Dog Sledding - Equipment and Setup

[@johncoates8757]

Very good, simple and clear explanations.

[@ivoberounsky5947]

super video, thanks

[@ronniegriffith983]

Could I use some kind of wagon in place of the sled if so any ideas on the best type of wagon would be

[@huskytrails3654]

Do you mean for when there's no snow? That category is called "dryland mushing" and it can be done with a lot of different setups. For 1-2 dogs, many people use a bike (=bikejoring). Here is a video link to the equipment and setup you would need for that (kzbin.info/www/bejne/a4HMknyVo9iFpbs). For 3+ dogs, people use what's called a rig, it's essentially a mushing tricycle (www.articrigs.com/index.php/dryland-racing-rigs ). And for really large teams, people use an ATV. There is also a related sport called "carting" and they use literal wagons (k9carting.com/product/dog-wagon/). The key difference is though that you wouldn't be standing on it anymore, you would be walking next to it. Traditionally, it is used to haul things. That's for example what Rottweilers were originally bred for, to pull the butcher's wagon to the market. Dogs that are usually used for carting are from the molosser/mastiff family, for example Bernese Mountain Dogs. They are slightly more suitable because of their wide and bulkier/stronger build. This is also not done at a trotting or sprinting speed for which those types of dogs wouldn't be ideal. You could probably do carting with a husky, but they might get a bit bored with not being able to go faster. I'm not sure if this is what you meant by using a wagon. But either way, for anything mushing, I would not use a homemade wagon. I would narrow down exactly what type of mushing or mushing-related activity you want to do and then look specifically for a vehicle that fits that. There are a lot of factors that go into this like the right tires, brakes, dimensions to make it safe. I hope this helped!

[@ronniegriffith983]

@@huskytrails3654 That is what I was talking about. I do have a husky a male. He is almost a year old. He will be in January and I'm really new to his breed and 53 years old. And he is a handful to say the least. But I have grown to love him ended up with him. In some weird circumstances that I won't go into. Because it would take me a while to explain. I would've never chose ahusky as a pet enormous circumstances. But I'm so glad that he came along when he did. But he's so active that I need something to drill some of the energy out of him without it. Being attacking me, he doesn't attack me. He is so playful, but he is a brute. Big dog and he is a bit much to handle. So I just wanna work some energy off of him. And is this the best I get? I guess the idea of a way to do that. I do have some properties that I could fence and let him run. I'm planning to do that. However, finances do not allow it at this moment. I just want what's best for him. And I'm afraid you know like I say that if I don't work some of that energy off I'm just not going to be able to take care of him like he needs. I can eat any advice is very much appreciated and what advice you've already given and the video certainly appreciate that explained everything I need to do with the bike to the tea. The only thing I have issue with is there are no trails where I'm at and I would have to run him on pavement and it says not to do that. So therefore I'm kind of stuck in limbo on all of it. But thank you so much

[@huskytrails3654]

@@ronniegriffith983 It sounds like you and your husky really found each other. Many owners come to their dogs in unplanned and adventurous ways, I'm sure you'll grow into a really good team. The fact that you're thinking about what you could do with your husky and are reaching out to inform yourself shows how responsible you are and how much you care. I think that's awesome. Not every dog owner does, even people who planned for their dogs. Good for you and for your pup 💙 Yes, you're right. You shouldn't do any mushing on pavement. At least not regularly. You don't have to go to like gigantic National Parks or whatever. If you have any park with a little trail system or even dirt roads through wooded areas or meadows etc. will work just the same. Sometimes even city parks can be an option. Another option, at least for the winter, could be golf courses and country clubs near you. Sometimes they will open their property to the public in the off season. I would not immediately start with a bike, sled, skis etc anyway. Your husky should be about a year old before you guys do any pulling. Until then, or for the next weeks or so as you guys get started, you should start with training mushing commands. That is something you don't even need a trail system or anything for. You can do that on your regular walks. Here's the link to my video going over how to teach that (kzbin.info/www/bejne/iZiTYmhpf9Jjmck). The cool thing with this is that any form of mental exercise (e.g. training mushing commands, training general obedience like sit/down/stay, or any type of mental game) will tucker your dog out similarly to physical exercise. So I would start with that. It will tire your dog out and it will also strengthen the bond between you guys. You will grow together and learn to trust each other and become a team. This part is just as much fun and it will be the foundation for everything you do later, mushing or just in general 😊 Here is also a link to a cool game you can do with your dog inside kzbin.info/www/bejne/lZ2Tp3qip7GNntU Another mushing-related activity you can do that doesn't require a wheeled rig or anything but gives the dog a similar exercise is canicross (= jogging with your dog mushing style) or going on hikes (also with a mushing setup). I would say start with all of these things. This will keep you guys busy for a while and take it all at a speed where you can get used to each other and then learn and grow more together into the sport. Huskies are also general adventure dogs and if you're active in any way outdoors, for example go camping, they are great to just take along. They are happy as long as they can do some sort of job with you and be on an adventure with you. You don't have to start with sledding from the getgo. I didn't either. No need to rush anything. Again, I think it's awesome what you did and are doing for the husky. I'm sure he is super grateful and will become a great adventure buddy for you. I wish you guys all the best. Feel free to reach out if you have any other questions 🍀

