Sleigh ride with a dog and cani-scooter: sliding sports with a dog

Today I'm introducing you to Patrice, a professional musher in Ariège. He tells us all about his profession, Trop W'ouf, and also gives us some tips for trying snowmobiling with your dog . He and his 36 huskies will 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!

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!  

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.

However, my favorite dog is a Labrador, and they're not the best for sledding :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.

There are several ways to try it… For a first-time experience: people take their places in the sled and we set off for a 20-30 minute ride . It's also possible to try a driving lesson. I lead the way and each person drives their own team of four dogs.

Sophie and Musher : I was lucky enough to go to Lapland, the country I'd always dreamed of visiting! It was incredible!!!!! There, I tried dog sledding. We went for two days, camping in the middle of nowhere under the stars, surrounded by the dogs. Amazing! Paradise! Pure bliss! What wonderful days: I shared some fantastic moments with the dogs. And them… as soon as we stopped, they went crazy and only thought about one thing: getting back on the road! Incredible!

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.

Sophie and Musher : By the way, what exactly is a dog scooter ? It's a device mounted on two blades (like skis) with handlebars. You stand on each ski and can assist your dog's effort, like on a scooter, by pushing with one leg and then the other. It's a fun way to learn mushing with your dog. I'd really love to try it with Musher.

Dog-friendly resorts are rare, so you have to find secluded and spacious spots to try it out. I started by testing sledding with my dog; I bought two harnesses , an elastic leash , put my daughter and son in, and off we went! :))

Sophie and Musher : Don't panic! Musher and I have prepared an article for you about dog-friendly resorts in the Pyrenees and Alps so you can try this activity with your furry friend without any problems! Go check it out: They share their best dog-friendly tips in the Alps , and this winter, head to the Pyrenees with your dog!

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.

Evan, my leader, is a real glutton. One day, I went on a dogsledding excursion with some clients. When we arrived at the Pegurre pass, I was admiring the view, so I wasn't paying attention to the dogs. In no time at all, Evan grabbed the hikers' picnic... Of course, the 12 dogs behind wanted their share... I asked the people to please take it back, but facing 12 excited dogs on a team, it's quite a sight for a first-timer. One of the hikers mustered up his courage and retrieved part of the picnic... I felt silly... Haha

Sophie and Musher : I know someone who would certainly have done the same thing; Musher is a real foodie. If an opportunity presents itself, she knows how to seize it… :))

I thank Patrice for sharing his experience with us. I'm a little envious of his life, I must admit… I hope this article has inspired you to try scootering with your dog or a sled ride with Fabrice and his huskies. If you'd like to learn more about Patrice and his services, I invite you to like his Facebook page: Amarok Sport Aventure

ALSO READ : Hiking with your dog isn't something you can just wing!, 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 created on dog training!