How to Train Dogs for the Iditarod

Running the Iditarod, the world famous Alaskan dog sledding race, takes a large amount of time, money and ability. Most who run it have decades of experience. If you plan on running the Iditarod, you can expect to spend nearly eight months training and preparing for this event. What's more, you'll need to understand the advanced strategy for running a long-distance sledding race. The Iditarod requires that entrants finish a qualifying distance race before being allowed to enter the Iditarod. You spend most of your time training the dogs, which is key if you want to be sure to finish the race.

Things You'll Need

  • 32 sled dogs bred from distance racing lines (minimum)
  • Land and kennel to house sled dogs
  • Harnesses
  • Gang lines
  • Food bowls
  • Water buckets
  • Dog food
  • Water
  • ATV (four wheel all terrain vehicle)
  • Distance sled
  • Sprint sled
  • Sled bags
  • Handlers
  • Dog truck
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Instructions

    • 1

      Submit your entry for the Iditarod and your entry for the Iditarod qualifier. Check with the Iditarod website for current qualifying races, deadlines and entry fees.

    • 2

      Begin training dogs on a four-wheeler August 1st. If it is too hot to run (over 50 F), run at night when it is cool. First training runs need to be less than one mile. Train all dogs in the team every day.

    • 3

      Increase mileage to two miles on August 15th. Increase mileage to 4 miles September 1st. Continue to increase mileage in two-mile increments every two weeks training on four wheeler until it snows.

    • 4

      Train every day. Do not train more than 25 miles on four wheeler at a time.

    • 5

      Switch to sleds and run the same miles on snow when it begins to snow regularly. Increase mileage in five-mile increments according to how the dogs run and recuperate from the training. Switch to a three-days on/one-day off schedule so the dogs get a rest after three days of training.

    • 6

      Add back to back runs to the training regiment. By December 1st, your dogs should be able to run 50 miles straight through. Run them 50 miles, rest them four to six hours and then run them 50 miles again.

    • 7

      Practice camping overnight with your dogs. Be sure you know how to use your gear.

    • 8

      Increase mileage so that by January 1st, your dogs can do 100 miles without a significant rest during the run.

    • 9

      Continue to train until qualifying race and then the Iditarod.