Duncan and the Dogsled
by Liz
As a child I loved the books of Garry Paulsen. I was taught to love dogs, snowy landscapes and a way of life I had never experienced through the writings of a true genius. His books, especially Dogsong, made me long for a time when people depended on their teams of sled dogs to survive in the barren expanse of Alaska and Canada. Yet I live in Connecticut, far from those places I so desired to see and those wonderful dogs who live and breathe to pull a sled.
Had someone told me that I would be dog sledding before I was out of high school, I would have laughed at them. I only had one dog, my Border Collie, Duncan, and snow was far too rare to support any winter sports in my area. Still, I held on to my dreams until a warm summer day when I noticed an ad in Dog Fancy Magazine. Although I believed I would never order from the sledding supply catalog being advertised, I called and requested a copy anyway. I just wanted to see a picture of what I was missing out on. When it arrived a few weeks later, I began to feel the addiction that would later grip me so firmly taking hold. I couldn't stand to look at the delicate pencil sketches of the various sleds for sale and do nothing about my desire to own one. The sight of snow made me want to cry and I couldn't stand to read any more dog sledding novels. The catalog ended up stashed away in a drawer full of pictures of things I thought I would never do and places I would never see.
Next fall the catalog came out of the drawer just in time to make my Christmas list. My curiosity got the better of me so I called the company. I explained my situation, I had a single dog weighing only forty-two pounds, but I desperately wanted to try dog sledding. The owner of the company quickly drew my attention to a skeleton of a sled in the middle of the catalog. There was actually a dog sled designed specifically for one to two dog teams!
By December I had one, so beautiful and perfectly crafted, sitting in my garage, just waiting for the right snowstorm. On Christmas Eve my prayers were answered when it snowed four inches, just enough to go dog sledding. After putting our turkey into the oven to cook, I rushed over to the local park with the sled and my very confused dog. That first day seemed like a failure because Duncan didn't know what I wanted him to do and I wasn't sure how to show him. I went home feeling like a failure. I thought the sled would sit in my garage forever, an expensive reminder of my crushed dreams. Willing to give it one more try, I went to the park the next day with my mother in tow.
Annoyed at being dragged out into the cold because her strange daughter wanted to try another crazy experiment she stood at the bottom of a gradual hill with her arms crossed. "Just call him a few more times!" I pleaded, "I think he is getting the hang of it." As my mother called out words of encouragement, Duncan nervously took a few steps forward then threw his weight into the harness. We glided down the hill one last time that first season, Duncan finally smiling and confident.
Somewhat disappointed yet desperately hooked on dog sledding, I managed to justify buying another dog. That summer a red Border Collie entered my life with all of my dreams resting on his shoulders. I watched him grow like any nervous mother, fretting about whether his hocks were too straight or his spirit too rebellious for serious work.
I needn't have worried one bit. Christmas Eve was again blessed with a perfect snowstorm. The trails were well packed by the cross-country skiers by the time I arrived at the park and the temperature was just below freezing. I harnessed the dogs, released the brakes and said "let's go!" Duncan sat down and Fly turned his head to stare at me. "It's ok", I said. "Your free to run." They took a few steps forward and tested the drag of the sled. Then, as if he were born to do it, Fly burst into a lope, grinning from ear to ear. For a few steps Duncan hesitated, but Fly's enthusiasm was too much for him. Within seconds they were trotting side by side, in perfect tandem.
My first winter of dog sledding was the most amazing of my life so far. My nervous pet dogs blossomed into sled pulling maniacs. As soon as their harness came off the hooks they would dance and howl in delight. We dashed down trails through tunnels of snow covered trees. We passed joggers who often tripped when they realized just what was outrunning them. Our arrival at the park was punctuated by the screams of curious children on toboggans. That year my dogs learned that snow was the greatest thing on earth and I found out just how much I loved them. By giving them a job to do and spending time together we developed a relationship built on respect and mutual enjoyment. I owned two Border Collies made complete by the knowledge that they were both loved and very useful. There is no turning back now, and I can't wait to see what the next snowfall will bring.
Can my Border Collie participate in winter sports?
Yes! If your dog is free of health problems including hip, back, heart and elbow weaknesses there is no reason to deny your pets the joys of a winter paradise. Many people are shocked that you don't need huskies for dog sledding and skijoring because they picture the typical AKC Siberian as a pulling dog. However, if you visit the major racing sites you will notice that most sled dogs of today weigh between thirty and fifty pounds and come from a variety of backgrounds. Many even have a bit of Border Collie in them to add intelligence and trainability.
What sports can I do with my dogs?
If you only have one dog you still have a few options. Skijoring is my personal favorite because it can be slow or very fast paced, depending on your needs and desires. Skijoring is a sport involving a person on cross-country or skate skis and one or more dogs pulling them. Be forewarned though, you will fall quite a bit at first while you and your dogs try to learn each others rhythms.
Dog sledding is my first love. One only needs two dogs for a team as long as you don?t plan on going more than a few miles at a time. With a lightweight sprinting sled and two well conditioned dogs you can travel as far as five or six miles in a single day. Training, however, should begin at distances of less than one mile at a time.
