Some random sledding pics and video...

[Glacier]

Just some pics from our last few runs. The snow conditions suck, but the sled will slide. Just can't set a snow hook which has led to a few fun moments(insert sarcasm here).


Coming across the lake a few days ago. Not much snow, but it's been plenty cold. The ice is definately safe!


Mac and Ozzy, littermates and occasionally running mates.


First run of 2008.

Video is of the same team coming across the lake on January 2. The lake is one of the few places where I can safely use the video function! Click on the picture to view video. It opens in a new window.

Running into the sunrise at 10:30 this morning. The rest of the run was brutal; Tehya will not be getting any more lead dog training until I can reliably set a snowhook. She knew durn well that I couldn't get off the sled to correct anything and she took full advantage! I did eventually find a tree and tied the sled off and moved Anvik up front. The sunrise was worth the lousy run---a bad day on the sled is still better than a great day anywhere else!

[ramanth]

Gorgeous photos. Sorry Tehya didn't lead quite well but hopefully in time she'll learn.

[chocolatepuppy]

Beautiful pictures. I absolutely love the trees covered in snow. The dogs look happy.

[Cinder & Smoke]

Running into the sunrise at 10:30 this morning.

Tehya will not be getting any more lead dog training until I can reliably set a snowhook.
She knew durn well that I couldn't get off the sled to correct anything
and she took full advantage!

I did eventually find a tree and tied the sled off and moved Anvik up front.

Uhht-Oooooooh ... Naw-Tee Dawg award being passed out!

Maybe you should carry a Fly Fishing Pole - one of those super long and super flexible ones ...

Dog acts up ... The Hand of GOD reaches down and gives a *BONK* onna headbone!
You'd have to be careful to carry the pole with the tip DOWN low - be kinda "messy"
if the tip came up and fouled in a passing tree.

Or how about a PAINT-Ball Gun?
Do they make "blanks" for those things - just a ball with a clear liquid?
Bad Dawg - aim - fire - *SPLAT* on the noggin ...
"Ohhh - I guess she meant ME!"

[Freckles]

I've been missing these Glacier threads. Happy to see they're back!

[joycenalex]

... Naw-Tee Dawg award[/i][/b] being passed out! ...Or how about a PAINT-Ball Gun?
Do they make "blanks" for those things - just a ball with a clear liquid?
Bad Dawg - aim - fire - *SPLAT* on the noggin ...
"Ohhh - I guess she meant ME!"

i've used squirtgun training here, i know that's not practical there, but Phred might be onto something, maybe prepacked snowballs the size of pingpong balls out of one of those guns? my mom would give out dope slaps (never to me ) it's a correcting slap on the back of the head, maybe for tehya?

[Alysser]

WOW, that last picture is fantastic! It's so pretty there. Loved the video. I felt like I was on the sled with you. Thanks for sharing.

[Cinder & Smoke]

Mom would give out dope slaps -
it's a correcting slap on the back of the head ...

Izzat what those were!??
I grew up on Dope Slaps!

Other kids said I had a bald spot worn onna back of my head.
I thought for a while my name was "You Dummie!"

/s/ Phred

[Ginger's Mom]

Great to see your pups again. And, of course, your beautiful views. Teyha may not be lead dog material, but I am sure she loves being included on the runs.

[Glacier]

Teyha may not be lead dog material, but I am sure she loves being included on the runs.

She has lead dog potential, great potential actually. She's so smart it's a little scary, but right now she has a serious case of puppy brain too! As she matures and is able to focus more, she'll turn into a great lead dog.

Phred, the public perception of mushing is bad enough already. Mushers used to carry whips and poles, but the practice has been banned in all races and I don't know anyone who still uses them in training. I already spend a great deal of time convincing people that sled dogs aren't forced to run, beaten, that they aren't vicious dogs who will attack them on the trails ect. Tehya will learn to focus eventually!

[sasvermont]

I loved watching the video. Tehya is a mess, isn't she. Even Daisy seemed to have the drill down to a science. Tehya was out of step and marching to the beat of a different drummer, for sure. She is still quite young, yes? I could watch the video over and over....Thanks for sharing you wonderful photos and videos with us.

We have missed your posts!

[Cinder & Smoke]

The public perception of mushing is bad enough already.

Mushers used to carry whips and poles,
but the practice has been banned in all races and I don't know anyone who still uses them in training.

I already spend a great deal of time convincing people that sled dogs aren't forced to run, beaten, that they aren't vicious dogs who will attack them on the trails ect.
Tehya will learn to focus eventually!

Hard to believe "the public perception" is negative towards mushing -
but you're in a better position to know than I am.
WHIPS would seem overly extreme to me - I'm shocked to know they were used on dog teams.
The POLE seemed like a *phunn* idea to me - I didn't know people actually carried them and
USED them - seems like a LOTTA Bother to get Fido's attention!

I joke about my Mom's "Dope Slaps" that I grew up with - she wasn't a bit timid about
giving out a "Dope Slap" to the back of my head in a grocery store or other public place -
and I'm positive it was a generally accepted "practice" of loving mothers faced with
an unacceptable behavior from their offspring.
I'm in no way suggesting that YOU EVER abuse your FurKids in the name of "training"!

Sorry to have hit a tender nerve.



/s/ Phred

[Glacier]

Tehya was out of step and marching to the beat of a different drummer, for sure. She is still quite young, yes?

She's only 16 months old, still just a baby really. That swinging out thing she was doing in the video is part of why I think she's going to be a leader. She wants to see what's going on in front and tries to catch the dogs ahead of her.

[Glacier]

http://petoftheday.com/i/our_smilies/frown.gif[/img]
The POLE seemed like a *phunn* idea to me - I didn't know people actually carried them and
USED them - seems like a LOTTA Bother to get Fido's attention!

I'm in no way suggesting that YOU EVER abuse your FurKids in the name of "training"!

Sorry to have hit a tender nerve.
/s/ Phred

Public perception is generally very negative, but good mushers don't make the news. The news reports on the idiots, like Ramy Brooks, who snapped during the Iditarod last year and kicked his dogs. They didn't report nearly as much on Lance Mackey who won the I-rod with happy, healthy dogs or John Schandelmier, who runs many big races and finishes well with a team of shelter dogs. John's one of my heros, but he doesn't get much publicity.

Whips were never supposed to be used on the dogs. They were in theory used above their heads to get their attention or on one side to indicate direction. The snap sound was supposed to be part of the training, like an extreme clicker. Unfortunately, they were misused and a lot of dogs suffered.

No worries, I never thought for a second that you were suggesting anything like that!

[sasvermont]

You have been so good at setting us straight when it comes to using sled dogs for what they love doing.....thanks so much. And Tehya is my favorite puppy here. My two fav doggies are BOB and Bella, but Ms. Tehya is my fav pupster.

Give all your puppies hugs for me. And you husband isn't bad on the eyes, either....hehehehehehe!

More pictures please!