Gone are the days of having to carry your dog in your arms.  The Kurgo G-Train Dog Carrier Backpack makes it easy to bring your dog with you wherever you go.  This functional bag is the perfect blend of comfort and durability making it a must-have for small dog owners.

If you have a small dog, there are many great reasons to consider getting a dog carrier backpack.

• Versatility – Take your dog on a bike, scooter, in stores, etc.
• An older dog that wants to come along
• Injury
• Shorter legs can have a hard time going long distances
• Anxious in unfamiliar territory
• Helps you and your dog bond

Our Review

My husband and I have been testing the G-Train Dog Carrier Backpack over the last month, documenting many miles and hours.

To give you some context, we have a small 12-pound dachshund named Rocket.  He has been my hiking buddy his whole life.  He can still hike great distances.  However, his 11-year-old body starts to get tired on those extra long treks.

The Kurgo G-Train is designed for you and your dog.  This bag allows you to carry your dog as well as all of your belongings.  When worn, the hip and sternum strap help to disperse the weight correctly, giving you a greater sense of balance and stability as well as reducing back pain.

My husband and I are both tall.  I am 5'9, and he is 6'2.  The hip belt sits a little too high above my hips as opposed to directly on them.  It still disperses the majority of the weight to my hips, but on my husband, it ended up being more of a waist belt.

When empty, the G-Train weighs 3.09 lbs, and the bag dimensions are 13″ (w) x 21″ (h) x 10′ (d).  Considering how robust the bag is, the weight seems very reasonable.

I love that the backpack can stand up on its own, which shows how supportive and durable it is.  There are varying degrees of padding throughout the pack which protects your dog and all of your gear.  The central, upper part of the bag is constructed using ripstop, water-resistant material and the bottom of the bag has a hard, waterproof base.

The dog compartment, rated for dogs up to 25 lbs is roomy and includes a removable, washable pad for comfort.  Attached to the bottom of the bag is an adjustable fastener to clip your dog by their collar or harness, securing them safely inside.

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If your dog prefers to take in the view, the top section of the dog compartment opens allowing your dog to stick their head out while increasing air flow.  Additionally, there is a reinforced, ventilated mesh on either side of the compartment for air to flow.

One thing I did notice about the side ventilated mesh panels is that if you have water bottles in the pockets, it does restrict airflow.  I would recommend clipping your water bottles to the utility straps or placing a bladder in one of the compartments instead.

Rocket isn't quite tall enough to stick his head out.  I ended up putting a small pad on the bottom to boost him up, and that worked well.  He is also able to lie down inside the bag comfortably.  While the material is supportive, it does give a little bit so it will expand if your dog needs it.

In addition to the dog compartment, there is another large, padded compartment for all of your gear.  The dimensions of this compartment are 13″ x 21″.  Kurgo mentions that this can be used for your laptop.  Because I took this bag hiking, I packed this section with all my gear.

Furthermore, the bag has two water bottle holders, three utility loops and zippered pockets to organize smaller items.  The shoulder straps, hip straps, and sternum strap are all adjustable to help conform to your body.

One thing that drives me nuts about backpacks is when I can feel the contents of the bag pushing into my back.  I was happy to find the back of this bag is padded so no poking or protruding on my body.

In the photo below, I show everything I fit in the bag on my most recent hike in Southern Utah.

I have used this bag in a few different temperatures now.  Based on my experience, I think the bag will be too hot for your dog over 65 degrees in full sun, but it depends on the breed of your dog.  Kurgo recommends placing cool packs in the compartments during the hot summer months which I think is a great idea!  Rocket can tolerate the heat quite well so he didn't mind being in the bag at 70 degrees but I can see some dogs being uncomfortable.

Additional Features

Kurgo is known for its high-quality products.  Should there be a manufacturing defect, they offer a lifetime warranty and will repair or replace the product free of charge.

The G-Train backpack carrier is comfortable and stylish enough to be used without your dog.

The backpack converts into a flat dog carrier by stowing the backpack straps and gripping the handle on the front of the bag.

Tips For Acclimating Your Dog To The G-Train Dog Carrier Backpack

To get your dog into the bag, place the backpack on the ground and unzip the front panel.  Let your dog sniff the pack and give them a treat.  Once they become comfortable around the backpack, place a treat inside the bag and let them walk into it on their own.  If they seem anxious, take a break and come back to it later.  You don't want to force anything, or else they will associate the bag with a negative experience.

Once your dog is comfortable around the bag, zip up one side and toss in a treat.  As soon as your dog has partially walked into the bag, assist them the rest of the way by gently lifting their bottom.  Carefully zip up the other side of the bag, so the zippers meet in the middle.  I placed my hand between the zipper and Rocket, so I didn't accidentally pinch his skin.

Additional Accessories To Consider

There are a few accessories that I found really helpful that I would consider in addition to this bag.

Kurgo Gourd Water Bottle

The Gourd Water Bottle has a detachable bowl so you only need to carry one water bottle for you and your dog to share.  It holds 24 ounces.  This water bottle is pictured above and can easily be used with the G-Train Backpack Carrier.

Mud Dog Travel Shower and Towel

The Mud Dog Travel Shower and Mud Dog Travel Towel are easy to use accessories that help clean off your muddy dog before they get in your car or enter the house. We recently hiked through a slot canyon and Rocket was covered in mud by the end.  I keep both the towel and travel shower in my car for those muddy days.

Kibble Carrier Dog Bag

The kibble carrier dog bag keeps food or treats fresh and contained on the go.  I bring this on all my camping trips and it fits easily in the backpack.

Overall, I would highly recommend the Kurgo G-Train Dog Backpack Carrier for your small dog.  Whether you are hiking through spectacular scenery or taking a trip to your local farmers market, your dog will love to be by your side every step of the way.

Questions about this backpack?  Ask away in the comments below. 

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