Either you just bought your first K9 Sport Sack or you are about to buy one ready for your hikes and adventures. One of the first questions you will have as a K9 backpack owner is how do I get my dog in a K9 sport sack? 

How Do I Get My Dog in a K9 Sport Sack?

1. Unzip the backpack and lay it on the ground with the zip opening side facing upwards.

2. Stand your dog on top of the bag with their head in the same top opening location as the bags.

3. Place their legs inside the open side where the zip has been undone. 

4. The front two paws should be very close to the little arm holes which you can now slip the front paws through.

5. Clip the collar clip around the dogs neck first.

6. Now lift the rear of your dog slightly to place the rest of them inside the bag (carefully including the tail!) 

7. Zip up the bag and don't forget to undo the collar clip and place the zipper loop through it then re-clip it together again. 

8. Lift you dog high above your head to place them on your back, do not swing them around your shoulders. 

9. Cinch the shoulder straps (pull them) to keep the bag and your dog high and comfortable on your back. 

10. Clip any sternum or waist strap and off you go on your adventure. 

How to Create a Positive Experience During the First K9 Sport Sack Fitting

The purpose of the K9 Sport Sack is to enable you and your dog to comfortably enjoy adventures together. If your first fitting creates a negative experience for your dog then they may not want to try again nor will they enjoy any forced backpack expeditions. 

To create a positive experience use treats whilst putting the bag on and ensure you have patience with the task and time is on your side. We once tried this for the first time on the side of a mountain in the Lake District (not a great idea). 

How Do I Choose the Right K9 Sport Sack for a Good Fit?

If you have a puppy then you should buy a K9 bag which they will grown into. They will fly out of that puppy stage before you know it so don't buy a bag too small. The bag type you buy for a good fit does depend on the size of your dog. 

• If you have a small Yorkshire terrier and you are commuting around a city centre, then you will need a K9 Sport Sack Air 2 or K9 Sport Sack Air 2 Plus. 

• If you have a large dog such as a Labrador and you are ready and capable of a big hike then you will probably opt for the K9 Rover 2. 

The decision is with you but here are the names of each of the K9 sport sacks we have.

K9 Sport Sack Air 2 

Perfect for casual use and smaller dogs.

- Durable and comfortable materials
- Built-in support for safety and comfort (the dog carrier for hiking)
- Inner safety mechanisms to prevent the dog from exiting mid-ride
- Adjustable features, to get the perfect fit
- The k9 sport sack dog carrier is ventilated for airflow
- Side pocket storage for carrying adventure accessories 

K9 Sport Sack Air 2 Plus 

Perfect for dogs when you need an additional detachable pouch on the bag for other accessories. 

• Durable and comfortable materials
• Built-in support for safety and comfort (the dog carrier for hiking)
• Inner safety mechanisms to prevent the dog from exiting mid-ride
• Adjustable features, to get the perfect fit k9 sport sack
• Fully ventilated sides for maximum refreshing air flow
• Side pocket storage for carrying adventure accessories
• Coloured storage bag buckles
• Fully ventilated sides for maximum refreshing airflow
• Extra fully detachable storage bag (14"x9") Don't forget your gear!
• Padded back panel for increased comfort and cooling
• 5 different safety/failsafe features

K9 Sport Sack Knavigate 

The next step up, a bigger bag with a padded back panel, extra waist straps and storage pocket extending underneath the pet compartment, this is the upgrade for bigger hikes. 

• •   Internal frame and waist straps to balance and support weight distribution
• •   Carabiner safety clip to keep your dog secure
• •   Storage pocket extending underneath the pet compartment to bottom of frame for storing travel essentials
• •   Padded back panel for comfort on longer hikes and other adventures

K9 Rover 2

The ultimate big dog carrier which doubles as a backpacking backpack. This is the top of the range of backpacks and will give you everything you need for a long hike. 

- Backpacking pack conversion
- Adjustable shoulder/torso height
- Removable lap belt with hip pockets & waste bag dispenser
- Internal frame with inner padding for dog comfort
- Padded back panel with increased airflow
- Removable storage/dog back support pack with hydro port
- Weight distribution straps
- Side cooling venting zippers
- Wide base to accommodate your pet and it's tail
- Detachable dog sun/rain hood
- Dog lumbar support straps
- 300D ripstop oxford polyester material
- Matching hook and loop strip for custom patch

Features included as standard on all K9 Sport Sack dog backpack carriers:
- Carabiner to clip to your dog's collar
- No-slip zipper to support your dog's back
- Angled side cinch straps to keep your dog in a forward position
- Collar enclosure to keep your dog safe inside the bag
- Side ventilation for breathability
- Zipper loop to secure the main zipper to the collar enclosure

How To Get Your Dog in the K9 Sport Sack

1. Unzip the K9 backpack and lay it on the ground with the zip opening side facing upwards.

2. Stand your dog on top of the bag with their head in the same top opening location as the bags.

3. Place their legs inside the open side where the zip has been undone. 

https://www.k9sportsack.com/pages/howdoesitwork

4. The front two paws should be very close to the little arm holes which you can now slip the front paws through.

5. Clip the collar clip around the dogs neck first.

 https://www.k9sportsack.com/pages/howdoesitwork

6. Now lift the rear of your dog slightly to place the rest of them inside the bag (carefully including the tail!) 

https://www.k9sportsack.com/pages/howdoesitwork 

7. Zip up the bag and don't forget to undo the collar clip and place the zipper loop through it then re-clip it together again. 

https://www.k9sportsack.com/pages/howdoesitwork
 

8. Lift you dog high above your head to place them on your back, do not swing them around your shoulders. 

9. Cinch the shoulder straps (pull them) to keep the bag and your dog high and comfortable on your back. 

10. Clip any sternum or waist strap and off you go on your adventure. 

How Do I Use a K9 Sport Sack Booster Block to Ensure a Snug Fit?

When buying a K9 sport sack you should always opt for going a little larger rather than trying to get a perfect fit and it ending up a little too small. If your dog is sinking down into the bag then you can get a K9 booster block to elevate them a little in the bag. This acts like a child's booster seat in a car. 

How Long Can My Dog Stay in the K9 Sport Sack?

Travfurler would recommend dogs stay in the bag for no longer than 45 minutes. Once you reach this amount of time I would allow your dog a little stroll and stretch before going back in. 

Conclusion

In conclusion, I hope this article has given some insight on how easy it can be to get your dog into the K9 sport sack ready for them awesome adventures. Just make sure you choose the right one for you and them, the right colour (obviously), use accessories such as a booster block where necessary and be patient when placing your dog into the K9 sport sack. 

Happy Travfurling