Winter care for canines can be a tricky thing to tackle. Most of
how we exercise our pooches rely on it being nice outside. Have
you ever thought about having your dogs pull you around town on a
sled? East Anchorage man Christopher Michael did a lot more than
just think about it. He trained his
four adopted canine companions to
mush all around town
, according to Alaska's NBC affiliate KTUU.Michael was once
a dog handler but decided he wanted to train his own sled dog
team. While he had the home and yard for it, he didn't have a
truck capable of carrying the dogs and gear. So, rather than
sledding through traditional trails, KTUU explained that he takes
the dogs down snowy sidewalks for trips through town and to
the local coffee shop, as well as local trails.Not only is
Michael a fan of this arrangement, but he said the dogs love the
opportunity to run as a team. The townspeople also enjoy this
unique spectacle and many shoppers at the local Kaladi
Brothers shop where Michael buys his coffee come out to meet the
dogs regularly.Michael has loftier goals for his small sled dog
team, hoping to get a complete pack and to ride farther someday,
the news station explained. But for now, he likes riding into
town and teaching locals about the importance of mushing and dog
racing to Alaska and its early inhabitants.
What do you know about dog sledding?
When early Americans and Russians first visited Alaska,
using dogs for transportation was
already a big part of culture
. Even early French colonists in Canada used dogs for transport
when they arrived.The exact origins are unknown, but the practice
likely started in Canada, Siberia or similar climates. While some
speculate that dog sledding is thousands of years old, the
community website for Two Rivers, Alaska, explained that the
earliest archaeological evidence of dog harnesses and sledding
traced back to between 1,000 and 1,600 A.D. in Canada.Dog
sledding has been used for practical everyday movements, long
trips and even races. It's an efficient way for people to travel,
as the dogs can go for long periods and across regions that
vehicles cannot traverse. Although some animal activists are
critical of competitive dog sled racing, many defend it, and
mushing is the official state sport of Alaska and has a
proud history. It even made Balto a super
star around the world.Whether you want to train your dog
to mush or just help him prepare for cold weather, PetPlushas all the
supplements and info you'll need to keep your dog in top shape.
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What is Skijoring and Why Should You Try It with Your Dog This
Winter?
With the temperature constantly dropping, our outdoor activities
tend to go on a back burner and all we want to do is curl up on a
couch with a blanket and a cup oโ Joe. But have you ever wondered
who is it that gets most affected by such lethargy and loss of
activity? You guessed it right. Itโs your dog. Your furry
companion might be getting more depressed with each passing day
that he spends curled up idly in one corner of your electrically
heated room. However, there are several winter activities that
you and your dog can indulge in during those cold months, and
shake off the sloth that has confined you within its unrelenting
clutches. One such fun activity is skijoring.
What is Skijoring?
Skijoring is a winter sport that derives its name from a
Norwegian word that literally translates to โsky drivingโ. In
this sport, a person on the skis is pulled by his dog through a
long rope that connects him to the latterโs harness. You and your
dog can enjoy this amazing cross country team sport by getting
around a local trail, touring the country suburbs or gliding
across the snow laden golf course in your town. Although, the
sport might appear a bit too complicated for your little friend,
you must understand that the pulling part is a natural attribute
of all four legged animals. You will eventually be surprised as
to how well your dog takes to the sport, and learns to work on
your commands of turning or halting.
How is it beneficial for your
dog?
Skijoring has been a popular sport for centuries in the snowy
highlands of Scandinavia. The high energy activity has a series
of major benefits for both you and your canine friend.
- The running and pulling aspect of the sport pumps up the
blood circulation in your dog and helps to improve his heart
health.
- In addition to this, running in snow helps keep your dog stay
nimble and active even in sub-zero temperatures.
- Indulging in a team sport such as skijoring is a great way of
strengthening the bond with your dog and connecting at a deeper
emotional level.
- Outdoor activity such as skijoring for your dog is an
effective way of eliminating the chances of him getting depressed
or picking up cabin fever, especially during the cold winter
months.
- Skijoring is also helpful in various aspects of dog training
such as making him respond to your navigational commands.So the
next time, you wake up to a meter of snow on your front yard and
your furry friend curled up in the blanket beside you, you know
what to do!