Who can help me get started?
Like any sport, dog sledding has a lot of friendly people who can help you in your novice years. One of my favorite organizations is Mush with PRIDE, a group devoted to the humane treatment of sled dogs. There are also a variety of mailing lists and magazines for dog sledding fans. Egroups (www.egroups.com) has many lists to choose from. One of the best publications for fans on the market is Mush Magazine. Of course, there are also plenty of books for the old fashioned or for the person seeking a more in depth knowledge of the sport. If these sources still aren't enough you can always turn to the companies who manufacture dog sledding and skijoring equipment.
What do I need to get started?
At least one healthy dog, a love of the outdoors and a few pieces of equipment. For skijoring, besides a set of cross country or skate skis, you will need a skijoring belt, a gangline (also called a tugline), harnesses and dog booties. For dog sledding you will need everything but the skijoring belt as well as a sled, a brake and a sled bridle. For both sports I also recommend having both human and dog first aid kits as well as water and windproof dog jackets.
When is it appropriate to use dog booties and dog jackets?
I use dog booties about ninety percent of the time. They serve such varied purposes as protecting against ice balls between the toes, preventing a dog from slipping on the ice, keeping the dogs feet warm and protecting against cuts and abrasions. If you aren't sure if the snow conditions require booties play it safe and use them anyway. I keep a variety of single and double layer booties for all conditions. I even use booties during the summer if I know if I will be crossing a paved road or path. When you order supplies ask the retailer for help deciding on the size and type of booty you need.
I don't use the dog jackets nearly as often as the booties, but they are no less important. Most dogs, even smooth coated Border Collies, will generate more than enough body heat to stay warm while they are moving. However, when I stop moving or when the wind is blowing particularly hard, I use them to maintain my dogs' temperature. They are also important if the air temperature dips well below zero degrees Fahrenheit or there is wet precipitation. They key is to prevent your dog's fur from getting wet and wind from penetrating to their skin.
How do I get my dogs to pull me?
When you first get started many dogs will either have no idea of what you want or will have been trained never to pull on a leash. Most people begin by harnessing the dog and attaching a leash to the loop at the back of the harness. This gets the dog accustomed to something dragging behind them. I prefer to start by adding a towel to the end of the leash but many people use a short branch several inches in diameter. This gives the dog the idea that it is ok to pull when the harness is on.
Your dog will soon be ready to pull you, with your help, on something such as a dog sled, a bicycle, a scooter, a dog cart or cross country skis. You need the assistance of a friend or at least one experienced sled dog for this stage. If you don't have the benefit of a trained dog to harness next to your own the friend is vital. Have the person walk about ten to twenty yards up the trail and call your dog. Give the command to pull, most use "let's go", and remain silent until you reach the person. It is then appropriate to lavish your dog with praise and affection. Slowly increase the distance to your friend until the dogs don't need a goal, or point to aim for, in order to keep pulling. Before you know it they will be running just for the privilege of being outside and spending time with you.
It doesn't snow where I live, what do I do?
Don't worry! Both of these sports have summer equivalents. After all, most people don't live at the poles where snow is on the ground all year. For those of you in warmer climates you can try dog carting, scootering or bikejoring. Dog carting is most similar to dog sledding, but it can be rather expensive. Scootering and bikejoring serve as summer training for skijoring and are far less expensive than dog carting.
How much does it cost to get started?
If you already own cross country skis or a bike it can cost as little as sixty dollars to buy the equipment for skijoring or bikejoring. If you buy a used dog sled you can spend as little as one hundred to one hundred fifty dollars to enter that sport. Just don't try to save money by using inappropriate equipment. The dogs need special harnesses and booties for these sports and can be injured if you try to use something else.
What is the most important thing I need to know?
Keep it fun and safe. Never yell at your dogs or let them become discouraged. Praise them when appropriate and use their actions to your benefit. For example, if your dog turns right onto another trail give the command to turn right as the action is taking place. Next, give the command to stop and gently guide your dogs back to the correct trail.
Don't go too quickly down hills and never attempt them without a brake. I disconnect my dogs when going down hills on skis so that I don't hit them. While on my sled I maintain control by slowing down and keeping my foot on the brake. Don't ask your dogs to pull you up a hill. A good musher always jumps off the runners and helps push the sled.
Never use downhill skis for skijoring. The sharp tips can injure you dogs if you run into them. Never use a walking harness for a pulling sport. Sledding harnesses are specially padded and distribute the weight differently. Stop at frequent intervals to check for injuries, especially if you dogs are very stoic.
If your dogs seem tired, depressed or bored stop immediately and do something else like a game of fetch. There is always another day for gliding down the trails. You want your dog to associate only happy memories with their winter outings or they won't work for you anymore. If trained properly you will have to force your dogs to stop because you are the one who wants to return home to a cup of hot chocolate. I have had people stop me to say how cruel I was being to my animals. All the while they were slamming into their harnesses and whining, ready to run and see what was around the next corner.
Links for Winter Sports, Equipment and General Information
