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The International Sled Dog Racing Association, based in Minnesota, estimates there are 3,000 dog drivers in North America. About 40 percent of mushers in the United States live in Alaska. Then there is Kathy Lesinski, a physical education teacher in Connecticut who is beginning her fifth season of competitive sled dog racing. In dog sledding terms, Connecticut is the equivalent of the south and not exactly a hotbed of activity. But Lesinkski and her husband take the sport seriously. Mush Talk Booties A type of sock that is made to protect the dog’s feet from small cuts and sores made of various materials, i.e., denim, polar fleece, trigger cloth, etc. Come Gee! Come Haw! Commands for 180 degree turns in either direction. Dog in Basket Tired or injured dog carried in the sled Double Lead Two dogs who lead the team side by side. Dropped Dog A dog that the musher has dropped from his team at a checkpoint. Gee Command for right turn Haw Command for left turn Lead Dog or Leader Dog who runs in front of others. Generally must be both intelligent and fast. Line Out! Command to lead dog to pull the team out straight from the sled. Used mostly while hooking dogs into team or unhooking them. Mush! Hike! All Right! Let’s Go! Commands to start the team Pedaling Pushing the sled with one foot while the other remains on the runner Rigging Collection of lines to which dogs are attached. Includes tow line, tug lines and neck lines Runners The two bottom pieces of the sled which come in contact with the snow. Swing Dog or Dogs Dog that runs directly behind the leader. Further identified as right or left swing depending on which side of the tow line he is positioned on. Tether Line A long chain with shorter pieces of chain extending from it. Used to stake out a team when stakes aren’t available. Toggles Small pieces of ivory or wood used by Eskimos to fasten tug lines to harnesses. Trail! Request for right-of-way on the trail. Tug Line Line that connects dog’s harness to the tow line. Wheel Dogs or Wheelers Dogs placed directly in front of the sled. Their job is to pull the sled out and around corners or trees. Whoa! Command used to halt the team, accompanied by heavy pressure on the brake. Did You Know? Iditarod dogs are not driven with reins, but by spoken commands. The leader of the team must understand all that is said to him and guide the others accordingly. An intelligent leader is an absolute necessity. At times it appears that there is ESP between musher and lead dog. Don’t be surprised if you hear a musher have an in-depth conversation with her lead dog.

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