Alaska’s sled dogs are more than just animals — they are hard workers, teammates, and trusted friends. Every day, they wake up in the cold, eat special meals, get health checks, pull sleds through snow and ice, and rest together at night. Let’s step behind the gates and see what a real day looks like for these brave dogs.
Early Morning: Waking Up in Alaska’s Wild
Sleeping Under the Stars
When you picture sled dogs at night, think cold. Really cold. These dogs do not sleep on soft beds inside warm homes. Instead, the sleep outside like every other animal, enjoying the night skies that their ancestors slept under. Each dog has its own sturdy wooden dog house. Inside, straw works as insulation and keeps the cold snow away. Even at minus 30 degrees, sled dogs sleep well. Their thick fur keeps heat in and snow out.
Living outdoors in fresh air helps them stay healthy and ready for long runs on winter trails.
Dawn Calls: Mushers and Dogs Rise Together
By 6 in the morning, the musher comes outside. The yard is still dark, but the dogs know the sound of boots on packed snow. A chorus of howls and barks fills the quiet forest. This is not noise — it’s a sign the dogs are awake, excited, and ready to work.
Young dogs learn from older dogs. Pups see the lead dogs stand tall and watch for harnesses. Energy spreads through the whole yard.
Morning Checks: Healthy Dogs First
Paw by Paw
Before any sled leaves the yard, the musher checks every single dog. First, they run hands over paws. They look for tiny cuts, cracked pads, or ice stuck between toes.
The musher watches how each dog stands and walks. A slow dog might have sore muscles and will stay home for rest and massage. This careful check means the team stays safe and strong.
Many kennels now use simple digital tools or apps like QPaws to track how each dog feels. These notes help the musher plan feeding, training, and rest days.
A Meal with a Purpose
After checks, it’s breakfast time.
A sled dog breakfast might include:
- High-fat dry food for fast fuel.
- Warm fish or raw meat for protein.
- Broth to keep the dogs warm and hydrated.
The musher keeps an eye on the dogs. If a dog skips food, that is a red flag. A healthy appetite means a healthy dog.
Want to know what else goes into sled dog care? Visit How We Train and Care for Our Sled Dogs to see our daily work behind the scenes.
Preparing to Pull: Teamwork Starts Here
The Excitement Grows
After the meal, the dogs are even more excited. They know the next step: harness time.
A harness fits around the dog’s chest and shoulders. It lets the dog pull the sled.
Choosing the Right Line
The sled dogs work as a team:
- Lead dogs run at the front. They listen for commands like “Gee” for right and “Haw” for left.
- Swing dogs run behind the leads. They help the team turn smoothly.
- Team dogs run in the middle. They add power and keep the line steady.
- Wheel dogs are at the back, closest to the sled. They help get the sled around turns.
Want to meet these special dogs? Go to Meet the Dogs and get to know their stories.
Gear Checks: Sled and Supplies
Before leaving, the musher checks the sled. This is not just a simple sled. It has strong runners, a brake, and a snow hook. The snow hook is like an anchor that holds the sled in place until the musher is ready to move.
The musher also checks:
- Gear bags for first aid supplies.
- Extra booties for paw protection.
- Snacks and water for breaks.
- Safety tools in case of bad weather.
Hitting the Trail: The First Pull
When everything is ready, the musher shouts a command like “Let’s go!” The snow hook lifts. The dogs lean forward as one team. Snow sprays up as paws dig in. The sled slides over packed trails, and the ride begins.
The lead dogs stay alert for commands. If the musher says “Haw!”, the team turns left. If they say “Gee!”, the team goes right. If a moose or other animal appears, the musher shouts “On by!” This means the dogs should pass without stopping.
You can try these commands yourself on a real ride. Check out Drive a Dog Sled: The Ultimate Interactive Experience to plan your own sled dog adventure..
The Musher’s Eyes: Reading the Dogs
Even while moving fast, the musher watches every dog. Is one pulling too hard? Is another drifting to the side? A smart musher sees these small signs.
This bond between musher and dog keeps the whole team safe on icy trails.
Pulling as One: The Heart of the Team
Built to Run
A sled dog’s body is a perfect running machine. Their thick double fur keeps heat in and snow out. They have powerful bodies that help pull heavy sleds for hours.
But power alone is not enough. A good sled dog team needs teamwork. Every dog must know its spot and job. If one dog jumps ahead or pulls back, the whole line feels it.
The Musher’s Commands
The musher is like a coach. Commands must be clear and fast:
- “Hike!” or “Let’s go!” to start.
- “Gee!” means turn right.
- “Haw!” means turn left.
- “Whoa!” means stop now.
Lead dogs respond first. Swing dogs help swing the line. Team dogs hold the line tight and steady. Wheel dogs keep the sled stable.
Too many commands can confuse dogs. Too few can cause mistakes. A good musher finds the right balance.
Inside the Sled: Gear and Safety
The Sled Itself
A sled is more than wood and rope. It has:
- Runners: Long strips under the sled that glide on snow.
- Handlebars: Where the musher stands and steers.
- Brakes: Metal claws that dig into snow to slow down.
- Snow hook: A strong anchor to hold the sled still.
Gear bags carry:
- Booties and spare harnesses.
- First aid for dogs and musher.
- Food and snacks.
- Extra layers for cold emergencies.
Want to pack like a pro? Check out our Winter Sledding Gear Checklist for cold-weather essentials.
Why Mushers Carry Extra Gear
No one wants trouble on the trail, but Alaska is wild. A sudden storm can trap a team overnight. Thin ice can break under weight.
