2-Dog Sled Ride

We were finally able to get out dog sledding a few weeks ago.  We just beat the January thaw by one day.  

This is Blaze (left) and Chance (right) taking you for a trip down our road before we try and turn around.  Going forward is great, but since we don't have a circuit to run, we have to go down a straight road and turn around.  After that it's just a tangled mess with dogs who think they are done pulling and in charge.  lol

Hope you enjoy!

or watch here;YouTube

One thing I love about dog sledding is it still gives me a rush that can't be matched.  It is an awesome time with the dogs, no matter what happens and it is just a thrill to know they still love doing it.  

And really that's what it is all about.  :)

Dog Sledding Lesson- Don't Let Go of Sled!

Our winter has been warmer than normal and that makes for heavy, wet snow which is difficult to sled through with our two dog teams.  We haven't got out once this year...

So instead we wanted to show you one from last year with Chance and Blaze pulling Mark through the wooded area across from our street.  Mark isn't very good at controlling the dogs, as you'll see he almost panics when he takes off.  And today's lesson is, don't let go of the sled!

The video's about 7 minutes long and you can watch here on YouTube 

Thanks Googel...!

for making us cry all over again over Brut!

A little ditty that Google put together for us.  If you want to find out more about the 24 Paws of Love, 

Watch this:

The Dog Sledding Expert

As with any sport there are some bad apples in the group who twist the meaning of the sport with fierce competition.  And dog sledding is no exception.

We have seen both side of this just being on the edge of the mushing world.  One example in particular sticks out the most, when we went to buy Brut his first harness at five months old.

We traveled for about an hour until we finally found the feed store on the outskirts of a small village.  Being in such a rural area made the shop difficult to find and we were still a little uncertain we had the right place.  Brut and Silver were excited with the stop ready to get out and explore.

When we walked in we noticed the man behind the counter.  Average build, beard, mustache, late 40's and a sterness that held him above us.  Yes, it was that obvious.  We were newbies to the sport and he was a competing expert.  

He confirm we had the right place.  We then went to bring Silver and Brut inside to get fitted for their harnesses.  Hubby and I were both excited.  Even though they were used, we didn't care.  We couldn't wait to see if they fit.

With a young Brut sitting in the middle of a strange place, with a stranger, he was a bit scared.  Since neither of us knew how to put the harnesses on the dogs, Mr. Expert was about to show us how.

He walked up to Brut and started to put the neck hole over Brut's head.  Brut backed up and tried to stop him by grabbing his hand.  Mr. Expert was not amused and immediately backed off mumbling somethinglike he'd never let that happen.  Mr. Expert shook his head as it was obvious he was used to being in control of his dogs and never let one of them talk back to him.  What Brut did was unacceptable.

I don't remember the details after that, but both Brut and Silver somehow got their harnesses on and they fit great.

We talked for a minute with Mr. Expert about a race he'd just run that he didn't do so good at with the demeaning tone that it was surely the dogs fault.  He bragged for a while about his dogs with the undertone of the machines that they were instead the loving beings they were or that they had anymore use than that of a sled dog.

We talked about just sledding for fun and recreation, which his body language shouted loudly that that was unheard of, sled dogs were meant for racing.  And that's all they were meant to be.  Not creatures of passion or their own thoughts.

Maybe that is what makes it in the competitive world of dog sledding and if so, I want less of it than I did before.  I think it is sad that to some that is all a dog will ever be to them.  They and the dogs are missing out on so much more.  For when we sled it is all about the dogs and their fun and the day they lose the love for it is the day we stop.  It's just that simple.  It isn't about us getting a ride, it's about learning something together and working as a team, but mostly it's about having fun.

Look at those smiles!  ☺

Wonder when is the last time Mr. Expert had fun on a sled ride with his dogs?      

My name is Patty...

And I'm a dog sled addict!!

Whenever there's a hint of snow on the ground my brain freezes and my heart goes into a dog sled frenzy.  I can't stop myself, nor do I want to.  I just want more, more, more.  I'm afraid there is no hope for me and I can not be saved.  There is nothing like that first "whoosh" that rushes straight to your head and there is no turning back after that.

I'll admit I have a problem and the falling snow isn't helping.  Help!  I'm afraid I'm a lost cause to the dog sledding bug that bites me every winter for which the only cure is to DOG SLED!!

Did someone say dog sled? and snow?  I'm there!  I'm there!

There's no hope for me, but folks save yourself!  Unless, unless you care to join me....one time won't hurt...trust me......BAWHAHA!!

Looks fresh snow!!!!!!!!  Dog sled!  Dog sled!!  Dog sled!!

A girl, a dog and a bike. A short story

Girl hooks dog up to bike.

