The mushing training program was established by Aventure Écotourisme Québec (AEQ) to define official standards for guiding recreational mushing activities in Quebec.

As with the other outdoor disciplines covered by AEQ's Quality-Safety certification standards, the aim of this training is to document and standardize best practices for businesses offering mushing activities, as well as guide training, in order to demonstrate the presence of a safe framework for employees, participants, dogs and the environment.

AEQ has entrusted the development of this training course to two experts in the field, who drew on elements such as current laws and regulations, AEQ Quality-Safety certification standards pertaining to mushing, existing training courses, scientific data in the field and feedback from members of the mushing advisory committee, made up of managers from AEQ member businesses recognized for their best practices.

Mushing Guide Training comprises three levels that reflect AEQ's standards for guided activities. These standards relate to the level of difficulty of the activity, its duration, the level of qualification of the guide, and the type of position they hold.

See AEQ's guiding standards.

Starting in 2025, guides from AEQ member businesses will need to have passed Level 1 (Mushing Guide Level 1) to guide mushing activities on snow and land.

The Mushing Guide Level 1 course is open to beginners with at least 10 days' mushing experience. It is also intended for experienced mushers and experts, who will be able to update their knowledge and enhance their expertise thanks to concepts agreed upon by experts in the field. As such, it offers both initial and continuing training for professionals in the mushing recreational tourism sector.

Levels 2 and 3 are currently under development, and the dates on which they will be required are not yet known.

The Mushing Guide Level 1 training program is designed for guides just starting out in their careers, as well as experienced guides and managers of mushing businesses who wish to update their expertise while earning a training certificate recognized by Aventure Écotourisme Québec. This certificate is a testament to the guide's professionalism and dedication to quality and safety for people, dogs and the environment. Mushing Guide Level 1 training comprises three degrees:

1st DEGREE (SEE): Introduction to professional skills

Initial training at an AEQ member training site. The candidate is supervised by a trainer.

• Mushing: 1 canicross dog and mushing observation (track: 1.5 km)
• Methods: observation, lectures, reading, discussion, demonstration, experimentation, peer learning, two assessments (test and standardized evaluation grid)
• Resources: training manual, instructional materials and trainer
• Duration: 22 hours

2nd DEGREE, ON SNOW (DO): Incorporating professional skills

Integration stage that takes place at an AEQ member tourist kennel, under the supervision of a tutor trained for this purpose. The duration varies according to the individual's learning capacity and experience, as well as the complexity of services offered by the business.

• Mushing: more than 2 dogs driving a sled
• Methods: observation, reading, discussion, demonstration, experimentation, peer learning, assessment (standardized evaluation grid)
• Resources: training manual and on-site tutor
• Duration: variable

3rd DEGREE, ON SNOW (APPLY) : Applying the skills of the profession

A companionship stage in which the candidate practices the role of guide in an AEQ member tourist kennel, under the supervision of a tutor trained for this purpose.

• Mushing: more than 2 dogs driving a sled
• Methods: observation, reading, discussion, demonstration, experimentation, peer learning, assessment (standardized evaluation grid)
• Means: training manual and on-site tutor
• Duration: 40 hours

At least 80 hours are required to pass these three stages, plus additional prior readings.

Diagram featuring the degrees of training.

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Prerequisites

To register for Mushing Guide Level 1 training, you must meet the following requirements:

• Be at least 18 years old.
• Minimum physical capacity: ability to run up a flight of stairs; ability to lift a load of 15 kg on one arm, from knee to waist (minimum weight of a dog in harness); ability to easily cover uneven, snow-covered terrain; absence of physical discomfort on rough trails.
• 10 days of personal experience in a mushing discipline. One day represents a minimum of 4 hours of activities. The duration of the activity includes on-site preparation, the mushing activity and dismantling afterwards.
• Being responsible for your personal mushing practice and being familiar with and applying :
  • 1) the Animal Welfare and Safety Act and its applicabale regulation (chapter B-3.1, a. 64);
  • 2) the The Act to promote the protection of persons by establishing a framework with regard to dogs and its applicable regulation (chapter P-38.002, a. 1, 2nd paragraph);
  • 3) Part XI of the Criminal Code of Canada on cruelty to animals (art. 444, 446 and 447).

• Paying the registration fees.

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Register

>> CLICK HERE TO REGISTER.

Make sure you choose the "Mushing Guide Level 1" training.

Also complete the Mushing Experience Attestation Form to demonstrate that you meet the prerequisites.

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Preparing for the training

1. Read the training manual.

• You will receive a link to the training manual (PDF) with your registration confirmation. You can have it printed by your preferred supplier. No printed manuals will be provided on site.
• Allow 6 to 10 hours BEFORE THE TRAINING to thoroughly assimilate the contents of the manual (239 pages) and appendices.
• You can bring a laptop or tablet to consult the manual (which you'll have downloaded beforehand), take notes and complete the exam, which will be "open book."
• We cannot guarantee that there will be an Internet connection in the classroom.

2. Complete the Risk Acknowledgment and Acceptance Form.

Your trainer will send it to you before the training.

3. Read over the equipment list.

This checklist will help make sure you don't forget anything, and that you're properly equipped for all possible weather conditions.

4. Plan your stay.

Accommodation is not included in the cost of the training. Contact the people in charge of the training venue to explore accommodation options.

5. Arrive one hour before the training begins.

We recommend that you arrive early to allow time to settle into your accommodations (if applicable), get acquainted with the site, complete the necessary paperwork, etc. Please note that the training will take place whether or not there is snow.

The purpose of the recognition of prior learning is to recognize the knowledge and skills of a person who has been working as a professional mushing guide in an AEQ member business for a certain number of years. See the list of skills evaluated.

