Rooted in millennia-old traditions of Arctic transportation, dog sledding now thrives as a cherished recreational activity worldwide. Whether you’re looking to mush across a frozen landscape for fun or dream of competing in races like the iconic Iditarod, learning how to drive a dog sled is your first step into this exhilarating world.
In this blog, we’ll guide you through the basics of how to drive a dog sled including commands, how to start and stop, and some core rules for safe dog sledding.
How does dog sledding work?
Before we delve into the details of driving a dog sled, it’s important to understand how dog sledding works. Dog sledding is a form of transportation in which a team of dogs pulls a sled or toboggan over snow-covered terrain. The sled is guided by a musher who stands on the runners and uses various commands to direct the dogs.
The dogs used for dog sledding are typically breeds with thick coats suited for cold weather, such as Siberian Huskies, Alaskan Malamutes, Alaskan Huskies, and Samoyeds. These dogs have been bred specifically for their strength, endurance, and ability to work well in teams. While any breed dog can be trained to pull, the Nordic sledding breeds have been selected for thousands of years for their work ethic, and their ability to pull comes naturally to them. These types of dogs are bred to handle the harsh conditions of the Arctic and adapt to unexpected challenges such as changing weather or rough terrain.
The driver of the sled, also known as the “musher” plays a crucial role in dog sledding as they are responsible for steering and controlling the sled. The musher stands on runners at the back of the sled and uses various vocal commands to communicate with their team of dogs. They also use a brake to slow down or stop the sled, and a snow hook to anchor the team in place.
How are sled dogs trained?
Most Nordic breeds do not need to be taught to pull – they do it on instinct.
As puppies, they are exposed to the sights, sounds, and smells of a dog team and are gradually introduced to pulling weight. They start with light loads and slowly progress to heavier ones as they grow stronger.
Training also involves teaching the dogs important commands such as "gee" for right turn and "haw" for left turn. The musher uses these commands to steer the team around obstacles or change direction.
The dogs also learn how to work together as a team, following each other's movements and staying in sync with each other. This is crucial for efficiency during a race or journey.
Sled dogs build a strong bond with their musher, as they rely on each other to travel efficiently and safely. The musher must understand each dog's personality and strengths in order to effectively lead the team.
Overall, the training process for sled dogs is a continuous effort that requires patience, dedication, and a deep understanding of the unique relationship between musher and dog. It is this strong bond and mutual trust that allows musher and dogs to work together in harmony and accomplish amazing feats in extreme environments.
How many dogs do you need to dog sled?
A typical dog sled team consists of 2 to 16 dogs, with each dog having a specific position within the team. The lead dogs are responsible for navigating the trail and following the commands of the musher. The swing dogs behind the leaders, also known as point or wheel dogs, help guide the sled around turns and obstacles. The core of the team is made up of team dogs, which provide power and speed to pull the sled, and wheel dogs, which are positioned closest to the sled and help with steering.
Dog Sledding Skills
How to harness a dog
Harnessing a dog is one of the basic skills needed for dog sledding. It involves properly fitting and securing a harness onto the dog's body so that they can pull the sled effectively. This process sometimes requires strength, patience, and knowledge of different types of harnesses and how to use them.
Firstly, it is important to choose the right size harness for your dog. The fit should be snug with enough room for the dog to comfortably move their legs and shoulders. The most important aspect of the fit is where the collar of the harness meets the breast strap. This point should be right on the dog’s sternum bone. It is also important to make sure that all straps are evenly adjusted and not twisted.
To harness a dog, do the following;
straddle them with your knees behind the ribcage to help hold them in place.
Beginners find it helpful to fold the breastplate in half and line the under-right side of the harness up with the right side of the harness collar, and the under-left side of the harness with the left side of the harness collar, making one loop.
