Boots in the Field Journal- Volume 1

[DOGMAN]

Well, as I mentioned in an earlier post I want to start a blog documenting my daily life which incorporates a lot of "Boots in the Field" time....here is the first installment!

Autumn for me, is all about training/ conditioning sled dogs for the upcoming winter. My apprentice and I have a goal of 50 runs (at minimum 500 miles) on the majority of the dogs before the snow flys. In the fall we do not run on sleds, instead the dogs pull on on an ATV. We run dogs pretty much 5 days a week-we currently are working with 46 dogs- split into 4 groups..the race team, the tour team, the puppy squad, and the geriatrics. We have dogs ranging from 5 months to 13 years old...and all ages in-between.
Some days we may work every single dog..other days we may only run one team of 16. Today- we ran only one team.

First thing you have to do is secure the ATV to a solid object...Here thats an old Toyota 4x4...so the dogs dont run off before your ready
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You just tie a quick release to the anchor, and after all the dogs are hooked up- you hop on the ATV and pull the release
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But before you can do that you have to hook up all the dogs to the gang line
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You bring them out, one at a time and put them in harness- then clip them into the line
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Its a time consuming process...you bring them all out of the dog yard one at a time
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Eventually you get a bunch out there...they goof off while you keep bringing more out
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Once you get a team out- you hook up the last dog- then GO!
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TO be continued......

[DOGMAN]

Then its head up the driveway towards the Forest Service road
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then down the USFS road to the county road
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After 5 miles we stop for a water break
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Then switch drivers, turn around and head home
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Ending up right back at the kennel
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We then put dogs away, feed and water, and address injuries
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[Sourdough]

Dogman, do you work towards sprint or long haul endurance team......?

[DOGMAN]

Dogman, do you work towards sprint or long haul endurance team......?

I train similarly to an Iditarod (distance) team...We average about 10 miles an hour, although I occassionaly let the dogs travel up to 15mph. Whats different about my program than sprint or distance racing teams is that my dogs all have to PULL...not just trot along. But pull heavy loads (people) I often run 8 dogs teams pulling 500lbs in the mountains- an Iditarod team is composed of 16 dogs pulling about 250- 300 lbs....a sprint team carries even less weight. Those dogs either flat out sprint or Iditarod dogs trot and lope, so they arent feeling much resistance. My dogs are feeling alot of resistance-so they get really muscled up like body builders, while a racing team looks more like runners than weight lifters

[crashdive123]

Great pics and explanation of how you work the dogs (and you). Thanks.

[Rick]

Great post. How do you determine a dog's place on the gang line?

[BENESSE]

That was a truly enjoyable read/pics, Dogman.
Some of the dogs seem pretty young. Are they? I suppose you have to start with them early.
I always wondered why they didn't wear some kind of paw protection (shoes).

[gryffynklm]

That was a a great post. Been on a dog sled as ballast once. Definitely up there as a great experience.

[DOGMAN]

Great post. How do you determine a dog's place on the gang line?

The old school approach was, Big Dogs go in the rear- smaller dogs go up front...the theory was have your strongest ones in the back, and don't put the strain on the smaller ones...Smart ones become your lead dogs and you focus on training a couple of them to really know commands........

However, in new school- more modern mushing, we rotate all the dogs in and out of all positions this keeps a balanced team. If your big guys always had to be in the back- eventually they get too muscled up to run smoothly with the lighter gaited dogs that had been up front not getting as much resistance. So, on my team even the smallest dogs sometimes have to be in the rear. I try to teach all dogs to run in front "lead"...if you rely on just a couple of dogs to know all the commands your asking for trouble...it is like a baseball team only having one pitcher. Successful teams have a lot of talent in the dug-out! ready for the opportunity to play- same goes with a sled dog team.

Some teams, have certain dogs that run next to one another- because the get along better, etc... I dont do that either- all my dogs have to work with each other- they all have to get along- or they are sent down the road.

So for me- versatility is the name of the game...that way I am never left hanging if a particular dog gets injured...I always have a dog to step-in to fill the place

[Rick]

Cool beans. Thanks!!!

[DOGMAN]

That was a truly enjoyable read/pics, Dogman.
Some of the dogs seem pretty young. Are they? I suppose you have to start with them early.
I always wondered why they didn't wear some kind of paw protection (shoes).

I start working puppies as soon as they seem interested. They start pulling a log around the property (not in a team) usually around 4 months or so. They start running short distances with a small team of mellower dogs around 9 months, they keep doing that until they are about a year...as yearlings they really start working.

Actually, sled dogs often wear shoes (we call them booties) either made of Cordura or fleece depending on trails. The decision to wear booties or not is based on trail conditions, the foot condition of the dogs, and the speed and distance to be covered during the run. Far distances, really cold temps, fast speeds, mixed trails of fractured snow and ice (things that cut the dogs pads or stick between their tow's) require booties. We are currently running short distances (10 miles) on dirt roads, at slow speeds- so booties aren't required. We have put over 300 miles on the dogs so far this season, and haven't had any significant foot problems. The injury shown in the picture is above the ankle- a bootie would not have prevented it

[rebel]

That's pretty cool. Thanks for the pictures.

[hunter63]

DM, now that was cool.
I just love it when it's a been there, done that, now he's how it goes, post.

Will be looking forward to more.
Thanks!

[finallyME]

Excellent post. I do have a few questions for you.

It sounds like each individual dog doesn't run every day. Do you have a set schedule for each individual dog, or do you just try and run them as many days as you can? Is there an optimal running schedule for a dog?

