Tromsø: Puppy Training at the Husky Kennel with Lunch

The most memorable part of this Tromsø outing is not simply cuddling puppies. You help young Alaskan huskies learn the first steps of working together, then walk with them through Norwegian nature while mountains and fjords frame the setting. It is a hands-on introduction to how sled dogs grow from bouncy pups into strong working dogs.

I like the chance to meet dogs of many ages, from tiny puppies to powerful teenagers and friendly adults. I also like the practical setup: transport, rain gear, boots, guiding, and lunch are included, so you can focus on the dogs instead of packing for every kind of weather.

The main consideration is that these are working animals, not sleepy lapdogs. Young and teenage huskies can be energetic and strong, and the walk may feel demanding. Mud, rain, wet paws, and excited puppies are part of the deal, so this suits you best if you enjoy active animal experiences.

Key points at a glance

• Meet roughly 200 Alaskan huskies: Spend time with puppies, adolescent dogs, sled dogs, and adults in the kennel yard.
• Help with early training: Young dogs take part in simple exercises suited to their age, including a 1 to 1.5-hour hike.
• Expect real puppy energy: The dogs may jump, pull, lick, and scramble around, making the experience lively rather than passive.
• Use the supplied outdoor gear: Rain suits and boots are especially useful in wet or muddy conditions.
• Finish with Norwegian food: A warm lunch, hot drinks, and dessert provide a welcome break after time outside.
• Plan carefully for children: The outing suits all ages, but children need adult supervision and families with infants must arrange a suitable car seat.

Why this husky visit feels more personal

Many animal attractions let you look at animals, take a few pictures, and move on. This experience gives you a small job to do. You take young dogs outside, follow the handlers’ instructions, and help them experience movement, people, nature, and teamwork.

That matters because the kennel’s larger goal is participation in dogsled racing. Summer training helps prepare the dogs and the people who will work with them. The puppies are at different stages, so the activities change with age. Very young dogs may need gentle handling and simple play, while older pups can manage more active exercises and a proper walk.

I like that the visit gives you a clearer sense of the dogs as working animals. You are not only admiring a photogenic husky. You are seeing how enthusiasm, strength, focus, and cooperation begin to develop.

The atmosphere also seems shaped by the handlers’ close bond with the dogs. Guides named Bram, Nadia, Max, Brahm, Lena, Jenny, Rom, Florian, and Oystein have led different departures, and the guiding style is consistently described as warm, careful, and focused on animal welfare. Your own guide will depend on the date, but expect English-language instruction and plenty of answers about the dogs’ care and training.

The ride from Tromsø to the kennel

You meet outside the main entrance of the Radisson Blu Hotel in Tromsø 15 minutes before departure. A check-in agent greets you there, and the bus leaves on time. The drive takes about 30 minutes according to the tour details, carrying you from the city toward the kennel and the wider scenery around Tromsø.

This transfer is part of the value. At $172 per person, the price is not low for a half-day activity, but it includes transport in both directions, outdoor clothing, a guide, lunch, and access to a large working kennel. You also avoid arranging a vehicle and finding the site yourself.

The route is part of the pleasure. You can expect views of mountains, fjords, and open Norwegian countryside on the way. The exact scenery changes with the season and weather. In autumn and winter, the drive may be snowy or wet. In summer, you may see a softer, greener setting, with longer daylight.

Arrive early. Missing the bus because you are not at the meeting point on time is not refundable. That rule is strict but sensible for a small operation running a timed dog-training program.

Meeting puppies from four weeks to adolescence

At the kennel, the handlers introduce you to the dogs and explain how the session will work. The age range is one of the activity’s best features. You might meet puppies only about a month old, older pups around three or four months, and adolescent dogs with much more muscle and confidence.

The youngest puppies are irresistibly cute, but they are also busy. Expect quick movement, playful nipping, muddy paws, and plenty of curiosity. You may hold or cuddle them under the handlers’ direction, then take some of the young dogs out for exercises suited to their age.

