Though the way Buck was trained was cruel, Red Sweater didn't seem to beat the dogs in that manner. He merely wanted to prepare the dogs for their time in the savage wilderness on sleds. After a period of good behavior, Buck along with two dogs named Dave and Curly are sold. Franzois and Perrault purchase these dogs. These two men are from the Canadian government. They have a long journey to accomplish and waste no time. Sadly they lose a dog when Curly is killed by a husky. Though Curly's intentions of being friendly with the husky were innocent, his death taught Buck that human nature would be the death of him in the wild.
Buck and Dave are added on to a team that was formed earlier. From the dogs on the sled team, Buck learns many valuable lessons, he learns how to avoid an untimely death, making new morality tactics (stealing food), working as a team (the dogs teaching Buck), and establishing relationships with humans. As Buck becomes more accustomed to the wild, he is ready to be the leader of the team. However, Spitz the domineering leader, refuses to have his place taken by any new member. While hunting for a rabbit, Buck and Spitz engage in a fight for the lead. Buck develops the mentality that he will be harnessed to the sled in the front. When Franzois approaches with the club, Buck continues his journey for triumph. When the brawl is over, Buck steps victoriously in the lead harness.
After the work for the Canadian government is completed, the remaining team is sold to three insipid people. Hal is the leader and is around the age of nineteen and twenty. Hal has no knowledge of running a dogsled team but his greed for gold overrides his common sense. He is traveling with his tranquil brother-in-law Charles and his annoying sister Mercedes. Mercedes complains constantly and makes the female sex look weak and fragile. She and Charles do nothing to help Hal. Through eagerness to find gold, Hal treats the dogs badly.