WP Subforum

**OldFortKennels** · 12-02-2008, 12:13 PM

I got with Admin and asked them to create this since its one of my personal favorite areas of interest and there are lots of questions. So if you are interested or compete come in here and discuss it.

Many want to know how to start, this is MY opinion for what it is worth. Its also a sticky somewhere so you have probably already seen it. Just getting this new section started.

Key points
1. Make it fun!
2. Never get mad, frustrated yes just dont show it.
3. Have your dogs well being first, not winning.
4. Remeber it takes a long time to BUILD a good dog.
5. Pulling is 95% mental!. Dont break their spirit.
6. Start slow, know your dog!!!! Quit before it does!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
7. Training is just that, dont try to set records at home!!!!
8. Dont try to pull more everytime.
9. Use different routines, the same ol thing get boring even to dogs.
10. At a show dont be afraid to foul your dog. Refer to #5
11. Dont let your dog (in the begining) jump off the track
12. Dont let your dog just stand there. If it starts to pull but doesnt foul it. When it goes to pull have the cart pushed and lead it through the pull.

I cant stress #5 too much. Alot of people start with good dogs but they break them and you never see them again. I always pull my dogs up to a certain weight and then I pull them down too. Alot of times when it gets real heavy and you hook the dog back up it doesnt even try because it remembers the last weight was heavy so I mix it up. Ill take weight off and when they hit the weight again its like.....hey this isnt heavy and it keeps them trying.

ALSO WEIGHT IS NOT WHAT YOUR DOG IS PULLING AGAINST. Just because Bailey pulled 3126lbs at this last show I dont expect her to pull it at NC. There track is hard and not level. She will do good to pull 2000lbs. Your dog is pulling against resistance in the track. The weight creates the resistance. The better the track is the more weight needed to create great resistance. The track I have at home is so hard Bailey cant pull more than 600lbs. So weight is just a number, it doesn't mean much. Learn to feel the resistance in the cart created by the weight.

There is alot to learn and remember such as tracks, where they tighten up, when to bring a dog in, when to pass but this should get you started.

**StaffyDaddy** · 09-16-2009, 05:05 PM

This is a great sticky! Have you thought to show different examples of different tracks? A lot of people might benefit from being able to see what you are referring to.

I think the most important thing is #5 too. We get questions all the time about how to add weight, and the increments, so I don't think you can stress enough that it's not all about adding it on.

Again, great post.

Kathleen · 04-18-2011, 12:13 AM

...active in the sport. I must admit...
This is the best advice I've read! Thank you.

ALSO WEIGHT IS NOT WHAT YOUR DOG IS PULLING AGAINST. Just because Bailey pulled 3126lbs at this last show I dont expect her to pull it at NC. There track is hard and not level. She will do good to pull 2000lbs. Your dog is pulling against resistance in the track. The weight creates the resistance. The better the track is the more weight needed to create great resistance. The track I have at home is so hard Bailey cant pull more than 600lbs. So weight is just a number, it doesn't mean much. Learn to feel the resistance in the cart created by the weight.

HeavyJeep · 09-02-2011, 12:11 PM

Ofk.. How cool it would be to visit and learn from you. You always have great advice and I must admit even I took some knowledge from this thread.
I'd love to get more specific in questions with you concerning some of my dogs and certain behaviors and technics. Holler at me man, I'd love to chat.

**OldFortKennels** · 09-07-2011, 05:05 PM

Hey anytime, I have been laying low in the pullworld but I still love to help where I can. I am thinking of getting a dog ready for Oct show....who knows

**angelbaby** · 09-07-2011, 05:12 PM

GREAT sticky. Big one is make it fun totally agree with that. If you make it a daily thing they get bored and worn out , we usually do 2-3 x a week actual pulling and he goes bonkers over the harness. You can train other ways like just conditioning , running, mills, flirt poles ect anything to build muscle but make the pulling part fun and dont push them daily to do it IMO its what we found works.

Bruce TGPs · 09-07-2011, 06:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OldFortKennels

Hey anytime, I have been laying low in the pullworld but I still love to help where I can. I am thinking of getting a dog ready for Oct show....who knows

Hey Andy I'll get Switch in shape for you for Ga. if you want. I always like seeing you two together, he's a totally different dog.

katana's · 09-09-2011, 07:52 PM

yo creo k esto es muy importante.(i thing this is very important) pero no lo entiendo.(but i can't understand this text.) I always pull my dogs up to a certain weight and then I pull them down too. Alot of times when it gets real heavy and you hook the dog back up it doesnt even try because it remembers the last weight was heavy so I mix it up. Ill take weight off and when they hit the weight again its like.....hey this isnt heavy and it keeps them trying.
porfavor alguien podria explicarlo.
very thanks.

:

wncpulldawgs · 02-09-2012, 08:03 AM

[QUOTE=OldFortKennels;477584]Hey anytime, I have been laying low in the pullworld but I still love to help where I can. I am thinking of getting a dog ready for Oct show....who knows[/Quote
yeah I would like to learn some more training tips if you don't mind if i ask billion ?'s

doughboi · 11-10-2012, 11:06 PM

Just wondering what do you mean by different routines