Maryland Sled Dog Adventures LLC: Dog sledding, dog sled rides, sled dogs, girl and boy scout programs, tours, adventures, and educational programs in Baltimore, Maryland.

Maryland Sled Dog Adventures LLC, Central Maryland's only dog sledding operation, offering dog sledding educational tours, programs, rides, and programs for scouts in Delaware, Pennsylvania, Washington, DC, and Virginia.

Dryland sled dog racing in the 4 dog class in the Fair Hill Challenge near Elkton, Maryland.

On By Okemo, On By Sobo!

Dog sledding near Edmundston, New Brunswick, Canada

Bikejoring is biking while being pulled by a dog. Bikejoring can be done with one to three dogs and is a shared adventure between you and your dogs. Bikejoring allows you to go further (and faster) than you might otherwise go by yourself.

One of the bikejor competitors at the Pennsylvania Sled Dog Club sponsored Fair Hill challenge near Newark, Delaware.

Dog scootering is scootering while one to three dogs pull you while you ride on a non-motorized scooter. Dog scootering is similar to mushing and dog sledding, but can be done without snow and with fewer, one to three, dogs. To dog scooter, your dog must learn basic dog sledding commands including: gee, haw, line out, hike, and on by.

Catherine tries scootering near Seattle, Washington

Canicross is cross country running, walking or hiking while your dog pulls you. It's more than just jogging with your dog. It requires that your dog understand basic commands, line out, and pull. If canicross sounds interesting to you, check out our Canicross Club Hikes and visit our Upcoming Events section on our home page to find out about scheduled canicross hikes.

Okemo and Catherine canicrossing near Hereford, MD

Skijoring is cross country skiing while a dog pulls you. It is an exhilarating and fast growing winter sport which combines cross country skiing and dog mushing. Originating in Scandinavia and literally meaning "ski-driving" in Norwegian, skijoring allows a dog and owner to exercise together while enjoying the outdoors. If you can imagine yourself on a beautiful winter's day gliding behind your canine companion on a tree-lined trail, then skijoring is for you.

Our experience with running with another sled dog team is what prompted us to get into dog powered sports.
Our first major dog sledding trip was a Run What You Brung at Eden Mountain in Vermont. We took our dogs and incorporated them into one of Eden Mountain's teams. It was a great way to learn about the sport and to see how our dogs would do. The dogs loved it and they slept the entire ride home.

Zoe was one tired sled dog after dog sledding at Eden Mountain, Vermont.

People some times ask "what is in it for the dogs?" The dogs really do love to run and you can see it in them as soon as you set up. The real motivator, however, is the hot dogs.

Our sled dogs enjoy a treat near Washington, DC.

We frequently train at Fair Hill Natural Resource Management Area. Fair Hill is one of the few places that you can dog sled through a covered bridge.

Dog scootering through a covered bridge.

Dog sled racing is popular with many mushers, especially in the North East. Dog sled races fall into three categories: sprint races, mid-distance races, and long-distance races. In the North East, most dog sled races are sprint races. In general, we prefer our dog sledding to be more relaxed and go at our own pace, although we do race a few times a year, both in dryland and snow dog sled races. Below, we can be seen racing at Nemacolin Woodland Resort's Winter Carnival in February 2007.

Catherine and the team cross the finish line at the Nemacolin Woodlands Resort race sponsored by the PSDC.

The Maryland Sled Dog Adventures LLC sled dog team likes to meet and greet new faces.

Okemo and Sobo meet girl scouts.

Dog sledding harnesses are the direct connection between the dog and the sled or rig. The harness needs to fit correctly to distribute the load across the dog and to maximize the ability of the dog to pull effectively. Indeed, a properly fit harness is the single most important piece of equipment for dog sledding. Much like some people run better with different running shoes, dogs often run better in one type of harness or another. The harnesses our sled dogs use are called "x-back" harnesses. Other types of harnesses include "H-back" harnesses and various types of "shortie" harnesses. "Shortie" harnesses go by different names including "urban trails," "hybrid," "saddle back," and "ManMat" or distance harnesses. For a list of harness manufacturers, visit our Resources page.

