Train Dog Sport: Who doesn’t dream of being pulled through the white expanses of Alaska by a team of sled dogs? In this country, there are not too many opportunities for real sled dog races, so there is the draft dog sport. Even without snow, people and dogs can exhaust themselves in chariot races or biking together, keep fit, and have a lot of fun. You can find out everything about the draft dog sport in this article.
What is draft dog sport?
Since time immemorial, draft dogs have been used to pull loads in snowy and difficult-to-pass areas. In Siberia, huskies pulled people and luggage through the snowy landscape, in the Alps Bernese Mountain Dogs were harnessed to carts and brought the farmers’ goods to the market. Some dog breeds are predestined to pull a sled in a team. This ability is used in the draft dog sport, in which a person is pulled by one or more dogs on a vehicle such as a wagon or scooter. The popular sport includes various disciplines, including:
- Classic sled dog sport,
- Dog Trike (with three-wheeled exercise trolley),
- Sacco Cart (with four-wheeled training trolley),
- Dog scooter (with kick scooter),
- Bikejoring (with bicycle),
- Dog trekking (hiking with a dog) and
- Canicross (running with a dog).
What is draft dog sport?
In the draft dog sport, a person is pulled by one or more dogs. The various disciplines range from jogging or cycling with a dog to sled or chariot races.
How does draft dog sport work?
Whether on foot or on wheels, only one person, at least one dog, a harness, and a towing rope are needed for the dog pulling sport. In canicross, the pull rope is attached to the human’s belt and the dog runs ahead. The stronger and faster the dog is, the more strenuous the sport becomes for the person who is actually being pulled and has to increase his speed.
In bikejoring, the towing rope is connected to the bicycle that the dog or dogs are pulling. If an older or small dog is with you, the driver can assist him by pedaling. However, trained bikers with good pulling dogs can also reach high speeds of up to 50 km/h.
A dog that loves to run also likes to be harnessed to a scooter. If the dog is to really pull, however, the driver must first learn to keep his feet still and not intervene to help. A dog scooter requires a good sense of balance from the person who first has to learn to stand upright on the scooter.
Dog Trike or Sacco Cart is only suitable for dog teams, as the three-wheel or four-wheel carts have a certain weight. In contrast to scooters or bicycles, however, they offer greater stability. Above all, typical pack dogs, who enjoy the company of their pack, are happy about the demanding draft work in a team.
Why is draft dog sport useful for the dog?
Most dogs naturally have a great need for exercise, which is often neglected when kept at home these days and some dogs like moving toys to play with them. However, if a dog is not physically challenged, it can not only develop obesity and secondary diseases but also show behavioral problems. Not only typical sled dogs, but most of the pedigree dogs and mixed breeds that are widespread in our country love to move in front of a vehicle and enjoy the partnership with their people. Certain dogs thrive in a large team among their own kind, and the smartest of them want to take responsibility as lead dogs. In draft dog sport, the dog must learn to listen to the handler’s commands and implement them immediately. The training also contributes to the mental workload of the dog. Every clever and eager-to-learn four-legged friend benefits from getting better and better at adjusting to their human over time and continuously improving together with them.
Which dog breeds are suitable for draft dog sport?
There are typical sled dogs, such as huskies or malamutes, who have a natural need to pull loads. But all other healthy dogs with a pronounced urge to move are also suitable for the draft dog sport.
Which dogs are suitable for draft dog sport?
There are certain dog breeds that are particularly suitable for sled dog sports. These include huskies, malamutes, and Greenland dogs, as they are particularly persistent, insensitive to cold, and willing to run. In our latitudes, however, resistance to the cold is less important, and in principle, any healthy dog ​​can be enthusiastic about the draft dog sport. Fortunately, there are different disciplines that cater to different talents. Even a small dachshund can enjoy Canicross if its master or mistress is at the right level of fitness.
Dogs that are naturally predestined for a life in a pack are particularly suitable for pulling carts in large groups. Particularly talented animals are needed as lead dogs, which can take up and implement the musher’s commands at lightning speed. But even dogs whose eagerness to learn is less pronounced can run in front of the bicycle, scooter or their jogging partner and soon internalize the necessary basic commands.
Which harness is needed for the draft dog sport?
A special harness is needed for the draft dog sport. This sits right on the chest and allows the shoulders full freedom of movement. Also, it doesn’t ride up towards the neck which it could interfere with the dog’s breathing.
When can you start training dog sports?
Only adult dogs with stable skeletons may be used for pulling work. Most dogs are resilient enough by the age of 12 to 18 months. But even in the first months of life, puppies can be introduced to the sport with light training exercises. They may be getting used to wearing a small harness and walking alongside while jogging or cycling without a leash.
What physical requirements does the dog have to meet?