Place the doubled up harness over the dog's head, making sure that it is facing in the correct direction – if the chest strap is on top, swivel the harness around so that it is facing the ground and flush with the dog’s chest. Thick coated dogs will need their scruff worked through the harness so that the harness can sit as far back and flush as possible.
Next, run your hand down the dog’s foot and fold their leg up at the wrist joint to help bring it through the underside of the harness. Experienced dogs will try to step their own feet through the harness.
Repeat on the other side.
Double check all the scruff is worked through and that the dog’s collar is pulled through and sitting between ears and the collar of the harness. The padded chest strap should be on the chest, with the top of the breastplate sitting right on the sternum bone.
What are all the lines for?
There are multiple lines used for dog sledding including the tugline, the gangline, and the neckline.
The gangline, or towline, is the main line that connects all the dogs in a team together and helps distribute their pulling power evenly. It is important for this line to be tangle-free and tight at all times to prevent any accidents while on the trail. Best practice is to have a gangline that is filled with cable or made of iron rope to prevent breakage from chewing or abrasion, which can lead to a dangerous situation if dogs get loose. Ganglines are typically made of rope 8mm or thicker.
The tug line is the line that connects the dog's harness to the gangline. This line is typically made of a strong, durable material such as ¼ inch hollow braid polypropylene rope.
The neckline helps keep the dogs in their correct position within the team. It prevents dogs from getting tangled with the dogs behind them and causing chaos. This line should be short enough to keep a dog within it’s own space and not so long the dog can trip or step over the neckline. These lines are typically made of thin rope. Some are attached with break-away clips in case a dog goes on the wrong side of something on a tight trail.
In addition to these main lines, there are also safety lines that are essential for controlling and ensuring the safety of the dog team.
The snowhook line is connected to a snow anchor known as a snowhook and allows the musher to keep the dogs stopped if snow conditions are adequate to do so.
The safety line is used as a backup for the snow hook. It is used to tie off to a tree or post when the snow hook cannot be trusted to hold.
Overall, having well-maintained equipment is crucial for a successful and safe dog sledding experience. As with any sport, proper equipment is key in preventing accidents and keeping both the dogs and musher safe while out on the trail.
How to hook up the lines to the sled.
To connect the tugline, gangline, and neckline for sledding, start by attaching the loop of the end of gangline to the sled’s anchor point on the front of the sled using a locking carabiner with a load of at least 8 kilonewtons.
The snowhook and safety lines also need to be connected at the anchor point carabiner. Make sure the snowhook and safety lines run under the brush bow and not on the outside where the sled can accidentally run it over. Lock the carabiner and double check the lock each time you prepare for a run.
Next, connect the sled dogs to the gang line. Securely fasten the tuglines to the harnesses using clips designed for sledding. Snaps that do not open via lever are best.
Finally, attach the neckline to the dog’s collar. Double-check all connections to ensure they are secure and untangled, minimizing any risk of detachment during the activity or injury to a dog.
Where to stand when mushing the sled.
When mushing, stand on the footboards of the sled runners with both feet positioned in line with the runners. This will give you control and balance while also allowing you to use your body weight to help steer the sled. It's important to keep your hands on the handlebar at all times for added stability and unexpected surges forward by your dog team.
During the run, communicate with your dog through voice commands. These cues will help guide them and let them know where they need to go. Keep praise and encouragement of your dog team to a minimum– while positive reinforcement is key in building a strong working relationship between you and your furry teammates, your dogs will learn to ignore incessant chatter, meaning important directional cues may go unheard. The best reward for a sled dog is to be allowed to keep running.
As you come upon turns or obstacles, be sure to bend your knees, keep your gangline tight, and shift your weight accordingly to steer the sled in the right direction. As long as your line is tight the sled will follow exactly behind the dogs. Maintaining a low center of gravity will help with balance and control.
How to start and stop a dog sled
To begin, give the command "Alright!" or "OK!" to your dogs and release the brake. Put weight on your drag mat to slow the dogs. It is important not to take off too fast as the dogs need time to warm up to prevent injury.
