DavidStevenson Webboard User Reg: 12-01-2001
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What is the board's opinion on training the dog to pull. I'm talking about a training like the sled dogs. For example pulling the bike,scooter,sled,tire...? I think it can be a good workout. Does anyone condition his dog this way too?
Hey I am all for it! - but i'm a little bit biased <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> that way! I'm just waiting for the weather to cool down a bit to start fall training.
As long as the dog is healthy and sound and the person doing the training goes about it in a safe and sensible fashion I think pull training is a good way to condition a dog and something both dog and owner can have a bit of fun doing. For training one or possibly two dogs you can probably get away with using a mountain bike or scooter - anything more and you will need something a bit sturdier and with more brakes - a
stripped down motorcycle works good. If you are interested in exploring more about pull training
check out http://www.sleddogcentral for lots of information and resources. Happy trails!
IMHO, if a dog is going to pull for exercise, you should use a propper pulling harness, and not a collar. Road work(without pulling) with a bike is another thing altogether.
OED makes a good point - for any pulling work you should use a properly fitted harness. Keep in mind most harnesses are made for sled-dog type bodies and other breeds might need a custom fitted harness to give a safe and comfortable fit.
Don't use a tracking harness as they don't fit closely enough around the neck and don't have the padding required for pulling weight. Even good harnesses are not a big expense as they are priced for people who have to buy them 12 or more at a time!
I had a pulling harness made several years ago for a 15lb Norwich terrier, and I can't rember the cost, but I rember thinking how reasonable it was. That little guy pulled over 150lbs in a wheight pull competition, and that was nowhere near the record for his class.
I didn't even know they had a weight class for 15 lb dogs! - that is really neat <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> . People sometimes don't realize how strong dogs are with their "four on the floor" power - we get alot of people that show up for sled tours that start out saying "oh those poor little dogs, are you sure they can pull me?" and quickly change their tune to "WOW are they ever STRONG!" Alot of people are also surprised that the dogs aren't bigger - I think they have a picture in their mind of big hairy malamutes have to be reassured that yes - these are real sled dogs <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> .
At the time I was doing it, the pound for pound record was a 35lb Pit that pulled over 3,000lb. That is about what a buddy's Akitas(110lb)were pulling. I think a 18lb Beagle was the record holder in Grizzly's class. The Beagle was over 200lb.
DavidStevenson Webboard User Reg: 12-01-2001
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Hi tiggy2
Thanks for the advice. This website is really great. One question though: How do you keep the dog motivated to stay in front of the bike, scooter and doesn't break out to smell or to mark a tree?
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