Dog Sledding: Organized Chaos
- Peter Comisso
- Feb 27, 2020
- 9 min read
It’s 8:30am on a cold winter’s day and I’m feeling sore, tired, and sluggish from the previous day’s work. I really do not want to start my shift knowing the mayhem that awaits me behind those kennel doors. However, I signed up to be a Musher and this is where the magic happens. There’s cheerful hellos from fellow Mushers and then I begin my chores almost robotically. Rarely orders are given as everyone knows their part and that the dogs come first. Sleds are drawn down from the rafters, sled bags are made up for the guests to sit in, water buckets are filled in each kennel, and then poo pick and dog beds are cleaned. All done before 9:15am when the kennel hand will usher the words “Start pulling” and the signal spreads like wildfire throughout the kennel. The first clip of a leash is heard by one dog and the Kraken is unleashed. The chaos starts as over 100 dogs are whipped into a frenzy all calling “Pick me! Pick Me!” jumping furiously at the pen doors hoping to be selected for the upcoming tour. The sound is almost deafening as Mushers must open pen doors while battling back the dogs all trying to get out, which even for the veteran Mushers is a feat as we have some real escape artists which would make Harry Houdini proud. If I was cold before I’m not now as my adrenaline starts pumping. Now I can choose to grab one or two dogs at a time, sometimes three, but two seems to be enough of a struggle in itself because sled dogs like to pull. I have never tried water skiing before but I think I would be damn good at it after skating across icy conditions in the kennel pulled by two dogs. Apparently, my body is strong enough to withstand being pulled into door frames, wooden poles, and rock hard ice from dogs yanking my leash in every possible direction as they cannot hide their excitement. I hitch my dogs to the drop line, if I manage to make it without any spills, and then it is back into the arena to grab two more until I have my dream team of eight. All this excitement and we haven’t even started mushing yet. This is the start of one of 5 tours so I hope you had your breakfast of champions because you’ll need your energy.
As some of you may not know, Forest Firefighting is a contract job and ends around September. As I needed to occupy my time during the winter months, I made a list of 14 different opportunities that involve both work or being a nomad. Using my networks (invest in relationships, one of my points from my last post), I met up with a friend while I was visiting Vancouver. I mentioned that dog sledding was a job opportunity that I was strongly considering as it was one of the most left field ideas on my list and why not try another crazy job idea? Little did I know that my friend’s, girlfriend’s, sister’s husband’s, best friend’s, friend was a dog Musher and whom I am currently working with. She put me in contact with the guy, we exchanged a few short messages and turns out he’s actually from around my hometown area! Next step was him taking a chance on me and putting me in touch with the boss. A quick phone call and some small details about the job and I was hired.
Before I started this job I received some backlash as individuals believed this was cruel and unusual punishment to the dogs and they deserved a better life. Let me give you a glimpse into the awesome life of what it is like to be a Dog Sled Guide (Musher) and a Sled Dog! After reading this, I hope you will understand, like me, that these dogs get a better life than the majority of house dogs.
When I became a Musher I had to be willing to put the needs of the dogs ahead of my own. Not only my team of 8 but of all 158 dogs we have at the kennel. I can proudly say I know all the names and love every single one of them, some more than others, but I would do anything for these dogs to ensure their health, safety, and happiness. Once you bark, howl, laugh, smell like the dogs, you truly become a Musher and part of the pack.
I work for Trapper’s Run (TDA), which is currently the only dog sled company in Whistler, BC. We contract to Canadian Wilderness Adventures (CWA) and Blackcomb Snowmobile (BS). Jaime Hargreaves started this business in 2007 after working at another dog sled company in town. However, she wanted to do it differently and opened her own business where she focused on the magical relationship between Musher and dog. Her goal is to eventually use dog sledding to help youth at risk at local summer camps to demonstrate reciprocal relationships including trust, communication and love.
In the past two years we have rescued over 95 dogs and work hard to build their confidence to become a contributing member of the pack. Our dogs work because they want to be a part of something, they want to be a contributing member of their society. It is not reward-based running, nor is it fear-based running as we never beat our dogs. Our dog’s performance is directly related to their personal confidence. Once we deem the dog ready for retirement they spend their days roaming free around the kennel waiting for adoption. However, there is nothing stopping any musher from bringing home the retirees for the night for a little R&R and a few extra cuddles!
Alaskan Racing Huskies hold the majority of the houses in the kennel. Alaskan Huskies are a type rather than an actual breed. Typically have short or medium length coats and can be of any colour or pattern. This type of dog is defined by the standards of performance rather than by their appearance. Basically, a dog that pulls hard and runs fast. An Alaskan Husky has physical traits which include a thick coat for protection in cold weather, durable feet, a physiology adapted to high-calorie intakes of food, a willingness to travel and pull, and an ability to comfortably change gaits from a walk, trot, and lope and above all else an uncanny desire to run. See here for a chart of breed characteristics.
