Anyone ever take their dogs cross country skiing?

I've never done skijouring, but whenever there is enough snow here, I will ski around some of the open rangeland and take my dogs with me. So, my skiing is not on an established trail and it's very modest up and down, not any major hills. My dogs have initially been intrigued by the moving ski tips, and may get in the way of the swinging poles, but they seem to figure out pretty quickly how to avoid the poles. The biggest problem I have is that if the snow is deep, the easiest path for them to follow is behind me in my tracks. That's fine, but then it takes them a while to figure out to stay far enough back to not step on the backs of my skis. Again, they figure it out fairly quickly, but I've experienced a few face plants during the learning process. The other thing that I have to watch for is that sometimes if I get going fast down hill, they decide that it would be fun to race with me. That's ok until they get out ahead, and then decide to cut in front of me. My dogs are herding dogs, not sled dog breeds, so your experience might be different, but I've found that after a short period of them figuring out why I'm walking so funny, and that my feet have grown greatly in size, that it works out perfectly well. And if the snow is deep, it's one of the few ways that they get more tired than I do on a jaunt, so it's great exercise for them. But, by the same token, you do need to be aware that if you aren't on a packed trail, they are working much harder plowing through the snow than you are, and so one needs to be careful not to overdo it.

ha great visual. Well Neiko is my herding dog so I expect the same type of learning curve with him that you had. My sled dog is too old to do that type of thing.

Thanks for the response. 

Are you talking about running along side you, or skijoring? 

I'm going to be trying skijoring for the first time this winter.  I've never skied before, so it should be interesting!  I've done almost every other type of mushing, so hopefully I'll be okay.  One of my dogs is nearly 100% reliable when working in harness.  I trust him. 

LOTS of Aussies pull.  I thought that was weird, because herding instincts pretty much are totally opposite of pulling and running away from your handler!  But, it's not uncommon to see them in harness.  BCs too.  If you search around on Sled Dog Central forum, I'm sure you'll find some info on that.  I have read stories about herding breeds running backwards nipping at the skis, but apparently they get over it!

As a mushing junkie, I'd say to give skijoring a try!

Its fast!  Think how fast you can go on your own, and multiply that by like a hundred!  I've only been out a couple of times, but I can't wait to really get started this winter.  

The line needs to be longer than just in front of your skis though.  Dogs can stop lots faster than you can on skis.  Plus metal ski tips can do a number on back legs.  You know all about training a dog in harness though right?  You used to blade with Dakota didn't you?  So you know to teach Neiko to keep the line out.  I'd forget about even using the skis until you get that taught.

 But have fun.  Oh and pulling in harness and herding aren't really that far apart.  They are both making something go the way the dog wants.  Huskies were reindeer herders first.  Sled dogs later. 
 

LOTS of Aussies pull.

Gosh, I wish Sequoyah hadn't read your post LOL.  I can just imagine the little speckled monstah out there weaving and gathering in harness - and a face plant at my age could be serious...