Dog welfare
Dogs are much more to us than working partners – they are part of our everyday life and our family. In all our programmes, the wellbeing of the dogs always comes first, because a well-cared-for dog is eager, happy and motivated.
Every dog is an individual and receives individual care and attention. We monitor their wellbeing daily and take into account their age, condition, temperament and needs in everything we do.
The dogs live in spacious pens, each with its own doghouse for shelter. The pens are cleaned at least once a day, and cleanliness and comfort are a matter of course for us. Time is spent with the dogs every day outside of work as well, because a good relationship with the dogs is built on shared everyday life, trust and doing things together.
The dogs get to run free every day, which provides them with exercise and stimulation, maintains good basic fitness and develops their musculature in a varied way. Moving freely also strengthens the pack’s social bonds and sense of togetherness. Actual pulling training begins in the autumn only once the weather is cool enough for safe training.
During the winter season, each dog’s workload is planned individually. Age, physical condition, experience and stamina determine how long distances the dog runs and how much rest and nourishment it needs. Every dog has at least three days off per week so that it can recover and maintain good working motivation throughout the winter season.
A dog’s life does not end when its working career is over. When a dog grows older and can no longer take part in safaris, it stays with us to enjoy its well-earned retirement days. We do not sell or give away our old dogs; instead, every dog gets to live in a familiar and safe environment with its own pack for its entire life.
It is important to us that a dog can grow old in peace, surrounded by familiar people and dog companions. Ageing dogs receive the rest, care and individual attention they need – just like the younger ones. They are important family members to us also when their paws can no longer take them on safari.
