Snow Motion Classic Feb 15, 2015

These photos are from a local clubs race, the Snow Motion Classic, held at Birds Hill Park, near Winnipeg.   Trails were in great condition, thanks to the brutal cold!      A layer of new snow made the trails really nice to ski and glide on.    If your image is here, please feel free to Right Click and steal it!     I have no idea why some of the photos look so odd, I will play around with them later and see what I can do.  For now, when you click on the photos, you can scroll through them that way. 

 

 

Well, that was fun!  Looking for some more skijoring action?   Check out the Interlake Challenge

Guest Post: Kelsy Gibos: Sled Dog Sport in Victoria, Australia

Have you met Kelsy? She is one crazy Canadian skijorer, who took her passion to skijoring, to a while new world!  Kelsy recounts her skijoring adventures from the land Down Under!  Turns out they have snow in Australia!  They even skijor!  Who knew, eh? 

Sled Dog Sport in Victoria, Australia

Although it sounds something akin to Jamaican bobsledding, sled dog sport is alive and kicking in the eucalyptus forests of Australia.  Teams gather from across the county to compete in sprint races on both snow and dirt.  Competitors run teams of malamutes, Alaskan huskies, Siberian huskies and hounds at internationally recognized races.  Teams run up to 10 dogs in size and folks compete other sled dog style sports including canicross and skijoring.

I was lucky enough to relocate from Canada to Australia for work in February of 2010.  My partner and I landed in the rural town of Ovens, Victoria which located at the foot of some of Australia’s highest mountain peaks (yes, there are mountains there and snow!).  We started our sled dog adventure by volunteering as handlers for a local sled dog touring company- Australian Sled Dog Tours. Brett Hadden and his collection of rescued Siberian huskies bring people who have never even seen snow on adventures of the sled dog variety.  Unfortunately many huskies find themselves homeless and unwanted one of the warmest climates in the world.  Brett takes them on, teaches them to pull and brings happiness to snow-seeking Aussies for the few months of the year that the white stuff flies.  We also fell into rescue quickly, and saved a brother-sister pair of puppies from a high kill shelter near Sydney.  Twigs and Trout are Australian Cattle Dogs crossed with Siberian Husky.  Brett’s team quickly helped us get our dogs into pull sports.

Photo: Twigs and Trout running in a 10 dog team in Dinner Plain, Victoria, Australia (they are the 4^th pair from the front)

After that, we joined the Northern Victoria Sled Dog Club (NVSDC), where we attended heaps of training events and fun runs.  They helped us train Twigs and Trout to pull a kickbike and how to pass, run on by and the full experience of the race chute.  Club races were great for training, great for socializing (people and dogs!) and overall great fun. There were are several large, inter-state races organized by various clubs and managed by the main governing body (ASSA- http://www.assa.asn.au ).  Races took place in state forests.  All the mushers would camp together and the races would start first thing in the morning when temperatures were cool (there are very strict rules and temperatures and humidities that dogs are allowed to race in).  Most of the races were sprint style, ranging in distance from 2 to 7 km, depending on the size of the team.  Kickbikes are used up to 2-3 dogs and the bigger teams use 3 wheeled rigs that are often homemade  There were novice and junior events, along with opportunities to try canicross and bikejoring as well. 

This is us running in the 2 dog class at the Northern Victorian Sled Dog Classic: 

This POV video (to get a feel for the forest type and conditions) of me and Twigs during the race

Me with a muddy face running Twigs on the kickbike during a fun run event put on by NVSDC

Coming out of the pine plantation with Twigs and Trout at the Canberra Classic (Nationals).

Perhaps the most anticipated events in the sled dogging season are the snow races.  There are 2 races that Australian mushers can actually run sleds and slide on snow- one at Falls Creek (a ski resort) and one at Dinner Plain.  Here is a great media video showing some of the teams (look closely and you’ll see me!)  

A few folks were interested in trying skijoring, which used to happen at the snow races but had died out due to lack of participants.  So, Travis and I got geared up and started an Aussie skijor group.  We had heaps of competitors come forward, including Phil Freelander who had competed previously in Scandinavia with his German short-haired pointers.  Skijoring quickly became a crowd favorite and it was awesome to have so many folks cheering us on! 

Dinner Plain Sled Dog Alititude 5000 Challenge 2013 with Twigs and Trout (showing off with my hands in the air!)

Skijoring through Falls Creek Village during the Falls Creek Sled Dog Classic 2013

Travis and Trout (and a red beard) racing at Dinner Plain Altitude 5000 Sled Dog Challenge 2012

Kelsy and Twigs at the Dinner Plain Alititude 5000 Sled Dog Challenge in 2012 (we were ranked #2 in all of Australia!)

