Dog Sledding Do’s and Don’ts

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I recently got back from Ely, Minnesota — the unofficial capital of dog sledding in the state. Dog sledding was an experience I will never forget, and perhaps now my favorite winter activity. This was my first time dog sledding though, and I didn’t realize that dog sledding was a bit more difficult than I thought. The learning curve is quick though, and I learned that if you follow these tips, your dog sledding trip will be smooth sailing. Here are some dog sledding do’s and don’ts.

Wear gloves with extra padding. You have to spend the entire day holding on firmly to the handle bars, and this may cause blisters. Wear gloves with a good grip and padding to prevent this.

DON’T

Wear the wrong gear. You need to be prepared for dog sledding to make your trip enjoyable. You don’t want to be freezing cold while outside on the dog sled. You will be miserable. See my guide on dog sledding essentials for more: https://mybucketlistjourneys.blog/dog-sledding-essentials-packing-guide/

DON’T

Ride on an empty stomach. You need the energy, since you will be doing something quite physical and in very cold temperatures. Make sure you have a good, filling meal before you get on the trails.

Praise your dogs for a job well done. You will pick up on the different personality traits of each dog on your team as you are riding. The dogs are super smart and know how to avoid obstacles and steer you in the right direction. One of our wheel dogs, Tin Can Mike, did a great job at looking out for obstacles like trees. He would often push the other wheel dog next to him to steer her away from trees and open up the path for our sled.

Hugs and kisses from one of wheel dogs, Embla

Cheer them on after turning a tight corner or making it uphill. After all, they are dogs and LOVE being praised. Let them know what an amazing job they just did! After the ride, give them all the kisses and belly rubs they deserve!

DON’T

Yell at the dogs or try to get them to go faster. These dogs are trained to pull a sled. They have their commands and listen to those only. They are not house pets and will probably not respond to the same commands you give to your dog at home. Don’t yell at them to go faster. Doing so can cause injury to the dogs and to yourself. Important dog sledding commands to know:

“Ready, hike!” means “Go!” (If they do not move on this command, push your sled a bit to get them going)

“Yee” means “right”

“Haw” means “left”

“Woah” means “Stop” (you may also need to ride the break on this command to get them to slow down or stop completely)

*Different dog sledding places may use different commands, so make sure to check with the guides first!

Ride your brake on downward hills and tight corners.

Since pulling a sled downhill is much easier for a dog, often times they will pick up a lot of speed as they run. Keep your foot gently pressed on the break (referred to as “riding the break”) to better maintain control of the sled. Riding the break will also prevent the sled from getting too close to your wheel dogs and potentially injuring them.

Help your dogs when on a steep incline.

Sled dogs are very strong, but sometimes it gets difficult for them to pull a heavy sled uphill. When riding on a difficult terrain, gently remove one foot off of the sled and kick off of the ground to help give the sled an extra push (like skateboarding).

If on a steep hill, step completely off of the sled while still holding the handles. Walk alongside the sled until you reach the top of the hill, then jump back on as the dogs pick up speed. Doing so will remove most of the weight, making it easier for the dogs to get uphill and prevent any injuries.

*Running/walking on the side of the sled while going uphill will also help you warm up incase you’re feeling cold.

DON’T

Chase after the sled. Sometimes, you may fall off the sled or lose control of it. You cannot outrun the dogs. Simply yell “loose sled” to notify your guides of the problem.

Running after the sled will also wear you out, causing you to sweat. Remember, you need to avoid any moisture to keep warm.

Maintain a good stance. Balance and a good stance are key to having better control of your sled. Sometimes, on hills and tight corners, the dogs will pick up speed, and it’s harder for you to hold on. Spread your feet out and bend your knees. Doing so give you balance and a better hold on the sled.

Do maintain a firm grip on the handle bars

DON’T

Hang your arms, hands or feet on the sides of the sled. If you come across a narrow trail or corner, you may bump yourself with an obstacle and potentially injure yourself.

Allow for breaks. Dogs get tired just like we do, and need some rest and cooling off. Sometimes they just need a few minutes to roll around in snow to cool off.

*Come to a gentle stop if a dog is attempting to relieve himself. Some dogs can do this while on the go, others need a bit more time.

One of our wheel dogs, Embla, ready to go after cooling off in some snow

DON’T

Try to break up a dog fight. Some dogs may not get along and may get into fights. Do not try to break it up. Doing so can cause injury to yourself and/ or the dog. Let your guide handle the situation, they are the professionals.

And lastly,

DO HAVE FUN!

Dog sledding will be such a fun and enjoyable experience. Enjoy the time with your pups. Take in the beautiful scenery around you. Dog sledding is a great way to unplug from the outside world. Enjoy it!