on his back.

Importantly: start with lightweight and simple tasks, and gradually work up to bigger challenges with a heavier pack over the course of a few weeks. Keep the outings upbeat and your feedback positive, and include fun things in his pack— a favorite ball or toy, and a bag of treats.

• Try a hike, however, this looks to you—a jaunt in the wilderness or a romp down a park path. Check the dog backpack for signs of chafing, and check your dog for signs of fatigue. If you observe either of these, remove the pack and carry it the rest of the way yourself.

Resist the urge to throw a backpack on your uninitiated dog and go. But don’t give up if he resists wearing a pack at first. Acclimate him to it gradually and include treats and praise along the way. Or work on backpack exercises at mealtime: your dog will soon associate wearing his pack with pleasure. And in no time your confident canine will be ready to pack in his own supplies for the trail, or the park across town, or even a pleasant stroll around the block. He’ll appreciate being given his own important work to do, and you’ll both benefit from active time together outdoors.

**Quick Tip: No matter the age or fitness level of your dog, you'll want to limit how much weight you add to a backpack. Never exceed 20 percent of your dog's weight. So for instance, if you have a 40-pound dog, never put more than 8 pounds of weight in the backpack. Too much weight risks injury, including joint problems that develop over time. You'll want to take this into account especially if you're hiking and your dog is carrying their own water, as that weight can add up quickly!

**Important Safety Tips for a Backpacking Dog**

• Remove your dog’s saddlebags and use the pack’s harness handle to guide him across rivers and streams, where he’s most vulnerable.
• Your dog is more likely to overheat wearing a pack; observe him for signs of it and offer him more frequent water breaks than usual.
• Check your dog’s feet and pads for wear and tear, and check them often. Bring dog booties even if your dog never wears them: they’ll be indispensable if he injures a pad on his trail adventure.
• Check often for chafing where the pack’s straps make contact with the dog: lesions can occur with little warning in both furry and bare spots and can become infected if not treated immediately with antibiotics.

WHAT CAN MY DOG CARRY IN HIS BACKPACK?

Your dog’s backpack payload really boils down to what is most comfortable for him and helpful for you. Examples include:

• His own food and water
• A Frisbee, which doubles as a water bowl
• Empty poop bags
• Your extra shoes, one placed in each of the pack’s saddlebags
• Other small items you might need for hiking

Avoid packing sharp objects (your car keys, for example) in your dog’s backpack, and make sure each saddlebag is weighted identically. Then continue to adjust the weight distribution in them as your dog consumes food and water on the hike.