It took us a few backpacking trips before we realised there was no need for us to be carrying extra water, food and bowls for our canine hiking companion. Buddy (a border collie cross) was more than capable of packing his own supplies. So we headed off the local pet supply store, picked up a pack, and set out on the trails once again with slightly lighter packs. It took Buddy just a little longer to adjust to the idea!

How to Pick a Pack for Your Dog
Most packs come in one of three sizes (small, medium and large). Don’t pick a pack that is too big for your dog; it will hinder their range of movement. If you’re hiking with a puppy (under one year old) or a toy-sized pooch, then skip the pack – all other dogs are more than capable of carrying anywhere from 25-30% of their weight.

Look carefully at the design. The pack (two identical bags that drape over the shoulders of your dog) should have three flat straps (two under the belly and one around the front of the chest to prevent the pack from slipping backwards off the dog). These straps should be padded to avoid excessive rubbing and should have lots of overlapping Velcro for secure closure.

The pockets should have large zippers that open and close easily (but won’t slide open on their own with movement of the hike). The material should be a heavy-duty cordura or nylon fabric that will resist abrasion.

Putting On the Pack
Start out by putting the empty packs on your dog to get them used to the feeling. Put a couple of treats inside one of the pockets and take them for a walk, stopping along the way to reward your dog for their effort. Some people suggest stuffing the packs with newspaper or other light material to get them used to the bulk. We never did this Buddy and it only took one or two bumps against trees before he was able to gauge the extra girth. You can start out slow with only a few small items at a time in the bags to allow your hiking buddy time to adjust to the weight.

When you’re ready for the real test, the dog’s pack should hold their food (sealed in a waterproof bag), a litre or two of water, collapsible water and food bowls, leash (when not in use) and trail treats. Don’t make the mistake of putting anything breakable in the packs (as most dogs will try and muscle their way between rocks and trees should the situation arise!). Make sure the weight is balanced evenly between the two saddlebags. Again don’t overpack (only up to 25-30% of their bodyweight).

Adjust the pack straps so that they are snug on the belly and chest, but not so tight that they rub. You should be able to slide your fingers underneath the straps easily.

Hike on!