Stormy's now a backpacking dog.

Stormy just turned a year and a half old yesterday.  That marks the day that her bone structure is finished growing, so she can start carrying weight on hikes.  Happy adult bone structure day, Stormy!

The general rule is that you start them off carrying 5% of their weight every other day, then slowly work up to 20%... or a bit less, like 15%, if they're a slender breed.  I'm gonna consider a standard poodle to be slender, so I started her off this week at 3%:  3/4ths of a pound of pack and harness, and 1/2 of a pound of dried garbanzo beans. 

Ahhhh, shade.

The goal is for her to be able to carry her own water, doggy bags, treats, and "trail apples" on hikes.  Just a half pound more (at 4% of her weight) and she'll be doing that!  It is excellent timing, considering that we're about to start our camping & hiking trip.