Is It Beneficial To Train A Sled Dog By Having Him Pull Someone Who Is Wearing Skis Instead Of Using The Sled?
August 23, 2009 by admin
Filed under Care & Training Q&As
I would like to start training my neighbor’s Havanese for dog sledding (just like the Iditarod!…almost). As I am somewhat addicted to skiing, I have plenty of skiing gear around, but as I am new to the dog sledding hobby, I haven’t got a sled yet.
I do, however, know that severl dog sledding races have already been cancelled this year due to lack of sufficient snow cover in some areas. This means that I have until next winter to find a dog sled anyways; they’ll probably go on sale over the summer, eh?
Would it be beneficial to start training the dog this winter by having him pull me around while I wear a pair of skis?
Any other suggestions for training a sled dog for racing sans sled would be appreciated.
Also, any suggestions regarding a technique for training cats for my sledding team would be appreciated as well. I know I’m not a “cat person;” I have tried training a cat by having it pull me while I wore my skis, but it just ran away…
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Of course it would be beneficial… walk the dog at least 23.7 km per day, to strengthen those muscles. Plus you’ve got to teach him all the commands… mush, mush, etc, etc (that’s the most important one). Every day give the dog a big glass of milk and feed it woof-woof-food (Alaska usually sells the best brands) and some of those vitamin and mineral tablets. Plus add some mini cow-biscuits… jumbo sized preferably.
You also must gain its trust to the point where you feel like the dog was a human and viceverse. Make sure you share your wonderful cooking with it, and take turns pulling each other on the skis.
The best way to use the cat would be to put it in front of the dog for extra speed… make sure you give the cat some mini cow-biscuits too and from now on, do the mice catching yourself so the cat can save its energy for racing. Perhaps roast a few for yourself to try.
No, don’t do that.
Make the dog pull a light sled with no people on it, so there is less potential injury.
Cats are very reluctant at many things; getting them to pull a sled will, in all likelihood, never work.
i could be but would still be better with a sled