Harnesses hang from hitching post.

People always ask us "what do they eat?" Our dogs are working dogs and expend a large amount of energy when running, dog sledding, and training. During the dog sledding season, if we are not careful, it's easy for the dogs to expend more calories than they take in and lose weight. As a result, we feed our sled dogs a high quality, high protein, high fat performance dog food. While there are lots of good performance dog foods available, our choice is Eagle Pack Power formula. During the running season, their dry food is also supplemented with raw meat. We control the amount of food during the off season to maintain the dogs' weights.

T-Bone, our Sheltie-Siberian Husky, eats his dinner after a run.

When you mention dog sledding, sled dogs, snow dogs or anything similar, the first thing that people think of is Iditarod. Unfortunately, living in Baltimore, it's not realistic to have the large kennel required for a race such as Iditarod or the Yukon Quest. Besides, if we had 120 dogs, how would they all fit on the bed?

We travel a lot with our dogs, both as part of dog sledding trips and for other vacations. We frequently travel with the sled dogs to our cabin in Maine. For photos of the dogs dog sledding in Maine, visit our Maine Winter Cabin Adventure website or our blog. Traveling with sled dogs can be a challenge, but it's well worth it. A few ultra-dog friendly places have sprung up, which makes it easier to travel with your pooch. Often, however, it means bringing one or more crates for them to sleep in, additional blankets to cover the furniture, and taking other steps to preserve the rented rooms. The work is worth it and the dogs seem to enjoy seeing somewhere new. Our dogs have traveled and stayed in motels, hotels, inns, bed and breakfasts, and rented houses, cottages, and cabins from Maine to Virginia and just about everywhere in between. Our dogs have even mushed through New Brunswick and Quebec, Canada. Last summer, the dogs spent a month traveling with us in Vermont and Maine. The primary consideration when traveling with your pooches is advanced planning and preparation. Below, wheeldog Okemo relaxes at our cabin in Maine. For more information on the dogs' summer adventures, visit our Blog.

Acadia and Zoe on Acadia mountain.

Contact Maryland Sled Dog Adventures LLC by phone or email

Phone:
(443) 562-5736

Email:
catherine@marylanddogsledding.com

Come experience dog sledding with central Maryland's only dog sledding operation. Our focus is on teaching others about our favorite sport, mushing. We offer a variety of dog sledding adventures and can tailor an adventure to suit just about anyone or any group. Among other things, we offer educational programs on dog sledding for children and adults, Girl Scout and Boy Scout dog sledding badge programs, and classroom presentations on dog sledding. We also do special events including childrens' birthday parties. In addition to our other programs, we offer bikejor and canicross lessons. We also teach skijoring lessons, weather permitting.

Got a high energy dog that needs some exercise? Maryland Sled Dog Adventures LLC offers a unique "Run What You Brung" training program for those folks who have a dog and would like to try out dog-powered sports. Bikejoring, canicrossing, skijoring, and scootering are great dog-powered sports to consider if you like to bike, run or cross country ski and you have a medium sized or larger dog. Nearly any dog in good health can be taught to pull. To that end, we also occasionally offer clinics which focus on teaching you how to train your dog to pull and our canicross club hikes. For information on upcoming pull clinics and our canicross hikes, visit the upcoming events section on our home page.

Looking to immerse your self in four days of hands-on opportunities to dog sled, skijor, snowshoe, and cross country ski, then check out our women's only Maine Winter Cabin Adventure.

All individuals must sign our Waiver and a Release prior to participating in any of our programs. A Waiver and Release must be signed by the parent or legal guardian of each person under the age of eighteen. Please note: If you are an adult accompanying a minor who is not your child on one of our programs, his/her parent or legal guardian must sign our Waiver and Release and you must bring it with you the day of the program. You will not be allowed to sign on behalf of minor participants who are not your children or legal wards. Individuals without a completed Waiver and Release will not be allowed to participate. Copies of our Waiver and Release may be downloaded in PDF format by visiting our Reservations page.

