dog gone it

We visited the Dog Gone It Tour of Wolf Den Kennels in September 2014. We were picked up and returned to the Princess Wilderness Lodge in Denali. All we can say is What an experience. The tour was very educational and informative. Caitlin and Mike Santos were perfect hosts and showed us how they breed and raise these beautiful dogs from puppies. They show how they prepare the dogs for the race, how the sled is packed and loaded for the trip; the types of food necessary to strengthen and challange the dogs both in summer and winter in preparation of the 1000 mile trek. It was a memorable and unforgettable experience.

This was an awesome experience. It was kind of a last minute pick during our Denali trip, and boy was it a hidden gem. From pickup to delivery back at our lodge at Denali, everything was warm, friendly, educational, fun and professional. Caitlin was an incredible tour guide and master of ceremonies. The ride to Cantwell was filled with stories of dog training and their personal lives and decision to locate in Alaska. Mike was a great headliner and incredible builder and a character. The dogs were definitely the stars of the show. The ability to interact with the people and the puppies really made this special. As a former educator I do have to comment on how impressed I was with their overall presentations and how they have integrated technology into the lecture/demonstrations. It was like something from Disney! I know we'll be following next year's Iditarod and Mike Santos.

This whole experience was wonderful. Mike and Caitlin were so enthusiastic, it was contagious. Puppies, dogs, and more dogs!!!We went on this excursion as a side trip to our land portion of an Alaskan cruise while we were visiting Denali. Caitlin picked us up where we staying at the Grande Denali Lodge. We had a small group-just 10 of us. It was less than 30 min drive. The whole way there she talked about their experiences building there property and of the dogs. Caitlin is actually a schoolteacher so she was a great presenter. Once we arrived we held the puppies. There were 25 so plenty to go around! We then watched as Mike hooked up a team to an ATV to go on a run. The dogs went wild. All 65 wanted to go!!It was followed by a video presentation, then inside for a film on Mike's experiences during the Iditarod. All the while, Caitlin talked explaining how they train, care for the dogs, and their life experiences that brought them to this point. The buildings were all built by Mike. My husband was so impressed by that. It was the highlight of our entire Alaskan trip. (And we saw and did ALOT!) I f you are in anyway a dog person go, you won't be disappointed!

What a wonderful place! The Santos do a wonderful job of showing you what it is like to breed and raise these wonderful dogs and to teach you about the Iditarod experience. It has been the highlight of our trip and an unforgettable experience. And of course, the puppies are adorable!Good luck to Mike in his next trip to the Iditarod!

Truly a unique opportunity to experience the life of a sledge dog and the people who love them. Professionally presented and hands on experience with the puppies. It just doesn't get any better.

This was the third dog kennel experience we had and by far the best. Mike and Caitlan have done an incredible job of opening their kennel to us and allowing us to not only play with the puppies but through film and words they took on the trail a musher travels with his dogs. Watching him take the time to change the booties, massage a dogs legs and shoulder, and then finally allowing himself a nap. Wow. Thank you for showing us how demanding dog sledding can be and how rewarding to work with dogs.

Our visit with Mike and Caitlin was one of the highlights of our time in Alaska! To see these dogs in action, to get to interact with them (both the puppies and the adults), and to learn about what it takes to feed, and train, and care for them, is really a unique experience. Mike and Caitlin are so knowledgeable and enthusiastic, and the setting, south of Denali, is incredible. We hope to go back on our next trip!

Having the opportunity to take a once-in-a lifetime trip to Alaska, I wanted to pack as many experiences into my ten days as possible. As a dog lover and great fan of the Iditarod Race, one of my priorities was to visit a sled dog kennel. My dream came true when I found out about Dog Gone It Sled Dog tours in Cantwell, Alaska. Run by a young couple, Caitlin and Mike Santos, the experience was everything I hoped for. The program they offer visitors is rich in the real life experiences of an Alaskan homesteading family, a family living out their dream of raising sled dogs to race in the Iditarod. Mike and Caitlin are articulate, warm, friendly and so willing to share their life story. In order to capture the Iditarod experience in the summer, they combine state of the art film technology with hands-on touching and learning about the mushers’ tools and equipment. Looking closely at a dog sled, examining the booties each dog wears while racing in the snow and looking out across a sea of 60 dogs, I was in awe of Mike and Caitlin’s hard work and dedication. How could they do it, I wondered and why? But moments later, holding a wiggling warm puppy in my arms, looking out across the beautiful land they live on, I knew exactly why they were there. Faith Deering, Entomologist, Massachusetts

Dog Gone It provides an amazing view into the world of dog sledding and racing in some of the most challenging adventures ever imagined. Mike and Caitlin truly provide you with a sense of what it takes to compete at a high level: from the raising of puppies to the gear used to survive a 1,000 mile trek across the beautiful Alaska wilderness. With state of the art facilities and a crew that makes you truly want to live the Iditarod dream, I can't recommend the tour enough if you are in the Denali area.

If you are in the vicinity of Denali park then stop by Cantwell and see Mike & Caitlin Santos's Iditarod sled dogs. You can see firsthand what it takes to get a team of dogs as well as the mushers to the greatest of challenges-the 1000 mile race from Anchorage to Nome. You can hold puppies and have a great time doing it.

Ninja Musher-Mike and Master Educator-Caitlin share their lifestyle in a beautiful place they built themselves. It is evident that they are completely dedicated to their pups. They are amazing, talented people who have a great deal of real experiences to share. Stopping in at their kennel is an important part of an Alaskan trip!

Mike and his wife Caitlin provide a world class experience with their dogs and their presentation. My family of four had a private tour....so if you don't want the crowds like some of the other sled dog tours, come meet Mike and Caitlin. They have great stories and a wonderful slide show that keeps adults and kids engaged. The puppies are adorable and they have a great facility and loving relationship with their dogs. Don't miss this experience when you are traveling near Denali!

Everyone who visits Alaska has heard stories about the challenges of living a frontier life and about the adventures of those who do. Dog Gone It Tours gives you a chance to actually meet two of those adventurers and to hear first hand about their sled dogs, Alaska winters, and running the Iditarod. Mike and Caitlin are living their dream in a cabin surrounded by a kennel full of Alaskan Huskies on the edge of Denali National Park. This tour is for travelers who want to really learn about mushing and about those who do it. You will be entertained and charmed by the dogs and by the people.

If your going to Denali area Dog Gone it in Cantwell is a must see. Excellent presentation in their new theater. A insiders behind the scene of what goes into the preparation for the itiderod race. (The Superbowl of Alaska). See how they train their dogs, hold their adorable puppies. The owners Mike and Caitlin Santos are gracious people who love dogs and Alaska and willing to share what the real Alasks is like.

The tour started off with the opportunity to hold puppies and play with them. We saw the excitement of the dog teams getting ready for a run and learned how the owners dedicate their lives to the care of the dogs. Brand new facilities and learning from true Iditarod competitors capped off the experience. Highly recommended for everyone.