Weight Pulling??

[JacksTheDog]

I have never been exposed directly to weight pulling and was wondering if it has any health benefits or concerns? Does it help the dogs develop a stronger build? How hard is it on the hips joints etc....?

 

[ruthcatrin]

You want to avoid straining a young dog (and I don't know that I'd compete that young for just that reason), but its very good for building muscle, and some dogs seem to enjoy it.

And if anyone tells you that by weight pulling with a mastiff under 2 you'll kill their hips tell them to go climb a tree. We weight pulled with Apollo starting at 6 months (and him pulling a solid 250lbs), and off and on since, and his hips were just rated OFA Excellent!

 

[tb44]

What is a good age to start weight pulling? Not competing just training

 

[tb44]

And 250 at 6 months that sounds impressive.

 

[Duetsche_Doggen]

You want to avoid straining a young dog (and I don't know that I'd compete that young for just that reason), but its very good for building muscle, and some dogs seem to enjoy it.

And if anyone tells you that by weight pulling with a mastiff under 2 you'll kill their hips tell them to go climb a tree. We weight pulled with Apollo starting at 6 months (and him pulling a solid 250lbs), and off and on since, and his hips were just rated OFA Excellent!

LOL, I'd say something else, but yes no heavy pulling until physical maturity.

 

[JacksTheDog]

Thanks! I did not intend to do anything that would jeopardize my pups health and would never commence with anything that could possibly cause him any harm. I do not intend to ever compete just want to add some variety into Jacks fitness regime. A friend of mine has a BM and he had his dog pulling logs in his yard for exercise. Just curious if I could do the same with Jacks? He is 8 1/2 months old now can I start him off lightly now with no concern?

 

[ruthcatrin]

Theres no reason you can't hook them to a cart or sled by 6 months. You jusy want to keep them from really STRAINING to pull. The 250 sounds impressive, but it was on a wheeled cart and he barely seemed to notice it.

And DD, I think my original language was closer to f*ck *ff than climb a tree lol

 

[ruthcatrin]

The cheap plastic kids sleds are a good cheap starting sled for weight pull. The expensive part is the harness which needs to be special ordered so the weight doesn't nd up on their neck.

 

[ruthcatrin]

[video=youtube;JKiHKIm_sWo]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JKiHKIm_sWo[/video]

 

[Duetsche_Doggen]

Look at Apollo go, I'm surprised he doesn't stamp his paw turn his nose and say you do it. LOL!!!!

 

[ruthcatrin]

there have been occasions.......lol the peperoni for treats helped!

 

[JacksTheDog]

looks good!! I have guys at work whos job it is to fabricate stuff for us so I think Ill get them to construct me a harness for pulling ill do some home work on the specs. Thanks!

 

[ruthcatrin]

Make Your Own Dog Harness s Journal

Scroll down to the Freighting Harness (2nd harness down)

 

[Geisthexe]

I actually compete in WP been doing it for years
Age to start 10 weeks
- use to harness
- use to noise behind them
- use to having something drag
- start light weight (this depends on what system you start them on. Rails, wheels, sled)
Age to start weight increase 6 months
- again depends on system
* rails you can start at and increase weight much fast bc the track is easy to pull on
* wheels slower increase bc it depends on the surface you pull on carpet or dirt
* sled very slow increase bc dog it the only way it moves so much harder for them
Age you start completing
- APA 9 months
- UKC, IWPA, etc all 1 year
Harness
Making one is NOT the way to go bc you want to make sure you have a spreader bar, this distributes weight on the dog properly

If you start out correctly and gradually increase weight so dog is not over straining body .. Hips, hocks, elbows, shoulders will all be fine.

If you go into Presa Canario you will see my boy Anabis Pulling at 4 months on a rail system

Sorry I can't post the video bc I am at a K9 Seminar

If you have more questions please ask

 

[JacksTheDog]

wow I can't thank you more you have been a continuous help with all my inquiries!!!

 

[ruthcatrin]

Harness
Making one is NOT the way to go bc you want to make sure you have a spreader bar, this distributes weight on the dog properly

The instructions I linked to give specific instructions on how to place the spreader bar......its not even hard assuming you're reasonably handy in the first place

 

[Geisthexe]

The instructions I linked to give specific instructions on how to place the spreader bar......its not even hard assuming you're reasonably handy in the first place

Awesome.. I just purchase easier & cheaper .. If you plan to actually compete you have to have a proper WPing harness or they will not allow you to pull.
Just giving my experience

 

[ruthcatrin]

That link gives instructions on how to make a harness identical to the ones you buy.

And when you're dealing with a pup who's outgrowing them as quickly as you get them making them is much easier than spending $70 - $100 every couple months.

And it doesn't matter if the pup's not competing anyway (which the OP said he had no interest in).

And the last time I showed up at the local club with Apollo's home made one I got asked where I'd bought it from cause its indentical to the ones they buy from a local person who makes them "professionally".

Unless there's a specific brand that they're requiring, or they're going to require a reciept to prove it was purchased somewhere, a well done home made harness is identical to the one you just spent $100 on.

 

[ruthcatrin]

and the webbing to make the last 5 harnesses I made, and enough to make at least another 5, cost me about $30.....

 

[ruthcatrin]

looks good!! I have guys at work whos job it is to fabricate stuff for us so I think Ill get them to construct me a harness for pulling ill do some home work on the specs. Thanks!

BTW, for fit, follow the directions in the link I posted, in the video we were borrowing one from the club and it was actually to big for Apollo.