The spring weather ended the season a bit early for us. Saturday was our last day of tours and even then we were down to using the short loop, as the longer trails was too melted out.
The tour went smoothly with three sleds. Kris and Stu-bird were guiding, E-bear, me and Sara helped make sure the dogs stayed on the new loop instead of following the old trail.
The warm weather put us all in the mind of summer, although the icy snow sparkling and shimmering in the sun pulls the heart towards winter.
Since the last day of tours, the snow has started to fall again, but now it’s a heavy cement snow that melts out what’s under it.
Puppy training has begun. It’s amazing to watch these puppies who have never been on a line for the first time. It takes them about ten minutes to figure out what they are supposed to do. Until then, it looks like chaos with dogs jumping back and forth, rolling on their backs and barking.
The first group of eight we took out did amazingly well. They had the advantage of watching the winter tours, so knew a bit what to expect. It showed. After they were hooked up, it only took a few minutes before all were running and looking good.
The next day wasn’t quite as smooth. These dogs had never seen a harness, line or been put next to new dogs. It was a bit of sensory overload for them. Because they weren’t running, the lead dogs kept stopping, thinking ‘we aren’t pulling this four wheeler by ourselves!’
To give them a bit of help, we tied the snowmobile to the line in front with the four wheeler behind. After a few stops and lots of love and encouragement, the dogs started to get it. By the time we turned around, the dogs were all running and having fun. Imagine if we humans were able to figure out an entirely new skill in only ten minutes!
Group three had one puppy who wasn’t all that excited to pull. To her defense, she looked great prancing along next to the dogs, but there wasn’t a lot of pull. The alpha of the one group and a couple others picked it up right away and will be amazing sled dogs. They have the drive and excitement. The one looks to have a bit of wolf in him, and has that stance about him.
Can’t wait to see how they all do over the next couple of weeks.
