Wren went flat-eared and still before I heard anything. We were two miles out, the team moving well, the kind of cold that burns the back of your throat di
Author: Helen Corlew
Helen Corlew
Helen L. Corlew runs a team of Samoyeds, Alaskan malamutes and Alaskan huskies. I am a Tellington TTouch practitioner and use this mode of work with training and living with my dogs. Helen Corlew founded Prairie Isle Dog Trekking in Petersburg, North Dakota in 2010, and has spent the fifteen years since doing something most people only read about: teaching real dog sledding on real prairie terrain, at the edge of a landscape that doesn't apologize for being difficult. She is not a weekend enthusiast. She harnesses working dogs in January cold, trains handlers who have never touched a sled, and has built one of the only hands-on mushing education programs on the Northern Great Plains — from a single address on Highway 2, with no marketing budget and no shortcuts. Her writing on Prairie Isle Dog Trekking reflects the same philosophy. Whether she is covering trail safety across the Rockies, breed behavior in extreme conditions, or what it actually takes to trek with a dog in the Alps, Helen writes from the position of someone who has done the work before writing the sentence. She lives and runs dogs in Nelson County, North Dakota. Kindly follow me on Social Media!
The dog’s front left pad had split clean down the center, and I didn’t catch it until we were back at the truck. Not dramatic. Kestrel barely favored it, w
Hiking with a large dog combines high-output physical activity with breeds built for endurance, strength, and varied terrain. Large dogs exceed 55 pounds and include breeds such as German Shepherds, Bernese Mountain Dogs, Weimaraners, and Rhodesian Ridgebacks. A structured approach protects joint health, prevents overheating, and maximizes trail performance.What Is Hiking with a Large Dog?Hiking with a large dog is sustained outdoor trail activity performed with a dog weighing over 55 pounds. Large breeds are classified by the American Kennel Club (AKC) as working, sporting, or herding group dogs. They are physically suited for trails with elevation gain, long distances,…
Friendly A father came out two winters ago with his son and his dog. The dog was a goldendoodle named Biscuit, which told me most of what I needed to know
What Good Looks Like Sable came to me from a kennel in Minnesota that had just shut down. Eighteen months old, never raced, never worked a real run. The wo
Nearly Perfect The smell hit Wren before I saw what she was tracking. We were doing a loose run, post-season, nothing formal, and she pulled hard left off
What the Dog Knows Kodiak came off the line wrong that morning, the whole left side of his body angled out like he was already done with the run before it
What Alaska Doesn’t Own The harness had been outside since Tuesday. When I picked it up Thursday morning the frozen nylon smell hit me before I’d even gott
Hiking with a senior dog requires adjusted trail distance, veterinary clearance, and joint-supportive gear. A 2021 study by the University of Edinburgh’s Royal School of Veterinary Studies confirms that senior dogs engaging in low-to-moderate trail activity maintain muscle mass 33% more effectively than senior dogs restricted to leash walks alone.What Is Hiking With a Senior Dog?Hiking with a senior dog is the activity of taking a dog aged 7 years or older on outdoor trails, with reduced distance, gentler terrain, and gear modifications that account for age-related physical decline. A dog is considered senior at 7 years for large breeds…
Hiking with a puppy introduces young dogs to outdoor terrain, physical conditioning, and socialization in natural environments. Puppies require stricter distance limits, veterinary clearance, and hazard monitoring than adult dogs. A structured approach to trail hiking protects developing joints and builds long-term trail confidence.What Is Hiking with a Puppy?Hiking with a puppy is guided trail walking with a dog under 18 months of age. Puppy hiking differs from adult dog hiking because young dogs have open growth plates, immature immune systems, and limited stamina. Breeds commonly taken on puppy hikes include Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, Border Collies, and Australian Shepherds.…