By Kelly Caldwell

These days, I’m seeing an increasing number of canine trekkers outfitted in backpacks, including my dog ‘Ocho.’ I recently acquired a Hooligan Gear Dog Pack (just like the one seen in this photo) from Hounds Around Town and Ocho loves wearing it. Yes, really!

Personally, I like to think that he feels quite important wearing this “uniform” but more likely he just appreciates the extra attention it garners from passersby. After all, what is cuter than a dog wearing a backpack?

Cute aside, these really are great, practical items. Whether you’re heading out for a short walk or a long hike, you’ll be able to take along some useful products – a bottle of water for your dog, a collapsible bowl, some food, scoop bags and even some first aid supplies.

An additional benefit? By putting even a small amount of additional weight in your dog’s backpack, he’ll be burning extra calories along the way. You can purchase small weights or just add a handful of stones to each side and, voila, the backpack becomes not just a practical product but an additional way for your dog to shed some weight. And with so many dogs fighting the battle of the bulge, that is a great benefit.

You’ll find backpacks at pet retailers throughout the country. The Hooligan Gear Dog Pack that my dog wears is padded, fleece-lined and fully adjustable, so comfort isn’t an issue. Reflective tape provides increased visibility and this is a Canadian-made product – all features that get a big ‘thumbs up’ from Ocho and me.

Kelly Caldwell joined Dogs in Canada in 2005 after a successful career as a writer and brand strategy consultant. She lives in Guelph, Ont., where she shares her life with two totally pampered and deeply loved Basenjis named ‘Jazz’ and ‘Ocho.’
To read Kelly’s full bio, click here.

Photo: Sabrina Thurlow