Puppies do not perform like adults, but they learn to associate the harness and the team with fun. Mushers will often put a puppy in a harness to pull a small object. At six or more months, the puppy joins a small team of older dogs. It is critical that this first effort at running be a positive experience. The musher's goal is to let the dog enjoy its instinctive behavior in a safe environment.
Training begins in earnest when the dogs are yearlings.
Most mushers start training in the fall as soon as it is cool enough for the dogs to run comfortably. Fall training is usually cart or 4 wheeler training. The dogs run on dirt or sand trails to avoid injuries. The goals of fall training are several. Dogs must build up their aerobic condition and muscle strength and learn to run as a team.