There are two options available for the recognition of prior learning:

• EXPERIENCED PROFILE

  Minimum age of 18; 1 to 14 years of professional experience (at least 150 hours per year).

• SENIOR PROFILE

  Minimum age of 33; at least 15 years of professional experience (at least 48 months at a rate of 96 days/year).

At the end of the process, you will be awarded the Mushing Guide Level 1 training certificate, which attests to a guide's knowledge and skills in carrying out the following tasks in connection with the responsibilities and groups entrusted to them:

• ensure the safety of participants, providing aid where necessary, and overseeing their learning and satisfaction;
• ensure the dogs' safety, provide aid if necessary, and look after their training and well-being;
• maintain equipment, infrastructure and courses;
• participate in organizing and managing a tourist or ecotourist kennel that offers mushing activities.

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Processing your request

EXPERIENCED PROFILE

• Apply for recognition of prior learning online (link provided at the bottom of this section).
• Pay the registration fee.
• You will then need to fill in the "Experienced profile" form (see this example) and an expertise sheet (see this example) to demonstrate that you have the required knowledge and skills.
  • Allow 7 to 8 hours to fill out the forms, answer the questions and prepare the requested documents (depending on your profile, you will need to provide a letter of recommendation, resume, pay stub, AEQ certification visit report, and proof of training).
• Applications for recognition of prior learning are processed twice a year. Processing takes place within three months of receipt of a request.
• After your file is examined, there are three possible answers: full recognition of prior learning, partial recognition of prior learning, or refusal of your application. In the case of partial validation, AEQ will tell you which skills require further validation.

SENIOR PROFILE

The process is the same, but you will need to fill in the "Senior Profile" form (see this example). You do not need to fill in the expertise form.

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Prerequisites

• Minimum age of 18 (experienced profile) or 33 (senior profile).
• Minimum physical capacity: ability to run up a flight of stairs; ability to lift a load of 15 kg on one arm, from knee to waist (minimum weight of a dog in harness); ability to easily cover uneven, snow-covered terrain; absence of physical discomfort on rough trails.
• Be a guide who owns or is employed by an AEQ member business.
• Paying the registration fees.

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Applying for recognition of prior learning

>> CLICK HERE TO APPLY.

Be sure to select the "Mushing Guide Level 1 - Prior Learning Assessment" option (April or September).

An "on-site tutor" is a level 1 mushing guide:

• who meets the prerequisites for tutoring services (see next section);
• who has completed the Mushing Guide Level 1 tutor training (duration of 2h30m), then, during two mushing seasons, tutored at least one trainee during their integration and companionship stages;
• who uses an approach based on empathy and the sharing of knowledge and expertise;
• who participates in the Mushing Guide tutors' and trainers' discussion forum (Facebook private group);
• who acts as a tutor only on the site where they work as a guide, with the dogs living on site;
• who is part of the Mushing Guide 1 training team.

Becoming an on-site tutor entitles you to a Mushing Guide 1 training certificate if all the conditions are met. It is also a prerequisite for the training of Mushing Guide Level 1 trainers.

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Prerequisites

• Be an expedition leader (as defined by AEQ) with more than two winter seasons of experience.
• Hold experience as a teacher, trainer, coach or instructor and experience in assessing candidates.
• Commit to reading and applying the content guidelines of the standardized evaluation grid used to assess Mushing Guide Level 1 training candidates. This grid is given to you when you register.
• Agreeing to read and apply the Mushing Guide Level 1 training manual (240 pages, handed out upon registration). The manual must be read in its entirety before the training.
• Reading and writing skills.

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Register

>> CLICK HERE TO REGISTER.

Make sure you choose the "Mushing Guide Level 1 on-site tutor training."

Also complete the Candidate Assessment Experience Certification Form. It's important to describe the training you've given and the number of people trained, to demonstrate that you have the required experience. An interview by videoconference may be requested.

Entrepreneurs, guides and self-employed people without employees can also become tutors. To find out how to proceed in this situation, see the document on this topic.

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Steps to take after registration

1. Read the training manual.

• You will receive a link to the training manual (PDF) with your registration confirmation. You can have it printed by your preferred supplier. No printed manuals will be provided on site.
• Allow 6 to 10 hours BEFORE THE TRAINING to thoroughly assimilate the contents of the manual (239 pages) and appendices.

2. Prepare your materials and make sure you're on time.

• You'll be able to use a laptop or tablet to consult the training manual (which you'll have downloaded beforehand), take notes and take the training on Teams. Using a smartphone for training purposes is neither supported nor appropriate.
• You will receive the invitation link two days before the training. We recommend that you log in 10 minutes before the scheduled training time to make sure that everything is working properly. 

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Preparing for the training

Learn about the roles and responsibilities of the on-site tutor.

A Mushing Guide Level 1 trainer is able to teach the initial training to Level 1 candidates, which includes the knowledge contained in the Mushing Guide Level 1 training manual, and to assess their skills. The trainer:

• has attended the Mushing Guide Level 1 train-the-trainer course (1st edition October 17 to 20, 2024);
• uses an approach based on empathy and the sharing of knowledge and expertise;
• participates in the Mushing Guide tutors' and trainers' discussion forum (private group on Facebook);
• is part of the Mushing Guide Level 1 training team.

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Prerequisites

On-site tutor certification.

Register

>> CLICK HERE TO REGISTER.

1. Can anyone help me with my online registration?

If you have already registered for training, you must complete your profile and upload the required documents. Consult this tutorial to learn more: Completing your profile and uploading your documents

2. I finished my training. How do I get my training certificate?

See this tutorial: Printing your training certificate