Young puppies don't get
to carry their packs yet but they can learn so much in preparation. Don't
get your pack just yet. (You don't know how big he's going to get yet.)
Have your pup on lead. Find a dish towel and fold it up. Place it on his
back and see how he likes it. Make a big todo over him. Distract him, maybe
with a treat. When he is used to that, try securing the towel with a length
of elastic that you can tie around his belly, not too tight, just snug
enough to keep the towel in place. Again make a big fuss over him. You
could even try taking him on walks with this in place. Start in familiar
surroundings like the backyard. Then branch out to walks around town.
Teach
him to stand still and stay. I use the command "stand". You will need to
teach him this for when you are putting on his pack and making adjustments
to load. Start with brief stands (remember, he's just a pup and will want
to fidget) and slowing ask for longer and longer stays. This is also handy
for grooming at home or placing booties on paws. Once he stands still,
touch him all over, walk around him. He must learn to be still in the position
you ask for.
Take your pup on car rides.
WIll he ride in a crate or ? Get him used to your vehicle. He should learn
to get in quietly and willingly. How is he on getting out? Is he so excited
that he rushes out almost before you do? Teach him to 'wait' till you decide
when it's time to leave the car or crate.
Get him used to eating
in strange places. Some dogs have a real problem with eating and drinking
in new surroundings. Bring home water from many different sources to check
if he will be a finicky drinker.
Something else dogs
have trouble with is going to the bathroom where you want. If you are doing
the housebreaking, incorporate a word like "go pottie" when taking him
out so he will learn to do it on command. This is real handy when in campgroups
or stopping along the road or trail.
Where will your dog sleep when camping out?
Will he sleep in your tent with you, his own tent or tarped area or straight
outdoors? It is so helpful to decide this ahead of time and start training
early. Our dogs are trained to sleep in our tents when invited or can stay
queitly in their own little tent when our tent is too crowded or during
really bad weather. They carry an extra ensolite pad or space blanket to sleep on. We line
their bed area with it and it helps keep their claws from damaging the tent
floor. Be sure to keep their nails nicely trimmed, too. Practice sleeping
in your chosen arrangement at home, in your backyard. Set up your tent
and see how you *all* fit in your tent.Can you each get to sleep like this? Even if your dog will be spending
the night outside and not in the tent, sleep outside with him, just like
you plan on in the wilderness. You need to know if he can sleep calmly
tied up in a new location before you go out backpacking.
Try to instill in
your pup an air of 'worktime' when the pack (or towel) is on. He should know
that there is a time for frolic and play and a time to be a little more
serious and attentive. He should learn not to rush to water or creeks,
not to step on your snowshoes or bump into your legs with his pack. He
needs to learn that he must watch you and pay attention to the job at hand.
There is so much to learn all at once, but if you go slow and reassure
him, by the time he is old enough to start carrying that pack, he'll be
ready!
Is he about nine months old now? Well.....
