1. When you are teaching a dog 'gee' and 'haw', do you only teach the lead dogs or do you teach each one individually?
2. What do you feed your team, and when would be best? How much?
3. How do you teach your dogs 'on by' if you only have your own team to work with and no others to pass you?
4.How many miles should you go for each week in the first three years? (I heard that you shouldn't 'pack' them on until they are older than three, it can damage their shoulders and discourage them)
5. How often should you stay on the sled and how often do you get off of the runners?
6. Should you start with H back of X back harnesses?
7. If you are starting from scratch should you start with more than one or two dogs? (I was thinking about getting one first, one with the right 'stuff' to be a leader, training them for a season and getting the next one...and a season later getting two more if it was something that I could do, afford, and enjoy)
I know that I probably am not experienced to really get this down, but what is the harm in trying? I plan on being a companion animal vet so I should be able to afford the care of my dogs and care for them my self. Thanks for the answers! smile :D
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Great questions, and the answers would take more then I can type :) And to be fair many of the answers would depend on your situation, everything else your doing as poart of your training program, and what your goals are.
but luckily there are some great resources you can start learning from now.
Sled Doc Central is a very popular resource. It has links (on the left side menu) to clubs, mentors, and equipment suppliers, all by region. You can look there for people or events in your area, and volunteer for them. That will give your real hands on experience without having your own team. Races need help with timing and handling teams. Mushers sometimes have 'handlers' people who work for them and help them with kennel chores and training.
Working with an establish mushers is absolutely the best way to get the answers you want. Each kennel is different, so remember there is no one right way. And learning more about the sport you will begin to see how different ways of doing things make more sense in different situation. What you feed, harness and sled type, run lengths and frequency, they all depend on what your doing. Ask 20 mushers, get 20 answers. Get involved, help out, watch and learn.
Not to mention owning a team is insanely expensive, so working with established mushers allows you a 'test drive' so to speak
If your area is not a big mushing area there are still some good books to read now.
Dog Driver, but the Collins Twins is a great overall resource, covering the important topics of running dogs and kennel management. I would have to call it a must read for anyone getting started.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1577790…
I have not read the updated version, but can't imagine they would have gone to the trouble if they didn't think they had information worth adding.
Iditarod Champion Mitch Seavey recently wrote "Lead, Follow, or Get Out of the Way" Now you will laugh a lot reading it, but do not be fooled. He is really giving you some of the best serious advice if your wanting to be a successful musher:
http://www.ididaride.com/shop/books.htm
There is some great advice and explanation by two talented mushers in Skijor with Your Dog,
http://www.amazon.com/Skijor-Your-Dog-Ma…
And Backstage Iditarod offers some insight into that long distance event:
http://www.amazon.com/Backstage-Iditarod…
You might also enjoy Mushing Magazine:
http://www.mushing.com/
Happy trails
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