Unless otherwise noted below, non riding guests are $10.00 per person.

Unless otherwise noted below, Maryland Sled Dog Adventures LLC's dog sledding programs are suitable for adults and children ages five and older. Please do not bring children under five to our programs.

Maryland Sled Dog Adventures LLC offers hands-on experiential programs teaching Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts about dog sledding and dryland dog sledding. Scouts will work with our team of well-behaved sled dogs. For more information on our friendly sled pets, visit Our Dogs page. Topics covered during this program include, but are not limited to: the care of sled dogs, nutrition requirements for sled dogs, training sled dogs, equipment used in the sport of mushing, and major sled dog races including Iditarod and the Alaska Serum Run. Hands-on components of the program allow the scouts to harness a dog, bootie a dog, water and unharness the dogs after the run, and a short one on one dog sled ride with the full team. Age and group size limitations apply. All participants must wear a helmet when on the rig. Personal helmets are welcome and may be used. Maryland Sled Dog Adventures LLC will also have helmets available for use.

Our dog sledding patch program can be tailored to meet the needs of all ages of Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts and is offered September through April, weather permitting. Cost is $32.00 (which includes the patch) per scout with a minimum of eight scouts and a maximum of twenty scouts. There is no charge for adult chaperones or leaders. The program is usually held on the beautiful Northern Central Rail ("NCR") trail in Northern Baltimore County and will last a minimum of three hours. Our scout dog sledding programs are held entirely outdoors. Please dress for the weather the day of your program. For information on what to bring and what to wear, please consult our FAQ page. For more information, please read our Reservations page. Please call (443) 562-5736 or email catherine@marylanddogsledding.com for reservations. Pictures from some of our recent dog sledding scout patch programs are available on our Gallery page.

Maryland Sled Dog Adventures LLC offers dog sledding programs teaching kids about dog sledding, sled dogs and dryland dog sledding. Participants will work with our team of well-behaved sled dogs. These programs are perfect for parents who are home-schooling their children, youth groups, 4-H clubs, church groups looking for a new activity, and field trips for school children of all ages. Topics covered during this program include the care of sled dogs, nutrition requirements for sled dogs, training sled dogs, equipment used in the sport of mushing, and major sled dog races, including Iditarod. Experiential components of our program allow the kids to harness a dog, bootie a dog, water and unharness the dogs after the run, and take a short dog sled ride with the full team. Age and group size limitations may apply. All participants must wear a helmet when on the rig. Personal helmets are welcome and may be used. Maryland Sled Dog Adventures LLC will also have helmets available for use.

This program can be tailored to meet the needs of all ages of children and is offered September through April, weather permitting. Cost is $30.00 per child with a minimum of eight children and a maximum of twenty children. Minimum age is five. No children under the age of five should be brought to our programs. A minimum of one adult must accompany all groups of children and must remain throughout the program. There is no charge for adult chaperones. The program is usually held on the beautiful Northern Central Rail ("NCR") trail in Northern Baltimore County. Our educational programs last a minimum of three hours and are held entirely outdoors. Please dress for the weather the day of your program. For information on what to bring and what to wear, please consult our FAQ page. Please call (443) 562-5736 or email catherine@marylanddogsledding.com for reservations. Pictures from recent educational programs are available in our Gallery.

How many kids get to have sled dogs at their birthday party? Maryland Sled Dog Adventures LLC offers childrens' birthday parties with a sled dog theme! To see photos from some of our recent dog sledding birthday parties, please visit our gallery. Topics covered during this program include: the care of sled dogs, nutrition requirements of sled dogs, training sled dogs, equipment used in the sport of mushing, and major sled dog races including Iditarod and the Alaska Serum Run. The kids will also learn how to harness a dog, bootie a dog, and will get an opportunity to feed and water the dogs. Last, but not least, each individual child will have a short dog sled ride with the entire team.

