Dog Sleding for Christmas

[Katelynn & Gang]

Okay. I got this crazy idea a little bit ago for a Christmas gift for my little sister. She is 13 and is always trying to have the dogs pull her and her friends on the sled. So I thought," Hey, what the heck, why not a real dog sled and all the stuff we need? Can't be to hard, right?" Ha. Right. Now I am looking at all this stuff and going "OMG what do I need to make this work?"

 

So, for all you musher’s on here, what do I need? I'd like to get the sled with everything and get the dogs a bit trained up before Christmas day, so when she wakes up I can have the dogs already harnessed and ready for some fun. I know, at her age, I'd have died and gone to Heaven if I woke up to such a sight.

 

I have the dogs. Cue, 4, Rev, 3 and then Trick who is going to be 2 in February (is that to young?). I also have a store not to far from here that sell dog sleds and the harnesses but I'd like to know what I am looking for and what I need and don't need before I have someone weighting me down.

 

So far, I know I need the sled, harnesses and I'd like to get boots for the dogs as well. But I don't know what else it is I need and where to get it (I can probably get it at the same place as the sled and harnesses but who knows!).

 

Any help? Please!

 

Thanks!

 

Katelynn

[silhouettestable]

There are different styles/weights of sleds, you'll want a fairly light one, and make sure it has a brake, either a claw brake or a bar brake will work. Also a snow hook so that you can hook down to hold the sled during hookups or if you need to stop and get off the sled (i.e. you're not on the brake) to fix any tangles etc. The sled should come with a bridle attached (bungee bridle is preferable, or a section of shock cord so it's not such a jerk on the dogs when they throw themselves forward and pull), and you'll need a gangline which is what you hook the dogs up to. It will have tuglines that hook to the tug loop of the harness, and necklines that hook to the dogs collars. Depending on how your supplier makes their ganglines they may supply you with one single gangline capable of hooking up 4 dogs, or you may get a 2-dog wheel section and a separate Y shaped leader section and neckline.

 

If you're starting out with dogs that have never done this before, you're going to have to create a leader (or leaders, depending if you'll run one in single lead with 2 in wheel, or 2 in lead with one behind). Even without the sled and harness you can begin your training. Work with the dogs one on one, teaching them to "line out", which means staying out in front and keeping the line tight (or leash if you're working with them before you get harness, but if you have the harness just clip your lead to the tug loop). Also, spend a lot of time walking the dogs and making right and left turns around objects and give the command for the turn you're taking, Haw is left and Gee is right. Something you'll definitely want them to know is "WHOA!" You'll need a command to start pulling, most people don't really say mush but you can choose a word that suits you. I say "Let's Go!" Another command you'll want to teach is "On by" which is another one you can teach on lead. If the dog you're walking wants to stop and sniff something or stop to look at anything, give them a tug to make them keep moving and say on by. They need to learn to avoid distractions or they can mess you up and tangle your team. Also handy for passing other teams.

 

Probably the best thing you could do would be to find someone to mentor you to help you get started. If you go to www.sleddogcentral.com you will find links to many suppliers, articles for beginners, a list of mentors and the SDC Talk forum where you can ask all kind of questions. Also check out the race schedule and see if there are any listed for your area. Races can be a great place to get out and meet mushers and sometimes buy equipment. Good luck, once you get started you'll find yourself quickly addicted. I sure did.

 

p.s. 2 is not at all too young for sledding

[BustopherJones]

What Do I Need?

Amongst other things, snow.

[Barb Scott]

Why not contact someone from Great Lakes Sled Dog Association: http://www.glsda.com/Home.html ? Actually, I'd probably go to the store that sells the equipment and check with them. Also, there are places in MI that will let you dog sled with their dogs and then you wouldn't have to invest in the equipment and training. How about skijoring? Lots less costly equipment to purchase.

Barb S

[NRhodes]

I think this would be neat to do but I don't think I have any dogs that would pull except for maybe one of Larry's coon dogs!

[BustopherJones]

You might find this of interest: Musher Profile

[Tranquilis]

I think this would be neat to do but I don't think I have any dogs that would pull except for maybe one of Larry's coon dogs!

Actually, any dog over about 35 pounds, who has the desire to pull, can be a sled dog, at least casually, and for short hauls. Obviously, not just any dog can complete in deep cold and heavy snow, but in mild conditions, there's no reason any moderate-sized, reasonably fit dog who enjoys pulling can't play.

[dinah_kay]

I have xback harnesses for my two (I am in the deep south, so we just use it for scootering since we don't get snow.) I think I got it from Alpine Outfitters. They are really great to work with, and each of the harnesses come in different colors, custom fitted, and each have the dog's name on it. They also sell nice lines as well.

 

ETA: here is their website: http://www.alpineoutfitters.net/Secure/Scripts/default.asp

 

Here is the link for the harness I use: http://alpineoutfitters.net/Secure/scripts...sp?idproduct=17

[jamesqf]

Actually, any dog over about 35 pounds, who has the desire to pull, can be a sled dog, at least casually, and for short hauls.

 

And more so for skijoring (where you're on cross-country skis), since the dog can pull or not, as the mood strikes. Niki, the lazy beast, tends to only pull on slight downhills - but then it's Whee!

[NRhodes]

there's no reason any moderate-sized, reasonably fit dog who enjoys pulling can't play.

 

What I meant was, I don't think I have any dogs that would pull- they'd get to the end of the line, feel pressure, and stop.

[Tranquilis]

What I meant was, I don't think I have any dogs that would pull- they'd get to the end of the line, feel pressure, and stop.

Ah. Right, that won't do at all.

[ragtimedog]

I raced a team of all border collies for several years. I only quit because we all got too old - snort. But first you have to teach them it's ok to pull. I had them drag a light weight around. I also used a "springer" on a bike to get them to run and enjoy it. (I had a couple that would throw themselves on the ground rather than run. Very dangerous if the dog is in front. The springer keeps them to the side and you can slow down and encourage them to run with you.) It's very hard to teach a untrained team to pull. Most folks start with an experienced team and then add new dogs, but it can be done. It's really great fun and great exercise in the winter for the dogs! Don't be discouraged if you run into problems. Most can be worked out.

L