How To Get Your Dog In A Backpack Carrier
Hey! We get a lot of questions about how to get your dog into a K9 Sport Sack dog carrier and we want to make sure that you and your dog have the best experience possible.
Training
Getting your dog in a backpack carrier is just like any other learned dog behavior and it may require some training. Just like you train your dog to use the bathroom outdoors or walk on a leash, you need to train your dog to get in the carrier. In our experience 50% of dogs will take to the K9 Sport Sack on the first try, 30% will need some coaxing with treats and praise, 15% will need more extensive training while 5% will not take to it no matter how good the training or treats. That means there is a 95% chance that with a little more patience and practice, your best friend will eventually come to love the K9 Sport Sack as much as you envisioned when you purchased it!
A few things that you’ll need before starting this process are:
- Your dog’s favorite treats.
- A calm location, free of distractions.
- The K9 Sport Sack backpack carrier of your choice.
Make sure to follow these steps in order every time you use the carrier. If you do these steps out of order you might confuse your dog and could make this process more difficult. Remember to be patient. While some dogs will get it the first time, and for some, it may take some training. If your dog is hesitant at first, this is TOTALLY normal, but just like any other learned dog behavior, practice makes perfect.
Let’s get started!
Instructions
- Position your dog in a sitting or standing position next to or on top of the unzipped and open carrier.
- Feed your dog’s front legs through leg holes one at a time and buckle the collar enclosure around the back of your dog's neck, this helps your dog to not pull their legs back inside the carrier.
- Make sure your dog is in the sitting or laying down position. Tuck their tail and place their hind legs into the bottom of the carrier. Carefully zip up the carrier to the top. When the zipper is at the top of the carrier, unbuckle the collar enclosure and feed the buckle through the zipper loop to secure the zipper. All K9 Sport Sack carriers have non-slip zippers. Safety is our biggest priority, that’s why we use the highest quality zippers possible on all of our carriers to ensure that your dog is safe and secure while in the carrier.
- Clip the lumbar straps and cinch them tight to support your dog's back while in the carrier. Tighten the side cinch straps. This will prevent your dog from leaning backward and will keep them in the upright position. If your carrier has a detachable storage bag, make sure to fasten it to the carrier for additional support.
- Attach the carabiner safety clip to your dog's collar or harness.
- Put the carrier on your back. There are two methods of doing this.
The Standard Method
Make sure the shoulder straps are loose, then grab underneath the shoulder straps, supporting underneath your dog’s front legs. Lift your dog onto an elevated surface, and safely prop them upright. Once they’re in a stable position, while holding the backpack loop with one hand, feed the opposite arm and shoulder through the shoulder strap. As you stand up, feed your other arm through the second shoulder strap. The proper way to tighten a K9 Sport Sack carrier is different from a regular backpack.
The Two-Person Method
Have a friend carefully lift the backpack from behind, feed your arms and shoulders through the shoulder straps and place the carrier on your back. The person behind should lift the dog from the base so that it's easier to position the dog on your back. The carrier should be as high up on your back as possible. Once the carrier is in this position, tighten shoulder straps.
Make sure you are aware of your dog’s weight and your own physical strength before putting on the carrier. This could take a few tries before you get the hang of it. Clip and adjust the sternum strap and hip belt if your carrier has these features for additional support and comfort when carrying your dog.
Pro Tips for Puppies & High Energy Dogs
Puppies and high energy dogs might be a little squirmy during this process, but don’t panic. Stay patient and calm during this process and make sure to give your dog plenty of treats and belly scratches. This will help your dog feel more comfortable and safe with the carrier and have positive associations with being in and around the carrier. It’s totally normal if your dog is a little nervous the first time you try to put them in the carrier. Be patient, stay calm, and again, practice makes perfect!
The more you use the carrier, the smoother this process will be for you and your dog. Pretty soon, your dog will be begging you for a ride because they know how much fun it is to be in a K9 Sport Sack dog carrier.
If you have any questions please feel free to visit the contact us page on our website and our customer service team will be happy to help.
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Giveaway!
Here's how to enter:
Leave a comment down below about what you learned while following these steps and/or any insight you had while using our carriers.
We are giving away 5 Tropical Air 2 backpack dog carriers!
Winners will be announced via email and social media on 10/18/21
Best of luck!
790 comments
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Ashley on
This was so helpful! My dog tends to get very anxious about new things so explaining the best way to get the dog comfortable with the carrier and how to safely put on the pack to prevent hurting or scaring the dog is perfect. Thank you!
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Jerry lopez on
Such a great breakdown! I totally struggled getting our little pup in the backpack my first time. Now with four pups (of all sizes) and a toddler we would absolutely love having a new bag to take the pups to hike with.
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Mackenzie Marshall on
I learned how K9 Sportsack values positive reinforcement as a necessary training tool for their product. I can’t wait to take my dog with mobility issues out in one!
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Jennifer on
It was very helpful to learn that your dog’s front paws should be on your shoulders. It definitely is much better on your back.
My dog basically jumps into his carrier. The main trick I’ve found is to clip it around his neck as fast as possible if he’s squirmy. From there I just scoop him in!