To stop, use the brake located at the back of the sled by giving your dogs the command “Whoa” and step down on the brake far with your foot. Use the middle of your foot. You can also use the drag mat to help slow down your team before stopping. It's important to practice these movements before heading out on a run so that you are comfortable with them as when it is time to stop you usually don’t have time to look down to make sure your feet are in the right position. Remember that the dogs are eager to go will likely not stop unless they feel braking resistance from you on the back of the sled.
How to turn a dog sled
When turning, the most important thing is to make sure you are using the drag mat to keep a tight gangline. Use your bodyweight to steer the sled in the direction you want to go. To turn left, shift your weight to the left. To turn right, do the opposite. Keep your center of gravity low.
It's important to remember that dog sledding requires teamwork between you and your dogs. Be sure to communicate clearly with them using verbal commands and physical cues. And always pay attention to their body language, as they can give valuable information about their environment, energy levels and well-being.
How to anchor the sled (and dogs!)
Anchoring your sled is an essential skill for any dog musher. Not only does it provide a way to safely get off your sled, but it also allows you to take a break and tend to any necessary tasks without worrying about the sled moving.
To anchor your sled, you will need at least two snowhooks, a safety line, and a suitable environment.
First, find a suitable spot with packed snow and ideally a tree or post.
Place one snowhook on either side of your sled. Make sure it is securely lodged into the snow.
Next, tie your safety line to a tree or post for backup in case the dogs pull the snowhook out.
Finally, clip a carabiner to the end of the second snowhook line and clip the carabiner to a loop in your gangline behind your lead dogs. Pull that snowhook line tight in front of the team to keep the dogs from moving backwards.
At this point most mushers would unclip the dogs from the doglines and let the dogs “camp” on their necklines.
Remember to always double-check that your anchors are secure before leaving your sled unattended.
Commands
Most mushers use similar commands with their teams. Some common commands include;
"gee" (right)
"haw" (left)
"whoa" (stop)
"on by" (ignore a distraction)
Use a firm and calm tone when commanding your dogs. Once a command is given, the dogs must obey, so make sure your team size and training conditions will allow this.
When using the "whoa" command, make sure to say it firmly and clearly while simultaneously using the brake bar on the sled. This will let your dogs know that it is time to stop.
Remember, always communicate clearly and calmly with your team.
Core Rules for Safe Dog Sledding
Rule #1 - Never Let Go of Your Sled!
This may seem obvious, but it is crucial to always keep a hand on the handlebars when with your dog team. Dogs are strong and can easily take off if they sense any opportunity to run. If you tip over, hold on. The dogs will stop eventually, or you will be able to flip your sled up or reach a snowhook. A loose dog team can result in death due to tangled lines, strangulation, dog fights, traffic, or any number of hazards.
Rule #2 - Know Your Dogs
Understanding each dog's limits involves knowing their health, stamina, gaits and temperament. Proper training is crucial, ensuring all dogs are well-versed in commands and fit for running. Regular health checks, including vet visits, vaccinations, and monitoring for injuries, especially to paws and joints, are essential for their well-being. But most importantly, you must know the personality of each of your dogs, as changes to personality or behavior are often the most significant indicators as to how your dogs are feeling.
Conclusion
As you embark on the thrilling journey of dog sledding, remember that the bond between a musher and their dogs is built on trust, understanding, and respect. Whether you're an experienced musher or a newcomer eager to delve into the world of dog sledding, adhering to these principles will ensure the well-being of your canine companions.
At Arctic Dog Adventure Co., we're passionate about sharing the beauty and exhilaration of dog sledding with others. Our experienced team is here to guide you through every step of learning how to drive your own dog team, from mastering basic commands to understanding each dog's unique personality. We invite you to join us for an unforgettable adventure in the Alaskan wilderness where you'll not only learn the art of dog sledding but also create lifelong memories with your furry teammates.
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