Ask The Mushers
DeeDee Jonrowe

What do you find is the biggest challenge when working with animals?

To me, the most important concept in working with animals is consistency. They must be able to KNOW that you will respond the same way each time for any given behavior.

The next step is to determine the motivation behind their behavior, whether it is something you want to encourage or something you must discourage. You then study each individual and determine what is that dog's most rewarding motivation. The motivation in many breeds (like my labs) is food, since there is nothing else they seem to enjoy more. However, my sled dogs are much different. They have a number of motivators, some of which trump food by a great deal.

What are the qualities of a lead dog?

This is a very special relationship. There are a lot of dogs capable of running lead, but to find that special leader takes a lot of time. It has to be a very independent dog that wants to please you, which is why it is hard to "sell" or "but" a lead dog. The owner's personal relationship with the dog is as important as the dog's natural instinct for the position.

OnceI have found that special dog that really loves being with me, I proceed to develop the dog's self esteem to think he or she is invincible. I want them to ALWAYS succeed at everything!!! That includes in the dog lot, in all situations. Once they are totally "full of themselves" I then go about teaching them things I need them to do on their own for me and the team.

What treats do you give your dogs to motivate them?

This is as varied as the number of animals I own. I use food, positive attention, withholding attention, free running, grooming, anything that that individual dog enjoys.

Trotter, a retired leader now, likes stuffed toys, he has a whole den of them that he likes to line up. He never feels like he has enough of them. Bedding like straw or wood chips is very rewarding. I spend a lot of time with them so I can see what each dogs enjoys the most.

What is your best piece of advice for prospective, future racers?

I did not have this opportunity, but today there are a lot of chances to be a "handler" in a kennel. The better the kennel, the better the training. These are often mentoring positions. The best way to understand the nuts and bolts of our life's passion is to "shadow" us. There is so much that I might not think to say, but when you watch you will understand the motivation behind what I do and why I do it EVERY DAY. Dogs are creatures of habit and honestly, so are we.

What do you think is your biggest strength and/or weakness when competing?

Strengths would be my love for animals since the day I first remember being alive. As a little girl, I was taught to value life through my pets. My mom showed me to usethe love I received from my pet as a motivator to do the hard stuff like cleaning up after them, feeding them, being dependable no matter how I personally felt at the time. This has served me well with people as well as animals. I believe God has a purpose for the love He has given me for animals and it is my desire to use it to make the path I walk this side of heaven a better place.

My most notable weakness is my physical strength, particularly upper body strength, which was significantly compromised from breast cancer. You do not lose both breasts and 22 lymph nodes without noticing the diminished strength, and this sport requires a lot of strength. The dogs are very ACTIVE dogs, we want them that way, and out sleds loaded with supplies ping-ponging through Alaska is no light load. I am often on the edge in this area.