Have any of you had experience with dog packs for your pooches? My friend has black lab she wants to start training to carry his own supplies for more extensive hiking and running and is looking for input, the good, the bad, and the ugly. Thanks!

. . . it kept him with me on some runs where natural water was non-existent, and he wouldn't have been able to go with me without the pack.

Which is why Charlie needs one. We'd like to take him on our longer trips this summer, but right now we're limited to ensuring there's a water source close by. Thanks for the info.

I have a couple of Mountain smith dog packs. They seem to balance OK. You do have to be careful about packing them evenly. I use them on backpacking trips. They carry their food in and the trash out ... seems fair. One point of caution I want to make. I see this all of the time. Be really careful taking dogs out for a run when the temps are over 85 degrees. I know that seems low but unless there is water on the trail there is no way for them to keep cool. Carrying water only keeps them hydrated it doesn't do much for keeping them cool.

Another dog water idea is a plastic baggie. I usually run with my camelback and around 100 oz of water. I carry a plastic bag as a disposable dog bowl. I know they sell them but I seem to lose them. These are cheap, light and they taste like dog cookies if you reuse the treat bag.

Thanks for the info. I'll pass it on.