HOMESTEADING DOG SLEDDING

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TRAIN, TRAIN, TRAIN

Proper sled-dog training takes a lot of time but is a vitally important task. Start -one animal at a time-by acquainting the beast with the feel of its tote gear. Treat this harnessing act seriously so your critter won't think you're playing around ... and then take the animal out for a normal leash walk, hooking your line from the back of the harness on your "return trip".

Use subsequent walks to teach commands. Be consistent in your choice of command words and the tone of voice you use. Most dogs will quickly learn "HIKE" (or "MUSH" or "GET UP", if you prefer), "WHOA", and "STAY". But only the smartest canines will respond to the turning commands, "GEE" (right) and "HAW" (left).

The most obedient of your dogs should receive special treatment (to develop "lead dog mentality") and extensive geehaw training as well. Don't choose the biggest, toughest brute for your pack guide, but select instead the quick-reflexed critter (often a female) that will follow your commands without balking. A good leader is indispensable for dog sledding ... so spend a lot of time training this animal. (Often, the foremost position is shared by two critters. This arrangement is particularly useful for training a second leader who could fill in should your "main mastiff" become disabled.)

In a full 'I set" the first two dogs behind the leader are called "swing dogs" . . . because of their ability to turn the team. The pair of pullers just in front of the sled are the "wheel dogs" and are usually the strongest canines in the group. (Some dogs shy away from the wheel position—and yours will if you're not careful to keep the sled from sliding into the critters—but it is a nicely visible spot for training a newcomer.) Any additional pullers are harnessed between the swing and wheel pairs and known as team dogs.

ON, YOU HUSKIES!

The actual amount of work you can get out of your dogs will be determined by endless variables ... including the animals' experience and fitness, trail conditions, the size of your load, the weather, and so forth. Most of the dog-caused delays and difficulties (fighting, tangling, etc.) will occur during training and, even then, probably only take place within the first few miles on the trail.

My five "ace" dogs have often carried me over 60 miles in a day, but it will probably take several months of training and practice before your quintet can be expected to make more than 40 (an average speed of six to seven miles per hour is quite good for a team in its first season). I pace my pullers-on long trips—by traveling at a sustainable 8-10 MPH . . . and giving the dogs a half-hour rest after every two hours of work.

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