Sleigh ride with a dog and cani-scooter: sliding sports with a dog
Today I present to you Patrice, professional musher in Ariège. He tells us all about his profession Too W'ouf and also gives us some advice for test the scooter with your dog. He and his 36 huskies take you on an adventure through the mountains.
If Musher, my dog, is called Musher, it's because my dream job would be to become a musher. Living with a pack of dogs in the mountains and working with and for your dogs: what happiness! No regrets, the job I chose for myself is also great because it consists of sending you on vacation with your doggies. It is also a very beautiful mission!
Patrick and his dogs
I have 36 Siberian huskies. They all belong to me, they are my little darlings. Obviously, I have my two little darlings: Evan and Elvouk because they are my first two huskies. I created a stronger bond with them because I had them at the age of 3 and 4 months. Today they are my two leaders. Especially Evan: he's brave and smart. It's so comfortable to work with him… Now I'm 36 so I can't focus my attention only on him but hey… I admit that he always has a little more in the bowl than the others but we hide it.. haha :))
As for my other darlings, I took them back because people didn't want them anymore… They were very sociable, fearful and very primitive. With the hitch, they regained their self-confidence and they are fulfilled. Whereas before I couldn't even approach them, now I'm at the caress stage!
What is the profession of “Musher”?
It is a profession that is very similar to jobs on the land such as agriculture because we don't count our hours and we live with our animals. Yes, I really live WITH my dogs because it's like my children! It's not a job: it's a passion above all. You have to know everything about each dog: his character, his abilities, his mind... You have to spend a lot of time observing them.
The Siberian husky is a very primitive breed, it is very close to the wolf. In a pack, a real hierarchy is established between them with a dominant. It's the one who has the best place, who is always in front, who always wants to have more in the bowl! :))
The husky needs to feel in a pack, in a hierarchy, to be balanced. If he doesn't have that, he will constantly seek contact with other dogs. It is therefore necessary to compensate for the pack instinct and the hunting instinct. For the pack instinct, the presence of other dogs with the same size is the solution. For the hunting instinct, it is necessary to compensate with the sporting activity…. The husky is a dog that needs a lot of exercise.
The desire to become Musher
When I was a kid at 8 years old, I came across the film Antartica, a Japanese expedition to Antarctica with sled dogs. It was such a captivating and striking film that I said to myself: “one day I will have my own huskys!”
-> It's funny because it became my dream job watching one of Nicolas Vanier's travels. He was alone in magical landscapes with his cuties. I said to myself: this is what I want to do...
On the other hand, my favorite dog is the Labrador and they are not the best for hitching :p
Now I have my little darlings! It's like children; moreover, they sometimes argue as such… But the big boss is me and they understood it very well. I don't always intervene, they have to understand that they are subject to the leader of the pack.
The leader of the pack will not necessarily be the leader (the one in front of the team) because you need a fairly zen but assertive character. The leader will be asked to tighten the line of the hitch as it will bring everyone forward. He is the one who guides, sometimes even on his initiative as he feels. Leader dogs do not run the streets, it takes a certain intelligence. So it's all my job to make the right associations.
Sleigh rides with Patrice
There are several ways to try… In baptism mode: people take place in the sled and we leave for a sleigh ride between 20 and 30 mins. It is also possible to do a driving initiation. I'm in front and I open the track and everyone leads their own team of 4 dogs.
Sophia and Musher : I had the chance to go to Lapland, the country that made me fantasize the most! It was amazing!!!!! There I tested the hitch. We left for two days with a bivouac in the middle of nowhere under the stars and surrounded by dogs. Foot! Heaven! Happiness in its purest form! What wonderful days: I shared great moments with the dogs. And then them… as soon as we stop. They are like crazy and only thinking of one thing is to leave! Unbelievable!
Cani-scooting with your dog
The scooter is accessible to everyone, we really enjoy it. The dog just has to want to pull. However, it is not suitable for all breeds of dogs. It is not recommended for small dogs or breeds with flat noses… Breathing will not be optimal. The dog must also be very athletic.
Sophia and Musher : By the way: the cani-scooter it's what? It is a machine mounted on two blades (like skis) with a handlebar. You stand on each ski and you can accompany your dog's effort like on a scooter by pushing with one leg then the other. It's a fun way to learn mushing with your dog. I would really like to try this with Musher.
There are few resorts where dogs are welcome, so you have to find remote and spacious places to get started. I started by testing the sledge with my dog, I bought two harnesses, a elastic lanyard, my daughter and my son inside then forward! :))
Sophia and Musher : Don't panic Musher and I have prepared an article for you on resorts in the Pyrenees and the Alps that accept dogs so that you can test this activity with your doggie without any problem! Quickly discover them: They share their dog-friendly tips with us in the Alps et This winter, go to the Pyrenees with your dog!
Cani-scooter equipment
The Siberian dog is a rustic breed adapted to extreme cold. They know the cold very well and it is even ideal for them. No coat needed!
Then we have harnesses adapted to their morphology, this is what we call harness for sled dogs. The harness must be adapted to the size of the dog so that it is more comfortable in the race. So there are several sizes.
Do not ask too much of them at once, the driving must be progressive and adapted. A course of 2 kilometers to start is very good. It must remain a positive experience at the end of the ride! The dog will then take pleasure because we offer him speed, he will want to shoot and therefore exert himself.
Patrick's story
Evan, my leader is a big foodie. One day I left excursion with sled dogs for a walk accompanied by a client. When we arrived on the Col de Pegurre, I was admiring the view, so I didn't pay attention to the dogs. Neither one nor two, Evan grabbed the hikers' picnic… Of course the 12 dogs behind wanted their share of the cake… I asked people to please pick it up but in front of 12 excited dogs, for the first time it impresses. One of the hikers took his courage on both legs and picked up part of the picnic… I felt silly.. Haha
Sophia and Musher : I know one who would certainly have done the same thing, Musher is a real foodie. If an opportunity arises, she knows how to seize it... :))
I would like to thank Patrice for kindly sharing his experience with us. I envy her life a little, I admit… I hope this article has made you want to test the scooter with your dog or an sleigh ride with Fabrice and his huskies. If you want to know more about Patrice and his services, I invite you to like his face book page: Amarok adventure sport
READ ALSO : Hiking with your dog can't be improvised!, What should your dog's first aid kit contain?, Taking your dog to the beach: some precautions to take
You can also check out the guide I designed on dog training !