Have you ever watched a team of sled dogs racing over snow? It looks like magic. But behind that magic is hard work, strong trust, and careful training. Sled dogs are smart and brave. They need to know how to listen, pull, turn, and stop — all while working with other dogs as a team.
In this guide, you’ll learn how mushers (the people who drive the sleds) train their dogs, step by step. If you dream about meeting real sled dogs or even riding behind them, this will help you see what makes these dogs true heroes of the trail.
Why Sled Dogs Are Special
Sled dogs are not house pets. They are working athletes. They run through deep snow, strong winds, and freezing cold. They carry people and gear to places cars and trucks cannot go.
Because of this, sled dogs must be healthy, strong, and smart. They also need to trust the musher and the other dogs. When a dog team works well together, they can travel over icy rivers, snowy forests, and mountain trails.
Many mushers live in Alaska, where the snow season is long. Here, people rely on their dogs for travel, racing, and adventure. Some teams even race in famous events like the Iditarod, which is a very long sled dog race across Alaska.
How Young Sled Dogs Get Ready
Most sled dogs start training when they are young. Good breeders look for puppies that love to run. They watch for strong legs, bright eyes, and tails that wag.
When a puppy is a few months old, it starts learning simple skills. This does not mean hard work yet — just small lessons every day. Puppies get to play, explore snow, and follow their mother. This helps them grow brave and curious. They learn recall.
Learning Important Sled Dog Words
A sled dog must learn special words that tell it when to go, turn, or stop. These words are short and easy to hear, even in wind or snow.
Here are the main words every sled dog knows:
- Hike! — This means, “Start pulling! Let’s go!”
- Gee! — This means, “Turn right.”
- Haw! — This means, “Turn left.”
- Whoa! — This means, “Stop right now.”
- On By! — This means, “Ignore what you see and keep going.”
The puppies will learn these commands from running in the team with the other dogs, once they area bout 9 months old.
These words are used the same way in real races, tours, or long trips across Alaska. This helps every dog know what to do, even when the trail changes.
Team Roles: Who Runs Where
A sled dog team is like a small sports team. Each dog has a spot that matches its body and mind. Knowing these spots is very important. Want to dive deeper into our training philosophy? Visit our Dog Training and Care.
The Lead Dog
The lead dog runs in front. This dog must be smart, calm, and brave. The lead dog listens for commands and finds the right path through snow, ice, or open fields. Some lead dogs can even choose a safer path if the trail looks dangerous. This saves the whole team.
The Swing Dogs
Right behind the lead dog are the swing dogs. They help turn the sled smoothly, especially on tight trails. Swing dogs need to be quick and pay close attention to the lead.
The Team Dogs
Team dogs run in the middle. They help with power. These dogs must be strong and steady. They keep pulling even when the snow is deep or the sled is heavy.
The Wheel Dogs
Wheel dogs run closest to the sled. They help steer the sled around corners.
All of our dogs run in every position.
Getting Used to Harnesses and Lines
The harness is the most important gear for a sled dog. A good harness spreads weight across the dog’s shoulders and chest. It must not rub or pinch.
Necklines and Ganglines
On a real sled, dogs are hooked together by lines. The gangline runs down the middle to connect all the dogs to the sled.
Trainers practice these lines early. They use short practice runs to teach dogs to stay side by side. This keeps the team moving smoothly on narrow trails.
Paw Care and Booties
Snow and ice can hurt a dog’s paws. So, mushers teach dogs to wear booties. Booties are like small socks that protect paws from cuts, ice balls, or cold.
After every run, mushers check each paw.
Good Food and Water
Sled dogs use a lot of energy. They must eat the right food to stay strong.
A sled dog’s food is high in protein and fat. This helps muscles stay strong and gives the dog energy to run in the snow. Some mushers give warm broth to keep dogs drinking enough water. Eating snow is not enough. Dogs need real water to stay healthy.
First Trail Runs
Young sled dogs do not start with long trips right away. They learn in small steps. First, they run on short, easy trails close to home.
The musher run dogs for just a mile or two. Then they stop. They give the dogs a lot of praise and make it a positive experience. This is called conditioning — slowly building muscle and trust.
Next, they repeat the run every few days. Then they add more miles week by week. Mushers never push too far too fast. This keeps dogs healthy and eager to run the next time.
Learning the Feel of the Trail
Trails are never the same. Some days, the trail is fresh powder — soft and deep. Other days, it’s hard-packed and icy. Dogs learn how to pull on all kinds of snow.
For example, when snow is deep, dogs must lift their feet higher. On icy trails, they must step carefully so they do not slip.
Building Trust in Bad Weather
Alaska’s weather is always changing. Snowstorms, wind, and freezing fog are part of life here. A good sled dog must trust the musher when things get hard.