They take off down driveway

They land in ditch across the street

Girl and dog laugh like crazy

Our *NEW* Website!

We've been dragging our paws about sharing our 'new' website because mom hasn't had as much time to work on it lately, but we figure it is getting close to sledding season for those of us in the north, so we are going to unveil the beast!

Here's the link:

24 Paws of Love Website 

And why did we mention dog sledding?  Cause mom was getting questions on how to get started and couldn't answer everything in a simple email.  So she put together this website that has all kinds of valuable info for anyone who is thinking about getting started.  Not only that but you can ask questions and leave comments in the comment section.

We also have a bit about how our family got started and some other great tips and helpful ideas regarding dogs.

It isn't much, but we are awful proud of the dog sledding section and hope you will check it out!

SLED BRAIN

 Chance and Blaze last winter

I've got dog sledding on the brain.  Once a week I've been walking the dogs in pairs and practicing turn commands and they are coming along.

Well then I got the hair brain idea of taking Chance on my bike, my. two. wheel. mountain. bike, because my three wheeler has a flat.

My husband just looked at me and said, "You did what?  With Chance?  Any dog but Chance."

That's because Chance is the fastest dog and the strongest.

Obviously I made it back in one piece, although I don't have a clue how I stayed upright.  White knuckling it I suppose.  BOL!

It was a hell of rush splashed with terror.  All in one.  But we did it.  AND...we even ran into a family riding bikes and Chance did really good staying on track for the most part.

Chance was pissed when I made him turn around, he wanted to keep going while I had went as far as I was going.  BOL!

It was good practice though.  I can't wait to get on the sled!!

Why Brut didn't make the cut for the Iditarod

There's a reason Brut pulls firewood and helps me haul it in on the sled.  

Because on the road, Brut + Sled = Brut's the boss.

(Watch on  YouTube)

Guess we'll have to try out again next year!!

BOL!

*BTW-that was the first time Brut has ever done that with the horses.  He saw his chance and took it!  

Chance and Blaze take you for a sled ride!

For those of you who might have guessed it, the second video in yesterday's post was Chance and Blaze.  And that is all thanks to my wonderful husband who has a way with the dogs that I can not compare to and has the magic to make things work.     

I've been working with happy, positive reinforcement with getting Chance and Blaze comfortable with their sledding harness and taking it very slow and steady.  We are making great progress.  Chance and Blaze have both been watching Zappa and Silver take off on the sled and I know it is driving them crazy to sled.  So my husband surprised me after our run and just put on Chance and Blaze's harness, calm, cool, and assertive and off we went!  Just like that, they had them on and were ready to go.  No fear, no anxiety, no freezing up.  Daddy is magical that way.  :)

To warn you the video is 10 minutes long.  I ran them up and down the road a couple of times, just to work out some of that pent up frustration that you see Chance giving Blaze when we first take off.  He was probably letting her know that he is lead dog and not to crowd him.  He is used to running alone. 

The camera is off a little (sorry for the view!) but there's no mistaking the speed or power these two have together.  They know each other in and out and become quite a mental and physical powerhouse when they are paired. 

 Watch on YouTube here.

 

The speed is incredible.  When I ride with these two I can not imagine having 2, 4, or 6 more dogs hooked up!  It's a little bit scarier and I tend to be a little more high strung with Chance and Blaze than I am with Zappa and Silver.

Didn't they do great for their first time out this year?  I'm so proud of them for being willing to try and doing such a great job! 

And my wonderful husband who made it all happen is having a birthday today!  He'll be turning 28 again!  BOL!!

ONE HELL OF A RIDE!!

Hello readers!  Due to technical problems our dog sledding update from this weekend was delayed until today and what a time it was!  I am still reeling from it.  From start to finish the whole run ran smoothly with only one stop and no tangles.  It was great!  Zappa and Silver were kicking on this run, not like last weekend when they ran like they just woke up and the snow was slow.  The road was faster than last weekend, which makes a big difference when there is a good smooth base.  We shaved about 3 minutes off of last week's time.  See if you can tell the difference.

(Watch on YouTube)

They almost look like they know what they are doing!  I'm quite stunned by the whole adventure and at how well all three of us did together.  I'm so proud of them.  Silver is really digging it and Zappa is loving having a partner to cruise with.  I never tire of this experience.  It is just a joy and privilege to have dogs that love it as much as I do.

Readers Dog Sledding Questions

Well they say the road to hell is paved with good intentions and my entire weekend was spent on just that.  Our weekend sledding update has been delayed because of technical problems (#@!!#&*@#!!), so hopefully tomorrow we'll have the video up and running for you to show off my little team of Zappa and Silver's sledding skills and speed.  I don't want to give too much away, but they were AWESOME!

