Distinctly Montana Magazine

D I S T I N C T LY M O N TA N A • W I N T E R 2 0 1 6 36 there, it's only a matter of time before the snow falls and they'll be back in their element, coursing over the snow, pulling a sled full of happy people. Running a dog sled business is not as simple as exercising a pack of happy dogs. Getting a team to run well together takes a lot of work. Starting at about a year-and-a-half old, the young dogs train with the older, more confident dogs to learn the basics of working as a team. And just like you'd expect from your own canine com- panion, the personalities of these sled dogs runs the spectrum, from low-key to off-the-wall crazy. e position-and-team combinations of the dogs depends both on individual personalities and physical attributes. Some dogs run well in all positions, from lead dog to wheel dog, while others prefer to stay in the middle of the pack. "e wheel dogs take the brute force of the sled," say Vogel. "So we put our bigger dogs back there, where it's more physically demanding." e most mentally challenging position for the dogs is the lead dog, who must be in tune and following the voice commands of the musher. e position of the dog also varies depending on locations and trail conditions. In fresh, heavy snow, the lead dogs also have the job of breaking the trail, so the mushers will put their larger dogs out front. And if the lead dog is having a bad day? No big deal, the musher or guide can hit the brakes during the trip and switch out the dogs' positions to make it a great run for everyone. Some dogs have a favorite spot, and there's nothing anyone can do about it. "We have one dog who's so sweet and wonderful, but she will not run up front," says Vogel, laughing. "You put her in swing position, right behind the leader, and she's great. You put her out front and she just stops." On the other hand, some dogs need the constant stimulation of a new position, or they'll get bored and chew lines or get distracted by squirrels. e key is pairing and positioning the dogs where they will be happy, and that means constantly evaluating and watching the team to see how they run together and which dog performs best in which position. "We'll usually pair a brain and a brawn up front," says Vogel. "e brawn is the brute force to keep the line tight and prevent tangles, and the brain listens to turns and commands." Speed and strength are key components to matching the four- legged team members. If the lead is too fast, the team will get worn out, but if the lead dog is too slow, the lines will bunch up and get tangled. It's all about bringing out the best in the dogs. Maintaining organized lines is of utmost importance when it comes to keeping the dogs running smoothly. e gangline is the main line, running down between the dogs and attaching to the sled. e tug lines run onto the backs of the dogs' harnesses, which is where the majority of the pulling power comes from. Necklines are only used to keep the dogs moving forward. ese are run off the collar, but without any pulling pressure. Mushing is all voice SETTLEMENTS IN THE OPEN NORTHERN EXPANSES OF NORTH AMERICA MAY NOT HAVE BEEN POSSIBLE WITHOUT CANINE POWER.

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