The Dog Backpack

Paws To Peaks
2 hours ago
4 min read

A Dog Backpack

When we travel in the mountains and don’t move with all our equipment for many days, we use what we call one-day backpacks. Both in summer and in winter, such a backpack contains the essentials that give us comfort and safety - and, just as importantly, the ability to react if something goes wrong.

Monika and Mrok in the Alps - the trail is easy and snowy, but he still explores every corner above and below the path.

Our walks with Mrok usually have two dimensions.

The first are short, fast walks - 45 to 60 minutes - often called “technical”. The second are longer outings, where Mrok has the best chance to explore the environment.

These longer walks usually last two to three hours. Depending on the terrain, we cover anywhere from a few to more than a dozen kilometres.

Short walk - Mrok always wears his GPS collar. — Short walk - Mrok always wears his **GPS collar**.

The terrain itself varies a lot. Open meadows stretching to the horizon. Forests. Mountains of very different character. Old buildings, castle ruins, and all the places we encounter while travelling.

Mrok on a sea cliff. Many handlers believe a leash solves every safety issue

We deliberately avoid locations that are widely considered “must-see attractions”, choosing quieter areas instead. We value silence and space - all year round. Snow, frost, or intense summer heat don’t stop us; they simply change our equipment and allow us to see familiar places from a new perspective.

Mrok loves paddling with us - a completely different way to see the world.

The Dog Backpack

Over time, putting together a dog backpack became something almost natural - a set of equipment that Mrok can rely on during long or full-day walks.

It’s a small, lightweight backpack with a carrying system that keeps it away from the spine. It always stays in the car, ready to go. Depending on conditions, we add a thermos with cold or warm water.

In practice, it’s the dog equivalent of a human one-day backpack.

So what’s inside?

The order doesn’t matter.

Emergency muzzle A dog in pain can bite badly when someone tries to move him - after a road accident, or after an injury during a walk.
Dog first aid kit Intended for immediate help, not for treatment. A full description of its contents is available on Paws to Peaks.
Dog first aid kit (fully stocked) - see the link for the detailed contents list.
Dog evacuation harness A leg injury is not something that “never happens”. We assume that no matter where we are, we must be able to transport Mrok safely to a veterinarian. A detailed description - including an evacuation plan from difficult terrain - is available on PtP.
Dog evacuation harness — watch the video to see how it works in real conditions (link).
Several large microfiber towels In winter, some of the most dangerous situations involve a dog falling into water while strong wind and low temperatures are present. Drying the dog as quickly as possible is critical.
Blizzard thermal blanket or survival bag The NRC foil is part of the first aid kit and is placed under the dog in need of help. The Blizzard system is far more effective as thermal protection. It’s the same solution we use in winter mountain rescue for injured people.
Tactical tourniquet Essential in cases of massive external bleeding - the same type used in human first aid.
Spare leash Made of 10 mm static rope, it can be used in many different ways.
Two collapsible bowls One for food, one for water. Even if a dog can drink from a hand or a bottle, bowls are often invaluable during rescue situations.
Two self-inflating sit pads Useful for sitting on wet ground or kneeling during a rescue action.
Spare headlamp One that is never removed from the dog backpack.
Monoculars Useful for observing, essential for spotting hazards early.
Whistle For calling for help when all other communication systems fail.
Independent communication system For places where mobile phone coverage doesn’t exist.
First aid kit for the handler You should always assume that you may need to help yourself — or another person you encounter.
Splint A second splint for Mrok is part of his own first aid kit.
Cutting tool
A dedicated, quick-access folding knife or other cutting tool, kept outside the first aid kit. Intended for emergency use only - cutting rope, webbing, clothing, or a leash when time matters.
One of the longest walking routes along the Portuguese coast on multi-hour hikes, fatigue and water loss need close attention.

Is This for Everyone?

Should every dog handler carry similar equipment?

In our view, it depends on several factors:

Do you know how to help your dog in case of an accident?
What kind of terrain do you move through with your dog?
How far are you from professional help?

Spain’s coast - Mrok on a short “technical” outing for a quick pee.

A pragmatic approach matters.

There’s no point in expecting an accident behind every corner - that would make it hard to enjoy a good walk. 🙂

But it is worth thinking about what you would do with a 25 kg dog that gets bitten by another, randomly encountered dog and is bleeding heavily. Or what you would do if your dog breaks a leg far away from the car.

The simplest answer is often: I walk on flat meadows and avoid other dogs. But is that really the right approach?

Mrok by his bike trailer - travelling together by bike offers a completely different way of experiencing the world.

We wish you as much joy as possible on long walks. And we encourage you to take part in real, hands-on first aid training for dogs. Not an online course, but one with a mannequin, a veterinarian, and an experienced paramedic.