The above series of photos will give you a mushers view of the run. Only the leaders have a change of scene! 
It was another difficult week here for training with more rainy days making for very wet trails. However, we were able to get in runs on Tuesday, Friday and Saturday. Although the weather has been challenging, the dogs performance is excellent and they are getting into shape very quickly. The sprint team are hitting a consistent fast pace even with two people on the ATV, the motor running, the transmission in 5th gear and not using the accelerator. I am very impressed with their speed, strength and endurance. 
Cobalt has really taken over as the head leader & any dog the runs next to her catches her enthusiasm to perform. She is going to be a great leader. 
We experimented one run having Willy at lead for a short distance. He performed great and was not distracted. He will deserve more lead time in the future. Katie has also been showing a great deal of enthusiasm to get up front. She is now running in the first team position and will get a chance at lead in the near future. This is a great time of the year to try dogs at different positions.
Both Hurit & Halona were placed in the adult yard on Monday. They adjusted quickly and are now interacting with their new neighbors.
David has done a great job in leveling off the kennel and repairing the dog houses getting ready for Winter.

Charlie arrives here on Tuesday to begin her Sled Dog adventure. She will be also completing some University Studies, one on Animal Behavior. I wonder if she will be studying the dogs or the Mushers? HA! Ha!

Until next week........

Yes, it was a difficult week for running dogs due to poor weather conditions. With  the inclement weather, we were able to run on Monday & Tuesday, three days off & then again on Saturday and today. We had a heavy all day rain on Thursday which left the trails flooded. 
The dogs are doing great considering the difficulties. It is important to watch the long range weather forecast to enable training when the weather permits.
So far, we have been able to get in 14 days of running.
The dogs are even getting a little disgusted, along with the musher, with theses wet/humid conditions. However, weather is out of our control & we just have to be patient waiting for better conditions. This has been the wettest Fall that I have experienced here.
The puppies got their booster & rabies vaccine on Thursday. The two males are adjusting well to their new surroundings and we plan on placing the two females in the adult yard this week.
Until next week......

Here are a few photos, extracted from a video, of the home stretch on a conditioning/training run.
Unfortunately, the weather this week wasn't to conducive to running dogs. We were plagued with warm & then very wet weather. Even though the temperatures were around 8C, the high humidity made for undesirable conditions for running. These conditions can cause the dogs to overheat and is very dangerous for their health & well being! 
The upcoming week is calling for less rain & cooler temperatures that are more suitable.
We did however, get in two days of running on Tuesday & Wednesday, that were very good. The dogs are getting into better shape and are now running 3 minute run/2 minute rest intervals.
Both Hinto & Hok'ee were placed out in the dog yard with the adult dogs on Saturday. They were getting too big for the puppy pen and needed more room. They adjusted quite well to their new surroundings. Both Halona & Hurit are still in the puppy pen, as they are both a little too small to be placed in the yard with the adults.
There are a few photos of Hinto & Hok'ee adjusting to their new mates in the kennel on the "Puppy" page.
Until next week.........

Yes, it was a great week here getting a lot accomplished.
This was the first week this season to get in four days of running the dogs. Due to warm/rainy weather the first half of the week, we ended up running Wednesday, Thursday & Friday. It was rewarding to see that the dogs performed great all three days and maybe even the best on the third day. On the Friday run, we increased the run/rest intervals from two minute run/two minute rest to three minute run/two minute rest. Those three days, we started the day with below freezing temperatures for the first time this season. 
Now, we are in a heat wave with Summer like temperatures. 
This weeks running schedule was predicated by the forecast of warm temperatures & also this the Thanksgiving Holiday weekend. Thus, we had scheduled two days of rest (R&R).
On Saturday, we placed collars on the pups for the fist time & staked them out by the truck. In the beginning they were not impressed. However, they got used to the tethering and then we took them each for a walk on leash. This gave them time to experience new terrain & smells. In the end they were all happy & were then returned to the puppy pen & familiar surroundings.
This week, we also started kennel maintenance getting ready for the Winter.
There is a new video added to the Training Page of the dogs running. 
Until next week........

Here are a series of photos extracted from a video taken of this mornings run. This was the fifth time we have had the dogs out this season. I am very impressed on the progress of the dogs for this early in the season. In these photos it is Cobalt & Max at lead.
This week it has been warm & wet which is the reason we were only able to get in a few runs. Next week, the weather is forecasted to be cooler & hopefully we can get into a four day/week conditioning schedule. As of now, we are running 4.5 miles and using a 2 minute run/2 minute rest routine. As the  dogs get more in condition, we will change the run/rest cycle.
Now that we are back running the dogs, it is a great time here in the Northern Forest!
Until next week........