This page addresses some of the typical questions that people have about Maryland Sled Dog Adventures LLC, sled dogs, dog sledding, dryland dog sledding, mushing, dryland training, and our programs. It is a good idea to read through this page prior to making your reservation and before coming to your dog sledding program.

How many people can mush at once?
We are a small micro mushing operation. One person can ride at a time. We do not allow children to ride in an adult lap because it is unsafe.

How many programs do you run per day?
With very limited exceptions, we run only one program per day.

How many sleds or rigs can you run at once?
One. We can give more rides when we return!

Are reservations required to go dog sledding?
Yes, all dog sledding tours and programs are by reservation only. To make a reservation, please call (443) 562-5736 or email catherine@marylanddogsledding.com. For more information on reserving a dog sledding program, visit our Reservations page. For more information on our wait list and how far in advance to book your dog sledding adventure, see below.

What happens if it is raining?
We run rain or shine, so be sure to check the weather forecast and dress accordingly.

Can you run even if we get a lot of rain the day before?
Yes. The Northern Central Rail trail is a former rail road with a crushed rock surface. The surface is crowned and most water runs off the surface. As a result, we can be out on the trail even after a hard rain.

Will my dog sledding program be on snow?
Here at Maryland Sled Dog Adventures LLC, we run "snow or no snow." Because snow here in Central Maryland is rare and unreliable, the majority of our dog sledding programs are "dryland" using our wheeled carts which in dog sledding are called "rigs" or "gigs." Our rigs are custom built in Germany and are quite to fun to ride on and drive. You can think of them as the German sports cars of dog sled rigs. Rest assured, that should we have adequate snow to run your program on snow, we also have a traditional hand-tied wooden dog sled that allows us to run dog sledding programs on snow.

If you absolutely must have snow for your dog sledding program, check out our Maine Winter Cabin Adventure program available for small groups (4 individuals).

What will happen if it is snowing?
We run rain, shine, sleet, and SNOW. Please do not book a dog sledding program if you or your other parents in your group are not prepared to drive in snow. While we do not often have snow on our trails, we are a dog sledding business and we love snow. We do not cancel for snow. If you cancel your dog sledding reservation with less than 21 days notice for any reason including snowy travel conditions, your deposit is forfeited. All of our reservation policies can be found on our Reservations page.

How much can the dogs pull?
The average rule of thumb is that a healthy dog in good weather (i.e., low temperatures) can pull approximately three times his/her own body weight. Our sled dogs range in weight from about 35 lbs to 80 lbs. Together, they can pull a combined weight including musher, passenger, and rig or sled of approximately 100 lbs. Our larger rig weighs approximately 150 lbs. This estimate, however, is for short durations on flat surfaces with little or minimal resistance in ideal pulling temperatures (temperatures below 30-40 degrees). Frequently here in Maryland our conditions are somewhat less than optimal. As a result, in less optimal conditions when driving dogs that are pulling a dog sled or a rig, the musher must pedal with his/her foot to help push the sled or rig along. The musher must also help push the sled or rig up steep hills, maneuver the dog sled or rig around corners, and/or run behind the sled or rig to lighten the load. This means he/she needs to be able to push the weight of the sled by himself/herself and control the sled or rig through turns. Dog sledding is quite physical for both the musher and the dogs, thus we must limit the weight so that we can get you up the hills and around corners.

Is there a weight limit for the rider?
Yes. Because we are a small team, our passenger weight limit is 200 lbs. We must strictly enforce our 200 lb passenger weight limit.

How far in advance should I book my dog sledding experience?
Our weekend dog sledding programs book first, often 8 to 10 months in advance, sometimes longer. So the earlier you book your dog sledding tour or program, the better chance you have of getting your first choice of dates and times. If we cannot accommodate your weekend request, we may be able to offer a midweek date. We frequently have a wait list of individuals and groups waiting for program dates.

