Fall Training: Objective--Passing

Acadia: My what a large tongue you have...

Today's fall training run with the Maryland Sled Dog Adventures' sled dogs had one objective. Today's objective was passing Eric or Catherine on the trail. Anyone who has tried to take a team of sled dogs past an important person (i.e., the person who feeds them) on the trail, knows that this can be tricky. Because our dog sledding programs and tours nearly always require both Eric and I to be on the trail with the team, this skill is important to us.

Today, we arrived at the Sparks station on the Northern Central Rail (NCR) trail to do some practice passing drills with the team. We hooked up a four dog team with Zoe and Acadia in lead and Sobo and Okemo in wheel. Our fifth sled dog, T-Bone, is in partial retirement and stayed home to read a book on the couch!

The amazing flying, T-Bone, stayed home and read a book

Monkton Station: Northern Central Rail Trail

In the dark we set up the equipment including the lines and rig (the wheeled dog sled), harnessed the sled dogs, and gave each a brief walk. Just after day break, off we went out of the station with me driving the team and Eric riding our bike. The dogs love this stretch of trail and headed out down the trail at about 20 MPH despite the relatively heavy, 350 lb, load they were pulling. This stretch of trail runs through Maryland horse country and the farms, with their stone bank barns and white split rail fences, lining the trail are just lovely. About two miles out, after passing some pastured horses, I stopped the team to allow Eric to catch up. While the team was stopped, I enjoyed the gorgeous reds, yellows and orange leaves on the trees. I also practiced some line out training with the sled dogs.

Fall Foliage

After Eric caught up to us, we began working on leap frogging the bike (we'd pass Eric on the bike, slow down, and Eric would then pass us on the bike). Each time we commanded the dogs to go "on by" and praised them when they did it flawlessly and corrected them, showing them what we wanted them to do, when they did not. After about four passes, the sled dogs had this skill down pat. As we ran the balance of our 8 mile run from Sparks to Monkton, we continued this drill.

Arriving at Monkton station, we rested and watered the dogs for about ten minutes, and then began another drill. This particular drill involved having the dogs turn off the trail into a open field next to the Monkton station, run behind the station house, and come back out on the trail. After many missed attempts, the dogs finally got the idea that we wanted them to "haw" into the open field off the trail. Some of the dogs (Sobo who was in wheel this run) got it faster than others. As I once again showed the leaders, Zoe and Acadia, what I wanted them to do, Sobo valiantly attempted to turn the team "haw" from the wheel (back) position. Good boy Sobo!

Sobo and Okemo in wheel during a water break at Monkton Station

After re-entering the trail, now headed south, Eric and I switched positions and I rode the bike while Eric drove the team. Once again, we practiced passing (leap frogging) the bike. This time the dogs were spot on and didn't require any corrections. Good sled doggies!

Practicing passing drills

Heading down the trail

Arriving back at the dog truck, the sled dogs were fed their breakfast and meat, watered, walked, and we headed home. Our total run was 8 miles round trip with our maximum speed approximately 20 MPH and our "cruising speed" abut 7-8 MPH. Along the way, the sled dogs pulled approximately 350 lbs. At home we found our stone mason well underway on building us, and the sled dogs, a new field stone wall along the driveway.

Early Morning Training Runs

Sled dog, Sobo, enjoys his "breakfast of champions." Eagle Pack Power!

The weather has finally taken a turn for the cooler and Eric and I have been able to get out twice this week for some dryland dog sled training of the Maryland Sled Dog Adventures team.

Thursday's, training run began from the Parkton, Maryland station stop along the Northern Central Rail (NCR) Trail (recently renamed the Torrey C. Brown Rail Trail). We set out at approximately 6:30 am and reached the trail by 7:00 am and were out by about 7:30. For once, there were no loose dogs roaming the Parkton station.

Coming down the trail

After harnessing the dogs and hooking up, we began by running north towards Bentley Springs at a brisk clip. Along the way, we stopped for water and to watch the Gunpowder river meander through the forest. The dogs had several opportunities to practice their "on bys" as a number of suicidal squirrels decided to run right under their noses. Zoe, showed great restraint, did not chase down the little critters, and helped to take the entire team past these distractions. On the way back, we over took Eric and Acadia who were out for a walk and to do some photography. Again, the dogs got to practice going "on by" their favorite sled dog dad, Eric. Meanwhile, Acadia demonstrated the power of the Siberian Husky Death Scream as she caterwauled to join the team in harness.

Sled puppy, Acadia

Lead dog, Zoe

All told, our training run was 5.5 miles round trip, our maximum speed was 13.7 MPH and our cruising speed (moving average) was 7.9 MPH. Weight for this run was 350 lbs.

Friday's training run began at the White Hall, Maryland station along the NCR trail. After hooking up, we headed north towards the Falls. As we approached the Falls (a frequent stopping place for us), I decided to give Zoe the on by command that would take us past the falls. Like the experienced sled dog that she is, she easily lead the team past the Falls and continued down the trail. After going a short distance further down the trail, we stopped for a water break and rested listening to the relaxing sound of the water and it rushed over the rocks. After a brief respite, I gave the "hike" command. Unclear on what this command meant, Sobo began to "come haw" instead. Giving a forceful line out command, he stopped mid turn, however, and lined out. "Hike, hike" and off we went. Going a short bit further, we again stopped and did a "come haw" turning around and heading back towards the station. About a mile out from the station we encounter a jogger, jogging north (towards us) with her off leash Chihuahua. Deciding that this might be a temptation too great for the sled dogs to pass up, I stopped the team, told them to line out, and waited as the jogger went by. Surprisingly, the sled dogs, especially T-Bone, were far better behaved during their line out than I expected.

Mileage marker along the trail

Pausing to water the sled dogs

Okemo enjoys his post dog sledding breakfast

Returning to the station, I unharnessed the dogs, fed everyone, and loaded the dogs in the truck. After a brief visit by Acadia to her favorite Park Service employees, we headed home. All told, today's run, was 3 miles with a cruising speed of approximately 7.9 MPH and a maximum speed of 15.8 MPH. Weight for this run was 350 lbs.

If all of this sounds like fun to you, check out the dog sledding and dryland dog sledding tours and programs we offer along the NCR trail.