This program is appropriate for children over the age of five and is offered September through April. Cost is $325.00 for up to ten children and each child thereafter is $30.00. There is no charge for adult chaperones or parents, but likewise due to our small team, we do not provide adult rides during our group programs. All participants must wear a helmet during the dog sled ride. Personal helmets are welcome and may be used. Maryland Sled Dog Adventures LLC will also have helmets available for use.

Our dog sledding birthday parties are primarily held on the Northern Central Rail trail in Northern Baltimore County and last approximately two hours. Our children's dog sledding birthday parties are held entirely outdoors. Please dress for the weather the day of your program. For information on what to bring and what to wear, please consult our FAQ page. For more information, please read our Reservations page. To make a reservation, please call (443) 562-5736 or email Catherine.

Got a high energy dog? Try dog-powered sports with your own dog. Don't have a northern breed dog? That's ok, we've worked with all sorts of dogs from smaller (30 pound) dogs like Eskies to traditional sled dog breeds like Siberians and Malamutes to non-traditional sled dog breeds like Labs, Goldens, Shepherds,and even a Great Pyrenees. Of course, mixed breeds are welcome as well.

One of the toughest challenges for a beginning musher is to train his or her first dog. Integrating your dog into a trained sled dog team is an ideal way to introduce an inexperienced, but high energy, dog to mushing. During this program, we will fit your dog(s) with a loaner x-back harness, do ground work and pull training with you and your dog(s), discuss dog sledding gear, training techniques, dog-powered sports suitable for small teams (one to two dogs), proper hydration and nutrition, and temperature limitations. After that, we will hook your dog in with our team of trained sled dogs and go for a training run. Pictures from recent dryland dog sledding Run What You Brung programs are available in our gallery.

Our Run What You Brung program is $150.00 per person for the first person and lasts approximately two hours. Subsequent participants are $90.00. Non riding guests are $10.00 per person. Our Run What You Brung program is suitable for adults eighteen years of age and older and is offered September through April. Please plan on bringing a copy of your dog's vet records showing that your dog is up to date on all shots. Longer programs and additional advanced lessons can be arranged.

We come to you! Maryland Sled Dog Adventures LLC offers on site classroom programs on dog sledding and dog sledding demonstrations for local area schools and other organizations studying or focusing on dog sledding, dog sled races, or sled dogs. Meet Maryland Sled Dog Adventures LLC’s owner Catherine Benson and her happy sled dogs (if permitted). This presentation includes a detailed discussion of mushing, the equipment used in the sport (samples will be brought in), sled dog care, harnessing a dog, putting booties on a dog, and famous sled dog races including Iditarod. This program can be individually tailored to be suitable for all ages of children, but is particularly appropriate for classes studying Iditarod, the Serum Run, or reading Jack London books. This program is not just for schools. Maryland Sled Dog Adventures LLC has visited a number of different organizations including libraries and various festivals and events. If permitted, a demonstration may be arranged. To see photos from our recent classroom presentations on dog sledding, please visit our gallery.

Classroom dog sledding programs are offered year round, however, classroom programs including dog sledding demonstrations are offered September through April.

Call or email for pricing and reservations.

Maine Cabin Winter Adventure

New for Winter 2011 Maryland Sled Dog Adventures LLC will offer a unique four day winter experience. Based out of our cabin in Starks, Maine, this women's only program will give up to six participants the opportunity of a lifetime! The Maine Winter Cabin Adventure will include opportunities for participants to drive a dog sled on snow, explore skijoring, try their hand at cross country skiing, and enjoy snowshoeing through the scenic north Maine woods. Visit our Maine Winter Cabin Adventure page for more information.

Our Yappy Hour Dog Sled Rides are an opportunity to take a short dog sled ride with a real team of trained sled dogs. Our Yappy Hour takes approximately one hour and includes opportunities to harness the dogs, work with the dog sledding equipment, and take a short ride through the scenic hills of central Maryland. The cost is $125.00 for the first person and $75.00 for subsequent participants. There is a maximum of four riding participants. Non riding guests are $10.00 per person. This program is usually held on the beautiful NCR trail in Northern Baltimore County. Alternative locations can sometimes be arranged. This program is suitable for adults and children over the age of five. Our Yappy Hour dog sled rides are offered September through April. For information on what to bring and what to wear, please consult our FAQ page.

