The Basics

After all this time, I have yet to go over the basic commands of dogsledding. The commands are subtle and change according to mushers, but they are a key part to the process. Without them, the lead dogs would run where they please, when they please.
I have adopted Bill's language when talking to the dogs. Mushers vary from using short, brusk demands to using baby talk with their dogs. I believe that Bill lies somewhere in between. Off harness, we coddle the dogs. We tell them that we love them and how wonderful they are. I confess that a little baby talk squeezes out every so often, but who hasn't given in to that. As soon as we pull out a harness however, the tone changes to that of business (Side note: the dog's barks change while working as well. There is more excitement and less communication involved in their barks).
One of the first things I say every morning to the runners is "easy". This is Bill's word to get them to calm down. My second word is usually "wait". The dogs have learned that 'easy' and 'wait' mean "please don't bark quite so loud or jump on me or trip me". It is amazing how these words take instant effect on the dogs. For instance, Oly can be very difficult to harness due to his high levels of excitement; as soon as I tell him to "wait", though, he sits patiently until I have hooked him into the lines. 
When all the dogs are harnessed, they start to yelp and lunge forward. We probably don't have to ask this, but it is customary to say, "ready?" As soon as they hear that word, it is as if a whole new pitch to their barking has been discovered. I don't think they've ever said no, so it is always followed by a quick, "let's go". For the next few miles, the dogs could be at a full sprint if they wanted to. It is up to the musher to say "easy" again and to set the pace.
Then there are the famous words: "Haw" and "Gee". These are some of these most important words to a musher. "Haw" translates as 'left' and "Gee" translates as 'right'. Without them, the dogs would run wherever they wanted. It is up to a seasoned runner to understand these words. Most of the dogs have never learned their meaning, as they just follow the leaders; however, the leaders learn from each other to understand the meaning.
Even with these commands, if a leader decides to 'haw' when you want them to 'gee', there's little you can do to stop them. In this situation, all you can say is 'whoa' and run up to the lead dog to walk them towards the proper path. It might take a few tries, but they'll get it eventually.
The rest of the time is taken up with calling their names and giving them praise. Bill is a firm believer in positive reinforcement. He has experienced the differences in dogs when you yell at them versus encouraging them. They want to please the musher and they will work their hardest to accomplish what is asked of them. Whenever you say a dog's name on the line, they will look back with a happy grin.
 These commands are just a small portion of racing a team. Without those words though, it would be impossible. Without the positive encouragement, it would be impossible.
"Haw over! Good dog": it's easy to say, but it means oh so much.