This summer I’ve been visiting Kingmik Dog Sledding Tours‘ summer home in Logan Lake. It’s been such a neat experience, and I’m learning a lot about caring for sled dogs.
The big eye opener for me is how peaceful this environment is. With I-dont-know-how-many dogs (90?) I sure expected more noise! And if they do start up, as you would expect they would with new cars driving in, or in anticipation they might be a chosen one for a group ATV exercise run, Megan Routley, Kingmik owner, says in a sing-song voice “quiet”, and guess what? They stop.
The property is pristine clean, and all the water buckets, secured so they won’t tip, are filled to the brim with fresh, clean water. I can’t say the same for my own yard with only two dogs!
There’s a steady welcoming of workaway travellers caring for the dogs — brushing, scratching, feeding, cleaning up… Humans giving them attention, all day long.
There are many things I admire about the way Megan is with the her dogs. She clearly loves just being with them — ALL of them. Her pockets are always full of treats ready for the right moment to reinforce good behaviour, like returning to their houses without the need for leashes, or even fences on the property. These dogs obviously benefit from her positive and gentle handling; they’re ready and willing to work, but also well mannered and relaxed between times. Typical for a sled dog environment? Sadly, we rarely hear about the kinder side of the industry.
I’m not sure I’ll come up with a list of secret dog handling tips. This is simply a story about a special person who understands and enjoys her dogs. I wish more people could be like that.