7 Essential Sled Dog Commands Every Musher Needs to Know

Hitting the trail with a sled dog team is an amazing experience, a true partnership. But you need to talk to your dogs! Clear communication is essential for a safe and fun run.

That's why learning specific sled dog commands is so important. These are the special words that tell your team what to do.

In this guide, we'll show you the most vital commands every musher uses. Knowing them helps you guide your dogs better and builds a stronger team connection. Let's get started!

Alright, let's talk about the command that gets everything started: "Mush!" or sometimes "Hike!" Think of it as the sled dog version of "Go!" or "Let's roll!" When you say this, you're telling your team it's time to move forward, to start running down the trail. Both "Mush!" and "Hike!" mean pretty much the same thing in this context – time to go!

Why is this command so important? Well, it's the signal to leave the starting line. It's how you activate the whole team's energy and point them down the trail. Without it, you'd just be standing there! It gets the harness tight and the sled gliding.

Training this one often starts pretty simply. You encourage the dog or team to move forward, maybe with some gentle tugging on the line if needed when they're just learning, and say the command clearly. They quickly learn that the sound "Mush!" or "Hike!" means "Let's run!" It's the most exciting command for many dogs because it means the fun is starting.

Once your team is moving with "Mush!", you need a way to steer them. This is where "Gee!" comes in. When you shout "Gee!", you're telling your sled dogs to turn right. Think of it as your right turn signal on the trail! This command is strictly for making that turn towards the right.

Why is this command so important? Because trails aren't always straight lines! You'll encounter corners, trees, other mushers, or forks in the trail. "Gee!" is one half of your steering system, allowing you to navigate the trail safely and choose the right path.

Teaching "Gee!" often focuses heavily on your lead dog, or leader. They are the ones at the front who actually initiate the turn, and the rest of the team follows. You might train this by walking with the lead dog, saying "Gee!" as you guide them into a right turn, maybe rewarding them when they get it right. It takes practice for them to consistently respond to just your voice command while pulling.

If "Gee!" tells your team to turn right, then "Haw!" is the command for the opposite direction. When you say "Haw!", you are signaling to your sled dogs that you want them to turn left. It's your trail version of a left turn signal. Just like "Gee!", "Haw!" is a clear and specific instruction.

This command is just as important as "Gee!" It's the other essential half of how you steer your team on the trail. Whether you're rounding a bend, avoiding something in your path, or taking a different fork in the trail, you need "Haw!" to safely guide your team to the left.

Training for "Haw!" works much like training for "Gee!". You'll primarily focus on your lead dog. You teach them to associate the word "Haw!" with making a left turn. This often starts with guiding them physically while giving the command, perhaps offering praise or a treat when they turn correctly. Consistency is key so they learn to reliably turn left when they hear you say "Haw!".

Okay, so you know how to start and how to turn. Now, how do you stop this powerful team? That's what "Whoa!" is for. When you call out "Whoa!", you are telling your entire sled dog team to come to a complete stop right where they are. It's the most important command for control and safety.

Why is "Whoa!" absolutely essential? For so many reasons! You need to stop if there's a hazard on the trail, like thin ice or an obstacle. You need to stop for breaks, to check on the dogs, or just to admire the view. And you definitely need it if you have to stop unexpectedly. Being able to halt your team quickly and reliably is key to keeping everyone safe.

Teaching "Whoa!" focuses on getting the dogs to stop instantly when they hear the word, no matter how excited they are to run. This involves teaching them impulse control – controlling that urge to just keep going. You might start training in a controlled area, asking them to stop and rewarding them for doing so, gradually adding distractions. It takes consistent practice for them to master stopping on command, especially when they're really pulling hard.

Sometimes you don't need to stop completely, but you do need to slow things down a bit. That's what the "Easy!" command is for. When you call out "Easy!", you're asking your sled dog team to reduce their speed. They shouldn't stop, but they should ease up on their pace and their pull.

Why is it important to have a command for slowing down? Trails aren't always flat and smooth. You might be going down a steep hill where you don't want to fly too fast. Or maybe you're on tricky, icy ground. Saying "Easy!" helps you navigate these spots more safely. It's also useful on really long trips to help the dogs conserve energy by running at a moderate pace for a while.

