CAPE TOWN SLEDDING

SLEDDING COMMANDS

THE LANGUAGE OF SLEDDING In dog sledding, specific terminology is used by a musher to communicate with the lead dog. Trained to respond to a musher’s voice commands, a good gee/haw leader is a valuable asset to any team and a necessity on a large one. To ensure uniformity throughout the sport, the following commands are used: Right turn—”Gee!” with a soft G as in jelly Left turn—”Haw!” Straight Ahead—”On By” Speed Up—Another whistle, a kissing sound, something different! Move a little to one side or the other— “Gee Over” or “Haw Over” Slow Down – “Easy” Stop—”Whoa!” delivered in a low tone of voice and drawn out Stay in one place—”Stay!” Anything wrong—”No!” - used either on or off the trail Praise—”Good dog!”. Said with enthusiasm. Used either on or off the trail Request for right of way to pass another team—”Trail” Start—”Hike” Tighten gang line and hold it out—”Line Out” The terminology extends to the musher and team as well The person who drives a dog team is a musher; To drive a team is to mush; and The sport of dog sledding is called mushing.

“The main disease suffered by nearly all mushers is sled-dog addiction. To the best of our knowledge, there is no cure for the hopeless case of sled-dog addiction…”