In the wild prairies of Saskatchewan, Canada, Garrick Schmidt has created a unique path in the world of dog mushing. His journey, which began in childhood and evolved through education and deep cultural ties, is one of passion, grit, and a love for both the sport and lifestyle with sled dogs that make it possible.

In this interview, Garrick shares his experiences, the work it takes to prepare and train for races, and the philosophies that guide him in the time-consuming yet rewarding lifestyle of sled dog racing.

Garrick Schmidt: I was twelve years old, growing up in a small town in Saskatchewan. My family had a Siberian Husky, but my real introduction to sled dogs happened when we visited a family friend who owned a kennel. I spent my Christmas break with them as a junior handler that year, and by the end of it, I was gifted a harness for my husky. This was before the internet had the resources it does today, so I started running and doing canicross [the sport of cross-country running with dogs] with my husky. 

Years later, in my mid-20s, I was reintroduced to mushing while studying Indigenous and land-based education at university to become a teacher. I was teaching a trapline course when a local musher brought dogs for the students to experience. He later asked if I could help run his dogs for a week. The following year, during the pandemic, I lived with him as a handler while continuing to teach young students online, delivering supplies to students so they could continue to complete their land-based studies. That second year, he gifted me my first puppy, Kona. After that, I bought my own dogs from him so I could have my own team. 

GS: The dogs are active all year long. In the spring and summer, before fall training, we have a 5,000-square-foot playpen for them to free-run and a pool for them to swim in. We also do off-leash walks to keep their bodies moving in a different way. In the fall, we begin to train with a four-wheeler, starting with short, few-mile runs for the first several weeks. We have the dogs run slower with the four-wheeler, too, as a way to help them build more muscle. Since we need cool temperatures to run the dogs safely, most runs happen in the middle of the night at times. 

BN: How do you build stamina and endurance in your dogs during training?

GS: It’s all about reading the dogs. When they finish a run looking strong and not tired, I know their stamina is improving. Long training runs are followed by a week off to recover. Hydration, snacks, and playtime are key. Running slower in the fall forces them to pull harder, building muscle. We stop every five miles for water breaks, ensuring they stay hydrated.

BN: How do you train yearlings? (yearling: a dog that’s a year old)

GS: Puppies from working bloodlines are simply born knowing how to work. We do lots of pack walks, using older dogs to guide them on recall (recall: coming when called). I get them used to wearing harnesses early and let them free-run in front of the four-wheeler. At first, it’s just playful chaos, but over time, it transforms into teamwork and streamlined. I won’t put them on short runs until they’re about 7-8 months old. The goal is to keep everything fun—if they enjoy it, they’ll want to work.

BN: How do you ensure the dogs’ safety and well-being during training sessions?

GS: So much time is spent together conditioning, building mileage, and staring at dog butts for so long, you start to know their gaits and you start to see things happening before they actually happen. 

 Garrick with his team. Photo provided 

BN: How do you plan and strategize for a specific race, such as pacing and rest stops?

GS: Every race requires careful planning. Pacing is key—we start steady and increase speed as the dogs warm up. Rest stops are based on the dogs’ needs. The goal is to maintain a rhythm that keeps them strong and focused.

BN: Do you use any mental conditioning techniques to prepare yourself and your dogs for the challenges of a race?

GS: Spirituality plays a huge role in my preparation. I attend ceremonies before training and race seasons to stay grounded. Music helps set the mood, whether I need motivation or focus. My friend group is also a big support system. I remind myself that I get to do this—it’s not something I have to do, but a choice I’m grateful for. Staying physically active through working out, biking, and running ensures I can keep up with my dogs. Eating well and staying healthy is just as important because I’m part of the team too. 

BN: Can you describe a moment in a race where your training really paid off?

GS: Last year in Yellowknife, I ran a six-dog, 100-mile campout race. I live in the prairie, so my dogs are used to running in blizzards, snow, and wind. When race day came, the conditions were great, and the team was primed and ready. We ran faster than I ever had in a ten-dog race. They ran faster than our previous race with 10 dogs. They were primed and ready to go, it was so cool, they knew what they were doing. 

BN: How do you handle bad conditions and canceled or rescheduled races?

GS: Last year, we didn’t get on sleds until Christmas, which was tough. I relied on my friends to stay motivated. There’s a lot of prep work to cross the border for races, especially with the new regulations for animals crossing the US and Canadian Border. I had planned to race in Beargrease this year, but scheduling conflicts made it impossible to make the rescheduled date work. At the end of the day, you can’t control the weather, so you just keep moving forward.

BN: Beargrease is known for its hills, how do you train for inclines and declines? 

GS: We have some pretty gnarly hills in Moose Mountain Park, not as big as Beargrease, but they’re pretty good. Plus, lots of weight in the sled helps build muscle for hill conditioning. We also truck dogs to other locations to train on hills. 

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Aside from racing, Garrick also runs tours from his kennel, Eagle Ridge Sled Dog Kennel, that welcomes locals, First Nations Communities, and the public to experience mushing firsthand. His hope is to inspire others to join the sled dog community, whether recreationally or competitively. 

Garrick plans to be able to make it to Beargrease 2026 for the first time.