Tromsø: Puppy Training at the Husky Kennel with Lunch

Reviewed · DOG SLEDDING & HUSKY CAMPS

Tromsø: Puppy Training at the Husky Kennel with Lunch

4.9 · 385 reviews 4h 30m From $172 Operated by Tromsø Villmarkssenter · Bookable on GetYourGuide
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Puppy training with huskies in snowy Norway beats it. You’ll head out of Tromsø to the husky kennel where puppies from just a few weeks old learn teamwork, plus you’ll get close enough to feel how friendly (and strong-willed) they are. Fjords and mountains roll by as the day gets underway.

I love how the guides focus on dog wellbeing while still giving you an active role. Names like Bram and Nadia, Max and Brahm, Jenny and Rom, and Florian show up in real experiences, and the common thread is careful handling and lots of time to connect safely.

One practical consideration: you should expect a real walk, sometimes in wet and muddy conditions. Even with provided rain gear, some people recommend bringing a change of clothes because you can end up damp under the suit.

Key highlights to know before you go

Tromsø: Puppy Training at the Husky Kennel with Lunch - Key highlights to know before you go

  • Age-based training: you work with puppies from about 4 weeks up through adolescence, with exercises matched to their stage
  • Real hands-on time: you don’t just watch; you hike with puppies and later handle/lead older dogs with guidance
  • Close-up cuddle moments: you’ll spend real time fussing, petting, and bonding with huskies of many ages
  • Norwegian nature on foot: a 1 to 1.5-hour outdoor hike near the farm adds the “this is why people come north” feeling
  • Lunch with local comfort food: included meals often come with dessert, including mentions of chocolate cake

Puppy teamwork in Tromsø’s Husky Kennel world

Tromsø: Puppy Training at the Husky Kennel with Lunch - Puppy teamwork in Tromsø’s Husky Kennel world
This tour is built around one idea: dogsled racing isn’t just a winter sport. In the summer, the job is training the next generation, and that’s where you come in. You’ll meet very young huskies learning basic teamwork, then step up to adolescents who need a different kind of handling.

What makes this more than a cuteness stop is the age-based structure. Instead of one long puppy cuddle session, you’re moving through a training day that mirrors how a working kennel thinks. You learn how they’re raised, how they practice, and how handlers keep the experience safe for both people and dogs.

You’ll also get a big sensory hit of northern Norway: cold air, wet ground, and fjord-and-mountain views from the drive. The whole thing feels grounded in real farm life, not a staged “animal show.”

More runs behind the huskies out at the camps

How the 270-minute schedule actually feels

Tromsø: Puppy Training at the Husky Kennel with Lunch - How the 270-minute schedule actually feels
The total time is about 270 minutes, which is long enough to feel like a morning adventure but short enough that you’re not stuck outdoors all day. The flow stays simple: transportation from Tromsø, gear and introductions, a hands-on training hike, more interaction with the husky “family,” and then lunch to reset.

You’ll be with an English-speaking live guide, and the group experience is designed around safety and comfort. Expect breaks built around transitions between ages, yard time, and meals rather than a constant stream of walking.

Also, plan to move at their pace. The dogs set the tempo. When the pups are ready to learn and explore, you’ll be right there. When it’s time to gather up and warm down, you’ll shift gears.

Getting there: transport from Tromsø and why the meeting time matters

Tromsø: Puppy Training at the Husky Kennel with Lunch - Getting there: transport from Tromsø and why the meeting time matters
The pickup is set up for convenience, with round-trip transport from/to Tromsø included. You meet outside the main entrance of the Radisson Blu Hotel in Tromsø, and you’re asked to arrive 15 minutes early. There’s a check-in agent on hand, and the bus leaves on time.

This matters because the schedule is built around outdoor and dog timing. If you miss the departure because you’re not at the meeting point on time, the tour is listed as non-refundable. In other words: show up early, get settled, and let the day start clean.

Once you’re on the bus, you’re not just commuting. People mention the scenery drive as part of the fun—mountains and fjords rolling past while you head toward the kennel area in Innlandet County.

Rain suits, boots, and what to wear when huskies meet mud

Tromsø: Puppy Training at the Husky Kennel with Lunch - Rain suits, boots, and what to wear when huskies meet mud
This is one of the most practical parts of the whole experience. You’re provided rain clothes and boots, so you can stay warm and keep your own clothes from getting wrecked by snow and wet paws. Reviews repeatedly call out how sturdy and practical the gear is, even when the weather is cold and wet.

Still, I’d plan like the ground will be messy. Even with the provided suit, some people report getting damp under the suit and suggest bringing a change of clothes. If you’re traveling with kids, extra clothes are even more useful because kids tend to make every small splash feel like a challenge.

A simple packing move also helps: bring layers under the provided outfit. You’ll feel more comfortable during transitions—especially before the hike and after when you’re warming back up.

The outdoor hike: 1 to 1.5 hours of puppy exercises in the wild

Tromsø: Puppy Training at the Husky Kennel with Lunch - The outdoor hike: 1 to 1.5 hours of puppy exercises in the wild
The heart of the day is the hike near the husky farm, running about 1 to 1.5 hours. This isn’t a long slog; it’s an intentional training walk where exercises change based on puppy age. The tour is set up for puppies ranging from about 4 weeks old to adolescence, so you’re not expecting one uniform behavior level.

