Many would say that I am a person of questionable dog-interest and background. For me, there’s something about all that invasion of personal space, need for attention and dog slobber that generally turns me. Yet a few months ago, while on a solo trike/cycle trip of Oahu a terrible incident occurred and I found myself with no place to stay yet needing to recover. Complete strangers stepped up and took me in. They had two dogs.

To me, having a truly functional team means that your leaders must be able to truly understand how to line out. I also believe that line out is one of the basic commands that needs to be taught first, before any other more advanced commands are tackled. Within this article I will display the techniques that I have used with my own team, and how they have helped me to quickly teach line out.

By Laurie Niedermayer

Cross back - or X-back harnesses are - in my opinion the best for Siberian Huskies. H backs are great for the hound crosses - which have longer, narrower bodies.
One of the best books available on training for skijoring is "SkiJor With Your Dog" by Mari Hoe-Raitto

When you order a skijoring set up, know that at first you will need everything - the folks at Alpine Outfitters have a great little beginner’s package or you can choose to customize: http://www.alpineoutfitters.net

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.