FAQs: Thru-hiking with A Dog - Logistics // Plus Appalachian Trail Specific Advice

Planning a thru-hike and want to bring your furry best friend? I thru-hiked the Appalachian Trail in 2022 with my dog, and the #1 FAQ I receive is about the logistics of doing so. The #2 question is about what gear to bring for Fido - that will be in a follow-up video. In this, you'll learn my Top Ten tips and advice for planning and preparing concerning logistics.
(referenced dog gear video:    • Thru-hiking With A Dog: Gear FAQs // ...   )

00:00 Introduction & Overview
02:40 Tip 1: You are hiking your DOG's hike, not yours
03:10 Know your dog's capabilities and adjust yours
04:45 Be prepared with a back-up plan for dog off-trail
05:22 Tip 2: Budget extra for dog-associated costs
05:40 Service animals vs emotional support animals
07:00 Private rooms at hostels, hotel fees, shuttle issues
08:15 Grooming and vet appointments
09:12 Tip 3: You'll carry extra weight; plan gear accordingly
10:00 Large dogs ability to carry some weight
10:42 Water carries and/or filtering dog's water on trail
11:30 Any gear you have, your dog needs as well
12:34 Carriers for small dogs vs large dogs; rescue harness
13:51 Tip 4: Critters on the trail to prepare for
14:02 Tick prevention before and during your hike
15:48 Snakes and venom kits
17:35 Tip 5: Be prepared to lift and carry dog over obstacles
19:04 Specific AT locations and weather concerns
19:37 Tip 6: Kenneling through the Smokies
20:10 Standing Bear Hostel & Kennel - pros/cons
20:52 Loving Care Kennel in Pigeon Forge (my choice)
22:23 Tip 7: Planning Baxter & Katahdin without your dog
23:00 Friends and family come to Maine; Millinocket options
24:08 AT Lodge, now AT Hostel & Outiftters, in Millinocket
24:58 Baxter rules with day permits and parking passes
25:28 Tip 8: Getting around the AMC huts in the NH Whites
28:00 I chose to slackpack the Presidentials
28:25 Kenneling Presidentials, or blue-blaze to camp below treeline
29:08 Tip 9: Dog-friendly transportation back home from the trail
30:22 Flight concerns - direct flights vs layovers, flying with dog
31:34 Costs associated with transportation involving a dog
32:03 Tip 10: The AT is an ON-LEASH trail; keep your dog on leash
33:20 For your dog, other dogs, wildlife, kids, other people's safety
34:20 Lost Dogs, stray dogs, trail & terrain Concerns
35:18 Off-leash exceptions due to dangerous terrain

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