That is why mushers run dogs in many conditions. They practice at dawn, in daylight, at dusk, and even at night. Dogs learn to follow voice commands when they cannot see the trail well.
Because of this, dogs stay calm on the real trail when they meet wildlife or sudden weather changes.
Packing for a Safe Run
When mushers take dogs on longer runs, they pack carefully. They bring extra booties, and high-energy snacks.
Many mushers carry a dog sled bag with a first aid kit.
They also bring extra lines in case one breaks. Good gear keeps the dogs safe and the musher ready for surprises.
Bonding: How Dogs Become a Team
Sled dogs are pack animals. They love to be with other dogs.
Good mushers help dogs bond by letting them play together. They run in big fenced areas. They chase each other and find their place in the group.
Rotating Spots to Build Skills
No dog stays in the same spot forever. Mushers rotate dogs through different jobs. This builds skill and keeps dogs interested.
Nutrition: Fuel for Power
Sled dogs burn thousands of calories each day. They run in the cold, which takes extra energy to stay warm.
They eat food with lots of protein and fat — fish, meat, or special kibble made for working dogs.
Mushers plan when dogs eat too. Dogs do not eat a big meal right before a run. They may eat small snacks during the run, like frozen fish chunks.
After the run, dogs get warm broth. This keeps them drinking enough water. Snow alone is not enough. Dogs can get dehydrated without real water.
Paw Care: The First Line of Defense
Paws are a sled dog’s tires. If a paw cracks, the dog cannot run well. So mushers check paws all the time.
They clip nails so claws do not break.
Booties are the final shield. Dogs wear them on rough trails or ice crust. Some dogs wear booties for every run. Others only need them on long trips.
Mushers keep spares in pockets. If a bootie slips off, they replace it fast.
Rest and Recovery
A tired dog is a happy dog. Mushers plan rest days. Dogs nap in warm straw beds.
In summer, dogs may swim in safe lakes. Swimming builds strong shoulders without pressure on joints.
After a big season, dogs may rest for weeks or months. Some retire to house life or help train pups.
Real Alaskan Care
In Alaska, many mushers follow rules from groups like Mush with P.R.I.D.E. These groups teach safe, kind ways to care for sled dogs.
Dogs must have good food, warm shelter, and vet care. They run because they love to.
Training for Long Distances
Long-distance training does not happen in one day. Mushers build up slowly. They start with short loops, maybe five miles. Every few runs, they add more miles. Dogs build muscle, tough paws, and trust step by step.
Learning to Rest on the Trail
When dogs run long distances, they do not go all at once. They stop to rest, and drink.
When resting, the musher spreads straw to keep them warm. The dogs curl up nose to tail to hold in heat.
Some teams practice camping on snow. They carry food for the dogs and hot drinks for the musher. These breaks help the team recover and get ready for the next leg of the trail.
Night Runs and Headlamps
Alaska has long nights in winter.
Mushers use headlamps.
Advanced Commands
- “On By!” — Keep going past other teams or animals.
- “Easy!” — Slow down on tricky ground.
- “Line Out!” — Stand still and pull the line tight while waiting.
Ethical Care: Doing It Right
Mushing is a proud tradition in Alaska. It only works when dogs are healthy and want to run. No musher forces a tired dog to pull. A dog that stops must be checked by a vet.
Good mushers follow clear rules, like those from the International Sled Dog Veterinary Medical Association. They check:
- Body weight
- Paw health
- Teeth and gums
- Joint strength
- Behavior signs like stress or fear
Dogs who act shy or scared on the line may do better as house dogs or retire early. Trainers watch for these signs and listen to each dog’s needs.
Seasonal Rest
When snow melts, most sled dogs take a break. They run less, play more, and keep their muscles strong in fun ways. Some mushers train dogs on dryland carts — small wheeled rigs that give the dogs a pull workout without snow. Explore our full dryland mushing guide to learn how these off-season rides prepare teams for winter races.
Others swim their dogs or take them on hikes. This keeps dogs happy and fit until snow comes again.
What Happens When a Dog Retires?
A good sled dog may run for eight to ten years. Retired sled dogs live with mushers as pets or find new homes with people who love working dogs.
This keeps the kennel strong and honors the older dog’s skills. Want to support a retired sled dog or sponsor a new pup? Visit Support the Kennel to help.
Want to See This Bond in Action?
If you read this far, you might want to see real sled dogs for yourself. You can read about each dog on our Meet the Dogs. See their names, favorite snacks, and funny quirks.
When you’re ready, you can join us for a real sled ride. Check our Winter Dog Sled Tours to pick your date.
If you are new to Alaska sledding, visit Plan Your Visit for packing lists and tips.