Pages: 1
Posted by: herbdon
My sister in NH runs her dogs pull their ATV during the summer and fall, she tells me it's great training. Pull a 600lb atv makes them so strong that when she hooks up the light sled, she tells me it's really dangerous, the damn sled gets air on the sled trails.
herbdon out......
Posted by: Fango
I think you're the only one!!! I have a Rot and a Min Pin, I couldn't get them to pull mine!!
How did you come up with the idea to train your sled dogs with an atv? It sounds like a winner to me. I have never been involved with that sport, but it has always intrigued me. When I was a kid I met a guy who raced sled dogs, I thought it was pretty cool...smart dogs!!!
Are you training for the beargrease or the iditarod?? or do you just do it for fun???
Posted by: Fango
Hey Dogrunner, Nice dogs!!!!! And nice fish, too!!!img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif" border="0">
Can't say that I know any Solbergs.
It looks like you're into a pretty cool thing with running dogs!!! I wish I had the time for something like that!! Do you ever sell pups??
Happy New Year!!! Oh and welcome to the forum!!
Posted by: Fango
Thanks Dogrunner,
Yea I tend to be adventurous. I just wish I had more time on my hands to explore even more hobbies!!! There are to many interesting things in the world!! It's cool to chat with people like yourself who are into different things.
Both my dogs were from the Humane Society. They are getting up in age and my wife and I have been considering a new pup. I have always admired huskies and malmutes. Smart animals! Do they train easy?? I would image they are instinctively head strong, more pack orientated then most breeds.
Posted by: MiloAK
Everybody here in Alaska that runs sled dogs uses an ATV in summer. I didn't reply to your thread sooner because I'm still working on getting the ATV (don't plan on getting the dogs). Contrary to popular myth, there is not snow here year round. If you're serious about your dogs, and they all are, then you need to run in summer. At least the daylight in summer is really not an issue.
If you think the Iditarod is no fun, check out the Yukon Quest. About the same distance, just a lot colder. http://www.yukonquest.com/
Posted by: MiloAK
Those are some nice looking lakers. I'm assuming they're from the Boundry Waters. I still need to find a good lake for them up here.
Nice looking website too.
Posted by: Dogrunner
Anyone here run dogs?
(pulling an atv?)
Posted by: Dogrunner
"I think you're the only one!!! "
You may be right. At least on this forum.
Most professionals do train with ATV's, I have just been
using a cart...kind of a trike made out motorcycle parts.
I muscled up my dogs so well last year that it seemed to carry
over to this and the cart was not enough weight to be safe.
Go to the last button on the dog page.
Actually kind of cool is that on a dog sledding forum I inquired about what ATV
to get and 75% said Arctic Cat and those that just mentioned options to look
for listed nothing but things mine has. (99 300 4x)
Been running dogs for about 8 years, mainly a bunch of misfit Siberians, but
my youth movement is pretty impressive. I have run a few sprint races but
mainly do it for fun. (See BWCA pics on web site). I have thought about the
Beargrease but who knows. Now the Iditarod is cool but would be NO fun.
The ATV is my next revelation in dog training. So much more control. My cart
only weighed about 200lbs so even with a person or two on it locking the brakes
the dogs could still pull you down the road. My 300 is listed at 580. The ATV
also allows me to train at night so creates more running time possibilities.
I can go in neutral and brake or have them run against the gears.
Actually...you know any Solbergs there? I bought my house from an older woman
(like 70 now I would bet) who moved BACK to your town.
In any case...
Happy New Year and Happy Trails
Posted by: Dogrunner
Actually I do know about the Quest...reading a book about it right now and
I have a friend running it next year (Blake Freking--ran the Iditarod a couple
years ago).
I run my dogs from September-April or anytime its 50 degrees or less.
When its above I do agility work with them. I have trained with some
other Iditarod drivers also. In MN we have the Beargrease that used to be
a quality, unique, 500 mile adventure, but they turned it into just another 300 mile
Iditarod qualifier.
Bottom line is right now I don't have the dogs to do anything but run around the woods
or to drive them into lakes that nobody else goes to, which is completely fine. Click below.
Tasty Trout
Good luck on your ATV quest.
Happy New Year
Posted by: Dogrunner
Yep BWCA. Those are from Knife Lake about 25 miles in from Ely.
Posted by: Dogrunner
Hey Fango...
I checked out some of your pics too. You look like you find some fun yourself.
I think we have something in common in that I think we both look at obstacles as
something go through, over, and around. As opposed to those to just turn around.
I don't breed my dogs (they do it all by themselves hehe). One thing I have learned
is that bloodlines are everything and I don't have the time to invest in a professional breeding
program. Better than half my team are humane society rescues. I've had one accidental litter in 10 years, but other than that I don't deal in puppies. Hundreds of pups are out there looking for homes right now. Lots of people get huskies because they think they are cute
and then discover they cannot handle them.
Happy Trails
Posted by: Dogrunner
Your description of the breed is quite accurate. Very smart but "head strong".
Some have more energy than they know what to do with, but generally calm
after a couple years. (Siberians anyway) Most professionals musher run Alaskan Huskies
which are mutts. More of a job description than a breed. Most northern breeds don't fetch
(some do), but will chase ( until they discover its just a stupid ball )
There are a bunch of good web sites that describe different northern breeds.
Worst place to get them is out of the paper or from a pet store. There are also show
lines and sled lines so you should know what you want.
So yeah...when you run out of gas.
Later
Posted by: Dogrunner
heh heh...
Yep dog sledding is 1 part pleasure trip
1 part out of control. The danger can be managed...or
at least we like to think so.
With this NO SNOW winter my dogs are all muscled up and
no where to go. The ATV has been a god send to my training
this year. I am appreciating the appreciation you guys have for
them.
Later
