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We clean, feed, groom, train and pet our huskies for as many hours as we can each day - around the time we also spend building new kennels, fixing old ones, painting and repairing the farm, and running winter safaris with clients. The dogs are well used to lots of love and care from us.
- Dogs are cleaned, fed, groomed, trained and petted for as many hours as possible each day
- Dog yard cleaned at least twice a day - more for puppies and shared cages
- Clients are encouraged to give treats, massages, cuddles and grooming
- Running circles raked and surfaces flattened to prevent tangles and trips
- Kennels repainted each spring and autumn; bowls and utensils sanitised after use
Our daily routines
Clients are encouraged to give treats, massages and cuddles and to spend time plucking and grooming the dogs. Part of the reason our multiday safaris start with a first night on the farms in our farm kota is to give clients more time to interact with a wider range of dogs and get a sense of what life is really like amongst so many huskies. Most love the chance to play with the pups and help us walk the old dogs.
So don't be surprised if, after greeting you, we throw you almost straight into the deep end of farm life - helping us walk house dogs in our short window between safaris, or walking pups and adult dogs to and from the farmhouse. A hands-on experience with the dogs is the norm. If you are scared of dogs, just let us know: you can keep your distance, or we can find you a couple of really gentle dogs to help you get over your fears.
Keeping the kennel in top condition
The dog yard is cleaned at least twice a day (more for the pups and cages holding more than two dogs), because keeping the huskies in good condition means keeping the kennel in good condition. Visitors often comment on how clean it is, which makes the effort feel worthwhile. We do the first cleaning straight after watering or souping the dogs in the morning, and the last thing at night.
In summer we rake the running circles so that branches, straw and other debris don't catch in the chains and tangle the dogs. We flatten the sand in summer and the snow in winter so no holes or conical mounds build up around the central posts or in the cages. An even, debris-free surface reduces the chance of dogs, guides and clients tripping and getting injured.
Bedding, bowls and maintenance
The straw inside their houses is checked every few days to make sure it is clean, dry and in the right quantity for the time of year. Their stainless steel feed bowls are washed at least weekly - more when necessary. All buckets, bins and feeding utensils are cleaned and sanitised after every use, and the dog food store and dog kitchen get a top-to-toe clean once a week.
Each spring and most autumns we touch up the paint on all the kennels (for the wood's condition as much as appearance), and through the year we are constantly replacing windshields and corner pieces to keep the kennels in tip-top condition. When we walk in, the dogs greet us, but the rest of the time, when not working, they are relaxed - lying in the sun, sleeping in their house, or playing with toys.
