Alaska: Iditarod Kennel Dogsledding & Husky Puppy Cuddles

Summary

Sled dogs eager to run, puppy cuddles and mushers sharing stories in Alaska

You’ll jump right into kennel life at an Iditarod dog sledding center near Anchorage—meet racing huskies, try a training run on a cart with expert mushers guiding you, spot wild eagles overhead, and end up cuddling playful husky puppies. It’s hands-on, lively, and leaves you feeling part of something bigger than just a tour.

What’s the experience like?

I’ll never forget the first thing that happened—one of the mushers, I think her name was Jamie, handed me a pair of slightly chewed gloves and grinned, “You’ll need these.” The air out at Turning Heads Kennel felt sharper than in town, but it wasn’t just the cold. It was the noise—dozens of huskies barking, howling, tails thumping against kennels. A little chaotic but kind of contagious. Someone’s kid kept giggling every time a puppy tried to chew their shoelaces. I didn’t expect to feel so immediately swept up in it all.

Our guide (he’d raced the Iditarod twice—just casually dropped that) showed us how the sled dogs responded to commands like “Gee” and “Haw.” The dogs actually listened—well, mostly. When we went out for our run (on a wheeled cart since there wasn’t snow), you could feel the energy through the handlebars. Wind in your face, paws pounding dirt, someone behind me whooping because their hat almost flew off. At one point we stopped by an eagle’s nest—our guide pointed it out quietly like it was some secret only locals knew about. The whole place smelled like pine needles and wet fur.

Afterwards, there was this short talk about mushing history—I zoned out for a second watching a puppy try to climb into someone’s lap—and then they let us cuddle with the husky pups. Softest fur ever. One licked my nose and I laughed way too loud (sorry to whoever’s video that ruined). On the ride back I kept thinking about how much those dogs just wanted to run; it made me weirdly happy for them. So yeah, if you’re looking for something real near Anchorage—a day trip with sled dogs and mushers who clearly love what they do—I’d say go for this.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Dogsledding experience and training run

• Meet the sled dogs with guide
• Learn about mushing commands
• Go on interactive training run
• Ride dog sled on wheeled cart

Top questions

Is this dog sledding tour suitable for kids?

Yes, children must be accompanied by an adult and there is special child pricing for ages 12 and under.

Are infants allowed on the kennel dogsledding experience?

Infants are welcome but must sit on an adult’s lap; those under 24 months are considered infants.

Is the Turning Heads Kennel tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the experience is wheelchair accessible.

Does this Alaska dog sledding tour include pickup?

No hotel pickup is mentioned; public transportation options are available nearby.

How long does the dogsledding part last?

The exact duration isn’t specified but includes an interactive training run plus kennel time.

Will we see real racing sled dogs?

Yes, you’ll meet active racing sled dogs from a Top 10 Iditarod kennel.

Are there any animal encounters besides dog sledding?

You’ll also get to cuddle husky puppies during your visit.

What commands do mushers use during the tour?

You’ll learn commands like “Gee” (right) and “Haw” (left) used by mushers.

What’s included

Your visit covers all taxes and handling fees; you’ll join expert mushers at their working kennel for hands-on dog sledding with racing huskies (on a wheeled cart if there’s no snow), enjoy a mushing presentation, see an active eagle’s nest nearby if luck’s on your side, and get plenty of time to cuddle with playful husky puppies before heading home.