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Turning Heads Kennel

Alaska Dog Sledding Tours

Letting Hair Fly: Why We Chose to Groom Our Sled Dogs

May 22, 2015 by Sarah

This year we decided to have our entire kennel of sled dogs groomed. This is something we have never done before and something we absolutely loved. Amber Travis of Bully & Bug Grooming, a local dog groomer here in Seward, Alaska came out to our kennel to help us tackle the enormous project of grooming our dogs.

Betty after being groomed We first decided to have our kennel groomed after we took our older german shepherd, Betty, in to see Amber. I was sick of finding Betty’s hair everywhere as she was heavily shedding and she looked like a hot mess. Betty, however, did not enjoy me brushing her and, running two businesses, I had very little time that I could dedicate to the project. Upon advise from friends, I called Amber up and we set a date. Betty went in to Amber’s grooming facility and emerged nearly 4 hours later sleek and gorgeous. Her thick undercoat was entirely gone. Jasmine and Amber help blow out a sled dog

Amber had special combs and blow out tools that she used to help get rid of the fur Betty was trying to shed. We talked and after thinking about it for a few days I decided that this was something I wanted to do for our sled dogs.

Why Groom Sled Dogs?

Most mushers would say that they don’t groom their sled dogs and that they rarely give their dogs baths. We, however, decided that grooming our dogs would be beneficial for several important reasons:

  1. Our dogs work hard and they deserve to be pampered.
  2. Getting rid of their heavy undercoat would help them run tours in the warm summer temperatures.
  3. When dogs have problems shedding their coat in can lead to skin irritation and infection; by having their coats blown out we avoid this problem all together.

When we looked at these reasons, we decided that they really aligned with our kennel’s mission to provide consistently excellent dog care. We were also able to help another local business which, in our book, is always a great thing to do. We can help be a part of our local community by hosting events like Paint-A-Palooza and we can also be a part of our local community by supporting local businesses, such as Amber’s.

bully-and-bug-dog-grooming-seward-alaska

Looking back, I can’t believe we hadn’t done something like this before because it really has significantly impacted our dogs overall well being. Not only did they (mostly) enjoy being blown and brushed out, they are also now much more comfortable as temperatures continue to climb as we enter the warm summer months.

Here is a short video of the dogs being groomed:

[su_youtube url=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AKJ1vV2VTWc&feature=youtu.be”]

The Hair of 40 Sled Dogs
Just some of the hair of 40 sled dogs

Because our dogs do tours, they will retain less of their body heat and will be better at keeping themselves cool. It also significantly impacts the dogs who will go up on Godwin Glacier for the summer as by blowing them out, they will now shed significantly less on the glacier meaning our crew will have less work. Believe it or not, we have to rake up dog hair on the glacier all summer long!

We are really happy with our decision to have our dogs groomed and will be looking forward to letting their  hair fly again next year!

 

 

 

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Recent Posts

  • How Mushers Get Home After Finishing The Iditarod
  • Scouting Our Glacier Dog Sledding Camp
  • Turning Heads Kennel is Featured by The Seward Chamber!
  • The Role of Tourism in Racing the Iditarod
  • Travis Beals Finishes the 2018 Iditarod
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Turning Heads Kennel
A lot of the time, we are running teams of 8+ dogs A lot of the time, we are running teams of 8+ dogs. It’s more practical with a lot of dogs in training. That being said, there is something magical about breaking things down and working with the dogs one on one in smaller teams. This is especially true for our youngest teammates!

In this video, 16-month-olds Keister and Tucker are working as a lone pair. With no one else to guide them, the pups get their first experience taking commands without the pressure of having other dogs “chase” them. They also get to practice lining out and staying forward oriented.

Working at night with young leaders, a headlamp also becomes a great tool as we can easily show the trail we want the dogs to take. 

#dogsledding #mushing #iditarod #alaska
Under the pine boughs we go. Fresh snow makes fo Under the pine boughs we go. 

Fresh snow makes for fun runs and acrobatic mushing as you dip and dive to dodge the low hanging branches. On occasion, we use our axes to cut out trees too low to safely pass under. These momentary stops are an opportunity for the dogs to cool off and for us to stop and enjoy a warm thermos of tea.
Merry Christmas 🎄🎁 💕 Merry Christmas 🎄🎁 💕
Sunshine, mountains, and snow in the not so distan Sunshine, mountains, and snow in the not so distant future.🤞🏻

#turningheadskennel #dogsledding #falltraining #iditarod #mountains #optoutside #instadog #husky #huskygram #instahusky #mushergram #alaska #seward #dogsofinstagram #iditaroddogs #mountainlife #fall #falltransition #winteriscoming #oneteamonedream #trainhard
These spectacular fall days are 💯 #dogsledding These spectacular fall days are 💯

#dogsledding #dogmushing #instadog #dogsofinstagram #sleddog #husky #huskylife #huskies #instahusky #iditarod #seward #alaska #alaskalife #instadog #dogsofinstagram #dogs #happyplace #fall #dogstagram #huskygram
In the early days of fall, sometimes the cool morn In the early days of fall, sometimes the cool morning air gives way to a lingering sun-kissed warmth. When that happens, the dogs are all too eager to mush down the many little stream beds near our home.