Handlers take you through wilderness tasks that build coordination and comfort in a natural setting. Depending on the day, that can mean learning how to move safely with the young dogs, practicing simple commands and attention, and letting pups explore in a controlled way.

One thing I like here: it’s not only about teaching the puppies. You’re learning too—how to read their body language and how to act without stressing them. When the dogs are strong and energetic, that guidance is the difference between fun and chaos.

For older pups, you may see a higher level of handling. Reviews mention that participants can use a padded belt with leashes attached for managing the adolescent dogs—so you’re supported instead of expected to improvise in gloves-off conditions.

Meeting 200 Alaskan huskies: cuddles, learning, and safe handling

A major selling point is scale. You get to meet around 200 Alaskan huskies, and you’re not limited to one pen or one age group. The day includes time with young pups, adolescent dogs, and older sled dogs, so you experience the full range of husky personalities.

And yes, there’s plenty of cuddling. Many reviews highlight that you get really in touch with the dogs—fuss time is real, and handlers make space for safe interactions. People describe opportunities to pet multiple dogs and spend time in the dog yard, where everyone can take a breath between the active parts.

There’s also a steady educational tone. Guides are described as invested and caring, with lots of explanations about how pups are raised and what the training is meant to accomplish. If you’re a dog lover, the informational bits make the cuddles feel less like a theme park and more like a window into a working kennel.

One clear caution: this is not for people who want zero movement. Huskies—especially adolescents—have plenty of energy. Several reviews emphasize that the dogs are strong even as teenagers, so be ready for active walking and follow the handler directions closely.

Lunch after the hike: Norwegian comfort food and warm reset

After time outdoors, you’ll head into lunch. Meals are included, and a vegetarian meal is available. People mention fish soup as one highlight, along with a warm, cozy setting that helps you thaw out after the hike.

Dessert shows up in a few reviews, with chocolate cake specifically mentioned. Hot drinks also get a nod, including hot chocolate and hot berry juice in some accounts. It’s a good finish to the day because it’s the moment you stop moving and just feel grateful you’re not the one carrying the mud back into your hotel.

This part matters for your experience value. You’re paying for an active morning; lunch ensures you don’t turn the outing into a hurried restaurant search in the cold.

Price and value: what you’re really paying for

Tromsø: Puppy Training at the Husky Kennel with Lunch - Price and value: what you’re really paying for
At about $172 per person, this isn’t a budget activity. But it also isn’t a quick meet-and-greet where you see dogs for ten minutes and leave. You’re getting:

  • Transport from Tromsø and back, so you’re not solving logistics in winter weather
  • Provided rain clothing and boots, which is a real cost saver if you don’t want to buy gear
  • Guided training time with multiple age groups of huskies
  • An outdoor hike that isn’t just scenic; it’s part of the teaching
  • A full included lunch with dessert elements

Where the price starts to make sense is the hands-on time. You’re not just watching handlers work. You’re participating under supervision, and you’re exposed to the kennel’s training logic from puppy stage onward.

If you’re coming to Tromsø and want an experience that feels like actual winter-dog culture rather than a pure tourist cuddle parade, this checks that box.

Who this tour suits best (and who should think twice)

Tromsø: Puppy Training at the Husky Kennel with Lunch - Who this tour suits best (and who should think twice)
This is a strong match for families and dog lovers. Reviews specifically call it out as a hit with kids, and the experience is described as suitable for all ages.

It’s also a good fit if you want a walking component. You’ll spend meaningful time outside, and you’ll get to see huskies in action through training exercises.

But there are clear limits. It’s listed as not suitable for wheelchair users, and it’s also not suitable if you have animal allergies. If any of that applies, you’ll want to skip this one.

Also, note the rules: pets aren’t allowed, and feeding animals isn’t part of the program. That’s probably a plus for most people because it keeps interactions safe and predictable.

Finally, kids must be accompanied by an adult. If you’re traveling with little ones or infants, you’ll be asked to provide a child safety seat. The operator says it can’t guarantee car-seat availability in their transport, so plan to bring your own or arrange your own transportation if needed.

Practical tips to make the day easier

Here are the things that will help you enjoy this more, especially in cold, wet conditions:

  • Wear layers under the provided rain gear so you stay warm during transitions
  • Bring a change of clothes if you get easily damp, since some people report getting wet under the suit
  • Expect strong, energetic huskies during the older-pup handling portion and stay close to the guide
  • If you’re traveling with children, include the right safety seat plan early, since the provider can’t guarantee one
  • Arrive on time at the Radisson Blu meeting point so the bus and schedule stay smooth
  • If you have allergies, treat this as a hard no; the tour is not listed as suitable

One more small thing: plan your day around this outing. You’ll likely come back hungry, warm, and a bit tired in the best way.

Should you book the husky puppy training with lunch?

I’d book this if you want a real, hands-on look at how sled dogs are raised during the season when puppies first learn teamwork. The combination of guided training, a real outdoor hike, and serious cuddle time with huskies of many ages makes it feel like a full experience, not a short stop.

I’d hesitate only if you need low-mobility options, have animal allergies, or dislike outdoor walking in changeable weather. The tour includes rain gear, but it doesn’t change the fact that you’re outside and moving.

If you’re in Tromsø and you’re even a little bit dog-obsessed, this is one of the most direct ways to connect with northern husky culture. And when the day ends with a warm lunch and dessert, you’ll feel like you didn’t just visit a kennel. You spent time inside how it works.