Tromsø: Puppy Training at the Husky Kennel with Lunch

The main event here is not watching husky racing from the sidelines. You help introduce young dogs to teamwork, take them on a hike, and learn how a working sled dog grows from a wobbly puppy into a strong adolescent. With around 200 Alaskan huskies at Tromsø Villmarkssenter, there is plenty of canine company.

I like the hands-on training and the chance to meet dogs at several ages. I also like that the tour includes a real walk through Norwegian nature, not just a quick kennel visit. The one catch is energy: teenage huskies can pull hard, and muddy or wet ground is common, so this is not a quiet cuddle-only outing.

Key points

• Puppy training in the field: Help young huskies practice walking, teamwork, and simple exercises suited to their age.
• Dogs from four weeks to adulthood: Meet tiny puppies, lively adolescents, and working sled dogs in one visit.
• A 1 to 1.5-hour outdoor walk: Expect nature, mud, uneven ground, and enthusiastic dogs rather than a gentle stroll.
• Warm gear is supplied: Rain clothing and boots help keep you dry, though a change of clothes is still a smart idea.
• Lunch by the fire: Finish with a hot meal, hot berry juice, and desserts such as chocolate cake in a cozy hut.
• Easy Tromsø transport: Meet outside the Radisson Blu Hotel 15 minutes before departure for the bus to the kennel.

Why this Tromsø husky tour feels different

Many Arctic dog experiences focus on a sled ride. This one focuses on the dogs themselves. You see how the kennel prepares its youngest animals for future teamwork, then spend time with older dogs that already have the strength and confidence of sled athletes.

That makes the visit useful for more than dog lovers. You get a close look at the work behind a winter dogsled operation, including the patient training that begins during the warmer months. Summer and autumn are especially important for young dogs learning to move together, follow handlers, and become comfortable in the outdoors.

The setting adds to the appeal. The kennel is outside Tromsø, with a scenic drive toward mountains and fjords before you reach the farm. Once there, the walk takes you beyond the immediate dog yard and into Norwegian nature. The scenery is not a backdrop added for photographs. It is part of the puppies’ training.

At $172 per person, this is not a cheap kennel stop. But the price includes transportation from Tromsø, a guide, rain clothing, boots, the outdoor training, time with the wider dog team, and lunch. If you want only ten minutes with a puppy, it is too much. If you want a half-day activity with food and a proper look at husky life, the value is stronger.

The drive from Tromsø to the kennel

Your day begins outside the main entrance of the Radisson Blu Hotel in Tromsø. Arrive 15 minutes before departure. The bus leaves on time, and a missed departure is non-refundable, so this is one booking where cutting it close is a poor idea.

The ride takes you out of the city toward the kennel, with mountains and fjords along the way. Several visitors have found the drive itself memorable, particularly in autumn and winter when the scenery changes quickly from town to open country.

Transport matters here. You do not need to arrange a rental car or work out a route to the farm, and you can enjoy the views instead of watching the road. The activity lasts 270 minutes, or four and a half hours, so you get a full morning or afternoon rather than a rushed stop.

The tour runs with a minimum of two people and is led in English. Guide names vary, but Max, Brahm, Lena, Oystein, Florian, Jenny, Rom, and others have led sessions. The strongest part of the guiding is the mix of practical instruction and obvious care for the dogs. You are shown how to approach, handle, and walk with them before being asked to do it yourself.

Meeting puppies from four weeks onward

The first dog encounter may be with very young puppies, including some only a few weeks old. These little dogs are cute, busy, and not always tidy. They may climb, mouth at clothing, and lose interest quickly, which is exactly why the supplied rain gear is useful.

You may handle the puppies under the guide’s direction, play with them, and take part in basic exercises. The activities change with age. A four-week-old puppy will not be asked to do what an adolescent can manage, and the handlers adjust the session accordingly.

This is a good feature for families. Children get a close look at how puppies behave, while adults hear why early social contact and simple group work matter for future sled dogs. Children must stay with an adult, and the kennel is suitable for all ages, but very young children still need close supervision around excited animals.

