Sled Dog Training
Sled Dog training in Warleigh Woods. We were invited by woodlands.co.uk to use Warleigh Woods as a training ground for our teams of Siberian Huskies. An opportunity quite rare to us, as we are normally faced with lots of red tape and battles with the Forestry Commission.
On the May Bank Holiday weekend, we teamed up with some old friends and their pack of 17 huskies, for some serious training. The first two teams out were Ged (my husband) and his six-dog team of Yashkino Siberian Huskies, closely followed by Elaine with her six-dog Anakusack huskies.
It had been raining on and off most of the morning, and both teams soon found out there was very little braking on the rig (our sled with wheels); as the dogs thundered through the woods covering speeds of up to 20 miles per hour.
We had previously walked the course and left some red markers, GEE -right turn. HAW -left turn. The trails weren’t technical, Haw, Haw, Haw, Haw all the way round. In places Warleigh Woods is probably the best rollercoaster in the world There were large ruts at the bottom of the woods that need T.L.C. but I think Elaine and Ged were happy – as they slowed their teams right down. Both teams came in, dogs unharnessed and watered, then it was our turn!
Steve, Elaine’s husband and myself both opted to run teams of two dogs! Having far more control, we set off. My two lead dogs, Laska and Yana took every turn they were told, took it steady when asked and worked hard to get me up the hill towards the end of the trail. It was here that I managed a glance all around me. Taking in the extraordinary scenery, ancient woodland, a carpet of the bluest bluebells, the smell of wild garlic filling the air….and Steve’s bald head bobbing up and down behind me, running up the hill to help his girls! Bringing back fond memories of when we competed together in Wales, where we crossed the finish line together in fits of laughter!
Back at the vans, dogs sorted, fed watered and put to bed for the night. It was now time for our Musher’s meeting
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8 comments so far
steve hall
9 June, 2010
Would like to thank the woodlands team for allowing us this opportunity to train on a different ground; it was a great weekend for us and the dogs; nice kind trails to the dogs’ feet – just a few ruts but other than that a great trail
thanks
steve & elaine
anakusak huskies
mel
9 June, 2010
Great to see such positive press about working Sibes. I tried for many years to gain a permit to train in my local woodlands without success. I hope these pictures of happy sibes being run by responsible owners leads to more woodlands being made available.
Well done Woodlands.co.uk
Nigel Garner
11 June, 2010
Well done to everyone!
Great to see a new ground opening up. .
Laura Ashton
14 June, 2010
Great article!
It can be so hard to find places to train with huskies and this looks fabulous.
artz
3 March, 2011
so fabulous blog ive seen about training dogs
Viola Woolcott
4 March, 2011
This sounds like a GREAT opportunity. Nice to know that there are people out there sharing experiences.
Viola
amanda
21 March, 2011
if you have 6 dogs, that will pull a four wheeler around on trails in the wood for hours, and not get tired. if they are wolf cross breeds, they require daily interaction. Depending on the % of wolf, the higher ones can sometimes turn on you, its their natural animal instincts.
Sofia
15 May, 2011
How many years you train your dogs to be tame like this? I’m interested to have dogs like yours.