| ALL RIGHT! | Command for dogs to get up and go. HIKE! may also be used. |
| BASKET | The main part of the sled that sits over the runners. Used to carry gear, injured dogs, etc. Also called the BED. |
| BOOTIES | Socks worn by dogs to protect paws against ice. Made from polar fleece and other high-tech material. Secured with Belcor strips. |
| BRAKE | Pivoting metal bar with two prongs that is attached between the stanchions at the rear of the BED. Musher stands on bar, which drives points into the snow and stops the sled. |
| BRUSHBOW | Acts like a bumper or deflector. Curved piece protrudes from front of sled and prevents damage to sled. |
| BUNNY BOOTS | The military version of PACK BOOTS. White rubber tops and bottoms. |
| DOG TRUCK | Used to transport dogs. Most common is a wooden structure built onto the bed of the truck with individual sections for each dog or pair of dogs. |
| DRIVING BOW | Sled handle with which the MUSHER steers the sled. Also called the HANDLE BOW or DRIVER’S BOW. |
| DROPPED DOGS | Any dog that cannot continue may be dropped at an official checkpoint or at an assigned dog-drop location. |
| FOOD DROPS | Food and equipment, bagged in burlap or poly bags and shipped ahead to checkpoints. Bags cannot exceed sixty pounds. Straw (for dog bedding) must also be shipped ahead. |
| GANGLINE | The main line. Dogs and sled are attached to this. May also be referred to as TOWLINE. |
| GEE! | Command for leaders to turn right. |
| HARNESS | Webbed material, fits dogs snugly. TUGLINE and NECKLINE are attached to this. |
| HAW! | Command for leaders to turn left. |
| LEAD DOG | Leader of the team. Intelligence and drive are important qualities. Teams can have one or two LEAD DOGS. |
| MUSHER | A person who drives a sled dog team. |
| NECKLINE | Short line—no more than twelve inches— attached to HARNESS and GANGLINE. Keeps dogs in place. |
| ON BY! | Command to go by a potential distraction such as another team. |
| PACK BOOTS | Felt-lined insulated boots. Usually rubber soled with leather or Cordura uppers. |
| PEDALING | Standing with one foot on the sled runner while pushing against the snow with the other. |
| POINT DOGS | These dogs run behind the LEAD DOGS. Sometimes called SWING DOGS. |
| RUNNERS | The two skilike “feet” that slide along the snow. Usually made of wood and covered in plastic. |
| SAFETY LINE | Extra line from sled to GANGLINE |
| SNOW HOOK | Double-pronged metal hook. Can be pushed into the snow and used as an anchor to halt the dogs for short periods of time without tethering them. |
| SNUB LINE | Attached to the end of the GANGLINE. Can be tied to an object (tree) to hold the dogs when the snow is too soft to use SNOW HOOK. |
| STANCHIONS | The upright pieces that form the framework of the sled. They hold the runners to the rest of the sled. |
| SWING DOGS | Either the same as POINT DOGS or may refer to the two dogs running between the POINT DOGS and the WHEEL DOGS. |
| TEAM DOGS | Refers to all dogs other than LEAD DOGS, POINT DOGS, SWING DOGS and WHEEL DOGS. |
| TUGLINE | Connects the dog’s harness to GANGLINE. WHEEL DOGS The two dogs running directly in front of the sled. |
| WHOA! | Command to stop the team. |
