Sled Dog Commands Guide

Sled dog teams rely on a precise vocabulary of commands and cues to move smoothly over snow and ice. This guide—over 1,200 words—covers traditional commands from Alaskan, Greenlandic, Russian–Siberian, and Inuit dog sled traditions. You’ll also find hand signals, practical training tips, problem-solving advice, and real-world use cases for volunteer mushers, racing teams, or recreational sled enthusiasts.

Why Precise Sled Dog Commands Matter

• Team coordination: Each dog must work in harmony with the team and musher to avoid accidents or tangles.
• Control over terrain: Commands manage speed, direction, route splitting, obstacles, and rest periods.
• Safety: Quick, clear communication prevents injuries and ensures the team responds instantly.
• Cultural heritage: Many sled commands come from Inuit or native Arctic languages and honor traditional mushing history.

Core Sled Team Commands

English	Command	Origin/Language	Purpose & Use
Whoa	Whoa	English	Tell dogs to stop. Used at trail crossings, dangerous terrain, and rest commands.
Gee (right)	Gee	English / Mackinaw mushers	Command to turn right.
Haw (left)	Haw	English / Mackinaw mushers	Command to turn left.
Hike / Mush / Mush!	Mush	English, from Nordic root “musa”	Tell dogs to start moving or increase pace.
On by / Pass	On by	English	Command to pass another team or obstacle without interest.
Easy	Easy	English	Slows the team down—useful on ice or downhill.
Line out	Line out	English	Tell team to stretch and straighten the line.
Hike up / Gee up / Haw up	Hike up, Gee up, Haw up	English	Encourage lead dogs to take command and move faster.
On the line	On the line	English	Command for all dogs to stand still and tension harness before mush.
Gee close / Hawk close	Gee close, Haw close	English	Direct team to turn tighter right or left.

Supplemental & Advanced Commands

English	Command	Origin	Purpose & Use
Over	Over	English / Nordic	Tells team to cross an obstacle (bridge, creek, log).
Easy dog / Easy now	Easy dog	English	Calm an overly excited lead sled or racing team.
Find Trail	Find trail	English	Encourage leader to search for the trail after a turn.
Step up	Step up	English	Command for climbing or climbing pace uphill.
Line out	Line out	English	Encourage straight line, proper spacing.
Hike on	Hike on	English	Start motion after a stop, like a “whoa” break.
Inkka	Inkka	Inuit	Often used for “turn around” or prepare to lead the team in reverse.

Hand Signals and Visual Cues

Visual clarity is vital in racing or noisy sled environments. Here are companion hand gestures for common commands:

Command	Hand Signal	Description
Whooah	Open palms out, extended forward	Universal “stop” signal; dogs brace and halt immediately.
Gee – Right	Point right hand with palm facing right	Complement verbal cue to turn right.
Haw – Left	Point left hand with palm facing left	Supplement left turn command.
Mush / Hike	Arm pumping downward at chest level	Encourages movement—energetic thrust builds pace.
On-By	Arm straight ahead with palm out	Signal to pass others/obstacles without interference.
Easy	Slow circular wave side to side	Slows down momentum—calm controlled pace signaled visually.
Line out	Hands at harness level, push outward	Visual cue to stretch and stabilize team formation.
On the Line	Flat palms down at harness height	Prepare dogs to stand solid while harnessed.
Over	Hand pressed down palm down	Signal to step over an object.
Step Up	Thumbs up or arm motion up hill	Encourage pulling uphill or stepping higher.

Training Techniques and Progression

Effective sled training is progressive and consistently reinforced. Use these steps for structured learning:

1. Harness and harness line familiarization: Let the dogs explore harnesses and lines off-leash. Desensitization prevents anxiety.
2. Start with “Whooah”: Teach immediate stop response on flat terrain before adding turns and starts.
3. Introduce “Mush”: After dogs learn whoa, teach “mush” to start pulling. Reward clear action and responsive enthusiasm.
4. Teach turns “Gee” & “Haw”: Incorporate markers or cones as pivot points. Add hand-signal gestures now.
5. Practice “On By”:] Create staged distractions (sleds, people) and encourage passing without pulling off trail.
6. Master line formation & “Line out”: Walk behind team and add command with line pressure. Reward for tensioned straight lines.
7. Work on terrain control: Use “Easy” downhill, “Step Up” uphill, “Over” for obstacles, reinforcing tone and confidence.
8. Chain commands: Use whoa → mush → gee/haw → mush → whoa to simulate trail runs.
9. Add endurance and speed training: Gradually increase trail mileage. Include timed intervals with commands to maintain form under fatigue.
10. Day of the trip: Use hand signals for silent adjustments. Clear visual commands reduce fatigue and aid in long runs.

Common Troubleshooting Scenarios

Lead dogs ignoring turns

Issue: Lead dogs charge straight when you want a turn.

Remedy: Practice gee/haw at slow mush pace, pointing at cones. Hand-signal combined with voice until it is immediate instinct.

Team won’t stop on “Whoa”

Issue: In downhill or distracted terrain dogs keep running.

Remedy: Strengthen stop with leash tug cue and immediate reward. Hand signal reinforcing pause with body block if needed.

Pulling too fast downhill

Issue: Team builds excessive momentum on downward slopes.

Remedy: Emphasize “Easy” at hill crest. Use gentle drum pattern with sled logs to slow rhythm.

Difficulty passing (On By)

Issue: Team halts or becomes excited passing another team or trail event.

Remedy: Use treats or toy passed between dogs to refocus direction. Reinforce heavily at gradual distance progressions.

Messy harness line “runners”

Issue: Dogs crisscross, tangle lines during turns or downhill stretch.

Remedy: Frequent line out commands built into sessions. Use line markers or cones to practice trips without tangles.

Real-World Mush Experience and Case Studies

• Recreational Cinnamon Trail: A volunteer musher in Alaska trained a 6‑dog team for weekend rides. He used whoa, mush, gee, haw to guide inexperienced dogs and practiced “on by” during dog meetups.
• Junior Iditarod: Youth mushers complete a short trail using precisely timed mush, easy, and stop cues. Many carry flags at gee/haw points as visual reminders.
• Backcountry Hauling: In Greenland, hunters use Inuit phrases like “Inkka” for turning on rough ice and “Easy dog” to avoid injury in crevasse zones.

Putting It All Together

Effective sled dog training combines verbal commands, hand cues, physical conditioning, and cultural respect. Start slowly, stay consistent, and gradually build complexity and distance. Build trust with your team, prioritize safety through “whoa,” and push forward with “mush.” Over time, your dogs will respond as a coordinated unit, with instincts honed through clear guidance and shared adventure.

Ready to hit the trails? Begin with whoa and mush today. Train often, stay patient, and let your dog team lead you through the snow with confidence and rhythm!