A healthy cardiovascular system is particularly important, and in principle, only dogs that do not have any joint diseases are allowed to engage in draft dog sport. In the case of hip dysplasia, the sport may even be beneficial, but then the dog should only work with a professional trainer after consultation with the veterinarian. A health check before the start can ensure that the dog is completely fit.
What basic commands does my dog ​​need to know?
The most important commands come from the sled dog sport:
- Stop or Whoa: stop!
- Haw: Left
- Gee: Right
- Over haw: left over
- Over gee: Over to the right
- Come haw: turn left
- Come gee: turn right
- Go, Hike or Mush: Go/Forward!
- Straight ahead: Straight ahead
What requirements do I have to meet as a dog owner?
Draft dog sport is also a challenge for humans. Depending on the type of sport and the strength of the dog, a certain level of fitness is required. But if you are still a bit sluggish at the beginning, you can look forward to a sense of achievement particularly quickly. Because an agile dog pulls his owner along and gets him going. The most important thing anyway is having fun exercising outdoors, which can sometimes end with a dip in a puddle. If you like to be outside in any weather and are not afraid to get dirty, draft dog sport is just the thing for you.
Tips to get you started: This is how your dog learns draft dog sport
Before you really get started, the dog should first get used to the harness and know that it can only pull when it is harnessed. Even if the dog wants to start running immediately, it should first learn to remain calm before starting and to wait for the start command. Most dogs have internalized that they shouldn’t pull on their leash and have to adjust first. The best way for the dog to learn that it should and may pull on command is with praise and treats. Then comes the load that the dog is supposed to pull. Most dogs can easily pull four times their body weight, with typical sled dogs often pulling nine times their weight. If the weight of the musher and cart is chosen to match the strength of the dog, there is little risk of overloading the dog. In addition, the load when pulling horizontally weighs far less than when pulling upwards.
It is important during the first exercise that the dog does not feel a hard jolt when it starts running. Otherwise, he may chalk up the experience as a painful failure and not try the draw again. Once the pull-on call works well, the routes can become longer and more challenging over time.
Types of tension in draft dog sport
A basic distinction is made between two types of tightening, simple rope tightening and pulka tightening. When the rope is tightened, the dog is connected directly to the human lead belt or to the bike or scooter with a pull rope. The antenna, a special rod attached to the towing vehicle, prevents the rope from getting tangled. With the pulka tension, which is mainly used with the sack cart and trike, a tension bar, the so-called pulka rod, made of middle or two outer rods is added. If several dogs are to pull a cart, they are usually harnessed to the right and left of a central pole (single-horse clippers). If only one dog is pulling a scooter or bike, the so-called two-horse drawbar with a drawbar between two outer bars is used.
When do you start training dog sports?
At the age of 12 to 18 months, dogs are usually ready for the draft dog sport. They may not start competitive sports until their skeleton is mature and stable.
Requirements for the perfect start: equipment & terrain
For the first training sessions, the dog needs a suitable harness. The harness must lie on the chest so that the shoulders have full freedom of movement and must not ride up and press on the windpipe. For jogging or biking with a dog, a joring line with a shock absorber of around two meters in length is required. The runner needs a running belt with leg loops that optimally distributes the pull over the lower back and buttocks. With dog scooters and bikejoring, a bike antenna on the scooter or bicycle serves as a fastening device for the tow line.
Which terrain and which climate are suitable?
Zughundesport is primarily a sport for the cooler season, as dogs and owners sweat too quickly at temperatures of more than 15 degrees. But running through wintry landscapes puts a lot of strain on the dog’s paws, and sub-zero temperatures physically challenge the four-legged friend. Therefore, the first attempts should take place in spring or autumn temperatures on non-frozen or snow-covered ground. In order to start with the draft dog sport, people and dogs should first get used to it on easy terrain. Dogs find it easier to walk on paved forest paths than on meadow grass, and hard asphalt is not recommended for sensitive paws. In order to avoid collisions with joggers and pedestrians, the early morning hours in the still deserted park or city forest are ideal.
Is my dog ​​suitable for draft dog sport?
Every healthy dog ​​who likes to run can let off steam in the draft dog sport. Many local breeds and crossbreeds of all kinds are suitable for the various disciplines of this varied popular sport. It is only important that the dog and human partner harmonize in terms of body size and fitness. In order to rule out joint diseases and cardiovascular problems, a check-up at the veterinarian is recommended before you start. It doesn’t matter whether the dog and owner have known each other for a long time or whether they still have to develop their bond.
For starters, just for safety reasons, the dog needs to know the most important commands to avoid collisions. Anyone who regularly competes in draft dog sport with their four-legged friend will soon find that an ever deeper bond develops all by themselves.
