Big training day...

[Glacier]

Glacier, who is in the middle row in this picture? Tehya and Paxil in the front row, Pacer and Anvik in the third row.

As far as the axe handle - We're talking about your dogs here, and you would be ready to act on their behalf if a situation arose. I hope it's rarely necessary, though. When Daisy is with you, does she know not to interrupt the dogs as they're working?

That's Hobo. He always runs alone. He's a little too insane to put any one beside him!

Daisy barks in front of the team at the very start, but she doesn't get in the way. She got run over a couple times by the leaders and stays out of their way now. She's annoying with the barking, but not aggressive at all. If Stuart is home, he holds Daisy back for few minutes and gives us a headstart. She catches up quickly, but doesn't bark at us that way!

It's rare that I actually have to use the handle. Daisy always lets me know there is something coming. I often let Mac run loose with us too. It's his job to keep loose dogs away from the team and he's pretty good at it.

If I can see the owner and have time to stop, I always give them a chance to corral their dog--usually by yelling "control your dog". There is a limited amount of time that I can hold a team back though without setting the hook and tying off to a tree. Usually, I can see a problem coming and I get off, hold the handle up and yell! (much easier and faster on the ATV than it is on the sled) For most dogs, the crazy person screeching at them scares them off!

[Ginger's Mom]

For most dogs, the crazy person screeching at them scares them off!

this made me LOL. I have to agree, I don't think many people would flame you here. You have an obligation to protect your dogs.

[KittyGurl]

What a great team! They look like they are having tons of fun.