While we were “camping” at the cabin we took the boys hiking. Emmett and Lucas love to hike. It’s sensory overload for them, and even though they don’t go off leash, we give them lots of slack to zigzag around the trail or veer off as they see fit.
We chose a moderate trail in Brown County State Park because I wasn’t sure how Cooper would hold up on his first hike. Turns out, I had nothing to worry about! Like always, they had a blast!
Several months ago, Kurgo very generously sent backpacks to the boys. The Wander Pack is adjustable for dogs 30 to 85 pounds, so all three boys could wear the same pack. (Check out the HANDSOME model at the Wander Pack link above. LOVE.)
There’s a D ring at the base so you can clip the leash there instead of on their collars. With Lucas, because he can be a little fearful out in the wild, we left his leash clipped to his collar for more control. With Emmett and Cooper, though, we tried the D ring. It was great because when we were climbing some of the steeper terrain, they helped pull me along. 🙂
We need to mess around with Cooper’s a bit more. It was much easier to size the pack to the big boys. Cooper is so long and narrow with absolutely no heft to him (yet) that the pack kept slipping around. In hindsight, we should have fit him at home when he wasn’t all excited to be out and about, but I’m going to keep messing with it because I’m sure that as he grows and fills out, we’ll find the right fit.
The saddlebags seemed small at first, but they held a decent amount. Emmett carried our bottles of water; Lucas carried granola bars, sunscreen, and bug spray; and I can’t remember what Cooper carried, but it was really light (the map maybe?).
Overall, for $30, I think the Wander Pack is a great buy. We’re definitely going to use them on all of our spring and summer hiking trips, and I think I’m going to use Cooper’s for all of our neighborhood walks – loaded down so that he has to work harder to maybe, finally, hopefully get tired!
After the hike, Cooper was exhausted, which is a rare occurrence around here. Is it just me, or does he look like Yoda when he gets so tired?
Disclaimer: Kurgo kindly sent us three backpacks for free. I would never write a good review of something just because it was sent for free. Click to read more about my reviews and policies.
I think Cooper carried poop bags???? Regardless, that dog was wiped! It was wonderful, I think he slept for like 6 or 7 hours during that day, which is unheard of.
I think the dogs feel so important carrying stuff; even poo bags. And how does he get his ears to do that??
He absolutely looks like Yoda. Those ears are something else! 😀
We often drape Gus’s little blanket over his back. He looks like a donkey carrying a pack. 🙂
Cooper absolutely looks like Yoda! I have to maneuver Buster’s ears for that effect – it’s so great that Cooper’s do it naturally. We also have a backpack for Buster and he carries the dog’s water and collapsible bowl. Ty doesn’t have a backpack. He considers carrying his own weight contribution enough. 🙂
@TwoPitties, I think you’re totally right. Carrying something gives them that all-important job to do, which gets them to behave better, too!
@Lori, please post a pic of that!!!
@Amy, I have no idea how his ears do that! Normally, they’re perked up, but when he’s tired… they just droop directly out to the sides. Also, I think Ty has a point. 🙂