Get Started Dog Mushing

Mushing is the sport of leading a team of dogs as they pull a sled. To get started in mushing, look into dog sled trips and races, and stop by a sled dogs kennel. Try mushing classes, joining a mushing-related association, or helping an established musher train their sled dogs. Hold off on starting your own dog sled team until you are certain that you can handle the opportunity (both financially and mentally). When you do start a team, select your dogs carefully, bond with them, and train extensively to get your team to work together.

Steps

Experimenting with Dog Mushing

1. Look into beginner dog sled trips. Look online for entry-level dog sledding expeditions where there is no experience or gear required. Courses can range from simple dogsled trips to dog sledding courses, ski camping, and private "drive your own team" dog mushing. Research your options online to customize your ideal trip.
   • For instance, Wintergreen Dogsled Lodge in Minnesota offers a range of packages, including a 5 day intensive dog sledding trip where participants receive a complete training in dog sledding and winter survival skills.
2. Attend races. A good way to get a feel for dog mushing is to observe it firsthand at an event or race. Consider visiting Alaska, where dog sledding has been the national sport since 1972, for the annual Iditarod race - a dog sledding competition that attracts tourists from across the globe. Outside of the Iditarod, smaller races take place fairly regularly, sometimes on downtown streets during festivals or events.
   • Visit the website for Anchorage, Alaska's largest city, at https://www.anchorage.net/ to keep up to date on what races might happening on different dates.
3. Visit a sled dog kennel. An integral part of mushing is getting close to the sled dogs that will be pulling you, and understanding how they live. In addition to dog sled rides or demonstrations, many mushers will offer tours of their sled dog kennels to visitors. For instance, the Happy Trails dog kennels in Alaska "owned by four-time Iditarod Champion Martin Buser" offer the chance to meet 30-60 sled dogs. Visitors do not get sled rides, but instead can observe a short, six dog sled run and have photo ops with the team.

Getting Involved with the Sport

1. Go to mushing school. For intensive lessons in dog sledding, consider taking classes at a mushing school. Opt for a school or organization that does not require you to own your own sled dogs or equipment. Be sure to research the school's credentials or get referrals from other mushers before signing up.
   • For example, the Noble Paws mushing school in Fairbanks, Alaska, teaches participants how to run their own sled dog team ($100 for two 90 minute sessions).
2. Join a dog mushing association. There are dozens of dog sled associations across the US which aim to promote mushing and unite members who are passionate about the hobby, sport, and sled dogs. Requirements for membership vary between clubs, but may be open to sled racers, spectators, and volunteers alike in some cases. Visit http://www.sleddogcentral.com/clubs_usa.htm for a list of sled dog associations in the US.
   • For example, the Colorado Mountain Mushers Association offers membership to both individuals and families (for $25 or $35 a year, respectively), in their capacity as either mushers or volunteers at races and events.
3. Help train sled dogs. It can take several years to train sled dogs, so mushers often welcome help from others interested in the hobby. Ask mushers at races if they need help, or visit the Sled Dog Central website at http://www.sleddogcentral.com/beginners/mentor_list_usa_states.htm for a list of mushing mentors from across the country. Helping to train dogs will provide critical experience with sled dogs and mushing without the commitment of having your own team, or the responsibility of vet and food bills. You can also offer to work as a handler for mushers, cooking and feeding dogs, and helping with other tasks in preparation for races.
   • This kind of mentorship will also teach you everything you need to know about the equipment, training, and time necessary to start your own dog team.
4. Wait to start your own dog sled team. Getting into the sport of dog mushing should not mean rushing to put together your own sled team, which is a tremendous undertaking. It is best to spend at least a year or two participating in dog sledding and getting acclimated with all aspects of the sport, including Care for Sled Dogs, before committing to it long-term. You can use this initial period when you start dog sledding to weigh the pros and cons and make a decision.
5. Figure out equipment costs. As part of your reflection process, look up the prices for harnesses, tug lines, gang-lines, necklines and booties for your potential dog sled team. Find a local musher whom you can talk to and learn the equipment basics from. They can also advise you as to what equipment would be best for your needs.
6. Save money for land. A big consideration in deciding whether or not to run your own dog sled team is whether you have (or can obtain) enough land to house the dogs. A suitable dog yard for 10 sled dogs will require at least 1,000 square feet of pens. Be realistic and start saving money as soon as possible if you intend to pursue mushing with your own team.

Starting Your Own Team

1. Find dogs for your sled team. The best way to find sled dogs to add to your team is to ask other mushers if they know of any for sale. Network and meet other mushers at races or mushing association get togethers, or consult online listings and internet sled dog groups. Ideally, you should look for already-trained sled dogs who are relaxed, happy, hard-working, and spayed or neutered.
   • Contact large operation tour guide mushers, big kennels, shelters, and rescue groups to see if they have any sled dogs available.
2. Make wise purchases. Always visit a sled dog that you are thinking of buying at its current dwelling before bringing it home. Check out the conditions it’s being kept in, and look for signs of illness, injury, or an aggressive personality (e.g. dogs who move slowly or appear sullen). Be weary of owners who may be trying to unload a dog they no longer want on you; a good musher and owner will do their best to make sure their dog is a good match for you and your team.
   • Ask the owner if they will take the dog back if it is not a fit for your team. This will make the decision process a lot simpler.
3. Plan your dogs’ accommodations. Starting a dog team means housing your sled dogs, which is a big commitment of time and money. If you are planning to house the dogs in your home, plan spacing accordingly (e.g. where to feed them and have them sleep). Sturdy sled dog breeds like Huskies can live outside in cold temperatures, but a kennel to house them will require a vast amount of space (10 sled dogs require 1,000 square feet of pens, or 1,450 square feet for tethers) and a significant amount of cleaning and upkeep. Ask other mushers for advice, contacts (e.g. a company to install fencing), and price estimates for building a kennel.
   • Even mushers who primarily house their sled dogs indoors require some sort of outdoor confinement system.
4. Purchase mushing equipment. Be sure to equip your sled team with high-quality gear to get off to a good start. Ask other mushers for advice about the most reliable brand and equipment options. If money is an issue, look in local ads or online for second-hand mushing equipment, which should include:
   • A lightweight, sturdy sled
   • Harnesses
   • Dog booties
   • Dog jackets
   • Thermal gear

Training Your Team

1. Bond with your team. Patience and practice are key for streamlining your sled dog team. Allow bonding time for you and your dogs (e.g. devote time to spending time outdoors playing with your new sled dogs) and take advantage of your dogs' natural instinct to pull to make training a fun experience. If the process does not happen naturally as you continue taking your dogs out to practice, enlist the aid of a fellow musher who might have advice on how to get your team into gear.
   • Note that your new sled dogs will need time to get accustomed to the sound of your voice, and to build trust.
2. Teach basic commands. Teach or reinforce basic commands to establish your dominance non-violently, and to gain your dogs' respect and trust. To start, review and practice the five basic commands:"Sit”,"Stay", "Lay down”, ”Heel”, and "Come here.” Visit the American Kennel Club website at http://www.akc.org/content/dog-training/articles/teach-your-puppy-these-5-basic-commands/ for instructional details and videos.
3. Practice extensively. The most important part of training a dog team is to get the dogs to learn each others' rhythms and work together. To achieve this, run the dogs as much as possible for practice before events or races. If your team slows down at difficult points (e.g. steep hills), be firm and make them work harder to get over the hurdles. This is the best way to ensure that they will not be overwhelmed during a race, and less likely to hesitate in such situations in the future.
   • Always reward your dogs' perseverance and accomplishments with ample praise.

Sources and Citations

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