Our 2007 Iditarod Summer Conference was held at Susan Whiton and Vern Halter's Dream a Dream Dog Kennel from Sunday, June 24 - Wednesday morning, June 27, and then moved to other locations. Our time a the kennel allowed teachers to be involved in a number of activities, including daily dog chores.Each morning at about 7:30, workshop participants would go on a puppy walk. Nine little puppies guided the teachers through the woods winning the race to the end of the hiking trail and raced back to the puppy kennel. Puppy walks are the start of training for these 'wanna be sled dogs'.
After the puppy walk, it was time to hook up a team for a morning run. Teacher campers assisted in harnessing the dogs and hooking up the team to Vern's Dream a Dream wheeled cart. The howl songs sung by the dogs at hook up time made it evident that these dogs were anxioius to go on the run. Teachers climbed on to the Dream a Dream Mobile for exciting rides.
When the team returned to the dog yard, each dog was given a
bowl of fresh water. After their water bowl was empty, each dog was released from the gangline and allowed to go 'home' to their house and circle, where their breakfast bowl awaited them.While the teachers went into the dog born to being their classes, the dogs began their own daily routine which included climbing on their dog house roof and napping beneath the warm sunshine filled day.
2 comments:
This was one the greatest opportunities that the conference allowed, exposure to sled dogs of all ages. Vern had retired dogs, current racing dogs, and young puppies. Vern and Susan's comprehensive teaching program allowed us to step into the world of dog handling. Just ask Sybil, she really experienced the "wetness" of the dog yard. :)
I agree...nothing can top being a "dude" dog handler!
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