Backpack walk
Make your daily walks a journey not a destintion.
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What
A rucksack walk is a technique Steve Mann devised after observing the free-roaming dogs in Peru. Steve worked out precisely what dogs love to do, and then he created a 15-minute exercise that facilitates these things they love to do the most into a walk dubbed the rucksack/backpack walk.
A rucksack walk is slow and mindful. It teaches our dogs to stop and enjoy their time outside with us rather than experiencing a manic surge of information and excitement when on the walk.
It involves spending time together without pressure or performance requirements. It allows our dogs to explore, use all of their senses and choose what they like to do.
This is not a training exercise. It is a bonding and enrichment opportunity. There’s no right or wrong way and no pressure; just enjoy it however you and your dog would like to. You can even incorporate your favourite parts of it into your daily interactions and other activities with your dogs.
This is not a training exercise. It is a bonding and enrichment opportunity. There’s no right or wrong way and no pressure; just enjoy it however you and your dog would like to. You can even incorporate your favourite parts of it into your daily interactions and other activities with your dogs.
Why
- It's a great way to engage with your dog in just 15 minutes
- It promotes mindfulness and calm walks.
- It helps dogs who get over-aroused when on their walks.
- It is excellent for dogs with restricted mobility or those in recovery.
- It's a helpful technique for people who don't have a lot of space to exercise their dogs.
How
Equipment needed:
• A rucksack, • Harness and Long Line, • Treat pouch – filled with treats, • A chew, • Something interesting, • Two Plastic boxes/pots Containing an item with an attractive smell in it. And Something that your puppy /dog has not eaten before.
Examples of some local environments where you could enjoy a Rucksack Walk:
Bushland, The beach, Local reserves, Dog parks at quiet times, By the river, an empty block of land near your home.
Some ideas of novel Food items you could use:
Dried Sardines, Bully stick, Peanut butter on a hard chew, Liver, Heart, Frozen fruit stick, Kangaroo tail, Beef tendons, Cheese, Chicken jerky.
Stepps
- MOOCH: (Relax), with your dog on a harness and a long line (5m or more). Follow. The dog, allowing them to have a sniff. If they start to run or if the leash goes tight, slow down to a stop. Encourage checking in with a bit of sound, then throw a treat on the other side, encouraging your dog to keep exploring.
- TRIANGLE RECALL: (Check in) Set up 3 points roughly 2 to 4 m apart in a nice quiet spot. With your dog next to you, drop a treat at the first point and jog or run backward to the next one to encourage your dog to connect and follow you. When your dog comes to you, drop a treat at your feet and back away again. Do this in a triangle so you retrace your footsteps and avoid competing with 'novel' ground that may make your dog want to disengage and sniff. How many you fit in depends upon the dog's speed and how preoccupied or engaged they are.
- BABY BIRD: (Make it interesting) This step works best if you have excellent acting skills. Sit down and do everything deliberately and slowly. Remove the rucksack and open it. Act like it contains the most valuable treasure inside.
- NOVEL SMELL: (Get engaged)Take out the tub containing the SCENT. Hold it slowly and gently like a precious baby bird. Give it so much attention that if the dog wasn't paying attention to you, they are now. Allow the dog to have a sniff. Perhaps sniff yourself. Be tender with it. Return it slowly to the rucksack. Some ideas of what you could use: Garden dirt, fresh pine bark, aquarium driftwood, other animal scents on a cloth, seashells, mulch, Shore sand, a tea bag, and some essential oils on a cloth.
- NOVEL ITEM: (Build curiosity) Similarly, get out the 'THING'. Take it slowly out of the rucksack. Act like it's a huge deal, but calmly and quietly. Milk the moment! Allow the dog to lick/sniff/hold it. Return it to the rucksack. Some ideas of what you could use: a comb, a horse brush, a large shell, a child's rattle, an empty biscuit tin, a pencil sharpener or eraser, a hair tie, an old aquarium ornament.
- NOVEL FOOD. (Make it Special) Open the tub slowly and allow the dog to sniff. Sniff it yourself. Feed in little bits. Make a meal of it. Perhaps share it if it's human-grade. Return the tub to the rucksack.
- LONG LASTING CHEW. (Add value)Again, get his interest. Chewing releases feel-good hormones. Sit close and touch one another. Stroke the dog gently as they chew if they seem relaxed with it.
- Pack everything away, put the rucksack back on, stand up, and MOOCH back to the car, covering the same ground as before. This time, every time the dog checks in, Mark and reward it when it is walking by your side in the heal position.
Some great videos from other trainers
More resources
Theo Stewart, SuPaw Nanny,