This page addresses some of the typical questions that people have about Maryland Sled Dog Adventures LLC, sled dogs, dog sledding, dryland dog sledding, mushing, dryland training, and our programs.

How many people can mush at once?
We are a small micro mushing operation. One person can ride at a time. We do not allow children to ride in an adult lap because it is unsafe.

How many programs do you run per day?
With very limited exceptions, we run only one program per day.

How many sleds or rigs can you run at once?
One. We can give more rides when we return!

Are reservations required to go dog sledding?
Yes, all dog sledding tours and programs are by reservation only. To make a reservation, please call (443) 562-5736 or email catherine@marylanddogsledding.com. For more information on reserving a dog sledding program, visit our Reservations page. For more information on our wait list and how far in advance to book your dog sledding adventure, see below.

What happens if it is raining?
We run rain or shine, so be sure to check the weather forecast and dress accordingly.

Can you run even if we get a lot of rain the day before?
Yes. The Northern Central Rail trail is a former rail road with a crushed rock surface. The surface is crowned and most water runs off the surface. As a result, we can be out on the trail even after a stiff rain.

Will my dog sledding program be on snow?
Here at Maryland Sled Dog Adventures LLC, we run "snow or no snow." Because snow here in Central Maryland is rare and unreliable, the majority of our dog sledding programs are "dryland" using our wheeled carts which in dog sledding are called "rigs" or "gigs." Our rigs are custom built in Germany and are quite to fun to ride on and drive. You can think of them as the German sports cars of dog sled rigs. Rest assured, that should we have adequate snow to run your program on snow, we also have a traditional hand-tied wooden dog sled that allows us to run dog sledding programs on snow.

How much can the dogs pull?
The average rule of thumb is that a healthy dog in good weather (i.e., low temperatures) can pull approximately three times his/her own body weight. Our sled dogs range in weight from about 35 lbs to 70 lbs. Together, they can pull a combined weight including musher, passenger, and rig or sled of approximately 660 lbs. Our larger rig weighs approximately 150 lbs. Our smaller rig weighs approximately 70 lbs. This estimate, however, is for short durations on flat surfaces with little or minimal resistance in ideal pulling temperatures (temperatures below 30-40 degrees). Frequently here in Maryland our conditions are somewhat less than optimal. As a result, in less optimal conditions when driving dogs that are pulling a dog sled or a rig, the musher must pedal with his/her foot to help push the sled or rig along. The musher must also help push the sled or rig up steep hills, maneuver the dog sled or rig around corners, and/or run behind the sled or rig to lighten the load. This means he/she needs to be able to push the weight of the sled by himself/herself and control the sled or rig through turns. Dog sledding is quite physical for both the musher and the dogs, thus we must limit the weight so that we can get you up the hills and around corners.

Is there a weight limit for the rider?
Yes. Because we are a small team, our passenger weight limit is 200 lbs. We must strictly enforce our 200 lb passenger weight limit.

How far in advance should I book my dog sledding experience?
Our weekend dog sledding programs book first, often 5 to 6 months in advance, sometimes longer. So the earlier you book your dog sledding tour or program, the better chance you have of getting your first choice of dates and times. If we cannot accommodate your weekend request, we may be able to offer a midweek date. We frequently have a wait list of individuals and groups waiting for program dates.

How does your wait list work?
The way our wait list works is that in early July, before we open our calendar up for reservations for the coming season, we send an email to those groups and individuals on our wait list, asking if they would like to book and, if so, when. Dates are then booked on a first come, first served basis. This year, our weekend days were booked within the first week of that message being sent. Once you have chosen your date, your deposit (50% of program cost) must be received within seven (7) days or your date is released. Last year, we had well over 100 groups and individuals on our wait list for a limited number of weekends this season.

We also notify groups and individuals on our wait list of any cancellations. Cancellations are rare for us (usually only one or two per season) and usually relatively short notice (less than a week).

Also, because our wait list is done exclusively by email, if your email address changes during the year, please let us know. Each year, several people have not received the wait list email because of an interim email address change. You should also be sure that your spam / bulk filter does not catch our messages.

What happens if my reservation is cancelled due to non payment of my deposit?
Due to high demand, in general, we are not able to rebook programs that are cancelled due to non payment of the deposit. Please be sure that your deposit is received by us within seven (7) days of the day you made your reservation.

What time will my dog sledding program begin?
The start time for your dog sledding program is selected for the dogs' benefit based on the weather and trail conditions. During the warmer months (April, September and October), we often need to meet at the trail early in the morning (before 7 AM) to get the coldest temperatures possible. All of our group dog sledding programs including our Girl Scout and Boy Scout dog sledding patch programs begin in the morning at either 8:00 AM, 9:00 AM or 10:00 AM. Unlike the rest of us, dogs do not offload heat by sweating. As a result, they are susceptible to overheating in warm temperatures. Would you go running or play basketball in warm temperatures while wearing a fur coat? In addition, the later in the day the dog sledding program is run, the more trail traffic we encounter.

What should I wear dog sledding?
For winter excursions, please dress as you would for skiing or snowboarding. We find it’s helpful to dress in layers. If you have a snowboarding, skiing or biking helmet, please bring it and plan on wearing it. Warm boots and a warm hat (preferably one that will fit under your helmet), gloves and a jacket are necessary. Other recommendations include long underwear, snow pants, and goggles or protective glasses. Also, please wear clothing that you don't mind getting dog prints, dog hair, and perhaps a little mud on. Our longer educational programs and our Girl Scout and Boy Scout dog sledding programs are a minimum of three hours, all of which are spent outside so please check the weather and dress accordingly. For other season trips, we recommend checking the weather and layering your clothing accordingly. Please plan on wearing close-toed shoes and long pants. No sandals and no shorts.

Please, no fur. Should our dogs see you wearing fur, they will assume you are a small woodland creature to be chased and will act accordingly.

What should I bring to my dog sledding program?
A good attitude! The dogs are very sensitive to negative emotions. If you are scared or mad they will know it. And don’t forget your camera, film, batteries, etc. Beware that in cold temperatures, batteries can die quickly so an extra set of batteries is a never a bad idea. You’ll definitely want photos of this. Things you don’t need to take along on the tour are purses, other bags, cell phones, and anything that can't get wet or muddy.

Is dog sledding dangerous?
It can be, but it is not inherently dangerous. We advise that you take precautions such as wearing a helmet to minimize risks. Even when the best preventive measures are taken, incidents can and do occur which can cause harm to passengers, the driver or the dogs. The ride can be bumpy at times. People with health concerns, back problems, and women who are pregnant should consult their doctors and Maryland Sled Dog Adventures LLC before booking a program. All participants must read, understand, and sign our Waiver and Release.

Do you sell dog sledding equipment?
No. While there are some vendors whose equipment we prefer, we do not sell or manufacturer dryland dog sledding or mushing equipment. Please see our resources page for a select list of vendors we regularly use.

Can I bring my dog?
No, please do not bring your dog to a group program, our Yappy Hours or our tours. If you do bring a dog to one of these programs, either you will be asked to leave or the dog will have to stay in a vehicle the entire time. Your own dogs should only be brought to our Run What You Brung program. Our Run What You Brung program is a training program for people and dogs interested in getting into dog powered sports and is only appropriate for adults. During a Run What You Brung, we can concentrate on working with you and your dog. For the safety of both your dog and our dogs, introducing a new dog to a team requires care, skill, and attention. It's not something that is easily done with lots of other activity around.