Husky News

Eyes widened and students’ faces showed amazement when Pete Northcutt told them that a team of 12 dogs can pull 1,000 pounds at 22 miles per hour during a dog sled race.

“Tia, my Siberian husky, can pull me over if I don’t brace myself,” he said.

Students in grades kindergarten through the sixth grade at Joliet Elementary School had the rare chance to meet part of a local dog sled team, their owner and trainer, Northcutt, and the dogs’ handler, Timber (Tim) Venard. Two assemblies took place at the elementary school on Thursday, Jan. 31.

As the primary musher and trainer, Northcutt joined the business with his mother, Pat Northcutt, in 2003 at Nicaya Kennels, located just outside of Joliet. There they breed, raise, and train Siberian Huskies. Venard came to work as the managing handler and secondary musher for Nicaya Kennels in 2006.

Northcutt has been competing in dog sled races since 2005. He will compete again in the upcoming Race to the Sky near Helena and hopes one day to participate as a musher with his team in the Iditarod in Alaska.

Northcutt and Venard began their presentation by introducing the students to two of Northcutt’s “kids,” huskies Tia and Wiseguy.

Venard shared safety tips on how to approach a strange dog. First, a person should ask permission from the owner to pet the dog. Next, one should put out a closed fist, palm down, for the dog to sniff. Finally, either kneel or bend down to pet the dog on the chest or side.

Venard emphasized that a person should not pet a strange dog on the top of the head, as that would be perceived as a sign of aggression. Hands flew up when Venard asked for volunteers to demonstrate these techniques.

Northcutt and Venard told students how to care for the dogs. They talked about the need to give the dogs clean water, food, and a dry shelter. Dogs also need lots of attention and daily exercise. The men demonstrated some of the basic commands they use to direct their dogs when pulling the sled.

Northcutt had on display a dog sled and personal gear that is required to keep the musher warm and dry during a grueling race. He showed boots that would keep his feet warm to 80 degrees below zero, a jumpsuit, gloves, hats, and eye protection.

The dogs have gear to keep them warm as well, including jackets, leg wraps, and booties that not only keep feet warm, but protect them from razor sharp snow shards that can occur along the trail. Venard had Wiseguy demonstrating getting in and out of his harness, which would then be attached to a sled.

Northcutt also shared information on the amount of food that needs to be taken per day on the sled during races, both for the musher and for each dog. Other items, including a hatchet, a pan for warming snow, and a head lamp, were shown to give students the understanding that these races require a great deal of planning.

Northcutt said some of the hazards along the trail include running into wild animals, such as wolves and moose. “Moose are very dangerous, as they will attack you or your dogs,” he said. Although he has never been attacked himself, he knows of mushers that have had that experience.

Culminating the presentation was a chance to see the dogs in action. The students went outside where several lucky students had been randomly chosen earlier in the day to take a ride in the dog sled.

Four dogs were harnessed to the sled, and three students at a time piled in the sled, toboggan style, to enjoy a ride around the football field. Neptune and Maverick joined Wiseguy and Tia pulling the sled.

One of the sixth grade teachers, Gloria Hardy, also joined the last group for a ride. “I’m ready to become a mountain woman,” she declared smiling as she came out of the sled.

For more information about Northcutt, Nicaya Kennels, or dog sledding, you may visit the website nicayasiberians.com.

Source: The Lauriel Outlook