Puppy Training

My darling puppies are getting big. Very big. As they grow, training will get more and more intense. They're almost a year old, which means that it's about time that they experienced the team setting. Up to now, training has been relaxed and fun. Mostly, they just ran in circles and played their little tails off. I would take them for walks and wrestle with them. It's important to get them to understand at a young age that humans are fun. They need to associate people with happiness; that way, when I come up the hill with a harness, they'll be excited to see me and do whatever I ask of them. It's also important for them to see the older dogs enjoying running. If the veterans are all excited to run, the puppies will naturally be curious about what the big deal is. 

Whitey in early July, 6 months old

The next step, as with any puppy, is to get them used to a leash. If anyone has ever owned a puppy, you know that first try is always difficult. After months of freedom and romping, being attached to a rope is pretty surprising. Most of my puppies stayed low to the ground, their bellies hitting the ground as they were unsure how to respond. Only Kuka trotted right along next to me like nothing in the world had changed. Unlike other puppies, a sled dog is commended for pulling. That instinct to pull is exactly what you want to see; even if that means that my shoulder is constantly yanked on.
Next, you harness them. Again, they all put their bellies flat to the ground. Each puppy whips their head around to see what I am putting on them. After a few shakes to no avail, they accept it and move on. Niva even strutted a little bit in her red harness. They associate these with the big dogs, the cool dogs. As soon as they're used to the harness, I can hook a leash to the back to act as a tug line. This gets them used to pulling from their hind legs. Inevitably, there were some pretty tangled harnesses and leashes, as some of the pups would rather just jump on me. It will take continuous work to get them used to it and to get them enthusiastic about it. They have to develop more interest in pulling than in me while the harness is on.
If the puppy really excels at pulling with the leash, they can go straight into the team. Today was Whitey's first run with the racers. He was the most interested in running out of the litter and he absolutely worships the big dogs. After the racers ran ten miles, we hooked Whitey up next to Zion. He looked tiny in comparison and instantly rolled on his back with his tail tucked between his legs and his ears flat back. Zion didn't give him the time of day. As soon as we started, he leaped into the air and tried to side step it. It only took him a second to realize he wasn't going anywhere. The journey down the driveway can make or break a puppy. Either they awkwardly shuffle their way down, or they set down their back paws and drag. Thankfully, Whitey was the awkward shuffle. He kept running into Zion and bouncing off; I don't think Zion even noticed.
As soon as we made it to level ground, Whitey took off. He pulled like he had never pulled before. His tail was constantly wagging and he kept looking back at me as if to say, "Hey! Hey! Look at me! I'm running! I'm running with the big dogs!". I swear I have never seen such a huge grin on a dog before. All hesitation left him and he ran full out. The puppies haven't adopted the classic sled dog trot yet; they don't know how to preserve their energy effectively. Instead, Whitey was stretching out to his full length in a goofy lope. Of course, we ran the dogs slower with him in the line, but he just wanted to run faster and faster. For two miles, he wagged that tail and that grin never faltered.

Sled dog Whitey!

We gave him plenty of breaks, but if we stopped for more than five seconds, he started lunging to keep going.  Even when we got back to the house, he was ready to run more. As soon as I reached him to unharness, he jumped up to give me kisses. This is definitely a sled dog. He's a tired puppy, but he now knows what the big deal is.