1. Welcome to Game Dog Forum

    You are currently viewing our forum as a guest which gives you limited access to view most discussions and access our other features. By joining our free community, you will have access to post topics, communicate privately with other members (PM), respond to polls, upload content and access many other special features. Registration is simple and absolutely free so please, join our community today!

    If you have any problems with the registration process or your account login, please contact us.

    Dismiss Notice

what age???

Discussion in 'Sports & Activities' started by wally81, Oct 22, 2006.

  1. wally81

    wally81 Pup

    ok i have a 10 month old and i ( not knowing better) put him in a pull and was in the 65 pound class. well i trained him by draging maybe 30-40 pounds about 100 yards a day 3 days a week. ok the weight pull, he was up some of the best dogs in the SE and he pulled over 2300 pounds and won. both days. my ? is what age should I really pull him again? I just dont want to mess him up? thanks for your advice.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Oct 22, 2006
  2. Aceman

    Aceman Big Dog

    I think he is a little young for weight pull yet, but I am no expert on the subject. I,m sure you will get some usefull feedback on this one.
     
  3. Pitoogle

    Pitoogle Pup

    Yea i'd definitley wait a little longer. Rushing a dog can be fatal
     
  4. truegames

    truegames Big Dog

    I know some sanctioned events will let you enter a dog as young as 9 months but I wouldn't let him pull anymore untill he was older.
     
  5. wally81

    wally81 Pup

    adba is 9 and so is the aadr...never been to a ukc.. i know about the rules and they way stuff works.. i am no expert on the subject by no means but i am not new to the world.
     
  6. diggit

    diggit Banned

    smaller dogs mature more faster.... you got a pic of this dog? i wouldnt even pull him until he hits 1 but good job on your wins.
     
  7. NCPatchwork

    NCPatchwork CH Dog

    I've heard from a bunch of people on here to start later...from what I have heard from people who have many weight pull champions, they started at a young age. Of course, they weren't pulling very much, but once they hit the 9 month mark, they were showing. At the age of 2-3, they are in their prime, after that, its down hill. This is just the opinion of some people I hang around with and show with. I agree with it. Of course, its always going to be what you think.
     
  8. bahamutt99

    bahamutt99 CH Dog

    I started my dog out relatively young -- her first pull was at 14 months. She pulled like a trooper and really made me proud, so I started entering her in a bunch of pulls. By the time she was 20 months, her performance had dropped off considerably. I think it was a combination of burn-out and a very green trainer. I finally have her back up to what she was pulling when she started, and hope to gradually improve upon it.

    IMO, keep working your dog, but don't overload him at this tender age. Even if he's physically mature, its the mental fortitude that really makes the difference between a decent pulling dog and a never-quit winner. Definitely don't push him to the point where he gets discouraged. Keep everything positive at this stage of his training. It sounds like he has what it takes to be an awesome pulldog if you handle him sensibly. Good luck!
     
  9. wally81

    wally81 Pup

    i never never push him....i swear i have never seen a dog that goes crazy when the harness comes out...thanks for the advice.....yea my main concern is that i dont whatsoever want to hurt him at all. about pics yea i got to get my lil sis to show me how i am on alot of diff forums (not only dogs) and have no pics..lol
     
  10. truegames

    truegames Big Dog

    Just stating my opinion no need for smart a$$ comments.
     
  11. bahamutt99

    bahamutt99 CH Dog

    Just a factoid to those interested. Most pulling clubs require the dog to be 12 months. I know IWPA and UKC are like that. I think APA has a novice class for dogs 9 months to try out, but they don't give points.
     
  12. I would talk to mopulldogs she trains and weightpulls her dogs. She has some nice pull dogs. She is probally the best person to give you that advice, but I would say myself 24 months even though I started my female out last febuary and she is 2 years old this month.
     
  13. pancho

    pancho Guest

    Many years ago when the pit bull was just getting into weight pulling most people started their pups pull training very early. The weight wasn't important, it was just training the dog on how to use his weight, balance, and strength to pull. I knew one man who would start his pup out pulling a milk jug and add gravel to increase the weight as the pup progressed. It also let the pup get used to the noise of something being pulled behind him.
    Back in those days people were allowed to bait their dogs. Everything was used except a live animal. I even knew a man who used a lawn mower to bait his dog. There was really very little training done by the first weight pullers. They just used the natural aggression of the dog. In later years baiting was made illegal and the dogs had to be trained to pull. The first weight pulls were very exciting. They have calmed down quite a bit now but the dogs are pulling some incredible weights.
    Just a little bit of history from an old man.
     
  14. wally81

    wally81 Pup

    that wasnt a smart a$$ remark....i was stating what i new about the ages to enter a pull
     
  15. Hillbilly Pit

    Hillbilly Pit Big Dog

    My dog is 14mounths old and I thought of useing some milk jugs with dirt or cement. (one at a time) like one a weak and keep adding. Is this a good start? Also I was at a show that had apull and some of the dogs were distracted with other dogs, people, noise, ex. is there a way to get him over that at a early stage? [​IMG]
     
  16. Attila

    Attila Guest

    Heres the deal biologically. Starting out with low weight training probably isn't going to harm the dog. However remember if you put strain on an animal too young the chances of a torn or ruptured colon, small intestines, bladder and hernia are quite high. I have seen dogs in serious trouble at pulls with their rectums bleeding from tears and such. To me if you put your dogs health at risk in doing an event you are wrong. Yah he may like it and he sure wants to see you smile and get your praise. Was Johnson hitting record speeds in his running when he was 11 years old. No if he had though do you thing at lets say 28 he would still be running even though he would be relatively young. Nah his knee's, shins, ancles would be shot for working them too hard before fully developed. Yes exercise and training is great. But keep it relative to the age of the dog. At two the dogs bones are usually complete in their growth as well as the joints It is mostly filled out and needs those fine tuning touches. I am new to pulling but not new to athletic events with dogs and other animals. I know a 9 month old dog put into hunts and expected to run with the big dogs often either gets killed or run lame. Either way you loose and it is your fault. The same person that told me that they can pull at a year with the big dogs was the dog I was looking at the end of the day with it's rectum bleading something terrible. It's colon was un reparable and the dog had to be put down. What a damn shame. What you do is up to you. Just remember if you get that dog in a bind before the connective tissue is fully in place on its organs it is those organs that pull loose and jepordize the health of your dog. You can't always see injuries and the don't always show their results right away. But when you realize you have a problem it often tends to be too late. Or damn expencive to fix. Ending that dogs career. That dog should not be pulling much over 800 on a good wagon or track till at least 18 months then start building slowly up. I stress gradual increases. 100 pounds at a time and give it a couple of weeks and add more. Just like working out in the jym. No different. You don't come off the street and play pro ball and neither does a dog.
     
  17. Hillbilly Pit

    Hillbilly Pit Big Dog

    Thanks for the Rp. the jugs with dirt or cement don't weigh that much. I will start out with one or two until he is two years old you think? I wont to get him use to the harnes and pull with weight. Is this right of me ? Also dose anyone know about how I can work on the loss of concentration?
     

Share This Page