Weight pulling

[mrtsi]

Just curious as to what type of equipment some of you use for weight pulling and what's a good routine to start off with? Thanks

[EWO]

A good harness and a set of traces to start off. Most let the dog pull the traces with no weight as it freaks some dogs if there is something 'following' them so close.

Over the years I have cut three or four pieces of chain to varying lengths for varying weights dependent upon the dog and his weight.

I have put an eye hook thru a car tire and allowed the dog to drag the tire across a dirt road.


I am not sure of a routine and I would not know how to pull for weight competively. For my dogs it is never more than 25%-30% of their body weight. It is more of a distance/time pull than total weight.

Not sure that helps.

EWO

[mrtsi]

That helps, I appreciate it. How about using a sled?

[mrtsi]

Ewo, do you attach the chain to the end of the tracers and let the dog drag it while walking the dog?

[EWO]

Yes. I cut the chains to length and weigh it. I try to let the dog pull about 25% of his bodyweight.

I built a weight sled for my son once when he was in high school. I tried to use it with the dogs and it worked but it was not the work I was looking for with the dogs.

With a sled it is a lot more pull than I would want. The extra weight would be more of a muscle builder. Plus it needs a much more even surface. The chains just slip and slide, up and over just about anything.

EWO

[mrtsi]

Thanks for sharing. I'll just follow what you did and see how it goes. Another thing, I live near the city, has anyone encountered any bullshit from people while walking your dog with it pulling weight? I figure most would avoid walking like that in the city.

[CYJ]

IMHO mrtsi. I would keep my dogs private as possible from John Q Public. There are way to many people with smart phones. These smart phones have excellent cameras to boot. Would be safer to find somewhere out of the city to exercise your dog. If drive is not to long will get the dog use to be ridden in a car etc.

City dwellers can be at a big disadvantage over a person that lives out in the country. That have access to back roads/trails and own larger tracts of land. If you own enough property where you can build a 30 by 30 foot lean two. A large 20 foot across round table/carpet mill/top of the line treadmill can still do wonders in shaping a dog. If you have a quarter of mile around your property line is enough to do the chain pulling.

Learn how to set up your routine doing sets of aerobic and anaerobic work. Rotate mills with the chain pulling. Will shape your dog nicely. One thing I learned over time is you have to have top notch well made equipment to properly work a dog. The right amount of land area helps a bunch as well. Cheers

[mrtsi]

Thanks CYJ, I agree 100% on staying out of the public eye. I made a carpet mill already, a slat mill will be next, sometime soon. I wish I had more land, but I dont. Maybe I can take a drive around this weekend and see if I can find a nice secluded field to do the chain pulling. Thanks for the help

[CYJ]

Ditto mrtsi. Be careful about those secluded fields. They belong to some private owner/County/State/Federal land owner. Best get permission first when you find a good location.


This is not pertaining to you what so ever. But reminds me of a hippie friend I knew, when in the Navy back in the early 70's. We were on a watch together out at sea. He ups and says, when I get out of the Navy going to buy me a new Harley, going to ride my Harley across the land. Camp along the way,smoke my herb, and live free.

Well I said, all of that sounds fine, but that free this and that is a pipe dream. You are somebody else is going to pay for your rendezvous, unless you are working and just taking a vacation. LOL

He said what do you mean? Well I said, you got to buy the Harley, even a nice used one is not cheap. You will have to buy tags/insurance/driver's licences/pay property taxes/ gas/ oil for the Harley and food for the trip along the way. Plus all that land you will be passing by or staying on at night. Belongs to a private/county/State/Federal land owner or owners.

Get caught with your smoking herb. No more Harley/no more job if you have one/no more freedom. LOL Cheers

[mrtsi]

Lmao, good story. You have a valid point, I was thinking that as well, wouldn't want any kind of confrontation. My yard might be big enough to drag some weight back and forth a few times. I'll try this first and see how it goes. Thanks CYJ

[HurstmobC]

I was going to start a new thread, but figured i'd just use this one. I noticed when i started dragging weight with my dog that when I used lighter weights it was more of an intense workout as she would sprint with the weights attached to her harness, when i added weights the intensity slowed down and she would merely walk. Now im thinking that both ways would work, alternating days with the light weights doing sprints and the heavier weights walking. Just curious how some of you guys do it, do you slow walk or sprint...

[EWO]

I'm all about explosive work.

I would prefer the lighter weights with more intense work.

I would be a little weary of trying to up the speed with a heavier weight as it could lead to injury.

When the dog is sprinting with weight just check the gait. When they start to lug (like they are dragging a weight) either lower the weight or slow the dog.

Alternating the days works really well.

EWO