Training Methods and Records
A rigorous, year-round, humane training programme built on trust and friendship - with clear boundaries and a season-by-season plan from autumn conditioning to puppy training.
Our rigorous, year-round training programme is respectful, humane and safe. We train by building trust and friendship while, just as with a child, keeping clearly defined boundaries. The programme runs across autumn, winter, spring and summer, and covers potty and puppy training too.
- Year-round, humane training built on trust, friendship and clear boundaries
- Autumn conditioning starts on quad bikes / carts once temperatures stay below 5C
- Low speeds early on build endurance and proprioception while minimising injury
- Dogs trained to wait calmly and quietly to conserve energy and reduce fights
- A GEE / HAW area on the farm teaches turn commands before the 6km route opens
Autumn season - conditioning
Condition training starts on quad bikes and training carts in autumn, once temperatures stay consistently below 5C. Speeds are kept really low so the dogs build endurance and proprioception rather than pace, keeping injuries to a minimum.
As winter approaches we add miles. Sleighs give us less control over speed, but by then the dogs are fit and their muscles protect their joints. We still need a good base of snow to compact the routes and make them safe.
Conservative early-season combinations
Early in the season we are very conservative with combinations, since energy runs high. Mileages are so low and similar that the traffic lights take a while to get going, so we simply run every dog at least every other day.
The dogs also relearn to wait calmly and silently around the trails, conserving energy, sparing us shouting over barking, and cutting the risk of fights or destroyed equipment in the lines.
Opening the routes
Early routes are few, as the marshes need deep snow and the rivers must freeze safely. A good GEE / HAW training area on our own land keeps the dogs turning to command, and we open the marshland tracks first, then our 6km route once the rivers are safely frozen.
We also reteach last year's pups to run without leaping up and eating their harnesses at every stop. These are probably the guides' favourite months, learning something new about each dog every day and seeing who is ready for more responsibility.
Good to know
- Training
- Year-round across all four seasons
- Autumn conditioning starts
- Once temperatures stay below 5C
- Early-season target
- Run every dog at least every other day
- First long route
- 6km, once rivers are safely frozen
Ready when you are
Real wilderness, 200+ huskies, eighteen winters in.