Spending a lot of time looking at dog butts these days, and that is a good thing.  It means fall training; bigger teams are getting out for longer runs.

OK recently I talked about our summer activities: free running and leader training. This is how we keep the dogs active and entertained in the off seasons. Then starting September  1st.  we kick it up and begin really conditioning the team for the winter ahead. Of course our off season activities help keep the dogs in good physical condition, and whenever you are running a team you have the opportunity (responsibility even) to be training them. But in a theoretical way I separate the two in my mind. Training is working on the shared communication and expectations that allow the musher and team to work together.  Conditioning is the development of muscles, aerobic capacity, strength, and endurance that enables our dogs to accomplish the goals we have set. So although training and conditioning are parts of the same activity; running dogs, at times we allow ourselves a greater focus on one or the other to help us meet our goals. After a few months with a focus on training fall is the time to focus on conditioning.

And that takes us right back to dog butts. Fall training happens before there is even snow on the ground. Taking advantage of the cooler fall temperatures dogs are run using a motorized quad. (also called four wheeler) The colors are vibrant this time of year, and the dogs are enthusiastic, and I am glad to be out on the trails with them.

Thought y’all might enjoy seeing a bit of what our fall training looks like so I grabbed the camera for some runs we took on the 3rd. and 4th. For your viewing pleasure, without further ado… Dog Butts! and some happy faces.

 Hope y’all enjoyed a peek at what my days are full of this fall.

And please do not forget we have our Dew Claw MUSH for sale to raise funds for the 2015 Iditarod. Now available online –click here–