By Laurie Niedermayer
I have always felt that if I can help even one new person to the sport avoid some of the issues I have faced with my dogs- it is all worth it. I have always said that I do not profess to know it all - the day I do is the day I die. As the years go by I realize that I learn every day from my dogs.
Way back in the dark ages of mushing - when I first got involved in the sport - I had no one I could ask for help or training advice. My only contacts were in the show world and while most of those breeders & exhibitors meant well - they really did not have an understanding of the meaning of ‘run your dogs’. I suffered a lot of trial and error and hanging around the three cart races held near my home for three years - just stumbling along, watching was how I learned..
Along the way - I noticed a couple of things. First of all - new to the breed or sport types would ask a question on how to do something and then roll right over top of what was being shared/answered by babbling on and on about how wonderful their dog was. How fabulous in whatever behavior. How the sport was the be all and end all. And those more sage than I - would simply roll their eyes and walk away. I could never understand why. Then I became a mentor - and now I understand why.
I don’t know about other mentors - but after 16 years in a sport not known for longevity - I’d like to just record my answers and video tape bashing my head against a wall - and replay it every time there is a disagreement or argument about advice I have given.
I get phone calls and emails all the time - from folks who just absolutely LOVE the breed (siberians), are wannabe crusaders ’determined’ to return the breed to what it’s original purpose was; or love the sport, or want to get into the business.. In my more jaded moments I think - Business?? Of what? Endlessly scooping, cleaning and feeding? Endlessly training and working? The commitment required to run a racing kennel is huge. You can’t prepare someone for the ups & downs of running dogs. Even bigger is the daunting task of running a touring kennel. If anyone says they make money at breeding/selling dogs - they are either a puppy mill or definitely doing something wrong. I have never yet ‘MADE’ any money selling dogs/puppies. Every penny goes back into the care, training, vetting, feeding etc of the dogs..
For those of you new to the sport - that the best advice I can give you is for you to just shut up - and listen.
Now I know that may sound harsh, or be politically incorrect - but let me try to explain …
Mushers as a rule are very, very busy people. Even if they have agreed to mentor you - they are doing so by taking time out of very busy schedules to do so. So please RESPECT that. Many of you will say - but I do - or I would - but the reality is that you don’t.
As people who have been in the game a while - and are willing to share their knowledge with you - believe me when I say - although your enthusiasm is wonderful - and we certainly enjoy that - we do not need to know that your fluffy or fido is a super dog. We don’t care that he or she can do a million tricks on command. There is NOTHING that you can ‘Tell’ us that we don’t already know about animal behavior or training, as it pertains to mushing. We do care about how the dog reacts to mushing training, which is why you contacted us in the first place.
If you are dealing with a purebred or particular line of dogs and consequently a musher with experience with those lines or that breed - we are already very aware of what typical milestones in training and behavior are - and when they will occur. So when we tell you to watch out for a certain behavior - please don’t tell us ‘oh no - my fluffy would never do that‘. Wrong. Fluffy will do exactly a certain behavior at a certain age because they ALL do it at that particular age range. While each dog has it’s own personality - all dogs go through developmental stages at the same time.
All a mentor can do is share their experiences with you. Whether or not you choose to follow the advice given - is your decision. But don’t call up your mentor and complain that the training is not going as planned - if you have only been out training once in a while. Or are not following the advice given to you.
How can you benefit from a mentor?
Ask questions - but LISTEN to the answers.
Look for a mentor that runs dogs of the same breed you are interested in,
Look for a mentor that runs the style you are interested in.
Look for a mentor that will answer your question honestly.
Tough answers may be hard to hear - but are formed based on your mentor’s personal experience and years in the sport. Sugar coating an issue is not the best way to deal with it. Animal care is not to be taken for granted. It is a serious lifelong responsibility.
Now for some hard and bitter truths of the sport.….
Fact - your breeder is not God - no matter how much they may try to convince you otherwise….
Fact: there is no substitute for the actual practical ‘hands on’ training you can get by attending a training clinic, or working with/for a musher for a season or two.
Fact: No matter how enthusiastic you are about getting started in the sport - the average person lasts less than 5 years.
Fact: The average length of time for dog sled tour operators to start and fold - 2 - 3 years.
Fact: No matter how many people I have mentored or workshop participants I have had over the years - most usually do not follow up with any of the training they have learned here after the first week or two at home.
Fact: “I am going/want to restore the breed to it’s original purpose” - As enthusiastic as you are about ‘restoring the breed’ or the sport to what it was - you are not going to win that battle. All you can do - is learn, research, breed very, very selectively and then prove the dogs out in harness. Your standings and results will prove you out - not your mouth and enthusiasm.
Fact: “I am going to do dog sled tours /race and make a ton of money” Na uh.. Nope.. Nada.. the average person starts out with this grand idea. They may actually get hold of some decent dogs, (most don’t - and go to shelters) breed a few litters and before they know it have way too many dogs, no time to train and no money (to do the advertising, insurance, trails, permits), equipment, vet costs, feed, etc. And their partner/spouse/family gives them an ultimatum - the dogs or me. Then comes the emotionally pain filled decision and choices of ‘dumping’ the dogs and finding them new homes.
Fact: Most dogs, in this situation, end up in rescue.
Are you prepared to actually listen to and then work with the advice given you by a mentor? If you are - then for more information on finding a mentor check out the sled dog central mentors links or contact one of the mushing schools or mushing clubs in your area.