We have beautiful mountain ranges around here and we really want to take Luna hiking, it probably won't be until next spring/summer because she's too young. But we want to get her introduced to backpacks so when we do start hiking she won't freak out. I was thinking letting her walk around with an empty pack for now and gradually add small amounts of weight (obviously she will never be carrying 100's of pounds or anything just her water and food). I just don't want to introduce too much too quick, any suggestions? Also any really nice packs out there, I haven't gone shopping for any yet?

There are a lot of nice packs out there - it'll depend on how much you want to spend.

There are a few of us parital to RuffWear's line of backpacks. I like their Palisades Pack, personally, because the packs detach to the harness making it easier to get on them. Besides, it has a dual purpose since you can use the harness by itself. The packs also come with water bladders already.

It wasn't an issue with Ginger just putting it on her and then letting her walk around with it. But take some time walking with it around the block or something with the packs empty.

With Storm, when I pulled out the harness to go over his head, he backed up 2 steps. So I let him smell it, and took it slow to put the harness over his head. Once I did that a couple of times, he was OK.

You may not need a transition at all - but if you see some hesitation, you may want to take it a little slower.

Ok thank you, I will definitely look into RuffWear. I'm thinking of buying a cheapo one now because she will probably grow out of it. Thank you for the advice!

I'm assuming Luna is like all our dogs.... Walk time = FUN TIME.

If you start putting it on her when you go just for normal walks she will get used to it in no time.

We strapped Tika's pack on her at the store and the next afternoon she was out walking carrying 4 pounds with it on our normal route. She began to just associate the pack with going for a walk or hike and got really excited when she saw it. We let her smell it first and introduced it two her slowly, as you need to pull it down over her head to put it on properly.

Honestly it doesn't take as much time as you would think... They take to it like it's always been there. They MIGHT walk a tiny bit funny and try and look at it a couple of times but it shouldn't take long to just ignore it is there.

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just don't want to introduce too much too quick, any suggestions?

In terms of weight the general rule of thumb is start with somewhere around 10% of your dogs body weight. and very slowly increase it as needed. It is said they can start to hold close to 25% of their body weight but we've never gone that high.

Packing in general is great. It won't slow your pup down any, but it will tire them out faster which is always a good thing. The only days I don't put Tika's on are really really hot and humid days. Her pack is red... but I feel like it still gets hot in the sun and not having it on allows her to breath better.... Besides on hot days she doesn't have as much energy anyways.

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Also any really nice packs out there, I haven't gone shopping for any yet?

Ruff Wear Packs

I tend to believe you get what you pay for with Ruff wear / Canine Equipment (Canadian Ruff Wear).

All their gear is durable and well made. The webmaster for instance has removable packs so if the trails gets too rough, or for what ever other reason you can detach the side packs and it turns into a harness.

Our pack does the same and we LOVE it. Stain and water resistant, and not one tear or zipper break in 6 months.

~Chris~

ETA - Sorry like Claudia I meant the Palisades... The webmaster is essentially just the harness under the Palisades alone

We just went for our first mini hike with Luna and her new pack. We just got a cheapo one for now, we will most likely get a Ruff Wear pack once she reaches adult size but we didn't want her to outgrow it! She did great, all she had in the pack were 2 little ice packs but it didn't seem to bother her at all!!

She looks so cute and that she is enjoying herself! I'm glad she liked it!