Backpack question

by **pitbullmamaliz** » March 28th, 2009, 9:38 pm

Not sure if this is more training or health, so I just stuck it here.

I broke out Inara's backpack for the first time in a long time. We've used it twice this week. I weighed it with 2 bottles of water and 4 cans of pop and it weighs 6.2 lbs. Inara is 46-47 lbs, so it's about an eighth of her weight. That's not too much, right? I only ask because she starts panting 20-30 minutes into the walk, depending upon our speed/terrain, but she's not a panter. We used to be able to walk for over an hour and she wouldn't pant at all. Should I be worried she's panting so quickly now? Or accept it as the gift that it is and appreciate the fact that she is PASSED OUT COLD right now?

by **Marinepits** » March 28th, 2009, 9:42 pm

Sounds like she needs to get used to the extra weight again. :wink:

by **BullyLady** » March 28th, 2009, 9:51 pm

pitbullmamaliz wrote:Or accept it as the gift that it is and appreciate the fact that she is PASSED OUT COLD right now?

That is surely what I would be doing!!

by **pitbullmamaliz** » March 28th, 2009, 9:53 pm

Marinepits wrote:Sounds like she needs to get used to the extra weight again.

So should I lessen it and work up to it slowly? Or stick to shorter walks for now?

BullyLady wrote:
pitbullmamaliz wrote:Or accept it as the gift that it is and appreciate the fact that she is PASSED OUT COLD right now?

That is surely what I would be doing!!

Oh trust me, I am! She's flat on her back on the couch and I'm playing with her feet and belly and she's not budging. :giggle:

by **Malli** » March 28th, 2009, 10:19 pm

I'm on the fence about dogs carrying weight, being the owner of a dog with arthritis and HD and knowing how weight affects these conditions....

by **Marinepits** » March 28th, 2009, 10:32 pm

pitbullmamaliz wrote:
Marinepits wrote:Sounds like she needs to get used to the extra weight again.

So should I lessen it and work up to it slowly? Or stick to shorter walks for now?

What was her maximum weight carried when she was most fit?

by **pitbullmamaliz** » March 29th, 2009, 8:55 am

6.2 - I never emptied the backback. But I can probably count on two hands the number of times she's ever carried the backpack. It's a process to get it out and get it on her so I don't use it as much as I should. So she never carried it on a regular basis.

by **mnp13** » March 29th, 2009, 1:08 pm

I wouldn't use liquids as weight, it shifts around too much. Use rice or something that will be "dead weight". Make sure the weight is as far forward as possible so it is over her shoulders and not pulling down on her mid-back.

I would lighten the load and lengthen the distance.

by **pitbullmamaliz** » March 29th, 2009, 5:54 pm

Alright, thanks.

Backpack question

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