Teaching "Easy!" can be a little trickier because dogs naturally love to run fast! You train them to understand that this word means they should back off the speed but keep moving. Sometimes you might use the sled's brake lightly while giving the command so they connect the word with slowing down. It's about teaching them to listen to your request to moderate their amazing power.

Out on the trail, you're going to see things – other dogs, maybe some wildlife like squirrels or birds, or even people. Your dogs are naturally curious! The "On By!" command is how you tell them, "Hey, I know that's interesting, but ignore it and keep running." It means pass whatever is distracting them without stopping or changing direction.

Why is this command so important? Well, you don't want your team slamming on the brakes every time they see a squirrel, right? Or getting tangled up because they want to go sniff another dog team. "On By!" keeps your team focused on the job: running the trail. It helps maintain your momentum and prevents potential chaos or tangles that could happen if the dogs get sidetracked.

Training "On By!" is all about teaching your dogs to maintain their focus forward, even when there are tempting things nearby. You might start by practicing passing distractions at a distance, gradually getting closer as they improve. You reward them heavily when they ignore the distraction and keep moving past it. It takes lots of repetition to make sure they understand that "On By!" means the run is more important than whatever just caught their eye.

Sometimes, just turning a corner isn't enough. You might need to completely turn around on the trail. That's where "Come Gee!" and "Come Haw!" come in. "Come Gee!" is the command for your team to make a full U-turn to the right, spinning all the way around 180 degrees. "Come Haw!" means do the same thing, but make the U-turn to the left.

Why are these commands important? Imagine you took a wrong turn, or the trail ahead is blocked, or you just need to head back where you came from. You need a way to effectively reverse your direction. "Come Gee!" and "Come Haw!" give you that control, allowing you to turn the entire team around efficiently without getting tangled.

Training for "Come Gee!" and "Come Haw!" builds on the basic turning commands ("Gee!" and "Haw!"). You're essentially teaching the lead dog to keep turning past a simple corner until they've completed a full circle. This often involves guiding the leader and encouraging them to 'come' around the full turn, perhaps rewarding them once the turn is complete and the team is facing the new direction. It takes a smart leader and consistent practice to get these smooth U-turns down pat!

Sometimes, before you even start, or when you're taking a break, the dogs and their lines can get a bit jumbled up. This is where "Line Out!" is super helpful. When you tell your team "Line Out!", you're asking your lead dog to move forward just enough to pull the entire main pulling line – called the gangline – tight and straight out in front of the sled. The whole team should then follow their lead and stand ready in a straight line.

Why is "Line Out!" important? It's often the command you give right before you say "Mush!" It gets everyone lined up correctly and makes sure the gangline is taut, which prevents tangles and ensures a smooth start. It's also useful when you've stopped; telling the dogs to "Line Out!" keeps them organized and facing the direction you'll be going when you start again, rather than milling around. It's all about readiness and keeping things neat.

Training "Line Out!" usually involves teaching your lead dog to step forward and take tension on the gangline when they hear the command. You might walk them out a few feet while saying "Line Out!", stopping them once the line is straight and taut. They learn that this command means "go forward just a little bit and stand ready." It helps establish good habits for the whole team.

So, we've gone over some of the most important sled dog commands – the ones that get you going, help you steer, stop, slow down, pass distractions, and even turn around completely! It's clear that having a good way to talk to your team isn't just helpful; it's absolutely necessary for everything from safety to having a great time out on the trail.

Learning these commands, and teaching them to your dogs, takes time. It won't happen overnight, and that's okay! Patience and being consistent with your training are key. Keep practicing, and celebrate the small wins along the way.

Now that you know what these commands are, the real fun begins: practicing them with your own dogs. Give them a try! We'd love to hear about your experiences, too. What commands do you use? What was the hardest to teach? Share your stories and questions in the comments below! Mastering these sled dog commands is your first step towards building that incredible, responsive team you've always wanted. Besides what's introduced in this article, you may want to check out more basic dog commands for a well behave dog.