Also, do you have any advice for buying a pulling harness? I need to get one. I have been using a padded collar on the bike and a cheap adjustable harness not meant for pulling.

[DOGMAN]

Excellent post. I do have a few questions for you.

It sounds like each individual dog doesn't run every day. Do you have a set schedule for each individual dog, or do you just try and run them as many days as you can? Is there an optimal running schedule for a dog?

Also, do you have any advice for buying a pulling harness? I need to get one. I have been using a padded collar on the bike and a cheap adjustable harness not meant for pulling.

I set-up training goals for each dog, and then have a schedule that I try to keep to for them. Much like human athletes your always builing them up, breaking them down, resting them to full recovery so they are even stronger than before...its a cycle with a goal of being in incredible shape by mid-Dec...

Older dogs (8 yearold and above) have tons of mileage in their lives, they might have some old injuries, but really know their jobs and have good muscle memory, and a great base layer of conditioning. I wont run those dogs nearly as much as I will the younger ones (in training season)...however, they will most likely run just as much during tour season. It doesnt take nearly as much time to get them in good form.

Younger dogs have different needs. Yearlings needs lots of repitition- but you dont wont to sour them with too many miles- so they get a lot of hook-ups and short-runs. Yearlongs and three year olds need lots of miles and hook-ups (repitition so they are going out all the time) and mileage because your really toughening them up to be the core of your team for the next 5 years or so...

Then I further split up training, by the dogs desires and needs- some dogs never want a day off...others need them. I gradually work the dogs up that want days off to a level of fitness that by Christmas they dont need days off for 10 days or so in a row...then give them 5 days off to recover and they can handle it...even though it may not have been their chose.

Every dog is different and has their own abilities as well as needs, so you have to individualize things to a degree. I don't keep dogs around though that dont want to work, dogs that fight, goof off, etc...all my dogs are of top bloodlines so their natural inclination is to do this type of stuff and love it, day in and day out.

There are a few differnet styles of pulling harnesses, I use Zima X back harnesses by Adanac Sleds made in Montana, they are really for sled dogs doing this type of work...there are better harness for straight up heavy weight pulling that one dog would be doing pulling a pulka...those are often either called H-backs or spreader bar harnesses...google those terms and you'll find companies that make them for about $20 bucks

[Alaskan Survivalist]

I guess I'm old school because I havn't used dogs much since snowmobiles got to be practical in the 70's. My brother in law still runs dogs and things have changed since they are not being used so much as practical work dogs, it's more of a sport these days. I always used my strongest dogs as wheel dogs for needed strenght to turn sled on trail. My wheel dogs were of a much different build and no lead dog would match there strenght no matter how much they exercised. I also alternated male, female when possible. I used fewer and bigger dogs. I also would train several dogs for lead so they would not tire breaking trail. I would only use my dogs with the longest legs with good fur on legs for breaking trail. The fur on their legs keeps them from sinking.
These dogs were just used for every day work like gathering firewood, hualing supplies, hunting and normal travel and not racing dogs. Racing has influenced dog mushing to the point it is hardly the same anymore. Racing did the same thing to motorcyles. I don't fly through the air at 90 miles an hour which is what these new bikes are designed for and I would rather have and old Honda trail 90. It's the same with dogs for me. Back then we would throw a caribou in the snow bank and go out with an axe to chop off a piece of frozen meet to feed dogs. They ate fish all summer. Now they have passed laws making it illegal to feed game animals to dogs. Unlike snowmachines they need to eat whether you use them or not. I've been considering dogs for survival but just a few big dogs. Big dogs have plenty of endurance they just don't have it at a fast pace. I had a 150 pound Malamute that was one hell of a dog and I kept the pick of his liters to have 3 dogs that served me well but I got way to attached to old Dylan and when he died about 15 years ago it just wasn't the same. As I contemplate retirement I'm condering getting dogs again but it is a big commitment of time and resources that need to be weighed carefully.

PS-with fewer dogs I can also afford kennels that I can move on a regular basis. It does a lot for thier health and gives them protection from visiting moose.

[DOGMAN]

I move my entire dog yard every spring. If you look closely...its just a bunch of t-posts and a few fence posts with some inexpensive hog wire creating an enclosure. It takes me two days to move the entire set-up. Notice there arent too many big holes in the dogyard, and there is still grass in there...long term dog yards have craters all over from digging dogs and all the ground is stripped bare from the constant running around. My dogs have been in this spot for just about a year. Also, to keep moose, bears and other critters at bay I have 2 Karelian Bear Dogs that roam my property all the time and alert us to any intruding wildlife. We see Bears frequently in our area...however, we havent ever had any get past our Bear Dogs and through our fencing.

You are right though...racing has really altered mushing. Dogs are stronger, healthier, and faster than ever these days. Racing has pushed the science of animal nutrition and the modern sled dog is treated not just as an asset, but as an athlete (and pet). IN the 1970's the winning times of the Iditarod was like 20 days- now its 9 days. In the 70's there would often be 15 to 20 dog deaths per Iditarod...this year there were ZERO.

[Rick]

How much food, in weight, does 46 dogs consume a week?

[Alaskan Survivalist]

Do it! Post it! I send rep! Well done.

[finallyME]

Thanks for all the info. I will look at an H-harness. She really doesn't seem happy unless she is pulling something. And the reason I got her breed was to be able to take a dog winter camping and not have to bring a bunch of special stuff so the dog doesn't freeze, and to have a dog that can pull my sled.