Come experience dog sledding or dryland dog sledding with us in the scenic hills of Northern Baltimore County. While our tours frequently take place on the Northern Central Rail ("NCR") trail, alternative locations can sometimes be arranged. Your tour will include an approximately three hour mushing experience. When you arrive, you will meet and greet the dogs, you may help harness and hook up the dogs to the sled or rig, water the dogs, and, after a brief introduction, you may drive the sled or rig, if you wish.

This program is appropriate for both adults and children over the age of five. Young children may be limited to riding on the rig or sled instead of driving. One adult must accompany each child under the age of eighteen. Non riding guests are $10.00 per person. Cost is $275.00 per person for a three hour tour. Due to time constraints, we only schedule one tour per day. Only one person can ride on the rig or in the sled at a time and weight restrictions do apply. All participants must wear a helmet. Personal helmets are welcome. Our dog sled tours are offered September through April. Please call (443) 562-5736 or email catherine@marylanddogsledding.com for reservations.

Intrigued by the idea of bikejoring or canicrossing with your dog or one of ours? We offer both canicross and bikejoring lessons with either our dogs or your dog(s). If it's bikejoring with our dogs, you supply the bike (your bike must have fully operational hand brakes) and we'll supply the rest (harness, lines, etc.). If it's bikejoring with your dog(s), you supply the bike, your dog, and we'll supply loaner lines and a loaner harness (or you can use your own). If you would like to purchase your own pulling harness, please visit our Resources page for a list of harness manufacturers. If you have any questions regarding harnesses, harness fit, what type of harness to order, etc., please do not hesitate to contact us.

For our canicross lessons, if you are using our dog(s), you will need a canicross belt (visit our Resources page for a list of suppliers). We will supply the dog(s) (obviously), the lines, and the harnesses. If you are using your dog(s), you will need a canicross belt and your dog. We will supply a loner line and harness. Loaner belts can sometimes be arranged.

Cost is $150.00 per person for a two hour lesson for the first participant and $90.00 per person for subsequent participants. Participants must be eighteen years of age or older. These lessons will usually be offered on the beautiful NCR trail in Northern Baltimore County, however, other suitable trails may be able to be arranged. For bikejor, all participants must wear a helmet. Please plan to bring your own helmet. Loaner helmets can sometimes be arranged. Please let us know at the time of booking whether you will need to borrow a helmet. Please call (443) 562-5736 or email catherine@marylanddogsledding.com.

This program is offered, weather and temperatures permitting, year round (canicross) and Fall, Winter, and Spring (bikejoring). Typically, we cannot bikejor during the summer due to heat concerns. However, some unseasonably cool days do occur during the summer, so please call or email to discuss availability.

Longer canicross and bikejor tours and trips are also available, please call or email for reservations, pricing and information.

Want to experience the joy of gliding along snow-covered trails on cross country skis while working with your dog (or one of ours) to propel yourself down the trail? If so, then the sport of skijoring is for you! Weather permitting (we need a minimum of 2-3 inches of snow), we offer skijoring lessons using either our dogs or your own dog(s). For more information on the sport of skijoring, visit SkijorNow or visit our Resources page.

For our skijoring lessons, you will need a set of cross country skis and poles and a canicross/skijoring belt. Loaner belts can sometimes be arranged. If you are using our dog(s), we will supply the dog(s) (obviously), the lines, and the harnesses. If you are using your dog(s), you will need your dog(s) (obviously), a set of cross country skis and poles, and a canicross / skijoring belt. We will supply a loaner line and a loaner harness, although you can use your own equipment. To purchase a pulling harness, skijoring belt, or other equipment, visit one of the suppliers on our Resources page. If you have any questions regarding canicross/skijoring belts, harnesses, harness fit, what type of harness to order, etc., please do not hesitate to contact us.