The program is not a free-for-all. You are there to support training, and the staff guide you through what to do. That structure is useful for children, first-time dog handlers, and anyone who wants to interact with the animals without guessing how to approach them.

The rules are simple and important. Do not feed the animals, bring pets, or use alcohol or drugs during the activity. These limits protect the dogs and keep the session calm enough for training.

Hiking with the young huskies

The central outdoor portion lasts about one to one and a half hours. You walk near the farm with puppies and take part in exercises in the surrounding wilderness. The goal is to let the dogs experience movement, people, and the natural setting while building confidence and learning to work with others.

This is where the tour becomes more active than a kennel visit. The puppies may be small, but several dogs moving at once can make the walk lively. Older puppies and teenagers are stronger, and one account specifically warns that teenage huskies can pull hard. You may wear a padded belt with leashes attached when handling the adolescent dogs.

I would not book this expecting a slow woodland stroll. The route can be muddy, especially in wet autumn weather, and the dogs may get just as messy as you do. The supplied rain suit, waterproof clothing, and boots are a major help. One useful tip is to bring spare clothes, since moisture can sometimes get beneath the outer suit.

You also need sensible footwear and clothing beneath the provided gear. The operator supplies rain clothes and boots, but you still want warm layers and clothing you do not mind getting dirty. A camera is welcome, but keep it secure and give the dogs your attention when you are holding a leash.

The older dog yard and the quieter moments

After the training walk, you have time to meet more of the kennel’s dogs. This may be the most relaxed part of the visit. Adult sled dogs are available for attention, and you can spend time petting and talking to them in the yard.

The contrast with the puppies is delightful. The young dogs are all movement and mischief. The adults may be calmer, but they still enjoy contact and attention. You can get a better sense of their individual personalities instead of viewing the kennel as one mass of identical blue-eyed huskies.

The kennel is home to around 200 Alaskan huskies, so the scale is impressive. The visit does not mean you will handle every dog, but there are plenty of chances to meet dogs at different stages of life and training.

The staff also explain how the dogs are raised, handled, and cared for. Some sessions include information about adopting retired dogs, which adds useful context. A sled dog’s life is not limited to racing years, and learning what happens when a dog retires makes the experience feel more responsible and complete.

If you have an allergy to animals, skip this activity. You will be close to a large number of dogs for several hours, and there is no practical way to avoid fur, dander, or contact.

Lunch by the fire in a Norwegian setting

After the outdoor work, you warm up inside a cozy, yurt-like building. This meal is more than a quick snack. It gives you time to sit down, talk with the guides, and absorb what you have seen.

The food is often praised as one of the strongest parts of the outing. Reports describe hot soup, fish, couscous for vegetarian diners, hot berry juice, hot chocolate, dessert, and chocolate cake. Exact dishes can vary, but you should expect a warm local-style meal rather than a standard bus-tour sandwich.

Vegetarian food is available, but tell the operator in advance. One meal had an issue with the quantity of vegetarian food, although it was corrected, so advance notice remains wise. If you have other dietary needs, ask before booking rather than assuming the kitchen can adapt.

The fire and hot drink are especially welcome after a wet walk. This ending also helps balance the activity. You get a genuine outdoor experience without spending the full day cold, muddy, and on your feet.

Is $172 a fair price?

At $172, this is a premium half-day outing. The price makes more sense when you add up what is covered: return transport from Tromsø, a live English-speaking guide, rain clothes, boots, the kennel program, puppy training, time with adult dogs, and lunch.

The value depends on what you want from a husky visit. If you only want a short photo stop with puppies, this will feel expensive. If you want several hours of contact with dogs at different ages, a guided walk, scenery outside the city, and a meal, the package is easier to justify.

The experience also has a more authentic angle than simply posing with a husky. The kennel is connected to dogsled racing, and the training gives you a glimpse of the work behind winter sled tours. You are paying for access, instruction, equipment, and a carefully managed animal encounter.

