The short version: Some links on this site are affiliate links. If you click one and buy something, I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. This helps keep the site running. My reviews and recommendations are never influenced by these relationships — I only recommend gear I’d actually use with Rocky.
What is an affiliate link?
An affiliate link is a specially tracked URL that tells a retailer or brand that a visitor came from DogTrailGear.com. When you click one of these links and complete a purchase, I receive a small percentage of the sale as a commission. You pay the same price you would pay going directly to the retailer — sometimes even less, if a discount code applies.
Which programs does DogTrailGear.com participate in?
DogTrailGear.com currently participates in the following affiliate programs:
- Amazon Services LLC Associates Program — an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.
- ShareASale — affiliate network connecting publishers with brands including outdoor and pet gear companies.
- Impact Radius — affiliate network used by brands including REI, Chewy, and others.
- Individual brand affiliate programs for outdoor and dog gear companies, disclosed on a case-by-case basis within relevant reviews.
How does this affect what I recommend?
It doesn’t — and here’s why I can say that with confidence.
I started DogTrailGear.com because I was frustrated with gear lists that seemed more interested in commissions than honesty. Rocky and I have hiked over 40 trails across Colorado. I know which gear holds up and which doesn’t, because I’ve seen it fail in person — sometimes expensively.
If a product isn’t worth your money, I say so. If the best option in a category doesn’t have an affiliate program, I still recommend it. If a product I previously recommended turns out to have quality issues over time, I update the review. Affiliate commissions do not change any of that.
How to identify affiliate links
Affiliate links are present throughout the site, including in gear reviews, best-of lists, and comparison articles. You don’t need to identify them individually — assume that any link to a retailer (Amazon, Chewy, REI, etc.) may be an affiliate link. This disclosure applies site-wide.
Where a product was provided free of charge for review purposes, that will be explicitly stated within the relevant article.
FTC compliance
This disclosure is made in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s guidelines on endorsements and testimonials (16 CFR Part 255). The FTC requires that material connections between a reviewer and the products or services they recommend be disclosed clearly and conspicuously. This page serves as that disclosure for DogTrailGear.com.
Questions?
If you have any questions about this disclosure or about a specific product recommendation, you can reach me at the contact page. I’m happy to explain my methodology or tell you more about how a particular recommendation was made.
By using DogTrailGear.com, you acknowledge that some links on this site may be affiliate links and that I may earn a commission if you make a purchase through those links. This does not affect the price you pay or the independence of my recommendations. For more information, see our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
