Dog Sledding

[paddles]

Hi, trying to think how to say, what sort of help I'm asking for. I recently went to visit a friend, (a sheep dog trialer of some renown) and I took my two English springers with me, in showing off my dogs (In amongst all the doggy bragging) I said how I have been training my dogs in dryland dog sledding, and ended up harnessing them up to show them off, to my dismay, my dogs who normaly jog along quite happily, refused to go forward, they kept turning to facce me, and when I got them straightened out, and asked them to go, they would not take up the slack on the gangline, and were moving quite reluctantly. the only reason for this behaviour that I can think off, was that they were not in thier usual area? trails? they would not pull at all, the moment the wieght of the scooter came onto the gangline, they just stopped.

discussion occured (As you can imagine) and the conclusion reached on both our behalfs, was that I had not done any basic training really, and had just fluked it so far. his solution, was that I should use a method that they (he) uses on his sheep dogs, when he's teaching them to walk up, you attach a broomhandle to a collar, and you can control thier movement, forcing forward movement when you ask for it (without getting in front of the dog)etc.

so I have tried it, but the dogs really don't like it, it is aggravating to me, because my dogs are cowering and confused (My fault) and I am concerned that I might hurt my dogs.

So what I am asking I guess, is a more positive method of encouraging my dogs to move forward, in a positive manner, in the direction that I desire, not the way the dog wants to go.

When we go out on the streets/trails around here, there are paths to follow, and if I am turning, I just talk to the dogs (Which they ignore) then turn the scooter, they then realise that I'm going a different way, and come around and get in front of me again.

Next year, I would like to do social sledding with the siberian husky club, but don't want to look like an idiot if I get there and my dogs refuse to move, or want to go and sniff everyone elses dogs butt, rather than running and pulling the scooter.

So I hope I don't sound too daft, but I need help!!

[kezzzza]

What I did to train them to start off, I took my kids down to the local tennis courts (as we dont have a local dog park) and when they started to run I would say "hike up" and did this everytime I saw them starting to run. So now when you say "hike up" they start running. Didn't take long for them to do it on command.

Now I ride a bike near my kids to encourage them to go in a straight line it's working.

[poodlefan]

Join a sledding club? Is there one in your area?

[TigerJack]

there is a good website called dogscooter here and they have a good section and other links on training.

I took two of my dogs along to 'mush up' this year where they had a beginners day. My ridgeback cross was perfectly happy to trot along next to my kelpie but he didn't take up the slack in the line even once. My kelpie pulled like a trooper, she got very excited. We even went in the ladies race that day and placed third and beat alot of huskys. I tried it later at the netball courts near home and she wouldn't pull, kept coming back alongside the scooter rather than staying out in front. I think its because I haven't done all the foundation work. I was lucky at the mushup that she pulled so well but really it was because they used a lure dog and scooter team out front of the beginners so she was trying to catch up to them. In the actual race she got so hyped once she realised there were start lights that beeped and there was a countdown to go. The noises got her hyped like at flyball and then I used the same words that I do at the start of a flyball race so she knew that mean't go go go!

It was great fun but I know to keep doing it I would have to go back and do all the groundwork so she will pull whenever, not just in the excitement of a race.

[Are You Serious Jo]

I would LOVE to do this as well, am not sure my koolie is suitable though as as soon as there is something a bit scary she is under my feet. I'm going to go through that website though and see if I can try her out.

[paddles]

There is not a lot of dog sled clubs around that i can find. the best I can see to do, is to join the siberian husky club as an associate member, this means I get all the fun, but because I do not have huski's I am not eligable for any trophies (Like we'd have a chance anyway???) etc.

Next year, (neearly there) I will go to the beginner days (Yippeee) and I shall continue I think as I am, (Slowly) and see how we go. As numerous people have pointed out to me, gun dogs are not sled dogs.... but I say, springers are versitile, and will learn lol.

for all the others who want to try this sport, keep trying!!

one of the things I did, is I always encourage the dogs to walk in front of me at all times, Even when we just go for a walk....

I'll post some photos of my babies in thier new windchill harness' as soon as we get a cooler day to try them out!!!

[paddles]

Isn't it just typical, as soon as I get my harness's its been just too hot to try them out?

[Gspsplease]

Don't believe your gun dog can't sled -- one of my dog's relatives (a GSP) is competing very successfully in sledding in the Belonglo State Forrest area.

[paddles]

Seeeeee!

[kezzzza]

cool pic paddles, once the school holidays are over and the bike trail is clear of bike riders we are hitting it to give them somewhere different to run.

[Aidan]

We had a nice cool day yesterday so I got to try out my new scooter that cost me $4.40 from the tip-shop (I talked them down from $5). It was worth every penny.

My dog already knows how to stop, unfortunately my scooter does not. But we had fun, and both came home panting heavily.