baffin island dog team

There were two dog teams on the Baffin Island expedition. NorthWinds team includes 14 dogs, and Siu-king Han’s team has 10. NorthWinds uses Inuit sleds called qomatiqs as well as a traditional Inuit “fan hitch” with each dog on a long trace (as opposed to tandem where the dogs are hitched two by two). The Sled is 3-6 meters with 20-30 centimetre high wood runners that are lashed with cross boards called napu, which are capable to withstand abuse through pressure ice with loads of up to 450 kilograms. These sleds are loaded with camping equipments.

get to know the dog team

• Marvin is a laid-back white boss dog with a grey head. He is friendly and just likes to do his job and stay out of trouble.
• Seegloo was born in Gjoa Haven in May of 2001. He’s a tall handsome white dog with a brown head. He is a powerful puller who is respected by his team mates. Although he doesn’t start fights he will stand his own ground. "…he has plans to be the next boss dog".
• K-2 is a handsome black and white dog with a ratty tail, born in June of 2001. K-2 has moved up to lead dog, although he’s not too sure he wants the responsibility and lacks confidence in his team standing.
• Henson is named after the black man who went with Peary to the North Pole in 1909. He was born May of 2005, good natured and keen on pleasing. He is a very good puller when he’s running the right way.
• Ikki means cold in Inuktituk. He is a big grey dog who can start the sled by himself, has a good pace for an old fellow, and never quits.
• Zepher the East wind, son of Denali & Sigloo, brown & white, was born fall of 2006.
• Pittarak the Greenland winds, son of Denali & Sigloo, black was born fall of 2006.
• Chinnook the spring winds, son of Denali & Sigloo, black & white was born fall of 2006.
• Sikari is a small foxy red bitch, spade, from Dave White’s team in Yellowknife.
• Loki is white with light buff spots, born in Nov. 2007. It is his first year on the team.
• Odin is white and born Nov. 2007. It is his first year on the team.

dog commands

Down

Implies to sit or lay down. It is said in a low commanding voice. It is used at hook up and when unharnessing the dogs at the end of the day, all dogs must lay down!! Whenever you stop for more than 30 seconds the dogs must go "Down". This indicates to them that you need to deal with something (change dogs, untangle a dog), or that it's time to rest. To get a specific dog to go "Down" first say the dogs name, followed by the command: “Nixi, Down.” Stare at the dog (this is aggressive in dog manners), walk towards the dog with intent to follow through with your order. Use a downward arm motion and point down.

Whoa

This is tell the dogs to stop. It is said in a low, calm and commanding voice. If you say it, you must follow through with your command and make them stop. Put the brakes on.

Hike

This means go. It is said quickly and enthusiastically. It is used when you want to start the team. On a steep hill to keep the dogs pulling, say "Hike, Hike, Hike". You may need to give the sled a shove to help start it. On a steep hill, jump off the sled before the dogs stop, to help keep the sled from moving.

Ready...Hike!

Implies to get ready and go. It is said quickly and enthusiastically. The timing is critical; "Ready" is said to get their attention; it must be followed one second later by "Hike!" Really use your voice to drive the dogs forward. This command is used when you want to start the team on a steep uphill. You may need to give the sled a shove.

Easy

Means don't pull. It is said low and calmly. It is used to slow down when running through the rough ice and down hills. Use the break to help slow the sled.

Easy...Ready...Hike!

Easy means to allow the driver to pull back the tarces to gain one to three feet of slack. Ready means to get ready and Hike is to bolt forward. Timing is critical!! "Easy" is said slowly and calmly. The 'Ready... Hike!" is said quickly and enthusiastically in a commanding tone. It is used when the sled has stalled on a hill or is stuck on a hunk of ice. Driver pulls pituq back, to gain 1 - 3 meters of slack, while saying "Easy", then releases the pituk when saying "Ready … Hike!"

Gee (turn right), Haw (turn left)

Gee means turn right. It is said in medium tone. It is used to turn right. You may need to repeat the call if the lead dog doesn't move as far right as you wish, for example: "Raven, Gee....Gee...Gee". If the dogs do not respond, you need to sprint up the left side of the team and use the whip to herd them to the right. Haw means turn left.

Gee over, Haw over

Gee over means move over to the right, not a sharp turn. It is said in a medium tone. Used most when running tandem hitch on the roads and you want the dogs to move to the right side of the road. If the dogs do not respond you need to sprint up the right or left side of the team and use the whip to push the leaders over. Be careful not to overturn them.

On-By

Go straight, go past and do not turn. Said in a medium commanding tone. Use when you do not want to turn onto a trail or you want to go past, a cabin, a dead caribou or another team. If the dogs do not respond use the brake. If they still do not respond follow up with the whip to keep them from turning.

Come

To call a dog to come to you. It is said in a medium tone that is friendly and inviting. Always use the name of the dog followed by the command. Can be used if you want the entire team to come by calling the lead dog. Two slaps on the side of your leg.

Out

Go away, get out of here. It is said in a sharp commanding low voice. Always use the name of the dog followed by the command. When you want a dog to get out of the tent, get the dog food out or leave you alone during your call of nature. Also used when dogs are fighting and you want the dogs to get "Out" of the fight. Give them a firm shove with your boot or a thump with the thumper (short rope whip).

Watch-Out!

Used when the dog is in danger and he needs to pay attention. Said urgently and sharply. First use the name of the dog followed by the command. Used when a dog is about to be hit with the sled. Be ready to put the brakes on.

Stay

Means don't get up, stay. Said in a commanding low tone. Used when you do not want the dogs to follow. For example, if you want to scout the trail ahead. Be ready to keep the dogs down with the whip.

Chill Out!

Means to realx, don't start any trouble. It is said in a commanding angry tone. Used when Bartlett is looking for a fight.