You will need to order our gear 2 months before your departure date so we can build it and make any needed alterations. It is imperative that you dry run your gear to test fit on a multi-day trip before your thru. People tend to get antsy with me about the lead time.. I don't blame you- setting off for a hike is exciting. I am not rushing any orders. I will not make your order any faster than 3 weeks, and sometimes it takes *even longer*. Every piece I make is a one-off, just for your dog. You have come to me because I am not Amazon. This is labor intensive custom work. I have a young family I take care of as well. Please respect my production schedule and know I am working as fast as I am able. I will not bump you up in the line up, it's not fair to me nor the people ahead of you in line.

Resources for prospective thru-hikers and backpackers with your dog

Many of our customers are long distance hikers. We work directly with them while they are on trail if they have any issue with the fit of the harness. You will want to order your dog's gear with enough time to test it out before you leave for your long distance hike. 

Links to help you in your research:
*The Appalachian Trail Conservancy's tips on hiking with a dog on the A.T. Please scroll to near the bottom.

*Hiking with a dog in the backcountry by the PCT association 

*Arrow the Sheltie thru hikes the entire (dog) A.T.

*Huck the Cattle Dog hikes the LT- tips, mentality and pack list

*Merci the Border Collie's pack list for long distance hiking

*How My Dog Survived a Thru Hike by Erin "Bookie" Tuveson

*Oliver the Cattle Dog thru hikes the LT- interview

*Interviews of A.T. Thru hikers and their thoughts/advice on bringing your dog on your thru
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*Advice on nutrition, gear and vaccines for a dog on a long distance hike by PCT thru hiker Melissa "Treehugger" (scroll down through the blog to see all entries under the topic "long distance hiking with a dog.")

*Thoughts on the mind-set to have about thru-hiking

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Pickle's Gear List by UL Weekend Warrior
http://ulweekendwarrior.wordpress.com/

Sage's Gear List by Treehugger
http://thehikingtreeblog.wordpress.com
please note: not all items get packed into Sage's pack, his humans carry some of the things. Treehugger is a vet tech and knows how to treat her dog. So if you like the first aid kit below, make sure you know how to use the stuff and what drugs should not be mixed.

Rosie the Jack Russell: hiking with a small dog: 
Rosie carries her food and collapsible water bowl in her XXS pack.
5 days of food for Rosie that fit in the pack:
-13 Stella and Chewies freeze dried patties
-2 tuna pouches (from the grocery store)

(yes, he's on leash) :)