Here are some basic principles on how to teach your dog to pull and guidelines on what not to do.
Firstly you need to get your dog checked by the vets for heart function, hips, elbow, shoulders and knees. As with any training you must be very dedicated, persistent and above
all else, be patient. The most common mistake is expecting too much too soon. I must say now that young pups should not be pulling weights. Wait until the age of 18 months old and build them up slowly
over the period of 6 months. Weight Pulling can alter the way their bones and joints mature in a negative way. It puts too much stress on their knee joints and tendons.
You have to make pulling fun for the dogs, even when the competition gets serious, to him it is still nothing but fun. Do not talk to him harshly, do not make it seem like work, give him lots of praise even if
he's only pulled a few feet. They should be excited as soon as they see you getting the weight pulling harness out. If there not then the dog isn't having fun. To start with introduce the harness to them and hand walk them for a few weeks so they
get used to having it on. Then set up a course to drag weight on that is 1 mile in length and as flat as you can find. Always pull your dog on dirt or grass, do not pull a dog on
pavement for this will injure their pads. Note: Always try to work your dog in the early morning hours or late at night so as to avoid the heat. You could use multiple weighted
chains ranging from 10lbs-20lbs. Or you could improvise and use plastic bottles full of water or sand to start with. With this you can build the dog up slowly over the weeks
always starting with the lightest weight and building him up slowly. Then you can introduce the weight pulling cart when you feel he is ready for it. It's best not to use hides, toys or other dogs in order to get them to pull, many dogs end
up nipping the owner in excitement to get the bait. Teaching the dog to pull using praise and reward however needs alot of time and patience. Try to use a pull command such as
pull, and stick to that word all the time. Position yourself in front of the dog calling the dog using the pull command all the time. Do not use food to entice the dog forward also only
words. If then the dog responds correctly give them a treat afterwards. Click here for weight pulling harnesses Click here for the 2005 review of our own dog Speakman's Pup
I have only covered a small proportion about weight pulling, but if theres any further questions
e-mail us here and we'll get back to you. |
