Our ethics

By coming to us we propose you to live an extraordinary experience in sled dogs with a dynamic team that has at heart the happiness of dogs and customers.

When you book with us, know that we are committed to :

    • An annual on-site veterinary follow-up, examination and vaccinations of all dogs.
    • Give basic vaccines to all our puppies directly at the clinic (3x).
    • Deworm adult dogs three times a year (two doses at 2 week intervals each time).
    • Deworm the pups twice a month until the age of 7 months.
    • Change the collars of our dogs twice a year to wash them in the washing machine.
    • Keep a record of deworming, vaccinations, births, deaths and work for all our dogs.
    • Hold a valid MAPAQ permit, apply the MAPAQ standards and have the annual inspection of the animal welfare inspector.
    • Hold a valid municipal permit and respect the conditions.
    • Hold an exclusive contract with the Papineau Labelle Wildlife Sanctuary.
    • Update of our liability insurance.
    • Have a sanitary protocol up to date and post it.
    • Have an exercise protocol up to date and post it.
    • Have 40 hours of first aid training in remote areas updated for all our guides (3 years).
    • Have 18 hours of first aid training in the workplace updated for all staff (2 years).
    • Be accredited with the Quebec Ecotourism Association , respect their standards.
  • Risk Management Plan.
  • Emergency plan updated.
  • Employee manual updated.
  • Initial training for clients (dog approach and sled driving) updated.

It is important for us to tell you about our dogs because they are our priority!

First of all, care.

Food and cleaning protocol :

We make it a point of honor to care ourselves and not to delegate this task to an employee. Which brings in our opinion a stability for the dogs, a routine and the elimination of the risk of errors.

During the summer season (April to October) we spend 4 to 6 hours a day with dogs. For the summer dogs are in large pens divided into subgroup of 20 dogs, which allows us to let dogs loose inside these pens without fear for them. In addition, it allows us to isolate our non-sterile females in order to have a good birth control. It should be noted that no physical effort is required for dogs during this period. Time is divided between :

  • The feeding period; each dog has a portion customized according to its weight and its food need. During this period we take the opportunity to do a visual examination of dogs that allows us to know if they are healthy and if they have an appetite.
  • hydration; is very important at this time of heat. Each dog has a 4-liter bowl of water that is filled every day and washed thoroughly 1-2 times a week so that dogs have fresh water at all times. This step is the longest because by giving water we perform a tactile examination of each dog (verification of collars, insect bites / ticks and wounds) of course everyone also has his little hug: D We take this opportunity also to perform a visual inspection of dog kennels to ensure there is no place where the dog can graze. If necessary we change the facade of the niches (section of the niche which is often nibbled by dogs).
  • Cleaning; every day the feces of the dogs are picked up and put in a suitable place which ensures the dogs a healthy environment.

The game; the dogs are detached in small groups in a pen so that they can have fun between them and stretch between 2:00 and 4:00 per day.

  • Disinfection; as dogs eat raw meat, the equipment must be thoroughly disinfected with boiling water, soap and bleach.

The winter season is divided in two: the training, which takes place in the autumn of mid-October to mid-December, and the sledding season which is between mid-December and the end of March. During this period we spend between 8 and 10 hours a day with dogs.

Feeding periods, moisturizing cleaning and disinfection are always part of our daily routine. On the other hand, hydration becomes essential because we start the more intense physical activity with the dogs and the food increases proportionally with their training as well. When winter is in full swing the dogs eat 2½ times more than in the summer season.

Sled Dogs have a soup made of softened meat, dog kibble and hot water to keep them hydrated during the sledding season.

  • Every week’s beginnings we change or add straw to the dogs’ niches.
  • During training, the dog makes a gradual return to work 1 day out of 3, then 1 day out of 2 over a distance starting at 5 km and maximizing 10 km at the beginning of December. Then when the snow allows it we train them on 15 km circuits until the beginning of the season and if not we continue the quad training until the beginning of the season.
  • In season the dogs do an average of 5 hours of sledding a day / 30 km a day / 5 days a week. This is an average for a healthy adult dog. For our puppies who are in their first season of work and for our older ones who need more rest a progressive schedule and personalized to the capacity of each one is made in order to respect the physical condition of all.
  • A record is kept for each dog to respect each person’s day off.
  • From mid-March to mid-April (depending on the snow), it is the gradual return to calm for dogs, so we increase the number of rest days gradually and reduce the number of daily km so to prepare them gently for the summer season.