Big Eagle sure had a good laugh at that one. Well, Dog WILL do better next time. Puppys are given their shots and vitamins and then exposed to all kinds of weather. By the time pups are six months old they are usually running behind the team. Gradually a harness in introduced and the sled dog runs with the team.
Different mushers have their own techniques but generally follow the same patterns.
They keep a close eye on their puppies and know which ones will make good sled dogs. Sled dogs need to obey commands, perform around crowds, automobiles, snow machines, loose dogs and cats, and photographers as well as the usual road hazards of the back country, such as moose in their trail. Remember the musher is the one that drives the sled dogs and mushing is the act of driving sled dogs. The lead dog steers the sled dog team and regulates speed. The wheel dog are the dogs closest to the sled.