On a hot dog day of summer, visitors arriving at Points Unknown are met with wind chimes, a kaleidoscope of wildflowers, and the warm welcome from 21 Hedlund Huskies. 

Located a handful of miles inland from Gitchi Gami, Points Unknown offers sled dog tours in the winter and educational kennel tours in the off-season. But pulling isn’t always the point. “They’re dogs, they’re just being dogs,” Linda, the owner, says. “Pulling is a bonus — that’s how we make our living — but it’s not the most important thing. It’s the dogs.”

 Kaya grazes on pineapple weed. 

The priority here is enrichment and the dogs being biologically fulfilled — allowing dogs to move freely, engage with nature, socialize, and make their own choices. “I believe the most meaningful form of enrichment for any dog is being able to have free movement and the ability to explore at their own pace in a large, secure, natural setting every day,” says Linda. The natural environment then provides even more enrichment: fruiting raspberry bushes, chipmunks darting through the yards, birds swooping by, and even pineapple weed, which “is a huge hit,” says Natalie, kennel manager.

 Kennel manager, Natalie, and NaamahLulah

Every day, Linda and Natalie create what they call “the play list” — a rotating schedule where dogs are grouped with different friends and placed in different play yards to mix up the scenery. “It’s just a puzzle every day,” Natalie explains, “switching dogs around so they see different friends and family, and different environments.”

Even in the summer heat, the dogs are able to self-regulate. Some lie in the shade beneath large umbrellas, while others wade in large stock tank pools. Linda once tried a sprinkler system — “they hated it,” she laughs. The dogs decide how they want to cool off. Their thick coats, surprisingly, help insulate from the heat, and there’s always the option to splash or nap.

Enrichment is woven into every season. In winter, the work of pulling offers engagement. In the off-season, dogs get Benebones dipped in peanut butter, manners and obedience training, regular brushing, and plenty of interaction with kennel guests taking a tour. But the relationship building starts from day one.

 Knick and Kaya frolicking amongst the fireweed.

Puppies are handled a dozen times a day starting at just three days old, following early neurological stimulation protocols through day 16. “That’s where the relationship begins,” says Linda. By week two, they begin Puppy Culture, a scientifically grounded socialization method. Later in puppyhood, puppies are exposed to different sights, sounds, textures, and people — including attending socialization class where they meet dogs who don’t look like them, and even learn to travel calmly. Linda shares that fear periods are closely tracked — at 5 weeks, 8 weeks, 6 months, and at a year — having this knowledge, Linda and Natalie are able to set the puppies up for success during these times, especially. 

At Points Unknown, the goal isn’t just to raise not only working dogs, but also well-rounded Hedlund Huskies. Dogs who are confident, curious, social, and deeply connected to the humans who care for them. “Enrichment,” Natalie says, “is how we build relationships.” And from the way the dogs look back at you, tails wagging, eyes soft, it’s clear the relationship goes both ways.

If you’re interested in a kennel tour with Points Unknown, or a sled dog tour this winter, more information can be found on their website, https://www.points-unknown.com/