It May Be Time To Consider A Dog Backpack
There is a reason for this. Experience with past disasters and the threats of disasters yet to come, have made it clear that being prepared for quick and unexpected evacuations should be given serious consideration in every home. It is commonly suggested that each family member should have close at hand and easily accessible a backpack filled with those commodities that would be necessary during a 72 hour absence. Most lists would include dried foods, small containers of water, flashlights, first aid supplies, prescription medications and other such necessities. That way there is no last minute packing and hunting for missing articles. Simply grab that backpack and load it and yourself into the awaiting vehicle, and off you go.
Yet, what about man's best friend? Most people, if the possibility exists to do so, want to see their pets whisked to safety as well. Should they too not have access to some sort of a 72 hour emergency kit? In the case of dogs, they can, with a little help, even carry their own.
There are, in fact, commercially available backpacks that are made specifically for our canine friends, although it is certainly possible to produce your own. With a little bit of sewing skill, a basic design idea, and enough material to do the job, Fido can very soon have his very own backpack. For the less adventuresome but still skilled, patterns can be obtained.
One of the important things to remember when designing a backpack for our four-legged friend is that the weight needs to be placed over the animal's shoulder blades rather than the middle of the back, for a dog's shoulders are built to carry weight, not the spine. As well, the best idea for the backpack is a saddlebag type design. This will be much more comfortable for him. Ideally, the end result should also be something that will not restrict movement, while still remaining in place without the need of frequent adjustments. That requires attention to harnessing methods and placement of straps, and probably would be helped by a little on-line research.
Of course, a retail product would automatically eliminate many of these worries, as long as it was a quality product that was being considered for purchase.
A dog does not likely have need of a change of clothes, but dried dog food, water, collapsible bowl, pick-up bags, and a leash would be ideal candidates for items to be included amongst its contents.
Once you have the dog's kit ready, it would be wise to make it an attractive piece of apparel for him. Have him wear it on walks, or as an even more healthful choice, on hikes. It won't take the animal long to associate it with fun activities, and to look forward to those times when it can be worn. Thus, when it is really needed, there is not likely to be any balking at being so attired.
If you and your companion do go hiking together, consider water resistant material in the construction of the saddlebags. Vacuum sealing the dog food will seal in odors as well, and not draw the attention of wild animals. A brightly colored backpack will stand out in the woods, and help prevent some hunter from thinking your beloved pet is some sort of a game animal. Realize, too, that not all trails welcome dogs, so that needs to be taken into consideration. And one more note. If you think that your dog will be ideal protection if you suddenly chance upon some bear or other large form of wildlife, think again. An untrained dog is just as likely to cower behind you so that you can protect if from the beast, as to rush forward to protect you from it.
Finally, don't forget the emergency preparedness aspect of the backpack. In other words, keep it stocked, and keep it handy.
Related Tags: dog, backpack, emergency preparedness, emergency planning, 72 hour kit, saddle bags
Your Article Search Directory : Find in Articles
Recent articles in this category:
- Dog Barking - The Message Behind The Noise
Dogs use a wide range of noises to communicate their feelings about everything. If you have a vocal - How To House Train A Dog
The keys to successful house training are confinement, training, timing and praise. A dog does not n - Optimizing K-9 Health And Performance
Every Working Dog handler knows that "Failure to Thrive" and "Hip Dysplasia" are big issues for Shep - Training Aids for Your Special Dog
If you are one of the many dog owners of today that are having a hard time controlling your canine p - The Separation Anxiety Dog - How to Protect Your Dog From Home When You Leave Home
If you've got a dog that suffers from dog separation anxiety then you are probably afraid to leave y - Dog Life Jackets-Don't Let Your Dog Become Another Tragic Statistic
Providing easy visibility and high buoyancy, a dog life jacket or dog life vest is essential for the - Homemade Dog Food - Treat Your Dog to Recipes Fit for a King
It's just a fact - dogs enjoy people food. Dogs love to eat steak, hamburgers, hot dogs, pizza and - What Genetic Diseases Should Goldendoodle Breeders Be Testing For In The Parents?
What genetic diseases should goldendoodle breeders be testing for in the parents?Goldendoodles are s - Benefits of Homemade Dog Food
Homemade dog food is exactly what the name implies - dog food that is made from home. There are man - Stop Dog Barking - The Truth About Debarking to Solve Dog Barking Problems
So your dog's barking is driving you and your neighbors crazy-annoyance, lost sleep and more…You may
Most viewed articles in this category:
- Is An Anatolian Shepherd Dog Puppy The Right Choice For Me And My Family?
The Anatolian Shepherd Dog was developed as a large dog to guard livestock. She is powerful, and rug - Dog Training Equipment
Dog training is a method of teaching your dog to perform certain activities through obeying your ord - Your Dog And New Year's Resolutions
The New Year is a time for making resolutions, things that you want to change to make the year a bri - I Am Thinking of Buying a New Puppy
When you bring home your new puppy, they are so cute and playful, jumping around and getting into ev - How to Raise Your Dog
So you have decided that you want a pet and have chosen a dog as the animal you would like to share - Chihuahuas Get a Solid "YES" Vote From Paula Abdul and Other Celebrities
She may not be able to put up with Simon Cowell and his sharp-tongued criticisms on American Idol, b - Dog Air Travel - Tips for Traveling by Airplane With Your Lovable Dog
Luckily for dog owners, these animals travel by air better than cats. If the dog is accustomed to ca - Dog Behavior Problem: What To Do About It?
Many of us have lovely dogs, which are like a member of the family. Everyone in the family loves the - Top 5 dog behaviour training tips
Hello fellow dog trainers and people alike. Now, a lot of people have contacted me recently to ask m - How To Keep Your Dog Free of Fleas
Fleas are more than just disgusting; they will carry several serious diseases, parasites and even we