A lot of guests ask why our dogs are not the typical “Hollywood” style Siberan or Malamute Husky. The simple answer is they would overheat with such thick coats. Which is why you will also find at our kennel German Short Haired Pointers and Greyhound crosses. These dogs are not as rugged but are extremely intelligent and fast -- perfect for Whistler’s warmer temperatures.
Typical day in the life of a Musher:
Cleaning:
Each morning starts by going around to each pen and filling the water buckets. Each pen has adequate space for dogs to romp around with their roomies which all have individual houses with straw for extra warmth and comfort. Then the poo pick starts as each Musher at some point during the day will enter each pen and pick up the little presents the dogs leave and clean up any dirty straw on the floor. The straw that is either wet or has been peed on is then disposed of and replaced. Obviously, once business is finished the Mushers are free to give extra love to the dogs which averages 3 dogs per pen. You won’t have to try too hard as the dogs are constantly in your space trying to grab a sniff, lick and kiss and hug you while you do your job.
Pulling:
When the time gets close to when the guests will arrive, each Musher will retrieve their dogs from the pens and bring them out to the drop line, essentially a wire line with short leashes to stage dogs before going on a run. During this process, the Musher must be very observant of the dogs energy levels, walking style and overall appearance to ensure they are in healthy shape to run that day. Once all 8 dogs fetched from their pens and put on the drop lines, the Musher will check every single paw to ensure there are no cuts, cracks or irritation. If there are little cracks then we apply a Pad Heal Moisturizer or Zinc compound to the paws and put little booties on for extra protection. Then we put harnesses on the dogs with their names stitched onto them, which the dogs proudly wear as their uniforms. The harnesses go across the dogs chest and along their backs so they are comfortable and do not choke. The dogs are then “soup’d” on the line before the first run to give them some extra protein. This soup consists of raw chicken that is boiled in water with some added canola oil for their coats. On lucky days the dogs will get some bits of fish and beef fat added to the soup. This allows the dogs to get the protein they need for the run and some extra water to ensure proper hydration.
As I mentioned previously, we run 8 dog teams so each dog has a running partner that is made up each day by our experienced kennel hands. Dogs are paired with buddies we know work well together and won’t get on each others nerves. Each dog runs depending on their physical capabilities. For example, yearlings and older dogs run depending on enthusiasm and fitness. This usually results in 1 run a day whereas dogs in their prime usually run up to 3 tours per day. The trail is 7km long so no dog runs more than max 21kms a day. Vet Street lists the Alaskan Husky as the 7th fastest dog in the world, which was recorded travelling at 45kph (28mph). Not only fast but built for endurance as particular strains of Husky can run up to 1,600 kilometres (1,000 miles), most notably performed at the Iditarod Race in the Yukon. In comparison, our dogs are not overrun as we are a social kennel here to have fun and show our guests the magic of dog sledding. After every run, each dog is given a treat of dried beef liver and a bit of soup to replenish their energy. Their final meal at the end of the day entails larger portions of raw meat and added kibble to the mix.
Our dogs not only get plenty of love from the Mushers but also from the many guests that we have the privilege of showing the experience of dog sledding. It is obvious that these dogs enjoy what they do which is shown by their large smiles, wagging tails and genuine excitement on the drop and gang lines in anticipation of the run. Just see for yourself!
Also check out this short interview about our kennel that explains a little more of what we are all about! Check it out here!
3 Things I learned from dog sledding:
1. Live in the Moment
Dogs are in the moment beings and generally forget 5 seconds later what happened. I can bring these dogs from their pens in a calm state to the drop lines where they are literally jumping up and down, barking, with their tails wagging in a heartbeat.
2. Love Unconditionally
No matter how many times I have seen these dogs, they always come and say “Hi!” like it is the first time I’ve seen them. They always have a smiling face ready to give kisses and hugs as they wrap their legs around mine. Even when I had to discipline dogs by using a strong voice (never hitting) they always return with more love to give.
3. When it is Your Time to Shine Give it Your All
These dogs love being sled dogs but sometimes on the drop lines it looks like the dogs might be falling asleep, no tails wagging, no smiles, and generally no interest in you. However, once the guests arrive and see the first dogs being hitched to the gang lines, they lose their minds. It’s complete chaos: with up to 48 dogs at the starting lines the noise and excitement is almost deafening as you have to yell to your guests to be heard. Once the dogs are hitched to the gang line, they are strapped in and ready to pull. Once you shout “Ready, HIKE!” they put their heads down and pull like their lives depend on it. Any job you do you should put your all into it because then what is the point of being there in the first place.
After all that chaos I get to come home to my girlfriend’s purebred Malamute who comes to the door every time I come home to say hi! I sometimes don’t think I have any more love to give but then I see his smiling face and my heart instantly melts. Check out our little bromance we got going on.
I hope I gave you a better understanding of what dog sledding is all about and hopefully it entices you to go for a tour or better yet become a Musher for at least a season!
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