Glad to see some others interested in this sport. It's great fun and the dogs LOVE it.
Equipment you will need includes:
~yourself and lots of patience
~one or two dogs
~cross country skis, boots and poles
~sledding harness (I use an x-back racing harness)
~skijoring belt
~towline with a quick release snap
~booties (dogs with soft feet will need them)
Training for skijoring should begin without any skis on. The dogs need to learn some of the commands before you make the leap to skis if you value your neck <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />
I start with wearing all the equipment minus the skis and walk/run behind the dog. For some of the training, it sometimes helps to have a human "helper".
Commands to teach and how to teach them.
Line out:
The purpose of this command is to teach the dog to walk out to the end of the line and stop once tension in the line has been reached. This helps to avoid line tangles and you flying on your butt when the dog takes off before you're ready.
To teach this, I like to have someone in front of me at the end of the tow line and call the dog after I give the command. Some people like to tie the dog to something stationary and walk the dog out themselves but I find that this doesn't teach the dog to walk out ahead of me very well.
Let's go or hike:
This is the command to get going. Have someone move out ahead of you on the trail, give the command and have them call the dog to them.
Gee (right) and Haw (left):
I like to use windy trails and just give the command as the dog is making the turn. You can also give the command whenever you make a turn when you are just out and about on a leash walk with your dog.
Ahead:
Used when you hit a cross road and want to go straight rather than making a turn. Just say "ahead" whenever you come to a cross road and are going to continue straight.
Over Gee and Over Haw:
This is have the dog move over to the right or the left in order to pass someone up ahead. Say "track left" (info for the person up ahead), then "over haw", shorten up your line and steer the dog over to the other side of the trail. It helps if you actually have someone ahead of you to pass so the the dog gets the idea a little more easily.
On by:
This is the command to ignore things on the trail and pass them by. Used for oncoming "traffic", loose dogs, items on the trail, etc.
To teach this, have someone walk towards you on the trail, shorten the line, say "on by" and walk the dog past the person. Social butterflies will take longer to get this one. My 8 month old Malinois pup is not social like my 3 year old and learned this one within 3 reps. The 3 year old still has issues with this one!
Whoa and stay:
Say whoa and stop walking. When the dog stops, say "whoa". Both my girls like to come back to me after stopping. I'm ok with this. At least they are paying attention to me. I just have to be a little more careful that they don't get tangled in the line.
Come around:
Used when you want to turn around and go back the way you came. After stopping simply say "come around" and when the dog is facing in the correct direction, you may want to say "line out" to prevent the dog from taking off in the new direction when you're not ready for it.
Easy:
Used to slow down. Easiest to teach with a scooter because you have breaks. Just say easy and physically slow the dog down. It's a nice command to have for windy and/or hilly trails. If walking behind the dog, walk slower and when you hit the trails with skis, snow plow behind the dog.
FYI, I will not be skijoring with the pup this year as she is only 8 months old. However, she is learning the commands so she will be more than ready when the snow flies next year! It's going to be a CRAZY ride hooked up to two Malinois!!!
Natalie
Skijoring
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