A Dog Weight Vest could be just what the doctor (vet) ordered for a dog with way too much energy or a pup that could use to lose a few pounds? If this sounds like a problem you’re facing, a weighted vest for dogs may be just what your pup needs.

A dog weight vest will help your pooch build muscle and stamina, plus it will help to tire them out and according to some dog trainers a weight vest can produce a calming affect.

Have you ever noticed that dogs (especially puppies) can be just like kids (especially young ones); they just seem to have way too much energy! You need to keep them occupied and give them something to do or they’ll find something to do, and usually it’s not something you like. When dogs have too much pent up energy it can result in:

• Destructive chewing
• Hyperactivity
• Rough Play
• Unruliness
• Scratching
• Constant barking and other behaviors that we don’t approve of or desire.

However, a weight vest for dogs many be the solution to your problems. Simply strap on a weighted vest to help drain some of the excess energy out of your pup.

 

Why Use a Dog Weight Vest?

A weighted dog vest is designed to serve two basic functions:

• The first is to aid in building muscle and strength in your pet during exercise and it helps to increase stamina and endurance.

• The second is to help tire your dog out. If your dog is dominant or aggressive, a weight vest for dogs helps burn excess energy. If your dog is tired they will tend not to be dominant or aggressive!

 

 How to Use a Weighted Dog Vest

• Introduce your pup to a weighted dog vest slowly over a few training sessions.

• Slid the weighted dog vest over their head, and center the back over the shoulders. You want the vest to center the weight over the dogs’ withers to prevent pain and strain.

• Slowly add weight and observe how your dog reacts. If they are exhausted after a few minutes in the vest remove some weight. If the vest doesn’t seem to affect them then, add some weight during your next session.

 

Precautions about Using a Weighted Dog Vest

• Remove the vest if they get too hot. You should only use a weight vest for dogs during the coolest part of the day in order to prevent heat stroke.

• Do Not use the weighted dog vest on dogs under 2 years old. Dogs continue to grow until they reach maturity, usually between 18 – 24 months. Over working or exercising your dog while they are still developing can damage their joints.

 

The Weighted Dog Vest by Leerburg with Zippered Pockets

Leerburg Weighted Dog Vest Construction

• This vest is made from heavy cordura denier backed fabric, it is double stitched in construction.

• On the underside, along the upper back and shoulder area, the chest and girth strap is sheepskin lined.

• This weight vest for dogs has individual zippered pockets with one-pound weights in the medium and large vest. There are ten pockets and ten weights in the large vest, and eight pockets and eight weights in the medium. There small are eight zippered pockets with half-pound weights (four on each side) on the small vest. This allows your to start training your dog with no weight, then slowly add weight as they become accustomed to the vest.

Measuring For a Leerburg Dog Weight Vest

• If your dog’s girth is 22″ – 24″ you need the Small Vest.
• If your dog’s girth is 27″ – 31″ you need the Medium Vest.
• If your dog’s girth is 34″ – 36″ you need the Large Vest.

This dog weight vest has a consumer rating of 5 out of 5 however, this is based on only four reviews.

See Pricing, Ratings and Reviews for the Dog Weight Vest by Leerburg.

 

 

 

LaGuard Fitness Vest for Dogs

LaGuard has a Dog Weight Vest that is similar to the one from Leerburg. Their weighted dog vest also has pockets in the vest that is used to hold weights. They have two types of bars available, silver bars weigh about 1/4 pound and gold bars weigh 1/3 pound. When you add weight to the vest, only add 1 or 2 bars at a time, distribute the weight evenly and place the weight bars in the highest pockets (left to right).

You can vary your dogs exercise routine by adding or removing weights to increase or decrease the intensity of their workout. It is important to note that vets recommend that a dog carries no more than 1/3 of their own weight.

LaGuard has two sizes of fitness vests, a medium and a large. The large vest holds 17 pounds and the medium holds 13 pounds.

See Pricing, Ratings and Reviews for the LaGuard Fitness Vest.

 

The Kurgo Wander Dog Backpack

The Kurgo Wander Dog Backpack technically isn’t a weight vest for dogs but, fits more into the category of backpacks for dogs to wear. The only reason I have included this backpack for dogs is due to the fact that some cleaver individuals have come up with a way to use this backpack as a type of dog weight vest.

This backpack features two saddlebags that are intended to carry essentials like food, treats and toys. However, some people fill the saddlebags with water bottles or other weighted materials.

Backpack for dogs main features:

• Made from heavy-duty polyester
• Built strong for rugged outdoor conditions
• Ideal for dogs 30 – 85 pounds
• Adjustable saddle bag system
• Reflective strips for safety

As I mentioned this is intend as a backpack for dogs but, when you consider that this backpack is less than 1/3 (around $30) the cost of the actual weight vest for dogs, some resourceful people are filling the saddle bags with water bottles and using it as a weight vest. If you don’t want to spend the money for the actual weighted vests for dogs but, you want to provide your dog with a little extra exercise this is an option you may want to consider.

See Pricing, Ratings and Reviews for the Kurgo Wander Dog Backpack.

 

 

 

Dog Weight Vest Summary

Of course, a weighted vest for dogs is an option for all dogs not just the one’s that are a little over active or need to shed a few pounds. A weighted dog vest can be used for the additional health benefits it can provide for your pooch during a daily stroll around the neighborhood, for a special hike or even during play time in your backyard.

 

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