Ruffwear Approach Backpack Review: For Australian Shepherds
Ruffwear Approach Backpack Review for Australian Shepherds. Ruffwear is one of my favorite dog backpack brands for my Australian Shepherd, Indy, to wear when we are enjoying the great outdoors. Founded by Patrick Kruse, Ruffwear is a performance dog gear company committed to sustainability and creating the best gear possible for our dogs to join us on outdoor adventures.
RUFFWEAR, Approach Dog Backpack, Hiking and Camping Pack with Saddlebags, Campfire Orange, Medium
When I got my Australian Shepherd, Indy, I knew I wanted to take her hiking with me. I've looked at dog packs before; some don't have quality material. While other dog packs I thought were hard to put on. I didn't think I would care, but I started caring about the shape of the saddlebags on the dog backpack.
The first time I saw Ruffwear was at REI, and I thought it interesting that Ruffwear was only sold online or at outdoor camping stores, and I've never seen Ruffwear sold at PetSmart or Petco.
What is the Ruffwear Approach Backpack?
If you are looking for a light dog hiking backpack, the Ruffwear Approach Pack is excellent for day hiking and overnight dog pack. The streamlined saddlebags will allow your dog to have an easier time carrying its gear. The verticle stash pocket allows you to store heavier items like food and water closer to your dog.
Why should you put your dog's heavier gear closer to their body when they wear a dog backpack?
Like us, when we go backpacking or hiking, we put our heaviest gear to our back and center to help us keep balanced. It should be the same for dogs too, whenever they wear their backpack.
The integrated harness is breathable and flexible. There are 5 points of adjustments to make sure your dog gets the best optimal fit for the backpack. The padded handle and supportive girth straps let you have control when lifting your dog, and it allows your dog to be comfortable while being lifted.
The shell of the Approach Pack is made from 150 denier polyester and the harness chassis is made from laminated, molded bonded mesh and perforated form. The Ruffwear Approach Pack comes in an orange campfire and blue dusk and sizes XS to L/XL. On Ruffwear's website, they teach you how to find the right size for your dog and suggest what items you should get with the Approach Pack, like the Swamp Cool Core.
Ruffwear Cooling Chest Panel for Dogs, Compatible with Select Ruffwear Harnesses and Pack
Indy's Approach Backpack Review
Indy is a medium-size 45-pound red merle Australian Shepherd with blue eyes and long legs. Of all the dog breeds I picked a herding dog because I wanted a more active lifestyle. They make perfect hiking or trail-running buddies if you know anything about herding dogs.
Initially, I thought I bought Indy, a medium orange campfire Approach Pack, but it was small. Always check the size and the hanger's size label, and it's safe to say the small Approach Pack still fits Indy.
Indy prefers her medium Front Range Day Pack over the small Approach Pack. I haven't replaced the small Approach Pack because we don't use the Approach Pack as often as the Front Range Day Pack. I'll get the Approach Pack in a medium and the color blue dusk one day.
The Approach Pack is a combination of harness and backpack. Indy's never worn a harness before, which I regret as a dog owner not putting on her when she was a puppy. Most puppy classes and socials never let puppies wear harnesses.
Indy has tried on a dog backpack, which didn't have a harness which probably explains why I eventually tossed it because I didn't understand how to put it on her. It took a while, but Indy did get used to the Approach Pack.
Indy wearing orange poppy Ruffwear Approach.
How Did I Get Indy to like the Approach Pack?
Believe it or not, getting your dog to like something put on them like sunglasses or a backpack is part of dog training. No matter what happens, you want to create the most positive experience for your dog.
I started by luring Indy with high reward treats to put her head through. There will be times when your dog may not want to be their head through because there were times Indy did not want to put her head through the pack and will coward by sinking her head down, or she'll walk away. You want to create the best experience with the Approach Pack, so it's best to stop and try again later.
Eventually, I would put the whole pack on her without clipping Indy in and leave the pack on Indy for a couple of seconds and immediately take it off. Reward only when the pack is on your dog. Do not reward when the pack is off.
The next step is clipping your dog in with the Approach Pack, leaving it on for a few seconds, and taking it off. Again reward only when the pack is on your dog. Then have your dog walk around with the Approach Pack on their back in the house for a few minutes throughout the day. At this point, I have not put anything in the pack yet.
Once your dog likes the Approach Pack, you'll want to work your way into putting gear into the pack. You don't want to start with a heavy load because the extra weight may shock your dog, and they may not want to move. It's all about creating a positive experience, so start with a light load and work up to the heavier load.
Indy understood whenever I pulled the Approach Pack out; it meant its time to go outside and explore. I have different harnesses and packs for walking Indy and taking Indy over to someone's house, but now Indy knows the Approach Pack is for longer hikes or camping.
The Good: Approach Pack
I've put dog packs on Indy before, and Ruffwear Approach Pack is probably the most comfortable pack Indy has ever worn.
The five points of adjustment helped gives your dog the most optimal fit. The best part of the Ruffwear Approach Pack is that it's easy to put on your dog. There are two leash attachment points: an aluminum V-ring and a reinforced webbing loop.
Aluminum V-Ring vs Reinforced Webbing Loop
The aluminum V-Ring is centered at the back of your dog's backpack for daily hikes or walks. It's great for dogs who have polite leash manners. The reinforced webbing loop at your dog's chest is for dogs who pull on their leash or are reactive. The reinforced webbing loop helps redirect your dog.
I use the aluminum V-Ring when I take Indy and Rachel for bathroom breaks. Since Indy does have reactive behavior when she sees other dogs or whenever excited people approach her, I use the reinforced webbing loop for Indy when we go on walks, and we're working on her reactive behavior.
There's also reflective trim in low-light conditions, and there's a light loop if you want to attach Ruffwear's Beacon Light or any keychain light. I don't personally have Ruffwear's Beacon Light it is on my list of what to buy for Indy and Rachel.
Currently, on both Indy and Rachel's harnesses is a mini glowstick keychain, which will need to be replaced. Why do I want Ruffwear's Beacon Light? Not only is it durable and waterproof, I like that the Beacon light is rechargeable. Its indicator lights let you know when your battery is low.
The verticle stash pocket organizes your dog's gear. Unlike most dog packs, when you put the gears in, it just sinks to the bottom; Ruffwear's weighted forward saddlebags helps stabilizes the pack itself and the gears in it.
A general rule of thumb is an active adult dog should carry no more than 25% of its body weight. I make it a conscious decision when it comes to how much weight I put in Indy's pack, and I always double-check before I leave the house or the car what's in her pack.
Suggested Items for Your Dog's Approach Pack:
Water
Collapsible Water Bottle
Dog Treats
Dog Food
Packable Tavel Dog Bowl
Lightweight Rope
Dog Poop Bags or Waste Bags
Dog Toy
The Bad: Approach Pack
The Ruffwear Approach Pack is more on the expensive side. Ruffwear is constantly updating its pack line, which is great because they take customer feedback and make updates to their backpack line, but I know it always makes me want to be the latest pack for Indy. Ruffwear can be found online or in specific stores like REI. You can search on their website to locate which stores you carry Ruffwear products.
If you are looking to get yourself a Ruffewear product, a Ruffwear Gear Facebook allows you to buy, sell, trade, and talk about Ruffwear products.
Indy is wearing sunglasses and the orange poppy Ruffwear’s Approach Pack
The Verdict: Approach Backpack
Ruffwear Approach Pack is more expensive, but I think it's worth it. Like Rachel, I would not recommend putting a backpack on a dog with health issues like hip dysplasia. Ruffwear is great for dog owners who want to do outdoor activities like camping or hiking with their dogs.
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