Do not expect every puppy to sit still for a photograph. The appeal is the contact itself: warm fur, quick paws, and a chance to see the dogs learning rather than performing on cue. Feeding the animals is not allowed, so bring your attention and patience instead of treats.

The outdoor training walk with young huskies

The main outdoor section lasts about one to one and a half hours. You walk near the husky farm and take part in exercises designed for the puppies’ age. The route crosses open countryside, giving the dogs a chance to experience changing ground, smells, weather, and group movement.

This is where the activity becomes more physical. Even young huskies can be energetic, and adolescent dogs are strong. One useful detail from the setup is that participants may wear a padded belt with leashes attached when working with older puppies. That leaves your hands freer and helps spread the pull across your body.

If you prefer a calm nature walk, this may feel demanding. You will be managing dogs that are still learning, not strolling beside perfectly trained pets. The handlers remain nearby and explain what to do, but you should be ready for sudden pulling, tangled leads, wet paws, and plenty of movement.

The supplied boots and rain clothing are a real advantage. In wet weather and autumn mud, ordinary shoes and trousers would quickly suffer. Still, I would pack spare socks and a change of clothes. One person found the suit useful but still wished for dry clothes underneath after a wet day.

The walk is rewarding because it shows the training from the inside. You are not simply told that huskies need teamwork. You see the dogs react to one another, follow direction, and gain confidence outside the yard.

Meeting the adult sled dogs

After working with puppies and adolescents, you have time with the older dogs in the yard. This part is less structured and gives you room to greet individual huskies, stroke them, and see their different personalities.

The adult dogs are described as friendly and eager for attention, but remember that they are working animals. Follow the handler’s instructions and let each dog choose the pace of contact. The no-feeding rule also applies here.

I like this part because it puts the puppy training in context. You can compare the small dogs you have just met with the mature athletes that make sled work possible. Some visitors have also learned about retired dogs and how they may be adopted, adding a useful look at what happens after a working career.

Allow yourself time here. The puppy section naturally attracts most attention, but the older dogs are often the quieter reward. You can notice their size, coats, and social habits without the rush of a formal demonstration.

Lunch beside the fire

Lunch follows the dog activities, giving you a chance to warm up and settle down. The meal is served in a cozy hut or yurt-like building, with a fire and hot berry juice adding to the Arctic feel.

Food has been one of the most consistently praised parts of this experience. Meals have included local dishes such as fish soup, fish, couscous for vegetarian diners, and chocolate cake. Vegetarian food is available, but one meal had a quantity issue that was corrected, so mention your dietary needs when booking.

This is more than a box lunch. A warm meal after a muddy outdoor session makes practical sense, and it gives the guides time to answer questions about the kennel, sled driving, dog care, and training. If you have children with you, the meal also creates a natural pause after a high-energy morning.

The food is not the main reason to book, but it helps justify the half-day price. You receive a complete outing: transport, guided activity, protective clothing, dog time, and lunch rather than a short animal encounter followed by an extra restaurant bill.

What to wear and bring

The kennel supplies rain clothing and boots, which is important in Tromsø’s changeable weather. Put on the outer gear even if the forecast looks friendly. Puppy paws and outdoor paths can make clean clothes dirty quickly.

Bring:

• Warm layers that fit under the supplied clothing
• Spare socks and a change of clothes
• Gloves suitable for handling dogs
• Your own child safety seat if you are bringing a small child
• Water if you prefer to carry your own drink

The child-seat rule deserves attention. If you travel with an infant or small child, you must bring your own car seat or arrange your own transport. The operator cannot guarantee child seats on the bus, and choosing your own transport does not reduce the price.

Do not bring pets, alcohol, or drugs. You must not feed the dogs. People with animal allergies should skip this activity, since close contact with a large number of dogs is central to the day.

The tour is not suitable for wheelchair users. The outdoor walk, dog handling, and natural ground make that limitation important to consider before booking.

