Behind the Scenes of Canmore’s Sled Dog World

Canada has no formal regulations for sled dog operations. That gap has allowed poor practices to persist, with inspections triggered only after complaints. In the Bow Valley, one kennel has responded by making its entire program public.

Snowy Owl Sled Dog Tours, a family-run Canmore company with more than 40 years of experience, has built a breeding, training, and retirement program that aims to set a higher standard for sled dog welfare. At the heart of it is a structured approach that starts when the dogs are just a few weeks old.

Breeding With Intention

The kennel breeds two or three litters a year, planned according to how many dogs are expected to retire in the next two years. The goal is to maintain a balanced, healthy pack rather than produce as many puppies as possible.

“We plan two years ahead,” said Caitlin Arsenault, Director of Snowy Owl Sled Dog Tours. “It’s not about producing puppies for the sake of it. It’s about making sure we have the right number of well-rounded, healthy dogs to keep the team strong.”

Each breeding pair is chosen through a grading system that evaluates health scores, temperament, and sledding strength, while also ensuring genetic diversity. The kennel occasionally brings in new dogs from outside kennels to strengthen bloodlines. Puppies are born in summer, when staff can focus on their early development without the demands of the winter touring season.

Building Confidence From the Start

By three months, the puppies begin daily “Free Run” sessions on the kennel grounds. At first glance it looks like a pack of young huskies racing around with older dogs, but it is a critical part of their early training. This is where they learn to build confidence, understand pack dynamics, and pick up cues from experienced teammates.

“These moments are where their confidence builds,” Arsenault said. “They learn how to move as a group and start to understand their place in the team.”

By six months, the young dogs start going on walks with retired mentors who teach trail manners and basic commands. “Our older dogs act like teachers,” she explained. “When we place a pup on a team, we pair them with a calm, even-tempered veteran. That older dog helps them focus and builds their confidence.”

Light harness training begins between six and eight months. Staff run the pups on private trails with no weight in the sled to protect their growth plates. “The number one goal at this stage is that they associate the harness with fun,” Arsenault said.

As autumn approaches, the dogs begin running short three kilometre routes using wheeled carts at Boundary Ranch. By their first birthday, they move into middle positions on sled teams during guided tours. “Usually they’re nervous for maybe two minutes,” Arsenault said. “Then they fall right into stride.”

Balancing Work and Recovery

Snowy Owl’s training and work schedule is designed to keep the dogs healthy and enthusiastic throughout their careers. No dog runs more than two consecutive days. Every Wednesday, the kennel shuts down tours entirely for what staff call “doggo self-care day.”

“We close to tours completely,” Arsenault said. “The whole day is dedicated to the dogs. Grooming, fresh bedding, health checks, and of course their favourite treat, beaver soup.”

Each dog receives an annual veterinary exam in the fall and daily health monitoring by kennel staff. Appetite, behaviour, and digestion are tracked closely, and any concerns are addressed immediately with their veterinary partners at Cochrane Animal Clinic.

The kennel’s two-acre facility is built with the dogs’ welfare in mind. The kennel’s two-acre facility is built on a layer of crushed limestone, which allows water to drain naturally and keeps the ground clean and dry. It is divided into sections for males, females, puppies, and senior dogs. Each dog has a hand-built insulated pine house with a left-facing entrance for weather protection. Staff monitor conditions constantly and adapt routines in extreme temperatures.

Retirement and Adoption

Most dogs retire around age nine, though some stop earlier if they prefer a quieter life. “You can see it in them,” said Arsenault. “Some just decide they’d rather be cuddled than pull. When that happens, we don’t push them.”

The adoption process is thorough. Families fill out detailed applications outlining their activity levels and home environments. Kennel managers match suitable dogs with families, followed by meet-and-greets, walks, and an overnight “sleepover stage” before adoption is finalized.

One husky, Sven, illustrates how lasting bonds form. Tineke, a visitor from several years ago, first met Sven on a sled tour across Goat Pond. She continued to visit him each summer. When Sven retired in 2024, she and her partner adopted him to join their Border Collie, Ozzie. “It’s one of those stories that shows the connection our dogs build with guests,” Arsenault said. “They’re not just working dogs. They become part of people’s lives.”

For dogs who take longer to find homes, staff and volunteers step in with walks, enrichment, and temporary stays until the right match is found.

Transparency in an Unregulated Industry

Canada has no regulatory framework for sled dog welfare. SPCA inspections only happen in response to complaints and rely on minimal legal criteria, which means problems often go unnoticed. Snowy Owl has chosen to open its operations to the public as a way to build trust and set a standard.

“We’re proud of our standards, and we want people to see them,” Arsenault said. “That’s why we do kennel tours, why our welfare information is online, and why we’re always happy to answer questions.”

One of the most common misconceptions they face is that sled dogs cannot adapt to living in homes after retirement. Arsenault pushes back on that idea. “Our adoption stories prove otherwise,” she said. “They settle in so fast, often easier than other rescue dogs.”

Born to Run, Raised With Intention

As winter approaches, this year’s puppies are finishing their wheeled-cart training. Soon they will be part of the teams pulling sleds through the Bow Valley.

“They were born for this work,” Arsenault said. “But they’re raised with care, every step of the way. That’s the difference.”

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