09/12/2022
ORIGINAL POST CREATED BY Steve Vick a few years ago. I copied it to share on a couple of local pages.
****Leaves are changing and temperatures are dropping, this means your local dog teams are out and about.
****Please be aware! The last thing you or us as dog mushers want is a vehicle on dog team collision.
🐕How to Pass a Dog Team🐕
First, thanks to everyone for being so courteous and sharing the road.
Here are some tips on what to do when driving by a dog team. Every musher has their own preferences, but here are some basics. Feel free to chime in with your own thoughts.
SHOULD I STOP MY CAR?
It is not necessary to stop your vehicle. In fact, a stopped vehicle can act like a magnet and actually attract a team towards the vehicle. Dogs are curious like that. Best bet is to just slow down and move on by.
IT’S DARK OUT
Dog teams are hard to see at night. You’ll see the four wheeler, but the dogs are basically invisible. A 10-dog team can stretch 40 feet in length. People often don’t see the dogs until the team is next to them.
Some mushers will wear head lamps and signal cars by bobbing their head to get your attention. Others will put blinking lights on their lead dogs. But headlamps and blinking collar lights can fail in the cold.
So, best bet… if you see a four wheeler in the distance, assume it is a dog team. Slow down and give it some extra room.
WHY ARE YOU ON THE WRONG SIDE OFF THE ROAD?
Getting a team to stay on the “right” side of the road isn’t always possible. Some lead dogs like to hug the edge of the road, some like to run down the middle and others are from England and prefer to be on the left.
So, if you see a team on the “wrong” side of the ride, it is likely not intentional. It is just where the lead dog took them. So pass slowly and give them some room.
YOU’RE HOGGING THE ROAD
If a musher is doing leader training with a new dog, the team may swing out or turn expectantly. Loose dogs, rabbits, squirrels or just a lead dog having an off day can also cause problems for dog teams.
If something seems off, give a quick glance at the musher to see if they are signaling you. They may wave you by or ask you to hold off.
DO YOU NEED HELP?
Mushers will sometimes stop their team to rest or fix a tangle in the line. A stopped team is typically not in any distress. Just drive on by slowly.
THANKS
I hope this was helpful. Thanks much.
Photo borrowed from Crooked Creek Kennel-Josh McNeal
