Anyone dogpack?

[dinoman]

:) Does anyone here dog pack (backpack)? I would really like to know what to look for in a pack. With that said I'm not really in any need of something with all kinds of weird stuff on it. Just looking for something really basic: couple pockets and a ring to attach a leash. I looked at petsmart but all they had was ones that went over the back, maybe its just me but wouldn't you want one that put most of the weight over the shoulders? Probably wont ever have much weight in it at a time, you know 2-3lbs. Just a little dog anyway (30lbs.)...

Just kinda thought it would be a neat tool, could put like water bottles in it just for walks to wear him out a little more, and while we're working could put all kinds of stuff in it (fencing staples, steel post clamps, small tools, ect...) so I wouldn't have to cram my pockets full of stuff.

[RicksReefs]

PETA frowns on animal slave labor... ;)

[MinibowMatt]

hmmm.. im gonna tag along here... just got a springer spaniel pup, so in a few months i will need to outfit him too..
Dinoman- have you checked out campmor.com?

[SexiShrimp]

REI has really nice packs for dogs...check them out at
www.rei.com

[Nina51]

screw PETA. my huskies LOVED packing. it's been so long ago, i don't remember where we got our packs, probably at some sort of outfitter place.

you want to start out with very lightweight stuff. your dog may even lay down and refuse to move at first. just coax with lots of treats and once he gets the hang of it, he'll love it. :)

[RicksReefs]

Originally posted by Ninapearl
screw PETA.

no thanks, i'd probably wanna go out for a burger afterwards... :D

[emilye2]

Dino-it's great for camping, they can carry their own food and water! :) Like Nina said, start slow with just the pack and slowly up the weight. I'm pretty sure all the packs you are going to find will be made to fit the back. Anything on the shoulders would rub too much and interfere with their movement. Make sure any weight you have them carry is balanced. Have fun! :)

[dinoman]

:lol: Rick maybe you should get a little backpack for that little fluffy wuffy poofie woofie pie you have :D.

:D Just started thinking the other day it could be such a useful tool, I could use it just about anywhere. I'm always needing a couple extra pockets, be great if I could put the couple pockets on the dog. Anyone have tips on buying a pack? Like what features to absolutely avoid and which ones to make sure are on there. Or are all of the backpacks basically "good" with the more expensive ones just being better quality with maybe some neato feature added on?

:D Off check out some of the places people pointed out...

[dinoman]

Originally posted by SexiShrimp
REI has really nice packs for dogs...check them out at
www.rei.com

:eek: I really like a couple of those packs! Pretty good prices on them too. Hmmm...going to go check out Cabelas site see what they have, but I still really like a couple packs I saw on the site above :D.

:) Forgot to say, a while ago I put a towel over his back just to see how he acted with something back there and he walked around like he didn't even know he had something back there. So I think he'll have fun with a pack.

[RicksReefs]

:lmao: naw, fluffy wuffy is the wife's mule. all he can carry
is his spoiled attitude and a few fleas...

[dinoman]

:) I'm really liking this pack here...
http://a1072.g.akamai.net/f/1072/2062/1d/gallery.rei.com/media/375478.jpg

Probably a little more than I need but I figure its like lights, get what you really want first that way you don't end up going through a bunch of "junk" and spend 5x's the money on what you wanted to start with. I'm trying to find reviews on it (:) I almost always try to find reviews for EVERYTHING I buy, guess I don't like to waste money) but haven't been coming up with much.

:D After spending all this time looking through online "outdoor" sites I feel like going camping...

[bradwent]

Keep in mind, just like in a pack made for humans, the bigger the pack the more crap you can stick in it = the more crap you will stick in it.

My lab loved his, what lab wouldn't, so he would always carry his own water and food for day trip 14'rs in CO. Just don't overweight them.

[dinoman]

:) Well I ordered the one above yesterday, says it should be here sometime next week. :D I'll post a picture of him in it when it gets here. I'm really excited and I think Harley will like it too...give him something to do when he's out with us working besides laying under the truck bored or pestering the cat (:rolleyes: yes the cat follows us to work too...).

[dinoman]

:) Got the pack Monday, just finally got around this morning to taking some pictures.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v634/-Dino-/Pets/harley-backpack-1.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v634/-Dino-/Pets/harley-backpack-2.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v634/-Dino-/Pets/harley-backpack-3.jpg

So far I really like it, seems to be built really well. Has two big pockets and a little mesh pocket up on top of the one pocket, the straps are all padded, and it rides really well. I haven't been putting anything in it yet (outside a couple doggy treats) but so far I have no trouble with it sliding to one side or the other. Also both sides have straps so you can sinch the pockets down, that way they aren't hanging down in the way when they don't need to be. Harley is still a little scared of it (he's scared of most "new" things) but he's getting better around it. I've been putting it on him every morning for our walks, so he'll get used to it. He'll eventually realize that "when those pesky humans put this thing on me it means I'm going to get treats and have FUN!!!!"

[emilye2]

That looks like a great fit! As he starts to get more and more comfortable with it he'll love having a job to do. I love how he checks in with you in that last pic. It's a herding dog thing and I can't wait to see it in my aussie. My beagles only check in to see if i dropped any food!! :) You are doing great-I want agility equip. pics!! :)

[RicksReefs]

that last pic looks more like 'i'm gonna pee in your
ear while your sleeping for making me wear this"

[dinoman]

:lol:

Funny you should mention peeing. Before I got the pack I was really worried the the back strap was...um, going to be in the way. :D No problems though!

