tokipoke

My standard poodle boy will be a year old at the end of this month. I think he weighs around 50 pounds, haven't weighed him in a while, and actually trying to put weight on him. He's 27" at the withers.

I used a doggie backpack today packed with two bottles of water (16oz) on each side, so four total water bottles. Probably about ~4 lbs altogether. I was pleasantly surprised that the load influenced him to walk like a perfect gentleman. No pulling. No over-excitement when he saw a squirrel literally a few steps from us, two neighborhood cats, and a neighbor right on the sidewalk with us.

I can't believe what a useful tool the backpack has been. Any dangers in using the backpack for the walks and is the 4lbs too heavy?? I did try just two total water bottles and it was too light. I even tested it out in my pockets, and when he had two bottles in his backpack, he sped up and pulled. I plan to take the loaded backpack to walk him in the park, where there are a TON of squirrels. Hoping this will help focus him on the walk.

Fluffyspoos

I love using my doggy backpack, carries their leashes on off leash parks, their poo bags, and their poo C: I don't think you need to worry about him having too much to carry.

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JE-UK

I did some research on this a while back, and found a recommendation that the dog carry no more than 10% of its body weight, and that certain long-backed or very short-legged breeds never be asked to carry anything at all. Your 4 lb load should be fine, I would think.

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"Yes is so much important than No." Dominique Barbier

Siskojan

Sisko used his again last summer to carry his own water on long walks. It always amazed me when he was younger how calming it was and how well he walked when he wore it. He has long since become more of a gentleman without it. Next thing we need is a rain coat!

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and Janet

Ms Stella

Good plan....will help to tire him out more too! :-) I should make Player wear one on our morning walks!

tokipoke

I stopped using the backpack a little bit because I noticed it caused major mats on Leroy (all over his sides). This may be different for Player. Leroy is going through a major coat change. However, I just shaved his jacket off the Continental Clip so used the backpack again tonight. I love the hair but also love it off!