10/29/2026
“Best tip for beginners” is something that gets asked a lot. There are time-tested refrains about listening to the dogs and monitoring your mindset that are forever really good, sound advice. The longer I am in the game, the more I also start to see trends cycle as well
Right now, my top tip would be “meet yourself where you are.” And this can be hard with the availability of resources we have now! Especially with social media glamour behind it
If you’re not comfortable running your pet dog, keep working with them! Find what does feel right for you, grow your skills and go from there. Jumping to a working line is going to be even more power and intensity. Some people never want that, and that’s ok too; monosports are frankly kind of unhinged
If you’re still figuring out how to get 4 dogs running on a rig, now is not the time to buy 12 more dogs and an ATV. You will get to big teams; keep at it. Adding a bunch more dogs up front is going to hamper your ability to focus on perfecting your set up and working on individual dog’s skills
If you don’t yet have the land/vehicle/time/etc, don’t get the dogs yet. There will still be dogs when you have built what you need. Dogs are ultimately a drain on resources. A worthwhile one, but they are. You are going to have a harder time getting 10 dogs and then figuring out a dog truck, than if you get a decent dog truck and then fill it with dogs
It takes time to build a successful kennel. I did not just go out, get 4 dogs and a Traczer and podium in a race the next day
And ultimately, you don’t have to follow any set course. Being the fastest, having the most dogs, doing the longest runs - these aren’t universal goals. Really think about not only what you want to get from running dogs, but also how that meshes with the life you live. How do those two things balance? That’s how you’re going to get the most out of mushing, and have the best time with your dogs
