how do you train a carting dog without harming their developing bodies?
Posted on Sep 22, 2008 under 8 |For the people who haven’t seen my other questions..
Basically I wanted to open a small rescue consisting of about 4 horses, 4 dogs, and a feral cat colony (safer out of the streets in my opinion). I wanted to use a dog to help pull around feed as well as help me garden (I’m a natural kind of gal).
I was reading on how to get started in the carting world but all I could find was stuff on equipment. If I wanted my dog to be able to perform the tasks completely by age two, what would I do about training?
You need to join a carting club, generally Newf and Bernese do carting, though they don’t tend to start them training until they are 18 months old, its too much for their bodies otherwise.
If you contact the breed clubs they will be able to assist with this.
I am looking to start carting, though my boy is 15 months old and we will wait those 3 months before i start him doing this.
August 4th, 2008 at 4:24 pm
You need to join a carting club, generally Newf and Bernese do carting, though they don’t tend to start them training until they are 18 months old, its too much for their bodies otherwise.
If you contact the breed clubs they will be able to assist with this.
I am looking to start carting, though my boy is 15 months old and we will wait those 3 months before i start him doing this.
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August 4th, 2008 at 4:26 pm
In addition to the great answer by Berner, you’ll also want to be sure to find a cart that does not put any strain on their backs. I know people who had one custom made so that their dogs would be protected fully.
: )
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August 4th, 2008 at 4:31 pm
well some people can’t explain what is going on.
But I can tell you this not worry about train a dog is hard work
if you have anymore quertions just email me again
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August 4th, 2008 at 4:49 pm
Start with basic obedience because this is absolutely crucial for his safety as well as the safety of anyone in the vicinity. It will take months to proof his obedience enough for him to be safe between the shafts anyway. Teach him all of the commands he will need (forward (essentially heeling), left, right, back up (this one is really hard to teach a dog and when you move from working without a cart to working with a cart you will have to almost start over from scratch), slow pace, leave it (especially important to prevent frantic squirrel chases with cart attached) and a rock solid wait/stay). Work on getting him used to the equipment….wearing the harness, being bumped on the sides by the shafts, dragging something behind him. Teach him that the cart isn’t something scary. You can do this by feeding him around the cart and rewarding voluntary interactions with the cart (like touching it with his nose) as well as pulling a cart or wagon behind you on walks to get him accustomed to having the noises that they make behind him.
I wouldn’t start really doing harness work with him before one year of age. And I probably wouldn’t start hitching to the cart before a year and a half. For that remaining half year until he hits two you can work with him on learning how to maneuver an empty cart (if you plan on using a heavy garden-type cart or wagon I would recommend starting with a lightweight cart). It takes a while for most dogs to get the hang of having an extra 3-4 feet attached behind them and get the finer points of exercises like turning nice and tight and backing.
You should consider joining the Carting-L Yahoo! Group. This is the primary email list for carting enthusiasts and is full of more experienced carters who can answer specific questions that come up during training.
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I cart to and from the local farmer’s market with my dogs and have used their carting skills to help haul sticks and other landscaping debris. With a few more weeks of practice my younger dog would be ready to enter a carting test and earn a “novice” title.
August 4th, 2008 at 5:10 pm
well i dont know about carting but i am into wieght pulling my pits so i dont want them to get stunted growth or anything so i start training them to wieght pull at 8 months or older. i dont know about cart pulling so you should do research on your own for that one get expert advice if you can.
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