Hi, I was wondering when would be a good age to use a backpack for Parker. He's 8 months old now is that too young? I know that you aren't suppose to run him until he's like a year and a half to 2 years, but I was wondering if it's ok to use a backpack on walks to help tired him out and to help with the leash pulling.

You should be fine using an empty backpack to start off and get him used to it. Probably won't want to add weight to it yet, and when you do, introduce the weight gradually. I don't remember the specifics of % of body weight at what age, etc...so hopefully someone else will chime in.

I believe that the rule is not to exceed 25% of their body weight with the pack.

Thanks, when can I start adding weight? My wife just tried to take him to the vet and Parker got so excited about seeing other dogs that pulled and dragged my wife down, she had the baby in the baby seat too. The baby rolled over still strapped in to her baby seat so thank god the baby's fine. My wife just had scraped knees and knuckles. Would the backpack help with issues like this?

No, a backpack isn't going to help with issues like that. An out of control excited husky is going to find a way to pull you over, backpack or not. Your best bet for situations like that is more training. Training "leave it", calm commands, ignoring other dogs.

Thanks, I know I need to work on him, but I'm deployed right now and won't be home for another month. I already passed on the training commands you suggested to my wife. I'm hoping by using the backpack and walking him before the vet next till will tired him out enough to where he ignores the other dogs, but I don't want to add on the weight too soon and too fast since he's only 8 months.

Do you guys use a collar or harness? A front leading harness helped us with Kai's pulling. It has really made a world of difference.

We are using a collar but we have a walkyourdogwithlove harness coming in the mail

Awesome! That's the harness we have and we love it!

Thanks for the help! Now I just gotta find out how much weight to put in his backpack in relation to his age, I really want to bike with him but I'm pretty sure he's too young for exercise like that

I think people generally start adding weight around a year. And just go slowly from there. It doesn't matter so much about age in relation to weight, it's more important that you just start slowly and don't over do it.

Same with biking. Start at about a year and start slowly and build up to a faster pace and longer distances.

Thanks!

I believe you start out at 5% of their body weight and work up from there, never to exceed 25% of the body weight. I use a back pack with Karli on hikes and when I want to tire her out quickly on walks. Its been a great addition to our walks. I would say use it without weight til he reaches a year old then start adding. I didn't get Karli a back pack til she was a year old.

Ok thanks so much, I brought Parker the ruffwear backpack with the removable pack. My wife wasn't too happy about it but once he's so tire that he doesn't want to cause so much trouble she'll be thanking me lol

Also, remember to balance both sides with an equal amount of weight.

When we got a pack for Stark, the guy told us to use it empty until he got used to it, then add in 500 ml water bottles that were only about 1/4 full, and when he got used to that weight, gradually increase it in 1/4 amount portions.