welleducated's Full Review: Kyjen Outward Hound Quick Release Back Pack Medium...
I purchased two of these backpacks for my dogs - one in blue and one in green. The colors I have found are red, green, blue and black. If desired, the packs can easily be coordinated with collars, leashes, harnesses and Gentle Leaders.
The feature picture is a little misleading. It looks like the side pockets stand out from the pack. In reality, the pack lays flat against the dogs. It's only bulky if you pack it heavy or decide to fill it with stuffing to make it look like the picture. ;-) So, the backpack is actually perfect for using with service dogs. Although it may be slightly bulkier than a service vest, it works just as handily. Most importantly, you can pack it with items and fulfill several recommended service tasks: carrying medications, a beverage, cell phone and instructions for emergency personnel. They are also great for carrying a collapsible water bowl, bags for cleaning up after bathroom breaks and ADA cards (which detail the laws and rights of service animals).
For more information on service dog tasks, go to: www.CarrotofHope.org/ServiceDogs.html
To keep the pack from shifting, adjust the neck strap to pull the pack further up the body until both body straps fall under the dog's chest. Then the body straps can be adjusted to sit comfortably and snugly on the dog's body. This prevents the bag from flopping to one side. Also, try to balance the weight in the pouches. If one side is significantly heavier than the other, the dog's body motion may cause the pack to shift. In general, I rarely have problems with the pack moving and find that it's typically because one body strap is loose under the stomach instead of firm across the chest. I fixed this problem by shifting the backpack further forward and tightening the neck strap. Then I readjusted the body straps so the first strap fell directly behind the dog's forelegs and the second strap across the chest. I had my dog jump around and found that there was NO SHIFTING. Even when she shook (which she does when wearing the pack), the backpack did not move when fastened properly.
The pack itself is made with extra strong nylon, which wears very well. I've had mine for 3 years without acquiring a single hole or tear. They have been in daily service for 18 months. The tops of the pouches are 3.25” to the zipper and 11” inches long from seam to seam. They easily fit patches up to 2.5” in height and 2-3 patches per length. Since the top of the pouches lay on the dogs back, it is excellent for placement of patches. The Outward Hound logo is sewn to the top of one pouch. The logo can be removed easily with a stitch ripper, if desired. I have sewn and removed multiple patches without leaving holes or creating tears. The pouch faces are broad and can fit 6” tall patches. The pouch faces have reflective strips for nighttime safety, which can also be sewn across without causing damage. The nylon does not retain hair or dirt, so the pack needs only occasional washing. In fact, I never notice dirt or even liquid stains on the packs. Generally, the only wear is on the service dog patches that have light colored, cotton stitching.
The stitching on the packs is high quality. I have had no problems with stitching coming undone, being caught in the zippers or seams parting. Occasionally, the cut nylon inside the pouches may fray slightly, but it does not cause problems in the zipper and can be pulled or cut off without causing additional fraying. Each zipper has a double pull, allowing the pouches to be opened from either side. What’s really nice is that they come with oversized Outward Hound tags attached to the pulls. The tags are heavy and durable (perhaps nylon as well). They make for easy opening and closing. Best yet, after constant pulling, they still show no wear or the potential for breaking. This reduces wear on the zippers as well, which are also very solid and show no weakening. Inside each pouch is a large mesh divider, which can be used to separate and organize items. On the side with the Outward Hound logo, there is a clip that is perfect for hanging keys. The handle on top of the pack is designed to allow a leash to pass through. It is hollow in the middle. You open the handle by separating the Velcro that runs down its center. There are bungee-style cords that crisscross the midsection. This is to allow for items to be carried like a blanket or mat. I have found that a mat just falls out when placed underneath, because the bungee cords are not stiff enough. However, you can weave the mat through the crisscross design and it holds better. Also, there are two tags attached on each side that allow for attaching additional rope, bungee cords or your own clips for hanging items. The best features are probably the clips for securing the packs to your dog. A very smart feature, the clip for the neck strap is made smaller than the body clips, which prevents mix-ups. Best of all, each clip is an easy release/click system and has a sizable pad underneath for the dog’s comfort.
The backpack comes in two pieces so that the pouches can be removed without detaching the entire pack. The sections are attached with high quality Velcro. The top section has the furry side of the Velcro and the bottom section has the Velcro that grabs. This works well because it keeps dog hair from being caught in the Velcro. There are three Velcro sections under each pouch and one long strip stitched down the entire midsection, under the handle area. This keeps the two sections very secure and means that you have to put in a little effort to separate them. In addition, there is also an easy release clip that is sewn to the front end that also keeps the top and bottom sections attached. Often, it is just easier to remove the entire pack by the clips. However, there is a 5.5” x 3.25” section between the Velcro strips, which leaves plenty of room to sew a patch on each side for when you want to use the bottom section alone. My dogs are about 40 lbs, and the adjustable straps are a little long. I find that the excess on the body straps is easily placed between the Velcro securing the top and bottom sections, preventing dragging on the ground.
For so many reasons, I find that the backpack is a superior option to a simple service dog vest. It’s also great for camping, hiking and general travel.
Keep up-to-date on service dogs, find support and find solutions at:
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