[@ronniegriffith983]

@@huskytrails3654 Thank you so much first of all for the compliment. Appreciate it. However, I feel that I fall far short of anything that the dog probably needs. But I try my best. I walk with him every night. Which most of the time turns into some running jogging. He is really really active I'll live in the mountain. And there are plenty of woods. There are no trails through but kind of adventurous myself and th there have been trails through them in the past. That's just grown up. No reason they can't be put back in. And he has already explored the woods on several occasions when he escaped. Anyway, LOLI wouldn't really say escaped. But I'm gonna tell you a little bit about hell. I met balto us his name. There was a girl that chose the name. I didn't have it in me to give him a name at the time. Last January my house burned to the ground. I lost everything I had most importantly. My only friend I had in the world. My little long hair Chihuahua. Well, he didn't make it out. And and it's weird how everything where and has gone since and continues. But the the mother of Baltimore. Showed up at my house, one lady had stopped me a few nights before and show me a picture of a husky that was medicine and I told her that I was out a lot. If i'd seen it I would let her know. She said the number was on the call. The dog that came here she. She didn't have a call lately. Beautiful dog out. I fell in love with her pretty much instantly. Also, however, I could not see her. She was at the stage that percent is at now. Probably minute just Bein at rambunk rambunk's. I guess I don't know what the words would be what you would say, though. I can't deposit so gave her to these people they lived in Kentucky and I am in virginiand what about an hour and a have for me worked with my cousin? The people that I gave her to turned up. She was pregnant though and when they found out that. But my Chihuahua didn't. Make it out of the fire. They offered me one of her pups. And I was so very hesitant about eighty sthing much less ever own And he has already explored the woods on several occasions when he escaped. Anyway, LOLI wouldn't really say escaped. But I'm gonna tell you a little bit about hell. I met balto us his name. There was a girl that chose the name. I didn't have it in me to give him a name at the time. Last January my house burned to the ground. I lost everything I had most importantly. My only friend I had in the world. My little long hair Chihuahua. Well, he didn't make it out. And and it's weird how everything where and has gone since and continues. But the the mother of Baltimore. Showed up at my house, one lady had stopped me a few nights before and show me a picture of a husky that was medicine and I told her that I was out a lot. If i'd seen it I would let her know. She said the number was on the call. The dog that came here she. She didn't have a call lately. Beautiful dog out. I fell in love with her pretty much instantly. Also, however, I could not see her. She was at the stage that percent is at now. Probably minute just Bein at rambunk rambunk's. I guess I don't know what the words would be what you would say, though. I can't deposit so gave her to these people they lived in Kentucky and I am in virginiand what about an hour and a have for me worked with my cousin? The people that I gave her to turned up. She was pregnant though and when they found out that. But my Chihuahua didn't. Make it out of the fire. They offered me one of her pups. And I was so very hesitant about 80 saying. Thanks much less ever own another. Even a goldfish. But that got me still to this day still do you? It is I don't know how to explain what that has done to me. There's a lot of other things that go along with what I'm just kind of giving you the. Overall, just of what matters I guess when it all comes down. But there's a lot of things that get all around this town where my house burn. And to be quite honesthis has really taken A mental toll on me that I would not wish own. Another reason I don't feel like I'm appropriate to have balto right now but honestly. You need sanity if I have any left. Yes, because of him that I still have it. He has been a great help in a lot of is hard in others I'm sorry I don't talk to anyone about this thank you for your attention advice vidios and most of all your kindness God bless you all the best to you and yours

