Lead, Follow or Get Out of the Way: Unconventional Sled Dog Secrets of an Alaskan Iditarod Champion, Vol. 1

I learned a great deal about breeding, raising and training a happy, healthy and winning dog sled team. It is an advantage for me to understand the process when I am a spectator at the Iditarod race.

There are sadistic elements in the book. As another reviewer mentioned, Mitch Seavey tells people to beat dogs who misbehave. He also advocates that people perform an act that could easily result in a dog's paw getting burned. Seavey says to trim the hair on the bottom of the dogs' feet even with their pads to prevent ice balls from forming. He says that after you've trimmed the hair you need to 'candle' their feet, or singe the ends of the hair that you trimmed. Seavey wrote: "My boys are always looking for faster ways to do their chores. I suppose that is why they started using a propane torch to 'candle' dogs' feet. That in turn explains why, upon entering the shop one winter's day, I observed the back half of my best leader apparently going up in flames. This gives a whole new meaning to the term, 'Put the dog out, son!" Singing the hair is totally unnecessary and puts the dog at grave risk for having his paws burned.Mitch Seavey tells people to punish their dogs for not eating everything in about 30 seconds. He wrote: "If the dog doesn't eat everything in about 30 seconds, do not just leave food laying around thinking he may eat more at a later time. Take the food away. Give the dog only clear water the next day and half rations the following day. Resume regular feeding the fourth day." This is harsh punishment.On page vi, there's a photo of dogs going up a hill that has a 45 degree incline. The caption says, "Fourteen dogs pull the four-wheeler up a hill in first gear with the motor off." On page 81, you'll read these words from Mitch Seavey: "If you drive your truck up the hill in four-wheel-drive, then the 16-dog team should be able to pull a 300cc four-wheeler up it. Make them pull it up there, step by step, creeping up hill until you level out and speed up." He goes on to say that by forcing dogs to pull a 300cc four-wheeler up to the top, "you are teaching the dogs that there is no obstacle or situation that arises, no circumstance under which they are allowed to stop pulling forward."Seavey calls the dogs "running, pulling, machines," "knuckleheads," "bums," "lunk-heads," etc. He has no empathy for the dogs he punishes so harshly.

My first read on Sled dogs. Seavey is up front and not very PC. Just what I like. I am someone who has trained many retrievers for competition and do not think this book will help me on that, but I wasn't looking for help with that portion of my life. My background does give me the impression that author understands dogs quite well and is good at what he writes about. Do not expect a instruction manual on how to dabble in sled dogs. He seems to have only one goal, and that is to win, or at least be competitive, in the 1,000 mile Iditarod Dog Race. There are no half ways with a mission like that. If that is your aim, this a absolute must read. If not, still a fun read and you will know more about this unique and interesting obsession. Book lists authors accomplishments, but since published one of his sons (Dallas Seavey) won the 2012 race and became the youngest winner ever. It sure seems he is staying current with the evolution of this sport.

If you are looking for a practical, no nonsense guide to raising a pack of canines to pull something heavy for you- this is it. An easy read with informative content, that does not go into exhaustive detail but gives you the tools and/or knowledge it takes to run a kennel of athletes.If you are a 'behind-the-scenes-phile' like me, with a love of the outdoors and a fondness for life in extreme climates, curl up with this easy to read mini-manual of sled dog life in the Great White North straight from one of the greats.

An excellent book from a dog driver that has forgotten more than most people will ever know. Its an honest account of one mans training techniques and his views on the training techniques used by others.Reading it is like hearing him speak it, its not a fluffy, cotton wool wrapped sanitised account, its a down to earth, this is how it is type of read, and all the better for it I say. Written with a sense of humour that can be fully appreciated by anyone that has ever been behind a dog team.A brilliant book that made me laugh out loud (especially the chapter on Velcro). Worth every penny and even better the second time you read it, which you will.. I can almost guarantee it.

Mitch Seavey knows how to train dogs, and even though this book is a 'good read' for any mushing fan, he goes 'all out' in sharing his ideas of what works and what doesn't in training sled dogs for distance racing, particularly the Iditarod. Reading it is like sitting in a room in Alaska chatting with Mitch. If you like to 'talk dogs', you'll love this book.

I thought it was very good. He is very honest and like another reviewer said not cotten-padded or wool-wrapped! I got a lot out of what he has said about training methods and his training tecniques have greatly improved my team. The book was soooo funny! I recommend this book to anyone who wants to improve their team.

One Of the very best dog books I 've ever read.I recommend it to all dog owners.

any mushers can read this, begginers or experienced ones. LIke the way he explain stuff, it shows if you are doing already right or if need adjustment