What are the positions in a sled dog team and what are the requirements?
At the front of the team we have our leaders. They are the most responsive to voice commands and the fastest dogs in the team. Their job is to keep the gang line (line all the dogs are attached to) tight at all times, take direction from the musher and to keep the pace in the team. Behind the leaders we have our point dogs. Think of these dogs as the assistant leaders or leaders in training. From time to time a lead dog can have a bad day and if they do we will simply just make a minor adjustment in the team. We will put one of the point dogs in the lead position to create a less stressful atmosphere for all the dogs; this will improve the rest of the team’s behaviour. Believe it or not if the lead dog is having a bad day the rest of the team can feel it. You may also find that this point dog may soon be a proven leader. Behind the point dogs are the swing dogs. This is where we start our pups for the first time. We also run our yearlings here with a veteran dog, one who will be calm a
At the front of the team we have our leaders. They are the most responsive to voice commands and the fastest dogs in the team. Their job is to keep the gang line (line all the dogs are attached to) tight at all times, take direction from the musher and to keep the pace in the team. Behind the leaders we have our point dogs. Think of these dogs as the assistant leaders or leaders in training. From time to time a lead dog can have a bad day and if they do we will simply just make a minor adjustment in the team. We will put one of the point dogs in the lead position to create a less stressful atmosphere for all the dogs; this will improve the rest of the team’s behaviour. Believe it or not if the lead dog is having a bad day the rest of the team can feel it. You may also find that this point dog may soon be a proven leader. Behind the point dogs are the swing dogs. This is where we start our pups for the first time. We also run our yearlings here with a veteran dog, one who will be calm a