[@huskytrails3654]

@@ronniegriffith983 I am so truly sorry for what you had to go through and are still going through. I can't even imagine 😢 But maybe this husky puppy was on some level meant to come into your life and now you have someone at your side to walk the road ahead together with. It sounds like your husky is still fairly young, so I really wouldn't worry about actual pulling at this point. I'd focus on getting the basic commands down and just adjusting to each other and growing together as a team and figuring things out together. You can also already get your dog used to some mushing equipment like a pulling harness and walking on a bungee leash and the idea of being up front and (ever so slightly) pulling. All of this will take time anyway. So by the time your dog is fully grown and you might consider a mushing rig, you guys will already be ready to go because you don't need to worry about all those basics anymore 😊 Many people underestimate how much time actually goes into all of this before you do any actual sledding or biking etc, so when that time comes, you'll be a step ahead. It also sounds like you live in a really good area for a husky (in the mountains?). Huskies are the ultimate adventure buddies. Not every husky needs to pull a sled. Whatever you can do outside in the woods together with your dog, be it hiking, camping, fishing, canoeing, your dog will love it! You could get him a little doggie backpack and he can carry his own water bottle and snack (start with easy weight for a puppy though). I can guarantee you that all of this also mentally stimulates dogs and tuckers them out just as much. Every tired husky is a happy husky 😀Feel free to post here if you have any questions regarding the setup for a specific activity, training or anything like that. I truly wish you and your husker all the happiness in the world and that you can embark on a brighter new chapter together 💚🌄

[@thangdal5101]

😊

[@jkulrty]

I ave the same sled. I changed the bolts for some locking pins.. makes assembling so quicker

[@huskytrails3654]

Thank you for your comment. That is such a great idea with the locking pins! What length do you use? You don't find that they have too much wiggle room?

[@jkulrty]

@@huskytrails3654 2''1/4. I had to drill the holes a little bit wider for them to fit. I had to filethem a bit so they wouldn,t be to hard to take out.

[@huskytrails3654]

@@jkulrty I'll look into it. Thanks for the tip!

[@monkshavano3613]

Thank you,what a sweet puppy you have

[@huskytrails3654]

Thank you :) I am grateful every day that I have such a fantastic outdoor adventure buddy. I will have the second video in this series coming up shortly as well explaining the gear and setup for bikejoring. Cheers!

[@heidoninthephilippines]

i have a Rottweiler....he loves the kicksled....im adding a second rotti and this video was very helpful....this video pointed out the many things i did wrong....from harness tail placement...what a gang line is.....i have apologized to my dog and will outfit them both correctly this year...ty

[@huskytrails3654]

Thank you for your kind comment. I'm sure your pup didn't care all that much about how you did things and was just super happy doing this with you regardless of your setup. But I'm glad this helped and will hopefully further improve your adventures together. That's awesome that you're doing this with a Rottweiler btw, as they were also originally bred to pull loads. Happy trails to you and your growing pack.

[@ComposerMathieu]

I'm curious if you've ever tried a pulka? I recently received one for my husky as an early birthday gift and I'm having a difficult time finding information online about how to properly set up/connect all the bands.

