tim, basically I was thinking that in addition to the training I do, perhaps pulling some wait well help round out the dog in being more fit. I lift weights and work out, mainly because my job requires me to be fit. After doing it for a while, I would make the statement that lifting weights and running and being is shape is healthier than not doing it. As my endurance grows and my muscle strengthan I get more fit and better at the physical tasks I have to do. My thought was if I could safely apply this training theory to my dogs, then they could do better in schutzhund, be in better shape for the AD and in general be setting the dog up for success by making him stronger. But at the same time i don't know anything about weight pulling for dogs and was wondering what the health issues might be, how to start doing it and how to make it safe. I love my dogs and I wouldn't want to do something to them that would hurt them. If you have any experience with weight pulling or know anyone who has done it I would like to hear about it,

Tm..Chet

I can see where your coming from but dogs are nothing like humans, all the strength and speed they need they get naturally. Weight training for dogs would, i think put unnessesary strain on their hearts and joints. But this is just my opinion.

Here is a link to a weight pulling site - with some trining advise, apparently its quite a big thing competition wise.

http://www.thepetprofessor.com/secArticles/dog/Weight_pulling_with_dogs.asp

I would like to use weight pulling as a mean to get more explosive start towards helper or in sendout.

You all know the feeling when you get out of boots that you wore all day and get into running shoes.

Is this bad idea?
I mean somewhere on this board i saw people were sugesting bungee cord tieout to teach dog to pull with all he has to get to helper, so my thinking is why not just tie a tire or something to harness and procide with excercise?

Oh, while i am in brainstorm mode;

could this slow motion (made by weigth) help dogs targeting skill?

I use dog cart driving to take the edge off my bunch. There's some pictures at my website: http://www.driversalacart.com I can drive in urban areas with the use of a halter and reins. Susan

Mike,

You can purchase a very well made pulling harness by http://www.harnessesbycarol.com at a very reasonable price. I recommend you go to the IWPA (international weight pull association) web page and check out their recommendations for a few other companies as well as the aforementioned. If your only pulling for conditioning, I would recommend you utilize a freight/weight pull harness if your going to drag anything around. I just had a welder make me a drag sled for $50 which allows me to add olympic type weights (plates) as I see fit, though I would limit it to 150 pounds. I can email you a picture of it if you so desire. good luck.