I just purchased a Ruffwear Singletrak pack for Greta so she can help carry some water. Just wondering how snug the straps around her chest and stomach should be? Do you use the same 2-finger rule like for flat collars?

I put it on her (empty) this morning for our walk and she didn't seem to even notice it; I guess because she usually wears a regular harness and the pack wasn't much different. It did rotate around 2-3" either way depending on what she was doing. I'm also wondering whether filling the water bladders will help keep it centered?

I want to start doing some easy hikes with her and my camelback only lasts us both (sharing) an hour.

Thanks for any suggestions!

Carolyn, it looks like none of our currently active members have a lot of experience using backpacks with our dogs. Here are a couple of external links that may be of some help, if you haven't found them already:

http://dogadventures.com.au/how-to-fit-a-dog-backpack/

http://mountainsmith.com/blog/index.php/2016/06/30/how-to-properly-fit-a-dog-pack/

I used a backpack on my prev pups, and found a few of them would say on one side. Trick is to get the ones that sit up more on the shoulder, and has adjustable straps on both sides of the body, and I did a one finger rule . Water bags are okay, mine carried her cookies, leashes and water bottles, my prev male carried two 2lb leg weights to burn his energy.

As long as the dog can breathe fine, and you have the weight ratio, which is 10% of the body weight, you should be okay!

Under the heading of Sam nudged me yesterday, and the computer decided to erase my epistle, so here goes again.

I use two fingers snug as a girth fitting. I want the backpack to be reasonably secure but not restrictive. And I work the weight in pockets up over time until I think the weight is not likely to cause any joint stress or injury. And the front strap should compliment and stabilize the placement of the backpack on the back of the dog.

I try to make sure the side to side backpack pockets are weight balanced, to try to ensure the backpack doesn't start rolling to one side.

And I watch the dog to try to make sure the backpack vest doesn't contribute to overheating, given exercise and exertion.

The two males carry a few bottles of water, and some food, and the necessities, such as candy bars, for me.

I'm not a fan of a backpack for a young dog that is still growing into his or her full self. I think it might not be good for growing bones and joints.

As for a harness, more or less the same sizing but no wheeled pulling because it might lead to a cart or whatever catching the back legs in a sudden stop. It is good exercise, I think. for the dogs to occasionally pull around some sledge like dead weight. Again, mindful of over stressing the dogs joints, etc.

Young, growing dogs, are not candidates for me for a backpack or harness. But what do I know? Little to nothing.

Two cents.

Yes, I'm with Mike.

Including "Young, growing dogs, are not candidates for me for a backpack or harness."

JMO!

I believe the rule of thumb is 18+ months?

I found the best fit was to hold your fingers while the dog stands, and breathes, and when the dog sits, each position has to be comfortable.
I have a wicked handmade harness made for extreme pulling, padded and winterized, that I plan on using on Harry, to pull my back pack in the kids lil sled.
I was told large breeds should not have any weight placed on their mid back. But vets don't know everything I guess!

Ditto on the 18 months!

Another thing to consider is all his heavy coat.

It might be a bit confusing to fit him if your not giving that some though.

I am unlucky, a pack would most likely matt him up, not sure if anyone has used one on a sheepie! Right now we shall stick with training lol.

How old us Greta now? With next to no weight, I am sure she can carry small light stuff, my Emma was carrying bags and biscuits at 12 months, and her own water bottles, in reusable bottles, by 15, I just made sure I weighed the pack, and had her just walk around to check the comfort level for her. And during free time I took it off, so she could run around!

No worries, Greta is 20 months already (time flies!!) and by the time warm weather (March) rolls around she will be past 2 yrs. Besides, the only thing she's carrying at the moment are my cell phone and car keys (curse the designers who think women's clothing doesn't need pockets).

The water bladders that came with it carry a little over 1 Liter (.6 each side) which equals about 2.2 lbs; about 3% of her 70-ish lb body weight. I snugged up the belly strap a bit yesterday which seemed to help keep the pack from rotating. Also found this which is quite a bit above our level but gave me an idea of how much weight to add over time http://www.gsmdca.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/Training-Tips-for-a-Pack-Dog-Event.pdf .

Becky, I wouldn't guess that you would have matting unless the pack is on there for a multi-day trip. There are a lot of plush coat sled dogs out there; there must be a solution