[@huskytrails3654]

Hi Mathieu. That's where you have a small sled behind the dog and then you XC ski behind that, right? I have never done that, I don't have a pulk sled. I am in the US and I agree with you that it's not very easy to find information and equipment for that sport. I think it's more popular in Scandinavia. Maybe Norwegian mushing outfitters like Non Stop Dogwear or other Scandinavian sites have more information? I use Howling Dog Alaska for a lot of my stuff. I know they sell harnesses for pulka (howlingdogalaska.com/products/pulka-harness?_pos=1&_sid=6f2fea349&_ss=r). Their customer service is also excellent. They walked me through a lot of information when I started out. They can probably guide you through the setup (although probably only if you buy something from them). The other thing I can think of is Reddit if you know and use that. They have a skijoring subreddit (r/skijoring) and I bet there are some people who do this and can help you. The mushing subreddits in general are typically a very helpful community. Sorry I can't help more. Good luck and happy trails to you and your pup!

[@ComposerMathieu]

@@huskytrails3654 I wasn't aware of the subreddit! Thanks for the info and happy trails 😊

[@awakenyogavt]

I want to start mushing! I’m seeking out a used kicksled. But where do you buy your lines?

[@huskytrails3654]

Hi Kat. I bought my gangline/bungee line and tugline from Nooksack Racing Supply. They are a small mushing outfitter in Maine who are professional and recreational mushers themselves. Other mushing outfitters I can recommend are Howling Dog Alaska, Mountain Ridge, and Alpine Outfitters. Or if you just type "dog mushing lines" into Google, it should come up with a bunch of mushing outfitters and you can just browse and compare them. I'm in the United States and can only speak to the US and to some extent Canadian market. Depending on where you live, you might get different Google results. Or you could contact some of the above companies and ask if they ship internationally (if you live outside North America). I hope this helped. Feel free to reach out if you have any other questions. This is an awesome hobby to get into with your dog. Will you be doing this with one or more dogs? Happy trails to you and your dog(s)!

[@dominikas1518]

I have the same kick sled as you but from akko sports. I have recently modified it; extended the basket so i can fit more gear like a tent and wood stove, extended the claw brake, replaced foot grips to something with better grip,and added a drag brake too. Next step is to make a bag for it.

[@huskytrails3654]

That sounds like an awesome rig! Would you mind sharing a picture of it? I'm really curious what it looks like. So do you go on like overnight camping trips or something with that setup then? Yes, somebody else had mentioned Akko Sports before. I need to check them out 😊

[@dominikas1518]

Here is a link to the picture of the sled. drive.google.com/file/d/1O09gFrqNkM2tTRT_xJ0SdrUDOs3VvxAB/view?usp=drivesdk

[@huskytrails3654]

@@dominikas1518 I believe you need to give me access to that Google drive. I can't view it like this.

[@relaxandchill2125]

I am just wondering if it’s OK just have one husky to pull you because I thought you need 2 or more

[@huskytrails3654]

Yes, you have a good point. This is a kicksled and they are made for one or two dogs. You can use it with one dog just fine but if you're going uphill or straight in deeper or stickier snow, you have to get off and push and support the dog. One dog is not enough power to pull you in all conditions. With dog sledding in general, the dog should have very little actual pull on the line, it's more like a gentle tug (hence the word "tugline"). If you see your dog is actually pulling hard, you have to get off and help. Mushing is not just standing on the runners in the back and enjoying the ride. It's usually a pretty decent workout. Hope this helped :)

[@romanrambler8682]

Thanks I'm trying to learn and this was helpful

[@huskytrails3654]

You're welcome, I'm glad it helped 😊 Feel free to post here if you have any specific questions. A lot of the information I go over in my "bikejoring" videos is also applicable to sledding. I'm also working on getting a video ready on how to teach the commands, which might be helpful to you. It's such a great hobby to do together, I'm sure you and your dog will have a blast learning and exploring it together.

[@shedthelove2741]

Looks like the sled is from Akko Sports :)

[@huskytrails3654]

I actually inherited the sled. I have no idea where it was originally from. I have never heard of Akko Sports before. But thank you for putting them on my radar. I'll definitely check them out for future equipment :)

[@shedthelove2741]

@@huskytrails3654 I started with that same kick sled :) There is also Hans Gatt in Whitehorse, or Alpine Outfitters in the USA

[@huskytrails3654]

@@shedthelove2741 Love Alpine Outfitters! Will have to check out Hans Gatt. What sled are you using now and with how many dogs?

[@shedthelove2741]

He built me the “Mid Distance” sled