How to Train a Dog for Competitive Weight Pulling

The most important part about training your dog for weight pulling competition is allowing yourself enough time to condition the dog to weight pulling thoroughly before entering him into any event. If you've spent the hours slowly building up your dog's muscles by raising the weight he pulls, he'll be strong and able by the time you're ready to enter him into an event. Whether you're hoping to compete in an event sponsored by the IPWA (International Weight Pulling Association) or you're training your Pit Bull for an American Dog Breeder's Association competition, or you just want to teach your dog to pull a sled in snow, there are several steps to teaching your dog to pull any kind of weight behind him comfortably.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Weight pulling collar
• Treats
• Empty milk jugs, sled, cinderblocks or rocks

How to Train Your Dog for Weight Pulling Competitions

1. Fit your dog with a weight pulling harness. This special harness has extra padding and comes low across the dog's back legs to keep the weight bearing area low. There is a bar in the back to keep straps from squeezing the dog's legs as he pulls.

2. Attach the dog's harness to the empty sled, or to loose milk jugs. Get him used to coming to you with the jugs or sled rattling behind him. If he doesn't want to come with the sled behind him, start at his head with a treat and walk backwards, encouring him to follow you to get the treat. When he starts pulling steadily, add the word "pull!" when encouraging him and giving him treats, so he'll associate the action with the word. If he still won't pull even with a treat offered, attach a rope to the sled and get it started yourself as you walk backwards, encouraging the dog with your treat.

3. Once he his pulling at your cue, start adding bits of weight to the sled. Rocks or cinderblocks work well.

4. Eventually the sled will be too heavy for him to get started, but not too heavy to pull. The key to having your dog start a heavy sled is to put him in the "stay" command, with a little slack in his tug leash. Then when you say "come!" he will jerk forward which should start the heavy sled forward. This helps in a real life situation, when a sled is stuck in ice.

Tips & Warnings

• Only attach the weight pulling harness when you want your dog to pull something. This way he will learn that when he wears that collar, he has to be ready to pull hard.
• Remember to encourage your dog to pull low, using his weight horizontally for the maximum pull potential.

[showpup]

on 11/15/2007 Nice article. I hope to train one of my dogs up for weight pull competitions. The camaraderie there is awesome.