Over a year ago, Kurgo so generously sent us backpacks for the boys to test out on a hike. I wrote about our experience hiking with the Kurgo backpacks then. Lately, though, the Kurgo pack has been getting a lot of use on our neighborhood walks.
Cooper is an ok walker. He prefers to be a little bit ahead of me, which I’m fine with as long as he isn’t pulling. But the real issue is that he’s jumpy. He’s a “nervous Nellie” in general, and when we’re out and about, his head is swiveling from side to side, scanning his surroundings. He periodically tenses up and freezes. It makes for a very disjointed walk.
But, really, it’s not his fault. I haven’t worked on his walking over the past year, so now that we’re back on track, I’m focused on improving his confidence and his skills.
The first step? Getting him to work hard on our walks!
I put a 2-pound handweight in each of the saddlebags. That 4-pound total is 10% of his body weight. Honestly, it’s like a total transformation: As soon as I clip the bag on his back, his mindset changes. He becomes way more focused and way less jumpy. His walking becomes more fluid.
We also work on his attention. We stop at every street corner for a “sit” and a “watch me” before we cross. I take my trusty can of Easy Cheese, and he gets a steady stream whenever he looks at me, especially when there are dogs/people/bikes going by.
We’re definitely making progress.
The only problem? He won’t poop with the backpack on. Maybe it shifts uncomfortably when he gets in position? Maybe he’s too focused on his “job” to think about his “business”? But, I guess if that’s the only problem we’ve encountered so far, we’re in pretty good shape!
Have you tried a backpack on your walks? What tools or equipment help to improve your walks?
I’ve use a backpack on SlimDoggy frequently. Like your experience, he gets very focused and very much into “I’m working here” mode. It makes for a good, powerful walk when he’s focused like that and really helps him drain energy! I load it up with water bottles to add weight. It’s also useful for poops bags and a little baseball bat I carry (for unleashed dogs that come near us). He never hesitated to do his business while it was on, so I can’t make any suggestions on that. Good job on the training too.
Isn’t it amazing how such a (seemingly) simple thing can change the experience entirely? Good call on the little bat… I never would’ve thought of that!
This is so interesting. I’ve heard from others that the backpack really helped their dog focus on a walk.
As for the pooping, maybe you can work on getting him to go on command. When it’s time for him to go, take off the backpack temporarily and let him sniff to find his right place.
It could be a really convenient skill for him to learn.
I’ve never tried a backpack with Honey. In fact, I usually wear one to hold water, a bowl, tennis balls, etc. Maybe you have the right idea and I should make Honey carry her own gear.
I know this is projecting, but it really makes them seem so purposeful in their walks. If you decide to experiment with Honey wearing a pack, please share your experience!
Oh wow, that is something I didn’t know about backpacks. Only one of my dogs walks really well, the others are nervous too. I think this might be a great idea for them too, so glad you shared it! I wonder if the weight on their back and sides acts a little as a comfort too, kind of like when you wrap a thundershirt around them?
Ooooh, good observation. It might be a lot like a Thundershirt! Definitely let us know how it works for your crew if you decide to give it a try.
I’ve been thinking about this for a while but haven’t gotten around to implementing it yet. I think it might be super good for Delilah since she can’t be trusted off-leash, it might help tire her out.
Let me know if you give it a try, Jodi! It definitely tires him out… He is a VERY high energy guy, and the only time he really pants on a walk is when he’s carrying a weighted pack!
We have been to a dog training class in which Sophie was all bark a would not focus as she was to busy making sure no dogs came near. But eventually she calmed down and we were able to enjoy the class and we passed! I have taken on board what another member has said and if I can’t guarantee that we will have a relaxing walk with positive interactions with dogs we don’t go. We no longer go to busy areas like the dog parks, inner city walks, no big pet stores only the one were there will be only us in there at the time. I don’t allow her to interact with large dogs unless they are very laid back and will respect her space ( I find this is more of a problem with large breeds) If we are walking and i see a trigger I beat her to the punch an give a stern no before she reacts. I found this to be the only thing that works as she ignores treats, toys and other commands. I will sometimes even put my hand on her chest and one on her bum and gently force her to sit this brings her attention back to me. I tell her she being a good girl if she doesn’t react. This has helped with her barking matches thru fences. If that doenst work I quickly take off at a jog and that snaps her attentiion to me.
Cooper looks so cute with his backpack on 🙂
Aww! Thanks! I think so! Although it cracks me up how serious he looks!
n ancient times, the backpack was used as a means to carry the hunter’s larger game and other types of prey and as a way of easier transport for other materials. In the cases of larger hunts, the hunters would dismember their prey and distribute the pieces of the animal around, each one packing the meat into many wrappings and then into bags which they placed on to their backs.