Why not take advantage of your dog's urge to pull while keeping them (and you) fit at that same time? Weight pull competitions attract dogs of all breads, from corgis to mastiffs. The key to success at these events is training - while any dog can pull, you need your dog to be able to pull large weights on command.
Instructions
1. Before training your dog with weights, you must ensure your dog has been trained to follow commands such as: stay, heel, come, down (and down stay) as well as hand signals.
2. Ensure before any training session that your dog is in good condition. Check the pads of their feet, their toenails are cut to correct length and they're in generally good health. Do make sure they are well-hydrated and not at risk of overheating as training can be thirsty business.
3. Choose your initial weight. The weight should reflect the size of your hound. For a medium sized dog (40-75lbs), a starter weight of 10lbs should be used. With smaller breeds, such as a corgi, try 2-5lbs. Over time, as your dog's muscles strengthen and develop, you can increase it in 1 - 3lb increments. Some trainers use proper weights, but sandbags can also be used.
4. Choose your course. In a weight pull competition, the dog is responsible for pulling their sledge 16 feet. Some trainers prefer training their dog over long courses (100 ft to 2 miles), while others focus on increasing weight over a short course (20 ft). When first starting out, use a shorter course (15 - 20 ft) and slowly work your way up.
5. A dog who has never done weight pulling will not have a clue as to what's expected of them, so start by conditioning your pooch to the harness and sledge. Your dog will need to understand the sounds of the sledge, the feel of the harness and what is expected of him. When introducing him to the sledge, use a ground surface that will not be too noisy as its pulled along. After all, the last thing you want to do is frighten the dog before it's even begun.
6. Once your dog is hooked up to the sled, he will probably exhibit flight or fight. Heel your dog to the end of the line and command him to stand stay. Attaching a lead to him will show him that you are in command.
7. Once your dog is calm, give a heel command and start walking. Your dog will naturally be concerned about what is happening behind him, so remain in control and keep your dog calm. Walk alongside your dog over your desired course. At the end of your course, reward your dog. This may need to be repeated many times before your dog is accustomed to the harness and the 'pull'.
8. Once conditioned to the harness, you can begin to prepare the dog for what will be expected in competition. At the start of your track, heel your dog to the end of the pulling line. Give a stand stay command. Move your body in front of your dog, crouch down and face him. Taking his head in your hands, train him to lean forward. What you want is a dog leaning into the pulling harness - head should be down and back hunched up. Stand up and move to your dog's side and give a stand stay command. Repeated this training until the dog does not move from the proper leaning position. When pulling heavier weights, a dog's front feet may leave the ground as his back legs push into the ground to pull the weight, so this hunched leaning position should prevent this.
9. With your dog in a leaning position at the start of track, walk to the finish line of your course. Turn and face you dog, without moving for a moment and command him to come using your voice and hand signals. Hand signals are particularly helpful during competitions as competitions can be noisy places, so verbal commands may not be so clear.
10. Once your dog reaches the end of the pulling track, command him to stand stay. Detach the pulling line from his harness and make sure the pulling bar of his haness is on his back, so he can walk unobstructed. Give a down and down stay command to allow him to rest.Down and down-stay your dog so it can rest.
11. Turn the sledge around so the dog can make the pull in the opposite direction. Heel the dog to the end of the pulling line. Command to stand stay. Hitch the dog to the puling line. Move the dog forward until the pulling line is tight and repeat the process of pulling down the track.
Related posts
Weight pulling harnesses are similar to sled dog harnesses.Weight pulling is a canine sport that is an expansion of dog sledding, although occasionally breeds other than the northern sled dogs are...
Train your pitbull to be obedient.It is always best to begin training and socialization with a dog as early as possible, but if you have decided to adopt a dog at the age of one year old you shoul...
Keep your dog at home.Even the most well-behaved dog may occasionally wander away or spot a cat across the street begging to be chased. However, keeping your dog on his own property is not only ne...
Give your pup plenty of outdoor time before returning to the cage.Cage training--also called crate training--offers new pups a safe and cozy environment, much like the den an animal might burrow f...
Train Bloodhound PuppiesBloodhounds are one of the most recognizable dog breeds. They have been widely used by police departments as tracking and detection dogs, and are often used as search-and-r...
