GPW’s are hard working dogs and loves to strive. Their strength makes them the ideal choice for people who need a versatile dog for a great number of outdoors activities.
Whenever a little surplus weight needs to be carried or simply for the purpose of training I put the backpack on.

When the dog is around 18 month I start introducing them to the backpack. At this point I load no more than 2 kilogram’s with something voluminous. The dog needs a little time to recognise that some extra space is needed on both sides to move but after a few trips, measuring the width goes well. I gradually increase the weight and after 24 month a well trained GWP can carry more than half of its bodyweight. A 20 litres backpack is suitable for a dog between 20-25 kilogram’s while a 30 litres suits a 25-30 kilogram’s dog. In order to make equilibrium in the packs I load them with plastic bottles filled with water or bag-in-box plastic bags. When coffee and food are consumed equilibrium is upheld by pouring out water or by placing an extra stone into the bag.

A good backpack is imperative. Most backpacks are made of Cordura and the very best have suede skin inside where the backpack rests at the dogs back. The metal-ring at the tails end is used when walking down steep slopes. Walking behind the dog with a rope attached in the metal-ring will prevent the backpack to roll up the dogs neck.

The Norwegian  LAIKA-KLØVEN is not the cheapest on the marked but it is surely the best. This backpack has all the "bells and whistles" you need and this is as close as you get to a tailor made backpack but at a fraction of the price.
Made by NORDTRO AS, 9086 Sørkjosen, Norway.

Towing a sled is another activity well suited for GWP’s.

I normally use a Nome-style belt with thin upholstery and metal rings on the side. As for backpacking, the time to start is when the skeleton is developed.

If the snow has set and the surface conditions are good, it is easy for a GWP to tow the double of its bodyweight and if the landscape is flat, even more.

I introduce a number of commands to ensure a safe ride: left, right, slow, stop etc.

Note that the skier has the rubber cord attached to the back end of the sled which makes it much easier to slow down the speed when skiing downhill.

Do not take babies under the age of 7 months into the sled. Check the condition of the baby at a regular basis, especially at low temperatures.