#iditarod #dogsledding #mushing #seward #alaska #instadog #instahusky #explore #explorwithyourdog #iditaroddogs #instamush #huskygram #huskiesofinstagram #huskynation #huskylove #getoutside #optoutsidr #outdoordogs #turningheadskennel #sewardalaska
Hobie, with a salmon snack.⁠ ⁠ Our dogs eat fi Hobie, with a salmon snack.⁠
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Our dogs eat fish as part of their diet. Did you know that at the height of training and racing, sled dogs consume a whooping 13,000 calories a day? These dogs can pack away the food!⁠
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Salmon is a great snack year-round as it is high in water content. It helps keeps the dogs hydrated in the heat of summer and in the cold of winter!⁠
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#instadog #dogsofinstagram #dogslife #mustlovedogs⁠
#turningheadskennel #iditarod #dogsledding #sleddogs ⁠
#husky #huskies #huskygram #instahusky #yumm #salmon #fishsticks #munchies #bigappetities
Calysta and Goblin demonstrate some of the gear we Calysta and Goblin demonstrate some of the gear we use to protect our dogs out on the trail.⁠
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#turningheadskennel #iditarod #dogsledding #sleddogs ⁠
#instadog #dogsofinstagram #dogslife #mustlovedogs⁠
#husky #huskies #huskygram #instahusky⁠
#getoutside #explore #adventure #explorealaska #alaska #dogmodel #dogjacket #nonstopdogwear
Can't wait for those early mornings on the trail w Can't wait for those early mornings on the trail where the night fades into day.⁠
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#instadog #dogsofinstagram #dogslife #mustlovedogs⁠
#turningheadskennel #iditarod #dogsledding #sleddogs ⁠
#husky #huskies #huskygram #instahusky⁠
#getoutside #explore #adventure #explorealaska #alaska #nature #907 #photography #naturelovers #beauty #photooftheday #wilderness #alaskaphotography #outdoors #wanderlust #alaskaliving #naturephotography #travel
PHASMA. ⁠ .⁠ .⁠ Or as we lovingly call her " PHASMA. ⁠
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Or as we lovingly call her "Spazz-ma" ⁠
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Phasma is a happy, high-energy, go-getter and is fun addition to any team.⁠
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#instadog #dogsofinstagram #dogslife #mustlovedogs ⁠
#turningheadskennel #iditarod #dogsledding #sleddogs ⁠
#husky #huskies #huskygram #instahusky
Goodbyes are the hardest part of mushing but an in Goodbyes are the hardest part of mushing but an inevitable part of owning a kennel. It never gets easy.

Today we said “see you later” to 8 dogs: Lizzie, Wrestler, Vrabel, & Mouse who left for Delta Junction and Schooner, Zema, Breck, & Check who headed off to Nome.

Dogs leave our kennel for various reasons but  generally it can be summed up by that they will have more and better opportunities elsewhere or to provide talent in their new home that is needed.
Just because they leave our yard, doesn’t mean they leave our heart. 💕💕💕

(And yes, I still cry every time )
- Sarah
🎶The best way to spread some cheer is singing l 🎶The best way to spread some cheer is singing loud for all to hear 🎶

