We know that some people question whether dog sledding is ethical, and we want to address those concerns head-on by sharing how we prioritize the well-being, happiness, and health of our sled dogs every single day.
A Day in the Life of an Arctic Dog
Our sled dogs are more than just athletes—they’re family. Each day begins with breakfast and a thorough poop-scooping of the dog yard to ensure it’s fresh and sanitary. We clean the yard where the dogs live two to three times daily and compost the waste in the woods.
As our guides get ready for a tour, the dogs dance with excitement—they know a run is coming. The dogs are carefully harnessed and assigned to their sleds and positions. Once everything is in order, they take off with boundless enthusiasm, their energy and joy contagious as they run with all their might. Some, like Kaksi, will bark the whole way up the hill, frustrated that gravity is holding her back.
In summer, the dogs participate in Husky Hikes, a fun activity that introduces visitors to the sled dog work ethic and provides the sled dogs with extra socialization and enrichment.
After a tour, we encourage you to help unharness the dogs, pet them, and put them back at their individual houses. The dogs are unharnessed and return to their houses to rest and recover until mealtime. The yard is given another scoop. Pets are often handed out during scooping times — it’s actually a favorite part of the day for us who live with sleds dogs. Poop scooping time is when we check in with the dogs, spend one-on-one time with them in the comfort of their own spot, and evaluate their health (by touching them and having a base line status of what their poops look like). Feeding time is always an exciting (and noisy) event, as the dogs scream for their meals with the patience of a toddler at Disneyland. As the day winds down, they let loose a communal howl and settle under the night skies, curling up in their cozy houses for a peaceful and warm sleep.
Living Environment
Each dog has its own sturdy, insulated house stuffed with fresh straw, providing a warm, comfortable space to rest away from inclement weather. While our dogs live outdoors, they thrive in the cold climate their breed is made for, and their houses keep them cozy even in Alaska’s harsh winters. That being said, some of the dogs prefer to sleep outside on the ground!
Siberian Huskies originated in Eastern Siberia, one of the harshest environments on Earth. Much like wolves, foxes, lynx and moose, huskies have unique adaptations that help them thrive in extreme cold. On our multi day tours we do not bring bedding for the dogs with us. They don’t need it, and on some of the landscapes we travel (Federal Lands, National Parks & Wildlife Refuges), straw bedding is not permitted. The dogs are equipped with everything they need to keep warm — lots of food, an efficient metabolism that helps them maintain their body heat, and thick coats that keep them insulated from the cold.
Currently, our dogs are housed in a dog lot with chains tethering each dog to an individual post. This is a very safe way to keep sled dogs, plus keeping dogs in individual spots is a sure-fire way to be able to keep track of their health via their stools. However, we would like our dogs to have more time off chains, and some to be off chains completely. Our big project for Summer 2025 is a new dog yard! All of our tip money goes towards our Free Run Fence Project. We have been saving up for several years for this project, which will involve a significant amount of excavation work. We are very excited!
Sled Dog Meals
Feeding time happens twice daily. We use high-quality dog food from Underdog Feeds. Sled dog meals are carefully planned to meet their nutritional needs as working dogs. Breakfast and dinner include high-quality meat and a minimum 30/20 kibble mixed with hot water and “trail snacks” like precut slices of frozen chicken. These snacks are packed with protein and energy, perfect for their active lifestyles. Hydration is just as important, and they always have access to fresh water in the summer, and get soup and water-rich snacks in the winter. As of 2025, with 45 dogs in the lot, we spend about $30,000/year on dog food. It is very expensive to keep sled dogs. Ethical dog sledding, with companies who feed their dogs a high quality year round diet, have higher costs, and our pricing reflects this. While dog sledding can only happen 6 months out of the year, the dogs still need to eat every single day.
Veterinary Care and Grooming
Regular health checks are non-negotiable. Our dogs receive regular visits from our vet to ensure they are in good health and current on their rabies vaccinations. Non rabies vaccinations, nail trims, and deworming are part of our regular routine to prevent any health issues. We work closely with veterinarians to monitor each dog’s well-being and address any concerns immediately. We are very lucky to have many excellent veterinarians in Fairbanks that are familiar with sled dog athletes.
On our multi-day trips, we have a fully stocked veterinary kit that our vets helped us create. The dogs’ health and happiness are always our top priorities.
We always keep a minimum $5000 veterinary fund topped off rather than individually insure each dog (we do recommend pet health insurance if you have just a couple dogs).
Grooming is done seasonally, in the summer. While the dogs don’t need grooming (their winter coats fall out on their own), it’s a nice way to spend some time with each dog in the summer.
Exercise and Enrichment
Exercise is a fundamental part of life for our sled dogs. Each dog gets daily exercise, whether it’s running on a tour, playing, husky hiking, or skijoring (pulling Lisbet as she skis). These activities aren’t just about keeping them fit— it’s the only way to truly fulfill their instincts. Huskies love to run. Sled dogs are natural-born runners with a deep drive to pull (work). The joy they express when running is undeniable.
For older dogs, we adjust their workload to fit their capabilities. While they may not pull sleds as much, they still enjoy lighter exercise and plenty of playtime. When their working days are over, they remain a cherished part of the pack and live out their natural lives at our kennel, surrounded by love and care.
Stage Two of our Free Run Fence project includes building a dog barn with a dog door so the old dogs can choose to be inside or outside at their leisure.
Addressing Ethical Concerns
We understand that some people have concerns about the ethics of dog sledding. At Arctic Dog Adventure Co., we’re committed to operating in a way that prioritizes the physical and emotional well-being of our dogs. Here’s how we ensure their lives are happy and fulfilling:
Choice and Enthusiasm: Our dogs love to run. Their excitement when it’s time to head out on the trail is infectious. They’re not forced to run; their enthusiasm is evident, and running satisfies their instincts.
Long-Term Care: Every dog in our pack is with us for life. We don’t rehome our older dogs or retire them elsewhere. Instead, we adjust their care and activities to suit their age and health.
Expert Handling: Lisbet, the owner of Arctic Dog Adventure Co., is deeply passionate about sled dogs and their care. Her dedication to their well-being shines through in every interaction and she is always working towards bettering the lives of her dogs. While she would like running water one day, right now the dogs are the top financial priority!
A Partnership Built on Trust and Care
Our dogs are not just our partners on the trail—they are our family. We’ve built a life around ensuring they are happy, healthy, and loved. For us, dog sledding is not just a tradition or a sport; it’s a partnership between humans and animals who share a mutual love for the great outdoors.
If you’d like to see how we care for our sled dogs firsthand, we invite you to visit us at Arctic Dog Adventure Co. Experience the joy of dog sledding and meet our incredible pack—we’re confident you’ll leave with a deeper understanding of why this way of life is so special, for both humans and dogs alike.
Read more about our philosophy and meet the pack here.
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