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Boundary Waters Quetico Forum :: Gear Forum :: Dog life jacket/pack options
 
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JoshP
05/02/2019 02:35PM
  
Backpacks typically float with gear in them for a couple days, maybe the doggy backpack would float?
 
sns
05/01/2019 11:07AM
  
I've read a number of threads related but wanted to specifically ask - have a trip coming up with a fair amount of portaging. And for the first time, my 40-lb dog is coming along. She does well in the canoe.

So I keep thinking about the 10-15 portages in a day's travel, and the 20-30 times I then have to switch her from life-vest to backpack or v.v., and wondering if anyone has seen a product or a method to couple the two items. For example, saddlebags that attach to a life jacket. Don't know if anyone has done anything like this, but if so, I am all ears.
 
tonyyarusso
05/02/2019 02:25PM
  
justpaddlin: "I think your dog would be safer with no PFD. Anything added to the PFD will make it a worse (or perhaps dangerous) PFD. Try clamping or sewing an empty pack to your own PFD and then go swimming and see how you like it. I'm sorry but I also don't think a DIY PFD is a good idea."
The idea here would be that the dog wears a bare PFD while in the boat, and the saddlebags clip on when you hit a landing, not that the dog would wear the saddlebags while in the boat. It's just that clipping on the bags would be simpler than taking the PFD off, putting a harness on, and then clipping the bags to that.
 
TomT
05/05/2019 08:04AM
  
I wrestled with this scenario and decided to just do all the carrying of the gear and my dog wears a pfd in the boat and on the portages. The last thing I want is my dog to sprain a leg or worse because she was off balance wearing a pack on the portage and slips on a boulder or something. They are not used to carrying weight or some kind of bulk and it could affect their agility. I go in the interior of Quetico where the trails aren't park walks.


Mine is a border collie and really loves to portage. I figure I can easily carry what she could carry for me.



 
sns
05/03/2019 06:40AM
  
tonyyarusso: "justpaddlin: "I think your dog would be safer with no PFD. Anything added to the PFD will make it a worse (or perhaps dangerous) PFD. Try clamping or sewing an empty pack to your own PFD and then go swimming and see how you like it. I'm sorry but I also don't think a DIY PFD is a good idea."
The idea here would be that the dog wears a bare PFD while in the boat, and the saddlebags clip on when you hit a landing, not that the dog would wear the saddlebags while in the boat. It's just that clipping on the bags would be simpler than taking the PFD off, putting a harness on, and then clipping the bags to that."


Indeed - exactly what I was thinking. Saddlebags on land only, PFD always on...


Would be a neat product, but low demand I'm sure!
 
tonyyarusso
05/01/2019 11:45AM
  
I have not seen anything to accomplish that, no. I suspect the reason for it is that life jackets don't really fit the same way as backpack harnesses, so a backpack mounted on a life jacket wouldn't be good over significant distance or terrain, but in the case of portaging it might still be "good enough". There are backpacks where the saddlebags remove from the harness, so if you bought one of those and a life jacket you could DIY the attachment part pretty easily, it's just that the fit would be pretty iffy. I'm intrigued now - may have to try it myself. If you do it, check your dog over OFTEN for skin irritation problems as you go the first few times.
 
pamonster
05/03/2019 02:04PM
  
You could always get the Palisades Pack by RUFFWEAR, it has a harness that attaches to them and the packs to the harness. I'm not sure how the PFD would fit over the harness but something to look at.
My dog wears the Palisades Pack hiking, it takes 2 seconds to take off / put on so you might as well just swap it each time.
A dog that size should probably only carry 10lb or less too.....may not be totally worth getting it a big pack.
Also - insider tip - carry the dog food in your pack and put useful things in the dog pack....I started out having my dog carry his own gear but we don't use it when were on the move and you can put quick access gear in their pack so you can grab it when needed without taking off your pack. Be it ropes, rain gear, water, snacks, blah blah blah
 
justpaddlin
05/02/2019 02:05PM
  
I think your dog would be safer with no PFD. Anything added to the PFD will make it a worse (or perhaps dangerous) PFD. Try clamping or sewing an empty pack to your own PFD and then go swimming and see how you like it. I'm sorry but I also don't think a DIY PFD is a good idea.
 
sns
05/05/2019 07:51AM
  
pamonster: " put quick access gear in their pack so you can grab it when needed without taking off your pack. Be it ropes, rain gear, water, snacks, blah blah blah"


Really good suggestion... Thank you!
 
CrazyLoon
05/02/2019 09:43PM
  
Taking my four legged bf with on my late may trip.
I've been contemplating the same issue. I was thinking of
Using two fanny packs and loop them through the pfd harness.
He's a 100lbs and eats a lot. I dont wanna carry all that extra dog
Food wieght. Lol.