Cost is $150.00 per person for a two hour lesson for the first participant and $90.00 per person for subsequent participants. Participants must be eighteen years of age or older and demonstrate at least intermediate cross country skiing ability prior to being hooked up with a dog. These lessons are usually offered on the beautiful NCR trail in Northern Baltimore County, however, other suitable trails may be able to be arranged. Participants will be required to wear a helmet. Please plan on bringing your own helmet. (Bike, ski, and/or snowboard helmets are all acceptable). Loaner helmets can sometimes be arranged. Please let us know at the time of booking if you will need to borrow a helmet. Please call (443) 562-5736 or email catherine@marylanddogsledding.com.

Longer skijor trips and tours can be arranged, please call or email for details.

Dog Powered Sport Clinics

Group Training Clinics! Interested in learning how to train your dog to dog scooter, bikejor, skijor, or canicross? Does your dog like to pull? Interested in harnessing your dog's pulling energy? Maryland Sled Dog Adventures LLC is offering two fantastic opportunities to learn the ins and outs of training your dog for dog powered sports. Here at Maryland Sled Dog Adventures LLC, we embrace the idea of "train the trainer" learning experiences. Each clinic will provide you with the background and skills necessary to continue to train your dog for dog powered sports.

Our clinics are appropriate for beginners and those with dog powered sports experience. Clinics will cover topics such as fitting your dog with a pulling harness, equipment used in dog powered sports, and different types of dog powered sports. Skills practice will include training your dog to pull, working on dog sledding commands ("gee", "haw", "on by"), and training line out. We will also hook your dog up for a short bikejor and canicross run.

Don't have a northern breed dog, that's OK! Our clinics are appropriate for high energy dogs over 30 pounds. Dog should be in good general health with no existing medical conditions.

Participants should plan on bringing all dog powered sports equipment they own including: bike; harnesses; scooter; canicross / skijor belts; and any other appropriate equipment. All participants will need a leash and collar for their dog. All participants will need to bring and wear a bike helmet when engaged in any wheeled dog powered sport.

Cost is $100.00 per participant. Limit one dog per participant. Participants must be 18 years of age or older and all participants must sign our waiver and release. Participants will also need to bring a copy of their dog's shot records showing the dog is up to date on all shots. Each clinic is limited to eight (8) participants. Each clinic will begin at 8:00 AM and will last for approximately three to four hours. These clinics will be offered on the beautiful NCR trail in Northern Baltimore County and the specific trailhead location will be announced prior to the event. For clinic dates, please visit our Upcoming Events.

Canicross Hiking Club

Do you enjoy hiking with your dog? Why not join us for one of our group canicross hikes? Our canicross hikes explore various trails throughout central Maryland and are a great way to get out and enjoy the outdoors with your dog. Hikes range in length from three to eight miles and take place April through September. Come to one hike or come to them all. Cost is $10.00 per person.

What is canicrossing exactly? The word canicross is of European origin. "Cani" is short for canine and includes your canine companion. "Cross" means to move cross country on foot. Canicross is more than just hiking, running, or walking with your dog however. Canicross requires your dog to know basic commands, line out and pull. The extra dog power is especially appreciated when going up hill.

Our canicross hikes are designed to bring dog lovers together to enjoy the great outdoors. Newcomers are free to come along on our canicross hikes with their dogs on leash until they learn what canicross is all about. To canicross with your dog, you will need: a canicross belt (visit our Resources page for a list of suppliers), a line or leash (shock absorber two dog lines can be purchased from us for $35.00 per line), and a harness (loaner harnesses can usually be arranged). If you like, you may also choose to dog pack with your dog in lieu of canicrossing.You should also plan on dressing for the season and weather; wearing comfortable hiking footwear and clothing; and carrying a back pack or fanny pack to carry water and light snack for you and your dog. You will also need a bowl for your dog, poop bags and possibly bug spray and sunblock. Visit the Upcoming Events section of our home page for scheduled canicross hikes.