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Weight pulling

Discussion in 'Sports & Activities' started by F.W.K., Feb 14, 2018.

  1. F.W.K.

    F.W.K. CH Dog

    If you are thinking about weight pulling here are some great answers to common questions!

    Q- What will I need to train my dog to weigh pull?

    A- The most important things you will need is a healthy dog, time and patients! Once you have those the rest is simple!

    You will need a weight pull harness designed for the size of your dog and items of different weight.

    Q- At what age can I start training?

    A- Around the age of 6 months you dog will be able to start pulling light weight. Puppies that are still growing and maturing can be damaged if introduced to weight to early, the pulling can alter the way their bones and joints mature in a harmful way.

    By the age of 18 Months he or she will have fully developed mussels and tissue to pull heavier weights.

    Q- Should I get my dog a weight pulling harness to get him used to it ahead of time?

    A- No, a regular harness leash will work great to get the dog used to the feel of it.

    Q- Once my dog is ready for training how do I introduce the harness?

    A- Put the harness on the dog and play with him or her! This will make them feel as if, it has something to do with playing or fun. Walk with the dog while he or she is wearing the harness. Make sure you also praise him or her to let them know it is a good thing!

    Q- How do I teach the pull command?

    A- With the harness on, take the dog for a walk with a learn attached. Then call him back to you and introduce a word you want to use as the command to pull. So "Pull" or "Work". Just make sure you pick a work to use that you will stick with. If you try to change commands, it will only confuse the dog.

    Q- Should I use a "bait"?

    A- This is a tricky question. It has been noted over the years as being done, however, if you chose to, make sure you do not use any thing that resembles a human or an animal should never be used as bait! Using any such item will actually get your dog disqualified during an event! We find that teaching dogs to pull on command is much easier and does not cause any confusion to the dog.

    Q- Are we ready for weight yet?

    A- Once you dog feels comfortable with the harness on and is responding to your command, its time to introduce some weight. A 1-10 pound barbell weight tied to a cable or a tire is a good first light resistance that doesn't make to much noise. The chances are good if your dog has had fun, he or she will run to you like there is nothing on it. It is very important that you go very easy the next month. After each pulling event, make sure you reward the dog with a treat or love, or how ever you normally praise the dog. You will want to practice with this weight for a month or so, to get the dog used to the feel of pulling. After about a month of this weight, increase the e weight. Make sure you only increase the weight slowly. After each weigh increase work with your dog for a few weeks with that weight, before you introduce heavier weights.
     
    Roofer, Mike Lydon and Box Bulldog like this.
  2. slim12

    slim12 Super Moderator Staff Member

    Walking the dog with a harness early on is a must. It is also works as soon as he is walking well with the harness add the traces with no weight. A lot of dogs get spooked if there is something behind them moving and making noise.

    Waiting til the dog is older will usually end up in a delay until he acclimates/gets use to something dragging behind him.

    Great post.

    S
     
    Box Bulldog, pitbulld0gs and c_note like this.
  3. c_note

    c_note CH Dog

    I tried to start one dragging chain as an adult. I had got him from my partner and was tryin to work him like I worked mine. Weeeeell..... mine had been pullin chains since they could chase me. Back then I was using 7-8feet of “buffer” rope, then chain. I know I know, but I was young and teaching myself. Well, when he got to movin good and that chain got to rattling it spooked the shit out of him! You should have seen how big his eyes got!! I had to chase that dog down to stop him. Fool was runnin from the chain attached to him. Lesson learned. Start as early as possible for anything
     
  4. slim12

    slim12 Super Moderator Staff Member

    Same stories here. They either break away and run from the chain or turn and want to go back to it.

    Long term if they figure by stopping the 'bad things go away' then it is a struggle to get them to go forward, especially on 'command'.

    I add the harness as soon as I am ready to do the same with a collar. Any old cheap harness will do. it just gets the dog use to something being on him on that part/parts of his body. Then I just tie the traces to it and he gets the idea that it is not the boogie man behind him and from then on it is second nature.

    I try to get them all started as early as possible. I gave a puppy to my nephew a few years back. This dog barely ever wore a collar. He was a house dog. Pampered. He went out did his business and made a straight line to the door. They live in the middle of nowhere so that was his routine. Then that fateful day when the stray dog wandered in the yard when he was taking a leak. It was one of the those youtube 'instant bully fail' videos.

    I had to start a three year old off like I would a three month old. Way difficult at that point.

    S
     
    Carolinacur and pitbulld0gs like this.
  5. pitbulld0gs

    pitbulld0gs Top Dog Staff Member

    Starting early is the best way to do it with any kind of work imho. I start all my dogs young with collars, leashes and harnesses. Then i add tethers and an old milk jug with rocks in it just for noise.
     
  6. mccoypitbulls

    mccoypitbulls Underdog

    I have been working with 2 of ours. They are getting it. Although we started the male off early as a pup..like said above..with noisy bottles...and to get him use to it.
    He does ok still.
    Another pup..one that was with a local family...came back here...after a year....
    she was never introduced until when she came back home.
    They are about the same now but the male that was introduced early on needs more encouraging ....
    Some may be naturals...some may need more time...something I am noticing.
     
    pitbulld0gs likes this.
  7. slim12

    slim12 Super Moderator Staff Member

    There are not any absolutes in these dogs once you get past they eat, piss and shit. LOL

    I have seen 8 weeks old puppies spin a slat like they had been doing it for years. The very next dog will not spin it if his life depended on it.

    I have seen them freaked by something behind them and then others that never even noticed, or simply did not care.

    S
     
    mccoypitbulls and pitbulld0gs like this.
  8. pitbulld0gs

    pitbulld0gs Top Dog Staff Member

    Yeah, have to agree with each dog being different.
     
    slim12 likes this.
  9. mccoypitbulls

    mccoypitbulls Underdog

    Absolutely. I like slims ..eat sleep and shit same most...lol

    Soon we will be adding a bit more weight. And some more encouraging. ..
    (currently a 7.5) for 1.5 mile.

    We receive in beginner stage..green as grass..but keeping track of progress on youtube page.
     
  10. pitbulld0gs

    pitbulld0gs Top Dog Staff Member

    I like to add uphill drag work later in the keep. it helps a LOT with the burn and endurance. We will walk up and down 5 times then cool down. After a month, we are doing 3 sets of 5 rounds and the boy barely knows he is dragging anything on flat ground. i know this isn't drag work or pulling but uphill sprints are really good too..
     
    david63 and VoodooChild like this.
  11. CopperOFRN

    CopperOFRN Big Dog

    He’s 6 months. Getting used the harness. Of course all those pics are too big for this site(still don’t get that) going to start leaning him out a bit. Showing good drive
     

    Attached Files:

    Michele, david63 and F.W.K. like this.

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