Tour Mushers execute dog cart tours in a safe, responsible, professional and friendly manner for all Guests. Tour Mushers oversee the management and care of assigned dog teams, ensuring the well being of each individual dog assigned to the Tour Musher / Handler Team. Tour Mushers assist in trail maintenance and cleaning in addition to daily camp chores as assigned.
Specific Duties
- Responsible for individual Dogs assigned to them.
- Examine Dogs on a daily basis for general health and fitness.
- Feet will be checked and cared for daily.
- The dog yard will be cleaned at a minimum 3 times a day with periodic cleaning as needed.
- A continuous supply of water will be available for dogs.
- Houses will be maintained, painted and repaired as needed. Chains will be checked on a daily basis.
- Responsible for repairing and replacing all worn gang-lines, tug lines and necklines. Mushers will build gear, including gang-line, from supplies provided to facilitate safe, secure operations.
- Harnesses repair as needed.
- Cooperate with handlers in all aspects of maintenance.
- Utilize best judgment in selecting teams to minimize dogfights and unintentional breeding.
- Assist handlers in duties and will work closely with all handlers in skill development.
- Meet and unload passengers from tour vans and reload them at the end of the tour as required.
- Ever observant, watching for and preventing guests from wandering into dog yards, stepping over lines, and any other activity that might cause them injury.
- Responsible for preparing and delivering an introductory / safety discussion for Guests in addition to an interpretive tour in dogsledding and Alaskana.
- Provide dog cart tours to Guests on designated trails maintaining a positive outlook and attitude with Dogs and Guests at all times.
- Operate teams and cart to accommodate the level and ability of Guests.
- Exercise skills to prevent carts from mishaps and any possible Guest injury.
- Tour Musher will have control of their Team at all times and will designate individual Dogs suitable for petting by Guests.
- Use caution when working near other Teams, will not pass on the same trail and will tie off securely.
- Participate in all camp chores including dishes, bathrooms, trail cleaning, yard cleaning, trail maintenance, cleaning community and guest areas and maintaining tents in a neat manner.
- Provide Vet, at Monthly Vet Checks, information on any dogs with problems. Information will be left in writing if the musher is on a day off when vet is in camp.
- Abide by the the “Dogs First” program
Gold Rush Crew 