#mushing #sleddogs #huskies #elf #iditarod #alaska #dogsledding #kennel #seward #sunset #singing #howling #howlforhealthcareworkers #dogs #instadog #dogstagram #travelingdogs #dogsofinstagram #turningheadskennel #love #lovetosing #spreadjoy #hAppy
Life is better shared with dogs. 💕 So proud of Life is better shared with dogs. 💕
So proud of this incredibly talented group of athletes. We are lucky to share such an amazing life together!
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#dogsledding #iditarod #alaska #explore #denalihighway #mushing #bluesky #getoutside #optoutside #huskygramn#magic #explorealaska #wanderlust #instadog #huskies #huskygram #dogstagram #sunlight #winter #snow #peaceful #happydogs #workingdogs #epic
Earlier in the year we broke a lot of trail. So gl Earlier in the year we broke a lot of trail. So glad as this year #Iditarod is going to be SNOWY!
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#dogsledding #mushing #alaska #eureka #explore #sleddogs #huskies #musherlife #instadog #workingdog #dogslife #happydogs #winter #getoutside #optoutside #wanderlust #alaskalife #snow #snowy #instahusky #husklove #travel #travelgram
The #iditarod race team is busy training hard 😂 The #iditarod race team is busy training hard 😂😂😂
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Don’t be fooled — Fun, rest, and recovery are JUST as important as miles in leading up to race day!
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One week til the #Anchorage start! We’re ready! Are you?!
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#dogsledding #mushing #huskies #instahusky #huskygram #dogstagram #workingdogs #doglife #dogteam #sleddog #sleddogs #mustlovedogs #doghouse #ilovedogs #mush #alaska #doglovers #instadogs #instadog #alaskanhuskies #alaskaphotography #dogmushing #northernlife #dog #doggo #dogphotography
Down to the last few days before #Iditarod 2020. W Down to the last few days before #Iditarod 2020. We did a HUGE shout on our facebook. Did you see it?⁠
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>> https://www.facebook.com/turningheadskennel/⁠
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#instadog #dogsofinstagram #dogslife #mustlovedogs⁠
#husky #huskies #huskygram #instahusky⁠
#getoutside #explore #adventure #explorealaska #alaska⁠
#denalihighway #cantwell #turningheadskennel #iditarod #dogsledding #sleddogs #dogsledding #mushing #northernlife #alaska #explore #travelgram #snow #winter #optoutside
Suns out, tongues out! Vrable & Wrangler . . . . Suns out, tongues out! 
Vrable & Wrangler
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#iditarod #dogsledding #happydogs #instadogs #dogsofinstagram #mushing #alaska #husky #huskies #huskygram #instahuskies #mushlovedogs #mustlovedogs #explore #optoutside #winter #snow #workingdogs #explorealaska #workingdog #travel #travelgram #instatravel
Delta. This spitfire finished the 2019 Iditarod w Delta.

This spitfire finished the 2019 Iditarod with Sarah and the 2020 Kuskokwim 300 with Travis.

Delta is an amazing, tenacious dog. We love her intense personality punctuated with moments of goofiness.

This dog is 🔥🔥🔥 Go Delta 🎉 
#dogsledding #iditarod #dogsofinstagram #sleddogs #mushing #mushinglife #huskygram #instahusky #instahuskies #huskiesofinstagram #instadog #instatravel #dogsofinsta #optoutside #alaska #alaskanadventures #thealaskalife #explore #happydogs #mustlovedogs #itsadogslife #🐾
Meet Birdie. Yesterday, she and her teammates had Meet Birdie.

Yesterday, she and her teammates had their pre-race ECGs and bloodwork. This is mandatory preparation in order for a dog to be eligible to compete in #Iditarod

The ECGs look for cardiac arrhythmias and heart murmurs that may otherwise go undetected. The bloodwork that is done also helps ensure everyone is physically sound.

These incredible scientific tools are an important part of the pre-race dog care that goes into competing in a 1,000 mile long race.

Many incredible volunteers put in countless hours to help mushers ensure that dogs heading out on the trail don’t have any unseen medical conditions.

Thank you to everyone for their hard work!

#dogsledding #mushing #winter #dogsofinstagram
Movin & groomin! . . . Trail work never ends. Keep Movin & groomin!
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Trail work never ends. Keeping our trails in tip-top condition is a full time labor of love and requires constant work. It’s a part of dog sledding often overlooked as it goes on “behind the scenes” but it a crucial part of keeping our dogs safe and healthy. Good trails means stable footing and less chance of an athletic related injury such as a muscle strain. Thanks @alaskabackcountryaccess for the snowgo to use.
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#dogsledding #iditarod #mushing #snow #snowgo #trailgrooming #dogs #huskies #huskygram #getoutside #mustlovedogs #alaska #winter #explorealaska #instadog #workingdog #snowdog #snowdogsofinstagram #huskylove #travel #winterwonderland
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☎ (907) 362-4354

Turning Heads Kennel
31722 Herman Leirer Road
Seward, AK 99664

Info@TurningHeadsKennel.com

Recent Posts

  • How Mushers Get Home After Finishing The Iditarod
  • Scouting Our Glacier Dog Sledding Camp
  • Turning Heads Kennel is Featured by The Seward Chamber!
  • The Role of Tourism in Racing the Iditarod
  • Travis Beals Finishes the 2018 Iditarod
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