Quote Originally Posted by cmayer31
I'm amazed at how the pack life works with your crew. It seems like a lot of mushers that have teams have them chained in the yard to their own houses. I can see where this limits issues with individual dogs, and how it makes living possible without all the fencing, but I really enjoy seeing pictures of your dogs interacting and living together as more than just members of a team.
I know one other musher who doesn't chain her dogs(she lurks here I think). It would be easier if they were chained--less time consuming, chain is much cheaper than fencing, less work to feed and monitor them, probably lower vet bills(although we haven't had a fight induced bill in a long time *knock on wood*). It makes hooking up much easier too. Just walk over to the dogs you want and take them to the sled. I hold the gate open and yell "who's coming today?". Sometimes 14 of them rush in and I only want 8! Sometimes I patch a team together. As long as one of the command leaders is up for a run, I can still get out of the yard! I took a little five dog team tonight. I wanted to run under the full moon. Most of the dogs were more interested in their fresh moose bones!

Quote Originally Posted by Cinder & Smoke

Do you carry a Score Card or Program in your pocket?

And I'm SURE the Dogs are very grateful that they are NOT just tied to their houses!
You're a GOOD Mom!


Not in my pocket, but yup, I keep a doggy journal...who ran with who in the team, how they did, how far we went, any trouble on the trail, which side they prefer, favorite partners, who gets along with who, who ate what, medications, vet visits, if someone shows unusual behavior, ect, ect. It all gets written down!

Stuart is sure that Sundin is hard to catch not because he's shy, but because he thinks he'll get tied up again! He does get easier to corral the longer he's here and he loves his little pen.

I've just never seen the point of keeping a dog chained. I take lots of flak from other mushers about my yard set-up, but these aren't just working dogs. They are my family and I like having them underfoot and in the middle of everything.