Families should also weigh the price against the children’s ages. The activity is suitable for all ages, and children have enjoyed holding puppies and joining the hike, but adults must supervise them. Infants and very small children require extra planning because the operator cannot guarantee child seats on the transport.

Who will enjoy this most?

I would recommend this to dog lovers who want active contact, not just observation. It is also a strong choice for families with children, couples looking for an unusual Tromsø outing, and anyone curious about the daily work of a sled-dog kennel.

It suits you if you can handle mud, changing weather, excited animals, and a moderate amount of physical effort. The walk is not presented as a technical hike, but the dogs can pull and the ground may be wet or uneven. You should be comfortable standing, walking, and handling a lively dog with guidance.

It may not suit wheelchair users because the activity is not designed for wheelchair access. It is also a poor match for anyone with animal allergies or anyone who dislikes close contact with dogs.

The experience works particularly well for children old enough to follow instructions. Very young children can take part with an adult, but you should provide the children’s ages and weights in your booking notes. Families with infants need to bring their own car seat or arrange their own transport, and the price remains the same if you choose to drive.

Practical advice before you book

Reserve at least 24 hours ahead if you want the option of a full refund. The activity requires a minimum of two people to operate, and you can reserve now and pay later if you want more flexibility with your Tromsø plans.

Meet outside the Radisson Blu Hotel 15 minutes before departure. Do not cut it close. The bus leaves on time, and a late arrival means losing the tour without a refund.

Wear warm layers under the supplied outer gear. Bring spare clothes if the forecast is wet, and expect the puppies to leave muddy marks on anything exposed. Do not bring a pet, and do not plan to feed the dogs.

If you are visiting with children, send the operator their ages and weights in advance. Bring a child safety seat if needed. The operator cannot promise that one will be available in the vehicle.

Should you book the Tromsø puppy training tour?

Book it if you want more than a quick husky photo. The combination of puppy handling, guided training, a wilderness walk, adult dogs, mountain and fjord scenery, and a hot Norwegian lunch gives you a full half-day with a clear sense of purpose.

I especially like the balance between fun and care. You get plenty of cuddling, but the dogs are also treated as working animals with needs, limits, and training goals. Just remember that huskies are strong, the weather may be wet, and the experience is active.

For a dog lover, family, or first-time visitor to Tromsø, this is a strong use of half a day and a fair value at the right price. Skip it only if you need wheelchair access, have an animal allergy, or want a quiet and perfectly clean animal encounter.

FAQ

How long does the puppy training and husky kennel tour last?

The activity lasts 270 minutes, or about four and a half hours. This includes transport from and back to Tromsø, the kennel visit, puppy training, the outdoor walk, time with other dogs, guiding, and lunch.

Where do I meet the tour?

Meet outside the main entrance of the Radisson Blu Hotel in Tromsø 15 minutes before departure. A check-in agent will be there. The bus leaves on time, and missed tours caused by late arrival are not refundable.

What ages of dogs will I meet?

You can meet Alaskan huskies ranging from puppies about four weeks old through adolescence and adulthood. The activities vary according to the dogs’ ages, and the kennel has around 200 dogs.

Is lunch included, and is there a vegetarian option?

Yes, lunch is included. A vegetarian meal is available, and you should provide that information in your booking notes. Meals described during the activity include soup, fish, couscous, hot drinks, and dessert, although exact dishes may vary.

Do I need to bring outdoor clothing?

Rain clothes and boots are provided. You should still wear warm layers and consider bringing spare clothes, especially in wet conditions. The dogs and walking routes can be muddy.

Can children and infants join the experience?

The activity is suitable for all ages, but children must be accompanied by an adult. Provide the ages and weights of children in your notes. If you bring an infant or small child, you must bring your own car seat or arrange your own transportation because child seats are not guaranteed.