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Snowy Owl Sled Dog Tours

"Connie with Souix"

Snowy Owl Sled Dog Kennel was created in 1983 by Connie & Charles Arsenault who's passion for the sport has created this family legacy.  Regrettably, October 7th, 2006 Charles Arsenault passed away unexpectedly leaving Connie and their two children Jereme (23 years) and Carlin (21 years) to carry this legacy forward.  Proudly, both Jereme and Carlin have vested interest in the ownership of Snowy Owl Sled Dog Tours Inc.

"Charles Arsenault with Janbo and Tobi."

Since the beginning of Snowy Owl Sled Dog Tours we have always strived to give our clients a once in a life time experience, not one where you just sit in the sled and go but one where you feel you are a part of a family.  Dog sledding is such an extraordinary sport and it comes with a high level of addiction!  Trust us, we know!  Dog sledding isn't just our job it's our way of life and we love to share it with everyone!

We believe that a truly unique dog sledding experience is one in which you gain the passion, ambition and understanding of the guides and dogs that are taking you on your adventure.   This is why we provide all our clients with information about where the sport came from, what it was used for, which were the original breeds, what breeds are used now and how to drive your own dog team.  We share important information with our clients, the dogs care, how often we clean our kennel, what they eat and why, when we have their puppies and how we train ...anything you want to know!  We want our clients to leave at the end of they day feeling as though they know more about the "original" dog sledding.

"Snowflake with her little girl Shera."

The 150 huskies at Snowy Owl Sled Dog Tours are the engines of our company.  Without these brilliant dogs we wouldn't have a job!  We consider our dogs colleagues and they are adored members of our big family.  They have such amazing personalities (all different of course!)  Every dog has his/her own name and it has been picked out specifically for each dog.  With each new litter of puppies we pick a theme.  For example, our last litter born the summer of 2007 are named after natural disasters.  The two boys are Hurricane and Cyclone and the four girls are Tsunami, Avalanche, Volcano and Lightning.  As well, each dog has been awarded a goofy pet name and they are always changing with every winter season experience. 

We know each dog very well for example; who their parents are, what they like and don't like.  We know when they are having a bad day and what will cheer them up.  The dogs always come first, everything we ever do is for them.

"Heart (L) and Joplin (R)"

More examples of this are Heart and Joplin who are sisters and love to be with each other.  They have to run together, live next to each other, eat side by side and if you are petting one you have to pet the other at the same time.  They are very picky eaters so when you're feeding them you always have to tell them what good girls they are for eating their supper, if you don't they will stop eating. 

Kaluha likes to push his empty dish around on the ground barking at it constantly after dinner.  All the dogs around him stare at him as if he was crazy! 

"Mertlin giving Ethan a high five."

Merlin and Robbie are the high five master of the kennel and they always assume whoever if petting them wants a high five so they do it ready or not!

"Lil' Bear's favorite!!"

Most all the females and especially Little Bear enjoy being cradled like a baby.

Falcon and Chester love the smell of shampoo so if you just washed your hair look out.  They will rub their faces in your hair.

Cleo has to have the last say in everything...all the time!

"Chinook showing off some of his moves!"

For those of you who are in need of some new dance moves Chinook has you covered.  He's the master dancer!

Photo taken by Sandy Kerr

"Ethan and Shaman"

We always acknowledge and encourage our dogs.  Often times we have our clients ask why the dogs are so responsive to us.  We reply "We just talk to them like people in a loving and encouraging manner, the way you would want to be talked to."  The dogs thrive off it, and it is how we train them.  We never give our dogs treats for pulling, instead we give them love, encouragement, hugs and kisses while saying "Good Puppies!!"  As the dogs run down the trail we shout "Yahoo!!!" calling out each dogs name so they know we appreciate them and that we are having fun.  Each dog will look back sticking their ears to their head breaking into a full on sprint just because you acknowledge them.  If you're having fun, they're having fun!  We encourage all our clients to talk to the dogs like we do, and it sure doesn't take much convincing.

"Carlin & Apache"

We hope you enjoy all the information we have provided for you on our web site so you can feel as though you have learned something about dog sledding even if you don't get a chance to join us for one of our winter/summer programs.  We hope our paths cross soon but until then Happy Trails!