I’ve got a puppy I’m planning to take paddling this year. Our first trip will be when she’s 9 months, so I’m not quite buying yet as I’m sure she’ll grow more.

Suggestions on PFDs? There’s a bunch out there, and I want to make sure I’m considering features I might need.

Any other dog-related gear suggestions welcome.

Your puppy is super cute!! I’m sure you’ll have many wonderful trips together!

I’ve had good luck with the Ruffwear dog PFDs for my dogs. They are very durable and fit my dogs (border collies) well. I think the durability is important so that they hold up against the rocks and trees the dogs will rub against. A friend of mine started out with an inexpensive PFD for her dog and we ended up using a whole of duct tape to hold her PFD together through the trip, lol.

I also like the Ruffwear roamer bungee leashes. They work great because the handle has a clip that makes it easy to tie the dogs up to a tree when needed, or clip it through a pack strap on portages.

Second Ruffwear PFDs. They make quality products. Don't go buy some junk off of Amazon.

Another Ruffwear product I like is the Highlands Dog Pad. It has a waterproof underside and folds up into a small package. It cleans off really easy as well.

Yup just get the Ruffwear PFD that will fit your dog. Quality products.

Ruffwear sounds good to me. Thanks, all!

I was looking at the highland pad and sleeping bag. I use a hammock. I think she’s going to be a ground dweller.

If you have a Sierra Trading Post near you, they carry these. They are pretty reasonable!

Saberboys: "If you have a Sierra Trading Post near you, they carry these. They are pretty reasonable!


"

^^^This is the one that I have^^^

sueb2b:


I was looking at the highland pad and sleeping bag. I use a hammock. I think she’s going to be a ground dweller. "

I’m a hanger too. I found a good option for my border collie who loved this little “pup tent”. It’s actually called that :)

It’s only water resistant but has great ventilation and roll up windows. The bathtub floor is waterproof. It fits real nice under my foot end and under my tarp. It weighs around 3 lbs.

Also, I use a pfd made by D-fa Dogs. Very high quality company from New Zealand. They have a US based warehouse so shipping is reasonable. I would wait to get one of these when your dog is full grown as they are more expensive than most. But I love their quality.




Pup Tent D-fa Dogs

I too would recommend Ruffwear for your dog's PFD. While they may seem expensive at first, the quality is such that you'll never need to purchase one again; unless you get another dog. My pooch (Border Collie/Lab mix) has been using hers for 7 years and it continues to fit well. It also looks as good as the day we got it so that's a plus.

That's all for now. Take care and until next time...be well.

snapper

TomT: "

sueb2b:



I was looking at the highland pad and sleeping bag. I use a hammock. I think she’s going to be a ground dweller. "

I found a tent at PetSmart that looks similar. I’m going to give it a try.

Otherwise, I am holding off on a purchase of a PFD for as long as I can. She’s 6 mos now, and will be 9 mos by my trip. I definitely expect her to grow during these 3 months.

https://www.petsmart.com/arcadia-trailandtrade-outdoor-ultimate-dog-shade-tent-5322553.html

Ruffwear is the only one I have used but I found it solid and the handle on top was awesome for loading the dog vs him jumping in and dumping us.

sueb2b: "

TomT: "

sueb2b:
I was looking at the highland pad and sleeping bag. I use a hammock. I think she’s going to be a ground dweller. "

I found a tent at PetSmart that looks similar. I’m going to give it a try.


Otherwise, I am holding off on a purchase of a PFD for as long as I can. She’s 6 mos now, and will be 9 mos by my trip. I definitely expect her to grow during these 3 months.


https://www.petsmart.com/arcadia-trailandtrade-outdoor-ultimate-dog-shade-tent-5322553.html

"

That looks like the exact same tent I bought. I would just check reviews first especially on the quality of the zipper. It’s hard to go wrong with that price but have a repair kit handy on your trip.

I’m hoping to take my Dog when he’s a year and a half old. I also want to make sure he’s out of a chewing phase. I might just share a 2 person tent for his first trip so I can be near him at all times.

TomT:
That looks like the exact same tent I bought. I would just check reviews first especially on the quality of the zipper. It’s hard to go wrong with that price but have a repair kit handy on your trip.


I’m hoping to take my Dog when he’s a year and a half old. I also want to make sure he’s out of a chewing phase. I might just share a 2 person tent for his first trip so I can be near him at all times.

I think the tents are slightly different. The chewing does concern me a little. I’m planning on having her on a line, but I may want to use something with wire. She almost chewed through her long lead in about 2 minutes. This tent was on sale for $20, so worth a try.

I’m contemplating putting Velcro around the edge instead of a zipper.

I could try her in a tent, but I’d so much rather stay in my hammock. I got new quilt last year. I’d rather keep her teeth off of those.