I have found a great way to keep my rottie in shape without having to spend time in the local dog run waiting for acts of aggression or owner ignorance. I purchased an Amish wagon and siwash harness several months ago. After building Jake's confidence with the harness, I fabricated shafts and tow lines and began working him with the wagon. In a few hours Jake took to the wagon like he was born in front of it. We now do some charity work as well as tasks around the house. I can load him up with some weight or leave the wagon empty for long distance work. The further benefit of this is I get the same exercise as he does (less the wagon). If anyone in the New York City vicinity participates in the sport let me hear from you. I have had rotties for 35+ years but have never enjoyed the relationship with my dogs as I now do. Would love to know that I am not the only fanatic having a dog pull a wagon down Park Ave. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I have Maggie, a GSD Malmute mix trained to pull a wagon I'm using a doggie car seat harness and a playskool wagon. I'd really like to see a pic of your rig to get some ideas.

Dennis,
If you would like to give me your e-mail, I'll send you a photo and explain exactly what you need to do to get it going.

thanks, its gunnerjones@comcast.net

thank you very much, I didnt even think to use conduit

Careful with using conduit. I welded up a dog cart out of conduit years ago. Made myself sick. Welding galvanize gives off some nasty fumes. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

I'm not the sharpest tool in the shed but with a little patience and an electrical tubing bender a very nice set of shafts can be fabricated with no welding necessary.

The other thing that works well to use is PVC Pipe and couplers. It's light weight inexpensive and pretty durable <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> I turned my son's Radio Flyer into a dog cart that way and it works great and can sustain a pretty good amount of weight. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Ann
I have tried one of the PVC pipe adaptations for the shafts found at cartingwithyourdog.com but it didn't hold up to serious wagon pulling. I suppose it would be OK for the occasional user

That is true depending on how much weight is in the wagon and how often you use it. So far for us it works good because I just haul little kids around <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> I am investigating haveing an aluminum shaft built, strong lightweight much more pricey but if I want to haul BIGGER then your right I do have to have something stronger. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />