Mini-Musher Workshop - 7 hours

“Become a Mini Musher” Workshop – 7 hours A day-long immersion to discover the daily life of a musher and enjoy a unique experience up close with sled dogs. 4 hours of sled rides and 3 hours of dog care! Can be completed in one day, with two or three outings depending on your child’s age and ability. Your child must be eager to participate, enjoy being outdoors, love to be active, and not be afraid of the cold By the end of the course, the child will have learned the basics of mushing and will be able to: - Help with the dogs’ daily care: feeding, cleaning the kennels, and brushing - Learn how to massage the dogs and hydrate them properly - Learn how to make a harness - Learn to read the dogs and the pack, and understand their interactions - Understand the organization required to prepare for a dog-sledding or dog-walking outing (about 20 minutes). - Discover the world of mushing: the different breeds of sled dogs, the history of early sled teams (from whale-bone sleds to modern equipment), current gear, training methods, nutrition for working dogs, animal welfare, managing a pack, the role of the lead dog, equipment maintenance, dog training, their positions in the team, musher knots, the dogs’ physical condition, and the different types of gliding on snow and ice. You’ll learn all this during the dog sled outings (approximately 4 hours). - Learn how to harness multiple dogs and calmly and confidently settle them, with respect for the animals and without any violence. - Understand how a team works in order to select, position, and harness each dog based on its size, temperament, and role. - Learn the basic voice commands used with the team and guide the dogs using your voice. - Learn the three braking techniques as well as the key safety rules essential for driving a sled. (The child does not drive the sled) - Understand why you should not feed a dog while it is working, be aware of the associated veterinary risks, and know how to safely restore the dog’s energy. - Actively participate in training sessions and treks alongside the musher, spending about 4 hours on the sled throughout the day. Through this program, the child does more than just go for a ride: for one day, they become a true mini-musher, discovering the responsibilities, knowledge, and values that define this passionate profession.