Good mushers pack:
- Headlamps for dark trails.
- Snow shoes.
- Emergency blankets for dogs.
- GPS or radio for bad weather.
Alaska’s Wild Terrain
Flat Riverbeds
Some parts of the trail follow frozen rivers. These stretches are wide and flat.
Steep Hills and Tight Turns
Mountain trails bring steep climbs and sharp corners.
When climbing mushers may step off the sled and run behind to lighten the load.
Snow Drifts and Whiteouts
Crosswinds build tall snow drifts.
A whiteout — when snow and wind erase all landmarks — is one of the hardest things mushers face. In these moments, mushers trust lead dogs’ instincts and memory to find the trail.
The Danger of Wildlife
Moose and More
Moose are huge, tall animals that do not always move when a sled comes by. They stand still and stare. Sometimes, they charge if they feel threatened.
Dogs are trained to pass by calmly. If a moose blocks the trail, the musher stops far back and waits or tries to lead the team around it.
Wolves and Bears
Wolves usually keep away.
In bear country, mushers carry firearms for true emergencies — but these tools are last resorts.
Why Rest Matters So Much
Checkpoints on Long Trips
Big races like the Iditarod or Yukon Quest have checkpoints every 60–100 miles. Here, mushers sign in, check dogs, and feed them warm meals.
Teams rest for a few hours. Dogs curl up in straw beds, tails over noses. Mushers sleep nearby, sometimes on the sled, sometimes in small tents.
Warm Meals for Tired Dogs
Long miles burn huge calories. A sled dog may eat over 10,000 calories a day during a big run. Meals are rich in fat, meat, and broth.
Food is warm to help keep body heat up. Water is warm to keep it from freezing inside the bowl.
Paw Care: The Daily Task
At every stop, booties come off. Mushers rub soft balm into paw pads.
Then new dry booties go on.
How Mushers Bond with Dogs
Quiet Time After Work
After food and paw care, mushers spend quiet minutes with their team. They rub shoulders, scratch ears, and talk in calm voices.
This bond is love. A sled dog that trusts its musher will listen in a storm, turn on a tricky trail, and stay calm if something scary appears.
Dogs and People: A Shared Journey
Many mushers say they learn from their dogs every day. Patience. Teamwork. Bravery. Respect for the wild.
The dogs get food, shelter, and warmth. The musher gets a true team.
From Puppy to Trail Hero: How Sled Dogs Learn
Small Paws, Big Dreams
Every great sled dog starts life as a tiny puppy with wobbly legs and wide eyes. In Alaska, many mushers raise pups right in the same kennel where older dogs live and work.
Puppies grow up hearing barking teams, and musher voices. This early start teaches them to feel safe, trust people, and watch older dogs. By the time they’re a few months old, they already know the smells and sounds of trail life.
Early Lessons
At around 1 month old, puppies start light training. They don’t pull big sleds yet — instead, they go on puppy walks and play beside older, calm dogs. This teaches them:
- How to interact with other dogs.
- How to follow voice commands.
This first training is playful. It’s about trust, fun, and bonding.
Summer Training
Even when snow melts, the training does not stop. In summer, teams pull carts on dirt roads or gravel trails. This keeps muscles strong and minds sharp.
Dogs run and play off leash, stopping, and turning — just like on snow. They learn to listen, watch for commands, and trust the musher in new places.
The Deep Roots of Mushing
Long Before Tourism
Long ago, sled dogs were not for fun rides. They were family lifelines. Alaska’s Indigenous peoples used dog teams to hunt, carry goods, and travel from village to village.
In remote places, sled dogs meant survival. They helped people bring food home in deep winter. They carried mail across frozen rivers. They even carried life-saving medicine during the famous serum run.
How the Iditarod Keeps the Story Alive
Today, the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race runs each March from Anchorage to Nome. This thousand-mile race honors those early mushers and dogs who faced blizzards, thin ice, and wildlife to deliver hope to far-off towns.
Our own mushers learn from these stories. They use old wisdom — how to read snow, how to pack light, how to care for dogs first — in every tour and training run.
Mushing Today
Modern mushing is not just big races. Many mushers run family kennels that open their gates to visitors.
When you visit a kennel, you learn:
- How we feed and care for dogs year-round.
- How gear keeps dogs safe.
- How each command and harness connects human and dog.
These tours help keep small communities alive. They bring jobs, teach visitors about the land, and share local stories you won’t find in books.
Why Sled Dogs Still Matter
Some people think dog sledding is just for tourists. But real mushers know sled dogs are still useful in places snowmobiles can’t go or break down. Dogs do not run out of gas. They do not freeze up in a storm. They work best when conditions are harsh.
In remote villages, sled dogs still haul firewood, supplies, or fish. They help elders travel when roads close. They teach kids patience and teamwork.
How You Help Keep This Story Alive
When you book a sled dog ride or kennel visit, you do more than have fun. You help:
- Feed and care for our dogs all year.
- Train new pups into trusted lead dogs.
- Support local mushers and their families.
- Keep Alaska’s mushing history alive for the next generation.
Plan Your Sled Dog Adventure
If you want to see this bond up close — hear the howls, feel the sled glide, and watch strong dogs do what they love — now’s the time.
Here’s how you can join us:
Book a Winter Dog Sled Tour: Ride through snowy trails behind our superstar team.
Try Summer Dryland Mushing: See how we train when the snow melts.
Meet the Dogs: Learn each dog’s story and role.