Life with Siberian Huskies

Ivan @ Cooper School Day 2: Dogs teaching dogs. I did all 3 dogs together early this morning necklined together. It went really well. This was a quick afternoon training session with the young pup. You can see that Cooper looks before he crosses the road. Ivan learns from being pulled by the neckline and has to follow. I don’t use “Gee Over, Haw Over” because Cooper knows we are not going into the ditch, and why would I complicate it with another word? He would go into the ditch if I said “Straight” after the “Gee.” But we have enough road time together he knows what I want. The proof is at the end when I didn’t see the driveway and told him “Straight.” It was quickly fixed by another “Gee.” Good dog!

I walked Cooper at least 500 miles his first year and taught him the commands before I ever hooked him up to a bike. Even then a squirrel can ruin your day. Now that he is almost 6 years old he’s a veteran and the best one I can think of to train Ivan. Ivan will learn faster this way and I won’t have to put in the miles on foot starting from scratch.

I’ve had people ask me why “Gee and Haw” instead of right and left. There are a couple of reasons. One is that it is a traditional command for sled dogs. That makes the dogs and musher’s interchangeable. Two is about how easy it is to issue a command at -20F and your face is frozen. You can’t issue a command that takes enunciation when your lips are frozen. Haw, and Gee, are easy to grunt out. Nobody knows where this started but it was used in the early days when directing draft animals to pull wagons, plows, etc. If it works don’t try to fix it.

His name was chosen for his Siberian background. Be careful what you name a dog as it can come true. He is a handful and then some. The progeny of two lead racing dogs, he has it in his genes to be hard-headed and incorrigible. These are great traits for a sled dog. Not so much for also being a house dog. Ivan is a force of nature. At 4 months he is everything you want, at home not so much. He needs to work to control his energy and zest for life. That’s my job and it’s not an easy one. He will mature, but until then all hell is brought down from the husky Gods to see if you are worthy.

He is now 4 months old. 37 lbs. and 20″ tall at the withers. He pulls like a tank, and has no end to energy. 3/4 Seppala Siberian lines. His attitude is that of the original Togo. He is a total pain in the ass, but that will transform to sled dog greatness in time.

Six more Siberians were born to our Kennel in Maine. These are not Seppalas but AKC registered Siberians. New Siberians being born is always special to me. They continue the cycle of life they have had for thousands of years. Fully health tested and proven sled dog parents, OFA hips, elbows, and eyes tested. Every puppy gets DNA tested by Embark. This clears them of 165 known genetic defects. We do everything we can to provide the best dogs we can to people. That may be why this litter sold before they were even born.

Welcome young ones!

4 Males and 2 Females.

Ivan is the offspring of our two best lead dogs. I have high hopes for this guy.

Pack Dynamics:

Day two with Ivan. I like to study my dogs, for that is the only way you really get to understand them. They have many different traits and interactions with us and each other. It is really pretty fascinating watching them interact. Nikki is not happy but tolerant of the new pup. Cooper loves the new pup and stood between him and Nikki when things got a little heated.

Sammie our 12-year-old doesn’t care much for Nikki or Cooper but seems to like Ivan just fine. I guess they are like us in a lot of ways. Some people you like and others you don’t.Ivan is 3/4 Seppala Siberian. He shows that in his houndish body and big ears. Both traits of the line. Also, there is an attachment to humans more so than my regular Sibes. I can’t go anywhere without Ivan following me, or squealing for me.But more to the point is what is in his DNA. Ivan is the product of two proven lead dogs. Dogs that pull sleds and guide the way.

I saw a glimpse of what he has on our first walk. During the first half, I had to pull him along for his first time on a leash. I was wondering what was going on as I’m used to my trained dogs trying to yank me down the road. During the return trip, he decided to pull the leash tight and keep up with the big dogs. In fact, that wasn’t good enough and he wanted to be in front of them. He pulled, and lead them. That’s pretty amazing for an 11-week old puppy who just changed homes. It’s in his DNA, he just needed to be given the opportunity for that to come out.

And for him to find out who and what he is. I was pretty impressed by that first walk and today his second walk was the same. So, will he become a great sled dog? Time will tell but he’s already showing signs that he will. He just needs to gain his confidence and learn from the other dogs. He’s been on this earth for less than 3 months. I’ll give him what he needs to become what he was destined and bred for. I so enjoy watching him awaken to his inner self. This is what it’s all about if you are into breeding dogs. You help them become all that they can be. He’s a smart one and already has defeated the baby gates in my house. He’s going to be a handful because he’s so smart. A challenge I’ll enjoy as he grows up.

I left Friday morning at 4 AM. Virginia to Maine and back. Got back this morning (Sunday) at 10:30 AM and 2000 miles later. Welcome home Ivan! He needed a strong Siberian name and Ivan means Grace of God. Fitting for this new Seppala added to my pack. 11 weeks old today and a handful of learning to come. This was the only boy of our “Y” litter and I had to keep him. The product of two amazing lead dogs named Legacy and Delta. He’s only 3/4 Seppala but performance delegates breeding picks. Also, to reduce the COI (Coefficient of Inbreeding) of the progeny. More to follow on his journey with us and his new life.

Heading to Maine soon to pick up Ivan. My pick of our last litter. 3/4 Seppala Siberian boy, product of two lead dogs being bred together. Time will tell what’s inside him as a sled dog.

First of all, both are purebred Siberian huskies. Next is there are certain traits that show up to the practiced eye for a dog of Seppala lines. Usually, they have tall ears, a houndish looking body. But most telling is the look. The intensity of the gaze and body language of this line. If you look at enough Huskies you can spot it right away.

I’ve decided to add this boy to my pack. I’m going to name him “Ivan.” A good Russian name for a Siberian Husky. It means, “Grace of God.” We will see how he lives up to it. 72% Seppala Siberian. The product of two lead dogs. 6 Weeks old in this photo.

This one goes into my famous Musher’s and or Dogs category. This is Gunner, the foundation dog of world champion sprint dog racer Ed K Streeper. I did this one for him. Still need to clear coat the frame, and mount it. I call it “Sunrise at Denali.”