 

 

Although our time in Australia came to an end in 2014, we have heaps of magic memories and still keep in touch with many of our Aussie mushing buddies.  Here’s a link to a song my partner Travis wrote about our Aussie sled dog experiences.  We hope to go back someday and race.  Until then, we’ve been busy running the trails in our new home of Edson, Alberta.  There are lots of trails (groomed or natural) that we can explore with Twigs and Trout (our most expensive Australian souvenirs!).  Get out the kicksled and the skis!

Twigs and Trout and the kicksled at Willmore Wilderness Park near Edson Alberta

Skijoring in fresh snow (and -20 C).

To check out more of skijoring in Australia, check out the Facebook Group for the Aussie Skijor club!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pull Dogs 101

We want to get you out there enjoying winter with your dog!   

Come and meet us, see if skijoring is right for your dog.   If you are still interested, then sign up for our classes, which take place over a six week period.   By the end of the six weeks, you will have a dog who pulls, and you will have the confidence to be out there enjoying these sports!

Our classes are force free, we want pulling to be the reward.  We do ask you bring some treats to classes, as these aid in helping re-enforce some of the behaviours we want to see from our dogs.   We don't use treats to get your dog moving.  We don't chase trained dogs down the trail, we give you the skills to train a confident dog, you can enjoy winter with!

 

Crazy Jumpers Dog School and Boarding

We were invited out to Crazy Jumpers Dog School and Boarding, in Gimli, Manitoba recently.   Our host Patricia is an experienced dog trainer and musher.  She is also an excellent host!

 
The trails are beautiful, and well laid out.  I skated around the trails first, then whipped around for a quick tour with three dogs.  After that we just played on the trails, taking the sharp turns and beautiful scenery in.   I am not sure how many times I went around, but I was never bored!    I loved skijoring through the frozen marsh, amongst grass nearly as tall as I was!    The trail took us through Manitoba prairie and out through mixed aspen forest.   Truly beautiful!     

The trails were well marked with signs to warn you when you could be expecting head on traffic, and warning you of approaching turns.    With enough turns and loops on the trail, I was able to work the dogs on their directional commands, and also challenge myself with some nice sharp turns at high speeds. 

Our group included everyone from experienced international racers, to intermediates and beginners.   Everyone was able to go at their own pace, and the trails were wide enough to allow for a few head on passes, or to step off to the side as another team passed by.    

After a few runs in the morning, the whole group got together for a picnic lunch in the Crazy Jumper's training area.   What a treat to be able to sit down, and be warm while eating my lunch!  

After I stuffed myself with humus and deer sausage, it was back on the trails for some more rounds of fun! 

I can't wait to go back! 

 

Want to start a skijoring club?

So you want to start a skijoring club!  Great!  You got some things to think about!  I borrowed this template from Snow Shoe Magazine.    Check them out here:  http://www.snowshoemag.com

 

What are your goals? What is the purpose?

To teach lessons? To promote the sport? To race? To organize? To commune with nature, mushers and dogs?  Know where you are going, or have a general idea before you start out. 

 

Contact Potential Members

Contact other skijorers.   Look on Facebook, ask mushing supply companies.  Get a group of enthusiasts together who are interested in organizing a club. Set a time and place for the first meeting or event. Send out emails, contact rescue allumi groups and Humane Societies.  Dog training places are another great source of potential skijorers.  Be all over Social Media, and they will come!    

Create Rules and an Agenda

Create a set of informal rules for general group operations and establish membership criteria and benefits. Establish a regular schedule for get-togethers.  As this is a winter sport, think about how often you will be out, and have another part where people can meet up for a coffee or something after a run.

You might decide to elect officers: President, vice president, treasurer, and secretary.  If the club is collecting money or dues, it's important to have a person in charge of collecting and keeping track of this! 

 

Schedule Meetings

Scheduling events and meetings in your area can quickly increase participation.  How will you deal with new members wanting to join?   Will you be holding a workshop?  Or will you be looking for people who already know how to do the sport?  

Communicate

Communicate with club members!  Allow them to communicate with each other as well.  This will encourage the group to be strong, and support each other.  A Facebook group is a great way to do this, as people don't have to be getting a ton of e-mails from the active members.   Some of us type faster than others, and some people simply don't want their e-mail inbox filled up!  Be open to  new ideas and suggestions from group members. .

By-Laws

This sounds super scary and formal, but examine the by-laws of other skijoring clubs for examples.  They rules should be clearly stated on their websites.   For a new group, start with something short and simple. Include the following:

• The name of the club
• Purpose and goals
• Benefits to the members
• Responsibilities of the members
• Responsibilities of the officers
• Procedure for becoming a member
• Procedure for becoming an officer (elections)
• Schedule for official meetings (monthly? annually?) for the purpose of conducting elections, amending bylaws, determining the budget, and other official business
• State non profit status (unless otherwise desired)

 

Guest Post: Close Encounter (of the Wolf Kind)

Our friend Justine, is an experienced outdoor adventurer.  She has logged countless hours in the bush on dirt bike, horseback and sled.  If you are looking to tour the Sandilands, Justine is the guide you want!   Justine is an  avid musher and enjoys the companionship of her canines.   Recently she ran into a canine that she didn't enjoy so much,  a wolf!  We thought the story was one worth sharing.  Justine obliged.     Here is her story:

Close Encounter of the Wolf Kind 

Story and photos by Justine Swaka 

My “pups” and I love to get out to bikejor/scooter/sled and hike at least 3-4 times per week.  Our favourite trails are out at the Sandilands Provincial Forest, in Manitoba.  Here the dogs can run off leash and have the opportunity to smell all the great smells of the forest and swim in the many ponds. 