Who will enjoy this activity most

Dog lovers are the obvious audience, but the experience suits several types of visitors:

• Families with children who enjoy animals and outdoor activity
• Adults who want to understand how sled dogs are raised and trained
• Anyone looking for a break from city sightseeing in Tromsø
• Visitors who enjoy a little physical effort and do not mind wet weather
• People who want a summer or autumn husky experience without waiting for snow

It works well for mixed-age groups because the day includes several levels of activity. You can handle puppies, walk with older young dogs, and spend quieter time with adults. Children can enjoy the animals while adults take in the practical side of kennel work.

It is less suitable if you dislike animals jumping up, pulling, or getting close to your clothing. It is also not ideal for anyone seeking a silent hike. The dogs are the focus, and they bring noise, motion, and occasional chaos.

Is $172 a fair price?

I would judge the price by the amount of time and the number of included pieces. Four and a half hours is substantial, and you receive return transport from central Tromsø, English guiding, protective gear, a guided hike, access to dogs of several ages, and lunch.

The cost feels harder to justify if your only goal is to cuddle a puppy. You can spend less on a shorter attraction elsewhere, but you would miss the training walk, the adult dog yard, the countryside drive, and the meal.

For a family, the price adds up quickly, especially since young children still need adult supervision and the fare remains the same if you arrange your own transport. For a dog enthusiast or someone planning only a few Tromsø excursions, the amount buys a full, distinctive half-day rather than a quick photo stop.

The strong rating of 4.9 from 385 ratings also fits the activity’s best qualities: friendly guides, generous dog contact, good food, and a clear sense that the animals’ welfare comes first. I would still read the physical demands honestly. This is value for an active animal experience, not for passive sightseeing.

Practical booking details

Book with enough time to arrange the right clothing and child equipment. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the activity, and you can reserve without paying immediately if that option is offered at checkout.

Give the operator the age and weight of any children in your booking notes. That information helps with transport planning, but you still need to bring your own safety seat for infants and small children.

Arrive at the Radisson Blu Hotel 15 minutes early. There is a check-in agent outside the main entrance. Since the bus departs on time and missed tours are non-refundable, this small step matters more than it might seem.

Should you book the husky kennel tour?

Book it if you want real contact with huskies, a look at their training, and a half-day outside Tromsø with lunch included. The combination of tiny puppies, strong adolescents, adult sled dogs, mountain scenery, and warm food gives the experience more substance than a basic kennel visit.

I would especially recommend it to families with animal-loving children, couples who want an active outing, and anyone curious about the work behind dogsled racing. Skip it if you have serious animal allergies, need wheelchair access, or want a quiet walk with no pulling or mud.

Pack spare clothes, arrive early, and expect the dogs to set the pace. If that sounds like part of the fun, this is one of Tromsø’s better ways to meet the animals up close.

FAQ

Where does the Tromsø husky tour begin?

Meet outside the main entrance of the Radisson Blu Hotel in Tromsø 15 minutes before departure. A check-in agent will be there.

How long does the activity last?

The experience lasts 270 minutes, or four and a half hours. The puppy hike itself lasts about one to one and a half hours.

What animals will I meet?

You can meet puppies from about four weeks old through adolescence, along with adult Alaskan huskies. The kennel has around 200 dogs.

Is the outdoor walk physically demanding?

It can be. Adolescent huskies are strong and energetic, and the route may be wet or muddy. Participants may use a padded belt with attached leashes when walking older puppies.

Are rain clothes and boots included?

Yes. Rain clothing and boots are provided for the outdoor activity. Bringing spare socks and a change of clothes is still sensible.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is included, and vegetarian food is available. Meals may include local dishes such as fish soup, fish, vegetarian couscous, hot berry juice, and dessert.

Can children join the activity?

Yes. The activity is suitable for all ages, but children must be accompanied by an adult. If you bring a small child or infant, provide the child’s age and weight in the booking notes and bring your own car seat.

Is the tour accessible for wheelchair users or people with animal allergies?

No. The activity is not suitable for wheelchair users or people with animal allergies.