So we'll take this time to answer some readers questions about dog sledding.

Collie222 from All things Collie asked:  if I ever run more than two dogs?  Working with two is a challenge enough and we are still beginners.  For a long time I only ran with one, usually Chance.  I hope to be able to make it up to 3 dogs and then 4, but with more dogs, more problems.  Working with two dogs has been a big step for me, but a comfortable one this year.  Zappa and Silver are quite compatible in many ways and they work together well, which makes running with them much easier.

She also asked if the dogs ever get cold with their thinner coat?  Since all the dogs are part Husky, they all have that thick Husky undercoat that keeps them well protected.  And we usually run when them between 18-32F (-7.7-0C)depending on the wind chill.  If it's too cold for me, it's too cold for them is our motto.  :)

Emily from It All Started With a Pitbull asked:  If all the dogs like to pull?  Yes, they do.  Chance and Blaze were my top dogs for sledding when we got them back and they still love it, but I rushed into getting them used to their harnesses and they've never been comfortable with them.  Once we got running they forgot about it, but from the point of putting it on until we would actually go made them both anxious.  Neither of them like things on their back, so I am starting all over from the beginning making the harness a friendly tool and one they won't mind wearing so they can run again.

Brut likes to pull, but he is no good at being a sled dog.  For one he thinks he's completely the boss when he's pulling out in front of me, plus he takes like he's on a walk, stopping every fifteen seconds to mark.  But one thing he is great at is pulling firewood, it is our own little game and I think he just loves the Mommy and me time he gets with no one else around.  :)

Fiona loves it as well, but has bad hips to be able to do it.  Which is a real bummer because she would make a great lead dog, she loves to run and is smart and fast.

Thank you for the great questions and if anyone else has questions please feel free to ask.  I will answer to the best of my ability or find the answer for you.

Be sure to check back tomorrow to watch our latest sled video!

Come take a sled dog ride!

As promised we have video and we thought you might like to join us for a sled ride, so my wonderful husband mounted our camcorder on the sled to experience sledding from the musher's perspective.  The video is 10 minutes long and completes a training run.  We have Silver and Zappa who are both still learning, but are doing great.  It's a process for all of us.  They were both enthusiastic to go, but I found on the ride that I was doing more running than usual, hence the heavy breathing.  Today was more of a relaxed ride, than a driven one.  As I mentioned in my last post I wanted to work on Silver doing U-turns while in motion.  Each time I tried, the dogs stopped and got completely tangled.  But she did great for a first time and I know she will get it eventually.

We never did make it to the dog sled races.  After the frigid week we had and finally a chance to actually be outside hubby and I decided if we were going to freeze our butts off, we were going to spend it sledding our dogs.  And we did just that!  

So hop on the sled and let's go for a dog sled ride!

(also on YouTube)

Cool, isn't it??  :)

Zappa, my Champ

Champ Zappa and I after a good run

The air was cool, the sun lowering and it was a perfect evening for a bike pulling ride with Zappa.  Special thanks to http://www.dogbarkcollar.com for making this post possible.

Now Zappa loves the bike, he may never be too crazy with the pulling a sled in the snow, but the bike is just his style.  In this short window of fall that we have in the north, every moment counts.  I took him out about three days ago and it was just right that we should take another ride together.

He is always excited when he sees the harness, but it isn't until I ask him if he wants to pull that he sits down and lets me put it on.  Getting him attached to the bike is usually quite the chore, I can't keep him in one place and I'm usually constantly untangling him, but tonight we got all hooked up with little trouble.  I asked Zappa if he was ready and he starts down the driveway slowly while I hop on the bike.  I almost forget to pedal to help him get a good running start and we are off.  He picks up the place and is flying like the wind.  There seems to end to his energy.

Together up the hill we climb, he runs, I pedal, we cross over to the dirt road but I make the trip shorter than usual.  I just want him to stretch his legs and build up those muscles.  So I tell him to turn around and he does without a hitch.  I'm so excited, most of the dogs haven't been able to catch on to this very well and I have run into problems, but Zappa handle it like a champ.  He was slower after we turned around but still at a good steady pace.  My husband who was near house called Zappa and Zappa got his second wind and began to pick up speed.  He carried that steady pace right up to the driveway.  You'd have thought he had won a race I was so excited.

It was a great learning experience as always and it was great fun.  Hopefully in a few days we will be able to try again.  And look, here's a little video of our return.  Hope you enjoy!

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Calling out to Cat lovers everywhere...

Check out Boxer's latest injustice of living in Muttville on the 

36 Claws of Attitude.