Dog Mushing for Dummies

Dog Mushing For Dummies

2011-03-24T15:44:00.000-07:00

4H Outline

2010-11-07T11:23:00.001-08:00

Outline for Watson Lake 4H Dog-sledding 2010-11

1-3 P.M. Sundays Dec.5 2010- March 2, 2011

Denetia School, Lower Post, B.C.

Leader-Bruce McKay 250-779-3334 (h)

This 4H course will combine theory and practical learning how to become a dog musher using the book Dog Driver: A Guide for the Serious Musher (Miki and Julie Collins Alpine Publications 2009 2nd.Ed.) as well as other resources. The students will complete an online diary on the blog-site Dog Mushing for Dummies (named for me and the readers not the students) http://bcyukonborder.blogspot.com/ by completing responses to the weekly posts.

In the first year I will have the 4H members use my reserve rescues as their dogs and will be providing the sled as we progress from dog care to actual mushing. The lessons go on no matter what the temperature as sled dogs will always need food, water, shelter and loving care. We will be sledding in temperatures up to -40 C so members are expected to dress appropriately. On the coldest days we will walk and feed the dogs before putting them in their inside kennel.

Week

The Essential Sled Dog? Meet and greet the canine crew.
Sled Dog Psychology. Thinking like a dog!
Sleds, Rigging, and Gear
Feed and Care
Maintenance Issues
Dog First Aide
Feet First...Foot Care
Breeding...Money...The Cost of It All
Trails And Conditions
On The Trail
Team Training
Dog Sled Camping
Competition- Sprint
Competition- Distance...Yukon Quest
Native Culture of Working Dogs
Celebration of Your Learning and Your Dogs

Exhausted!

2009-11-01T15:05:00.000-08:00

I took the dogs and hooked them up to sled for first time today after 35 cm of fresh snow. I went along the roads and Lindsay came along to help keep order. What a rush and that is with only 3 untrained dogs and mushers. :) We did about 5km along the plowed and packed roads, taking turns at the helm every couple of minutes. while other ran beside (or behind lead). A few tangles but I think next time I will get dogs to chase my vehicle to keep them going straight. I am exhausted! I think the dogs are too. I am sooo out of shape. I can't wait until river freezes over and we get a ski doo track laid. It was funny to watch my pup Flicker run along thge team ... she wants to be harnessed. I keep the sled in the school so it wont become a peeing post for the reserve strays. I think this is going to be a lot of fun!

Hard Easy Approach

2009-10-11T14:09:00.001-07:00

Lindsay Leading "the leader" Buddy to help keep him focused.

The approach I am taking with the dog sled harness training is one that I used as a runner... that of a hard/easy approach. One day is harder and involves the harness work and then the next day is a recovery day of off leash and leashed relaxed exploration and play. The dogs are beginning to get used to the harnesses but still need a guiding hand to stay on track. I am thinking of adding a guide rope to the lead dog while doing the dryland training to help keep him where I want him to go so that I can train the dogs alone when I don't have my helpers.

Nicole taking a turn upfront as we go onto a lovely forest atv trail.

Although dog team drivers are often referred to as "mushers", and "mush" is thought by many to be the standard word to get dogs moving, the word is, in fact, not often used as it is too soft for a distinctive command.
The word likely came from the early French explorers and their word "marche" (go, run) used as a command to a team to start pulling.
The most common commands for a dog team are:• Hike!: Get moving ("Mush" and "All Right" are sometimes also used).• Kissing sound: Speed up, faster.• Gee!: Turn to the right.• Haw!: Turn to the left.• Easy!: Slow down.• Whoa: Stop.• On By!: Pass another team or other distraction. (courtesy of http://www.athropolis.com/arctic-facts/fact-dogs-command.htm)

The dogs enjoying the off leash recovery time through our newly cleared and blazed trail.

This is part of the trail that connect Lower Post to an old logging road. that creates a wonderful 8km loop. The trail was reclaimed as Fred a 72 yr old elder cleared and blazed the trail after I discussed with him the need for more cleared trails in the community. Fred went and did this himself then after the band paid him for the work. I am glad some have vision and initiative.

The Training Begins.

2009-10-04T17:10:00.000-07:00

Nickcyn wondering why he is in this strange harness awaiting the other dogs to join him. Nickcyn isn't sure the dogsledding life is for him... little does he know!

The dogs are in their harnesses and clipped onto pull rope. After realizing Buddy would make better lead dog we put him up front. Nicole is guiding Buddy and I am being pulled. The dogs settled into the system but when we had to do a couple of bushwhack detours we saw some problems of being attached.The dogs adjusted to the harnesses nicely which are made in Whitehorse Yukon.

The nylon pull rope clips into a collar lead and then there is a loop on the rear of the harness that has a clip line attaching to the pull line. The dogs went easily into the harnesses but were anxious once hooked up but they quickly adapted once we determined which one belonged in front.

The dogs had a great walk and then we let them off leads to relax and enjoy the woods a bit before we attached them again. The trail that Fred McMillan (a 72 yr. old Kaska elder) cleared and marked is a beautiful rolling and windy loop trail that loops through mature mixed nothern boreal forest. Soft wet moss, fragrant labrador tea plants made the walk a beautiful excursion on a trail full of moose and bear sign. This trail will be used in the school's snowshoeing, xc skiing, and yes dogsledding activities.

The walks in harnesses will happen daily for the dogs as they adapt and adjust to the work in the harness and I learn the small details of training these novice sled dogs.

A tired and happy Buddy after his first day of dog sled training.

Raindrops

2009-08-03T21:40:00.000-07:00

The week of extreme heat left the Yukon and BC very dry. The forest fire risk is extreme. The smoke that filled the air the last few days was cleansed by a refreshing rain.

Sunday in the North

2008-11-09T12:39:00.000-08:00

Sundays are a day of rest for a lot of people. I take the day as a rest day as well but I use part of it to do planning for the upcomng week in school. I try to use Sundays to take time to reflect and believe me in the north you have time to reflect...snowstorms...power outages all add to the mix.
I am going to use this journal as a personal reflection tool for myself and others who may care to read my meandering thoughts.