Long walks with your dog are among the best ways to grow a human-canine bond while developing the dog’s trust in your leadership. Dogs with seemingly boundless energy can benefit from wearing a canine training backpack with an appropriate amount of weight inside. Such devices help them burn off extra energy within the time frame of your walk.

Selecting a Backpack

Most canine backpacks are composed of two saddlebags connected by a pad resting on the dog’s shoulders and upper back. Choose one with an adjustable chest strap that allows you to position the pack so it does not slide down to the dog’s lower back, which can cause problems. The pack should be hand- or machine-washable. The best packs for training have straps inside the saddlebags that hold the bag’s contents in position.

Introducing the Backpack

Introduce the backpack several days before heading out on a hike, using a treat reward to help your dog acquaint the pack with a pleasant experience. On the first walk, place a small amount of weight in the pack, increasing on subsequent walk. Using half-liter bottles filled with water can provide extra hydration for you and your dog on a long hike, or you can use bags filled with rice or sand that will conform to your dog’s body. You’ll increase the weight in the saddlebags over time, to a maximum of one-third of your dog’s body weight.

Dogs are excellent companions and can be a dependable source of protection when properly trained. Canine security training is a worthwhile endeavor for dog owners who wish to give their dogs proper behavioral formation. Although the beginning stages of security training can be started by dog owners, professional help is recommended for those who desire advanced canine security training.

Benefits

Security dog training will allow for greater home security. Protection dogs are trained to perform various security tasks. For example, the Global K9 Group Training Program teaches dogs to investigate suspicious noises and check on children, protect property including vehicles, and still be friendly to strangers and guests. Security dog training also encourages bonding between dogs and their owners.

Features

Many types of training programs are available for security dogs, including K9 programs for police and personal use, the Koehler method and Schutzhund training. All types of security canine training utilize the dog’s “prey drive,” which is a dog’s drive to chase, grab and shake objects. This drive comes in very handy for security purposes, but owners must be very comfortable with this behavior and recognize that their dog is simply “playing a rough game of tug.”

Time Frame

Most training programs last for two to three months, or eight to 12 weeks. Many training programs have a designated age for dogs, usually between six months and one year. All dogs should be obedience trained before they begin a canine security training program.

Breeds

Certain dog breeds are better inclined to security dog positions than other dogs. These breeds include the Doberman pinscher, American bulldog, mastiff and bullmastiff, boxer, German shepherd, Great Dane, rottweiler and malinois.

Misconceptions

Security training will not make your dog aggressive; rather, it will teach the dog to channel its natural instincts for the protection of your family. Dogs who complete security training successfully are quite sociable and attached to their owners. Negative behaviors, such as extreme aggression and disobedience ,are normally only found in security dogs who lack affection and companionship from their owners.