Our training runs are always exciting. Some of the trails that we travel on are fit predominately for dog teams (and a few hardy cross country skiers.) As you will see in this video, the narrow winding trail would be difficult for a snow machine or any other motorized vehicle … Read More
Training the SP Kennel dogs involves much more than simply running them mile after mile. The veteran dogs know the basic routine, but just like us mushers …. practice makes perfect. The young dogs need to learn. A lot. Therefore, we train in different trail conditions, weather conditions and terrain. … Read More
In preparation for our first race, the Sheep Mountain 150, we’ve been training in the hills around the kennel to get the dogs fit for climbing. Lucky for us, the steep hills get the mushers in shape too! I apologize for the darkness of the video, but with the winter … Read More
We took a video during one of the last training runs along the Chena River before “freeze up”. As you will here in the background, the ATV 4 wheeler is still purring along functioning as our “make believe” dog sled. The dogs don’t seem to care what they are pulling … Read More
Training for the 2011-2012 racing season has begun, but as you’ll see in the video, the adult dogs aren’t the only ones getting ready…
The Yukon Quest starts on February 5th in Whitehorse, Yukon Territory, Canada. The finish line is 1,000 miles and 10 plus days away in downtown Fairbanks, Alaska. The SP Kennel sled dogs (and mushers) got to see the last 80 miles of this race trail during several practice runs this … Read More
Before any race we will take the dogs on a training run as long as the longest leg of that race. Aliy went on a fairly long training run on the frozen Chena River prior to the Copper Basin 300 – literally from sunrise to sunset! This video footage captures … Read More
People always ask: What makes a sled dog a good leader? At SP Kennel, there are all different kinds of leaders. Experienced, no nonsense veterans and silly, youthful, energetic rookies and every one in between. Different dogs, of course, have different strengths. Often you will see leaders running in pair: … Read More
Snow has been falling for the last few days! It’s a winter wonderland. Two Rivers added at least 4-5 inches of white powder, but other parts of Interior Alaska got substantially more. On a gamble, we loaded up 30 dogs (three teams of 10 dogs) into the SP Kennel dog … Read More
