A. Overview Packing with your dog can be an excellent activity for both of you and is ideally suited for the one-dog owner. It is easy to train your dog to pack (carry a backpack). The equipment needs are minimal. Hiking trails can be found almost everywhere and most dogs love to get out on the trail. B. Characteristics The dog should be obedience trained in the basics of walking by your side. He should know a command to walk in front of you or behind you in the event that you come upon a narrow trail. C. Getting started At about six to eight months of age a dog can be lightly packed. Start out with about 1/8 of the dog's own weight. Fill the packs with bulky, light items, giving the dog the feel of a full load with a minimum of weight. As your dog gets into good condition and reaches the age of 12 months, slowly increase the load to 30% of his body weight. Before you do any serious backpacking, do some short hikes that will take you on a variety of walking trails. D. Classes Junior Boys & Girls. Adult Men & Women Veteran Men & Women E. Surface The surface for backpack trekking activities from dirt trails to cross country terrain and in this instance sled dog time trail tracks can come in handy. F. Equipment a Leash or gangline and a collar. The leash or gangline can be attached to the dogs collar or a D-ring on the backpack or the ring on the walking harness. No stun-collars allowed. The walking harness to be made of any design and material that will not injure the dog. Dog booties for rough rocky terrain. G. Backpack Obtain a purpose made back packs for your dog. Make sure that the pack goes over the dog's head easily. Test the pack fully loaded to see that the dog can move freely, with no binding or chafing anywhere. Ensure that each side of the pack carries an equal amount of weight otherwise the load will shift and be hard on the dog. Don't pack any items that might poke through the pack, and pack all perishable items in plastic bags in case the dog decides to take a swim somewhere along the trail. H. Health Care Ensure that your dog is in good condition with healthy feet. Ensure that you carry a "First Aid Kit" for both dog and human for treatment on the way. No physical force to be used at any time. Carry water with a foldable bucket as part of your backpack content. Take a break to rest your dog on the way as often as required and check his backpack. Watch that your dog does not disturb other hikers, wildlife or livestock along the way. Clean up after your dog on a trail, therefore carry plastic bags with you for this purpose. I. Qualification all dogs carrying 30% of their body weight for 10 events or more to qualify for a  SAMA working title. J. Competition As per the Event Giving Organisation entry form. K. Entry Fee As per the Event Giving Organisation entry form. L. Prizes As per the Event Giving Organisation entry form. M. Other Footholds for the dogs will not be allowed. N. EVENT MARSHALL As provided by the Event Giving Organisation.