What Happens at a Dog Kennel in May?
May is a month of change at Bearhill Husky. It’s a time between the seasons — the snow is gone, the summer hasn’t quite arrived, and the dogs (and humans) are shifting gears. It’s not glamorous, and it’s certainly not quiet, but it’s one of the most important months of the year for setting the tone for everything to come.
From Snow to Sunshine: Transition Season
May is when all the snow finally melts. That means sledding is over, with April usually being our last month of the winter season for real sled work. With the melt comes the not-so-glamorous reality that we face every year: cleaning. A lot of it.
As the snow disappears, it reveals all the winter leftovers: fur, poop, hay, bits of gear, and everything that got buried in the bustle of a long, snowy season. On top of that, we’re dealing with meltwater run-off, which needs to be managed to keep our kennel yards from turning into mud pits.
Spring Cleaning — And Then Some
This year we’ve had even more cleaning than usual. Last autumn, we had several construction projects that extended into the winter. So now, in addition to the usual mess, we’ve got leftover building materials and debris to clear out.
In addition to cleaning the ground and our facilities, we also thoroughly clean dog harnesses, jackets, blankets, bowls, gear bags and everything else that is washable. In short, our washing machine is running almost nonstop.
We also do maintenance on all of our sleds and snowmobiles. The sleds are cleaned, checked, and treated with a mix of paint, linseed oil, and thinner to preserve the wood. Then they’re stored away until next season.
Training Transitions: Back to Basics
One of the most important shifts in May is in how we train the dogs.
During the winter season, dogs work in teams and packs. It’s all about function, strength, and efficiency; but in May, we get to focus on individual training again.
We take this opportunity to:
– Refresh leash training
– Focus on young dogs
– Organize kennel groups (oldies with oldies, slow dogs with slow dogs, etc.)
– Create the right social dynamics for the summer
We don’t set big physical goals in May. We’re not clocking kilometers or chasing performance. This is about quality over quantity; calm, focused work that builds the foundation for a healthy, productive summer.
A Reset for Dogs and Humans
May is also a reset for the humans. Our handlers and mushers get a chance to revisit the basics, without the pressures of running tours and tending to guests. Everyone can work in a quieter and more focused environment, strengthening skills and routines.
It’s also the time when we conduct a thorough health inventory of our dogs — checking for minor injuries, weight changes, behavioral shifts — all the little things that can get lost during the rush of the peak season.
Integrating New Dogs
This May has been especially important because we have a lot of new dogs who joined the kennel last autumn. They came to us from a good friend who sadly passed away, and while they may have learned a lot during the winter season, this is their first chance to settle in properly.
No guests, no pressure, just time to learn our routines, build trust with the team, and find their place in the kennel family. It’s a special and delicate process, and May gives us the perfect space to do it right.
Not Yet Summer
May is also that strange in-between in nature. It’s not snowy anymore, but it’s not yet green. Everything is dry, dusty, and sun-bleached. The temperatures rise, often ranging between 10 – 15°C, but the leaves haven’t fully popped yet. The bright, vibrant green of early summer arrives at the very end of May or beginning of June.
Until then, we work in that strange, dusty silence of spring. It’s not glamorous, but it’s real and it matters.
A Quiet, but Vital Month
So what else happens at a dog kennel in May? We follow a pattern that we sometimes refer to as the 5 R’s:
– We reset.
– We rebuild.
– We reorganize.
– We retrain.
– We refocus.
It’s not a showy time of year, but it’s one of the most important. By the time June arrives, we aim to have clean gear, stable dog groups, fresh routines, and a healthy, happy kennel that is ready for the rhythm of the summer.