How does your wait list work?
The way our wait list works is that in late June or early July, before we open our calendar up for reservations for the coming season, we send an email to those groups and individuals on our wait list, asking if they would like to book and, if so, when. Dates are then booked on a first come, first served basis. This year, our weekend days were booked within the first hour of that message being sent. Our midweeks were booked within the first 24 hours. Once you have chosen your date, your deposit (50% of program cost) must be received within seven (7) days or your date is released. Last year, we had well over 200 groups and individuals on our wait list for a limited number of weekends this season.

We also notify groups and individuals on our wait list of any cancellations. Cancellations are rare for us (usually only one or two per season) and usually relatively short notice (less than a week).

Also, because our wait list is done exclusively by email, if your email address changes during the year, please let us know. Each year, several people have not received the wait list email because of an interim email address change. You should also be sure that your spam / bulk filter does not catch our messages.

What happens if my reservation is cancelled due to non payment of my deposit?
Due to high demand, in general, we are not able to rebook programs that are cancelled due to non payment of the deposit. Please be sure that your deposit is received by us within seven (7) days of the day you made your reservation.

What time will my dog sledding program begin?
The start time for your dog sledding program is selected for the dogs' benefit based on the weather and trail conditions. During the warmer months (March and October), we often need to meet at the trail early in the morning (7 AM to 8 AM) to get the coldest temperatures possible. All of our group dog sledding programs including our Girl Scout and Boy Scout dog sledding patch programs begin in the morning at either 8:00 AM, 9:00 AM or 10:00 AM. Unlike the rest of us, dogs do not offload heat by sweating. As a result, they are susceptible to overheating in warm temperatures. Would you go running or play basketball in warm temperatures while wearing a fur coat? In addition, the later in the day the dog sledding program is run, the more trail traffic we encounter.

What should I wear dog sledding?
For winter excursions, please dress as you would for skiing or snowboarding. We find it’s helpful to dress in layers. If you have a snowboarding, skiing or biking helmet, please bring it and plan on wearing it. Warm boots and a warm hat (preferably one that will fit under your helmet), gloves and a jacket are necessary. Other recommendations include long underwear, snow pants, and goggles or protective glasses. Also, please wear clothing that you don't mind getting dog prints, dog hair, and perhaps a little mud on. Our longer educational programs and our Girl Scout and Boy Scout dog sledding programs are a minimum of three hours, all of which are spent outside so please check the weather and dress accordingly. Please wear winter boots. Sneakers are not warm enough on chilly days for three to four hours outdoors. Cold feet and cold hands are really no fun. For other season trips, we recommend checking the weather and layering your clothing accordingly. Please plan on wearing close-toed shoes and long pants. No sandals and no shorts.

Please, no fur. Should our dogs see you wearing fur, they will assume you are a small woodland creature to be chased and will act accordingly.

What should I bring to my dog sledding program?
A good attitude! The dogs are very sensitive to negative emotions. If you are scared or mad they will know it. And don’t forget your camera, film, batteries, etc. Beware that in cold temperatures, batteries can die quickly so an extra set of batteries is a never a bad idea. You’ll definitely want photos of this. Things you don’t need to take along on the tour are purses, other bags, cell phones, and anything that can't get wet or muddy. We also ask that all food be left in your vehicle. Some of our dogs are very food motivated and will eat through a pocket to get a snack.

Is dog sledding dangerous?
It can be, but it is not inherently dangerous. We advise that you take precautions such as wearing a helmet to minimize risks. Even when the best preventive measures are taken, incidents can and do occur which can cause harm to passengers, the driver or the dogs. The ride can be bumpy at times. People with health concerns, back problems, and women who are pregnant should consult their doctors and Maryland Sled Dog Adventures LLC before booking a program. All participants must read, understand, and sign our Waiver and Release.

Do you sell dog sledding equipment?
No. While there are some vendors whose equipment we prefer, we do not sell or manufacturer dryland dog sledding or mushing equipment. Please see our resources page for a select list of vendors we regularly use.

Can I bring my dog?
No, please do not bring your dog. If you do bring a dog to our programs, either you will be asked to leave or the dog will have to stay in a vehicle the entire time.