Roading

[AlbertaVizsla]

OK I've just gotten a harness for my Vizsla and I'd like to teach him to pull stuff - mostly for the excercise and endurance training but it might also be fun to teach him to pull a cart or sled.

I'm thinking about starting out with him just getting used to walking with me pulling on it - then move up to pulling chains, or a tire or something. Anyone every done this? Any tips?

[Vindalbakken]

I am going out for the weekend but have done considerable conditioning with chains, free running and quad. What type of harness is it?

[verno]

I was looking into doing this with my V a while ago, and I was passed on some info that I will attempt to pass on to you. There are different harnesses out there and its important to get the proper one.
I was looking at a harness like this one
http://www.howlingdogalaska.com/images/LongDistance.jpg
It is made for skijoring or roading from a bike, something where the dog is pulling attached to a point higher than it's back. I had intended to use chains for roading, and had I done this it would have put the load at the wrong spot on the dog and could have injured his back.
For roading with chains or tires a harness like this is more suitable
http://www.howlingdogalaska.com/images/JuniStandard.jpg
It works better for heavier loads because it spreads the weight out and lets the dog push forward and upwards into the load and get more leverage.
While I was looking I came across skijoring which I have been thinking about getting into to work my dog in the winter. I just gotta quit smoking so my dog isn't pulling dead weight out of the bush.:pukey:
I'm sure there are others that can shed some light into the proper way to road a dog, just wanted to pass along the warning I got about the different harnesses.

[Sharon]

I use chains and my 200 pound husband. Start out light and build up the weight. Start out with 20 minutes and lengthen the time over a week.

Just like all athletes dogs need a day off in between muscle workouts so the muscles can repair themselves.
Workouts on pavement is hard on the pads.

Also used a bike but ended up in the ditch too often.

[warren]

I have one like the harness in Verno's second picture for skiiing and for use with the bycicle. They're ideal. A good tip is to use a bungy cord or other strong elastic between the harness and the leader to give some shock absorbtion on take off. :dog: