Non competetive pulling ?

Guy's, what are your thoughts on the above?

I'm aware of the correct harness etc, so strain isnt put anywhere it shouldnt be, but I have both the equipment, and the facility to allow Max to "do a bit" non competetively, just for excercise and a way of releiving his endless reserve of energy!

I tried the theory out the other night, in very basic terms ie: whether he minded something behind him while he pulled against it, and he absolutly loved it! it only took a bit of incouragment to get him pulling in the right direction, then his fave toy to make him work hard!! I was really impressed! .. I'm thinkin of the long dark nights when it's p!ssing down, and he just dosent get enough from a few miles on the lead! he's a very fit dog!, and thrives on excercise ... what do ya think ???

I don't see an issue. Whatever it takes to get them exercise is a great idea. It won't harm him and if he enjoys it why not?

I think it's a great idea! I have been thinking of getting Saxon into some kind of pulling, whether it be weight pull, pulling a cart or skijoring, I think it's a great exercise!

As long as it is done correctly i.e proper staff pulling harness (every breed is different and has different strong *more capable pulling parts like the chest* always seen as play/fun) its a fantastic way to burn their energy, you may want to have certain tools/scents/certain words so when he is just having his usual walk he doesn't think its pull time.
But just know there are other tools like the rucksack and a few other things, might be easier to train with and less of a trouble setting it all up to get him out the front door.

I have wanted to do that but don't have a yard the wife will sacrifice. I say if done right it is great. It is just like many of the excersices out there. Safe and enjoyable to the dog if done right. Sounds like you have some experience and as you say, Max likes it! Don't forget pics!

How fit are you? I have a caniX lead which I use on a harness with Ledger and he comes jogging with me the same 4km route I walk him tires him out when we jog it and he stops to sniff less and pays less attention to passing dogs/people. I've made sure that we only use a harness when jogging so that he knows when it's ok to pull a bit all in all it benefits him and encourages me to get out when I would otherwise opt to curl up on the sofa

I don't see a problem, although you shouldn't overdo it at his age - his tendons etc have yet to toughen completely.

It wouldn't suit me, cause I don't mind going out in the sh*tty weather, and Dempsey's so damn lazy that he'd just park his bum on the florr & refuse to move!

Sorry I didn't see the age earlier. They are still devopling from 18-24 months. If you over due it before they are fully mature they can devolp health issues. Light pulling would be okay but I wouldn't add serious weight at his age and build it up gradually.

I think it's great exercise though.

Mine pulled the kids sledges in the snow last year....does that count?!? lol

blaze wrote:Mine pulled the kids sledges in the snow last year....does that count?!? lol

Are the kids heavy?

Yeah I realise he's only a pup still, so wouldnt dream of encouraging him to work anywhere near his potential really, just want him to enjoy a bit of muscle work now and then for a change for him, summut a bit differant ya know

The other night we just hooked him up to the cart with no weight (just my wife putting a bit of resistance on it while following behind) and clipped into his walking harness to see if it was a non starter or not, and as I said he loved it ... did 4, 10m pulls and he looked so proud of himself after the most praise you could give a dog

I'll have another go the w/end, and if that goes the same, I might start lookin for a pucka pullin harness

Part of my boys training regime was with my son who took him running with a little weight and him behind on his roller blades they started off short distances then gradually increased the distance over time. They both loved it and he was at his physical peak at that time and won big because of it.
As soon as the harness came out he was really excited and they had such a strong bond it was lovely to see.
Go for it

Great stuff Gem

Tried again last night, and yeah, he deffo love's it, he's really alert, and get's all hyped up when he see's me getting the cart out and the line we've used for it , he just stands at the front now waiting to be clipped in and its only the second time we've even tried it , and already, he only pulls when a particular toy is produced ... so all lookin good

I must admit its put another angle on my bond with him aswell, as you all know how they get so focssed on summut when they enjoy it, and afterwards he just wants to lay on me and bask in the fuss for his acheivment

Anyone know of a "UK" supplier for a pulling harness that would fit a Staffy ?

http://www.innerwolf.co.uk/dog-scooters-rigs-mushing.html

I got a basic canix lead from these guys saving up for a proper harness

jshrew wrote:http://www.innerwolf.co.uk/dog-scooters-rigs-mushing.html

I got a basic canix lead from these guys saving up for a proper harness

Cheers Jules

Tho that does look differant to the low slung weight pull harness's I've seen on pits etc ??