We’ve come across many critters in the years that we’ve gone out there, including squirrels, sharp tail grouse, deer, bears, skunks and porcupines, among others.  Up until recently though, we had never crossed paths with a wolf. 

This particular day the dogs were off leash and not only did I have my three dogs, but also my son’s dog.  As I hiked down the fireguard road the dogs were off in the nearby bush and ponds.  I noticed a large animal up ahead on the trail and initially thought it may be a deer. 

However, as I walked closer and closer I noticed that it did not run away as the deer usually do. 

Instead, it turned to face me and stood his ground.  It was then I realized that it was a large wolf. 

As I slowly walked towards it, I yelled and started banging my hiking poles together to get it to run off into the woods. 

Instead of running away it did the opposite; it came trotting towards me with what looked like paws the size of dinner plates! 

I continued to yell and bang my poles and hoping against hope that the dogs would not notice it. 

As luck would have it we were walking upwind of the wolf and the dogs did not scent it, and they were too distracted by the scents of the bush and water to even notice the wolf. 

I continued to slowly walk towards it knowing if I turned around and walked in the opposite direction that it could very well start following us.  I didn’t want it to see us as prey and although I only saw this one wolf there was a likelihood that he had his pack mates somewhere close by.  Eventually he did slink off back into the woods, but on my way back to my vehicle I kept a close eye on what was behind us.  He definitely was not afraid of humans and was in no hurry to go his own way. 

During this time I had kept my husband informed of what was happening.  Needless to say he was worried about us getting safely back to the car which was an hour’s walk away. 

All the years I had been going out to the bush, I had never really felt the need to have any kind of protection.  After this encounter though, I have taken the advice to at least get some bear spray. 

The worry about the safety of my pack remains though…what would I have done if they had scented the wolf and run after it?  Though they have good recall, would the scent of the wolf and the chase have been enough to override the command to come back to me? 

It’s a worrisome thought that remains with me now as we head out on our adventures.

Free Running

Free Running

 

Above is a picture of Belle as she runs. Free. No harness, no leash.  Our dogs are obedience trained, and have excellent recall.  If they weren't, we couldn't safely let them off the leash!

 

What is free running?

 

Free Running refers to the practice of letting your pulling dog run free, off leash, no harness.  It's an important concept for dogs who pull.  In some ways, it's a bit of a vacation from the work of pulling.  Our dogs love to pull, but no matter how much you love your job, a break is always a healthy thing!    

 

Leader of the Pack!

 

The Pack

Free running allows for different pack dynamics than a regular, regulated sled pull or harness activity.  When our dogs are working, they are working.  Focused, eyes forward, dig their shoulders in and go!   They take their jobs seriously and work hard.  During a free run, the dogs are encouraged to play as they run together. Something that is never allowed when in harness!   This fast paced play time keeps their bond strong, but also serves to keep their mind sharp.  We see different pack dynamics at play here than we do when the dogs are on a gangline or at home.

 

 

Free Running as a Training Tool

 

Free running will also help with your training goals.  You can free run your dogs while you go for a jog, or a bike ride and build up your own endurance! 

 

When you let the dogs free run, they will be building up their muscles and strengthen their cardio as well.   They will push themselves and each other, to run harder and faster.   

 

Another benefit is that dogs that are allowed to free run, will be building and strengthening muscles in a way they would not otherwise be when pulling in harness.   Watch two dogs at play, as they twist, jump and wrestle.  How often can a dog exercise those muscles while in harness or on a leash? 



 

Observe

 

When your dog is free running, this is your opportunity to observe and watch.  Look at your dog's usual gait.  Watch how they move and run, and handle corners and fast turns.  

 

It is your job to know your dog, and to know when something is wrong.   For a dog with a sore toe, foot or leg,  running is often easier than walking for a dog.  As they are moving at a faster pace, they put less pressure on the affected appendage.   It is up to you to know your dog, and to see the slight difference when something may be wrong.   To the inexperienced eye, it might be assumed that because the dog is running, everything is fine.  

 

By knowing your dog, and observing his movement in a free run, you can intervene and head off minor sprains and strains before they become much larger problems. 

 

Now, get out there and Free Run and Play with your dogs!