:D I'm still working on building a dog walk, I got all the boards just got get some PVC to build some stands. Probably be a project for next week (busy this weekend).

Edit: Just to add to that (had to go do something) going to be going to a graduation this weekend. And they have a dog so I'll try to get some of Harley playing with his buddy this weekend :D

[emilye2]

Dino-i meant to tell you if you go on the AKC.org website and poke around somewhere on there they have an agility booklet you can order that has all the official rules and regs for AKC agility (UKC, NADAC, NDAA are all different). It costs something aroun 2$ but it'll have all the info you need! :)

[Nina51]

wow, that looks perfect!! it's obvious from harley's expression that he's already having some fun with it. you're gonna LOVE this, soooo much fun!

are you doing agility??? i'm in the process of having mr. nina build me some jumps, a tire obstacle, dog walk, teeter totter. gonna order a tunnel somewhere along the way.

[dinoman]

:D Thanks! Will have to go look for it cause I have no idea what all the rules are (might have to try a google search and see if somebody has a .pdf of it up).

:p Forgot to comment on him checking in with me. That's one of the reasons I went with a herding breed! (well and any other group just isn't a "ranch dog"). On our walks he makes sure to look every few feet to see where I am!

:) The rabbits around here are going to be in good shape! He likes to try and herd them (well chase 'em) if he was a little bit faster he might be able to turn them. Just chases them out of the genral area, pretty lousy at finding them if he can't see them though.

[dinoman]

Originally posted by Ninapearl
wow, that looks perfect!! it's obvious from harley's expression that he's already having some fun with it. you're gonna LOVE this, soooo much fun!

are you doing agility??? i'm in the process of having mr. nina build me some jumps, a tire obstacle, dog walk, teeter totter. gonna order a tunnel somewhere along the way.

:p Posted while I was typing, yep planning on learning it just for fun on a backyard course (but want to teach him how to "really" do it and follow all the rules). If he gets good enough might have to enter him as a 4-H dog sometime.

I think he will have a lot of fun with the pack once he gets used to it!

[VoidRaven]

I really like the look of that dogpack. Would be perfect for my German Shepherd...not sure about the Elkhound though. She might a hair too small. I'll have to check out that website.

Speaking of rabbits...Journey (German Shepherd) and Eden (Norweigan Elkhound) actually took down a rabbit the other day in the yard. My wife got to see it. She said it was absolutely beautiful in that "national geographic hunters of the wild" kind of way. Two herding/working dogs vs one 4lb jack rabbit. As they were rounding the pool, Eden made a perfect 90 degree turn/head snap and nailed the rabbit right in the neck...then proceeded to carry it around the yard like "look what I did!" My wife was not amused.

So naturally I had to take care of disposing of the dead body. Poor rabbit. Never had a chance.

[emilye2]

Nina-check out Toys R Us for tunnels. Not kidding! Kid's play tunnels are a heck of a lot cheaper. They aren't regulation size but they are good for practicing. Only about 20-30$ vs. $200! :)

[VoidRaven]

Dinoman...which pack is that on your dog? The Mountainsmith Dog Pack I or III? Also, does it have the drainage holes in the bottom for if the dog takes a quick run in the pond? Or is the Mountainsmith waterproof/resistant?

[dinoman]

:D Right now there isn't any way Harley could catch a rabbit (they're a lot faster than he is), not sure what he would do if he managed to catch up to one. If he would try to kill it or if he would just run over the top if it like he does the cat and his toys. Harley caught a mouse the other day, he was pretty proud of that.

:) I really like this pack, was $70 (with shipping) but I know he's probably not going to ever wear it out. I finally decided on this one after reading a lot of reviews and doing a lot of searchs on google groups (useful for something) on diferent packs. They make 3 different sizes of this pack, mine is the smallest (Harley only weights 30lbs, 16-17" I think at the shoulders).

[dinoman]

Originally posted by VoidRaven
Dinoman...which pack is that on your dog? The Mountainsmith Dog Pack I or III? Also, does it have the drainage holes in the bottom for if the dog takes a quick run in the pond? Or is the Mountainsmith waterproof/resistant?

:) Mine is the dogpack I, the smallest one. No drain holes in the bottom and haven't had it in the water yet to test how much it leaks (Harley hates water). The only place it should leak is around the zippers and I'm guessing it would be really slow. I'll test mine a little later in the tub and see what it does...

[VoidRaven]

Cool beans...thanks! Harley looks like quite the trooper all suited up in those pics!

[dinoman]

:) Just tested it...yeah it leaks, right at the zipper where I expected it to. Not sure what could be done about it besides put everything in ziplock bags and try and keep the dog out of the water. I did notice the bags tended to float, and the zippers are fairly high on the pack. It seems to be water proof up to the zippers though, so it might be alright as long as the dog didn't get into really deep water (as high as the zippers you can see on Harley).

[VoidRaven]

Hey, how much does Harley weigh? I'm thinking the "I" might fit my Elkhound, but I'm not sure about it. I know I need the "III" for my German Shepherd.

[dinoman]

:) 31lbs. last check at the vet, but that was before he lost all his winter hair so he's probably closer to 30 now :rolleyes:. I would have to get out the tape measure to see what he measures around the chest. At the shoulders he's 16 or 17" I think. Not sure how big your elkhound is but I'm guessing its a little more than that.

[VoidRaven]

Yeah....Eden currently weighs in around 50lbs or so. She doesn't look it, which is why I asked about Harley...they looked to be about the same size.

[dinoman]

:D Harley looks bigger than he is too...