Puppy training on the sled

[Gail P]

Monster puppy that is At over a year old now Flurry shows that he is more than ready, eager and willing to get going. Here he is teamed up with Lightning, learning the ropes and doing a fine job.

[Mat&Murph]

Awww. thats awsome!!

[Gail P]

Hey, I just noticed your signature! Matt and Murphy share Rain and Storm's birthday but my guys are born a year earlier.

[bendyfoot]

OMG that looks soooooooo fun!!! I think Gracie would really like sledding, we've been thinking about getting a harness for her for some skijoring this winter!

[Gail P]

Originally Posted by bendyfoot

OMG that looks soooooooo fun!!! I think Gracie would really like sledding, we've been thinking about getting a harness for her for some skijoring this winter!

There's usually a supplier (Komatik Outfitters) at the races if you have a chance to get out and see some (not sure where you are located). He sells harnesses, skijoring belts and other mushing equipment. I got my skijoring belt and a harness from him, plus some other equipment and even one of my sleds. Or you can order online from various suppliers. I really like the harnesses from AKKO Sports, I've ordered several from there and want to get one or two more from them as well.

On his site, Marc from Komatik has these races listed that he'll be at:

October 26: Limoges, Ontario
January 3-4: Warren, Ontario
January/February 31-1: Marmora Ontario
February 8-9: Kearney, Ontario / Limoges, Ontario
February 14-15: Haliburton, Ontario
February 21-22: Cannington, Ontario
February 28 : Apsley, Ontario

[bendyfoot]

I just googled the supplier...he's a 30 minute drive from either my house or my work!

[Gail P]

Originally Posted by bendyfoot

I just googled the supplier...he's a 30 minute drive from either my house or my work!

Ooooh, if you're out that way you should think about checking out the IFSS (International Federation of Sleddog Sports) World Championships in Quebec Jan. 17-25. There will be skijoring, pulka, sprint races, mid-distance etc. and competitors from all over the world. The full info is available here http://www.daaquam2009.com/english/menu.html but here are the events that are listed on the sled dog central website:

Sprint
4 Dog Junior (8km x 3); 4 Dog (8km x 3); 6 Dog (12km x 3); 8 Dog (16km x 3); Unlimited (26km x 3)

Skijoring
1 Dog Junior Women (16km x 1); 1 Dog Junior Men (16km x 1); 1 Dog Women (16km x 1); 1 Dog Men (16km x 1); 2 Dog Women (16km x 1); 2 Dog Men (16km x 1)

Pulka
1 Dog Women (16km x 1); 1 Dog Men (16km x 1)

Nordic Combined Women 1 Dog (8km pulka + 8km skijöring); Men 1 Dog (8km pulka + 8km skijöring)

Mixed Relay
1 Dog (2 x 8km pulka + 2 x 8km skijöring)

Distance
6 Dog (40km x 3); 8 to 12 Dog (54km x 3)

Notes
Nordic classes are one day events, Sprint and Distance are three day events.

[luckypenny]

That really does look like such a blast. I thoroughly enjoy looking at your photos, Gail . I think I know someone else who'd love to try sledding with one of her dogs .

Now let's say this person I know would like to put the equipment needed on her x-mas wish list, where could she get more info on how to start? Are there any beginners books you would recommend? Any websites?

[Gail P]

Originally Posted by luckypenny

That really does look like such a blast. I thoroughly enjoy looking at your photos, Gail . I think I know someone else who'd love to try sledding with one of her dogs .

Now let's say this person I know would like to put the equipment needed on her x-mas wish list, where could she get more info on how to start? Are there any beginners books you would recommend? Any websites?

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! "love to try sledding with ONE of her dogs" That's how it begins
DISCLAIMER: Anyone who "thinks" they might like to try this with "one" of their dogs will almost certainly end up with tons of equipment, more dogs, then still more equipment, probably another sled, possibly a new vehicle or trailer to haul the dogs, and a whole new outlook on winter. And then when you're that addicted it will run into spring and fall too...bikejoring, scootering... faster dogs... Think I'm kidding? Read this:
http://www.racingrescues.com/about.h...ime_to_Passion You've been duly warned

Okay, now that I'm done laughing and posting my disclaimer, I can respond to the rest and speaking of wish lists, I have a page on my website titled as such
A great resource (for any person who just might be interested ) is the Sled Dog Central website http://www.sleddogcentral.com On the left side of the main page there is a list of links, including information for beginners and links to various different suppliers. I'm always happy to talk dogs and mushing too so if you'd like to talk more about it off the board you can PM me or email me.

[luckypenny]

Thanks Gail. We do adore, and always look forward to, Winter and finally have the space around us to try and eventually become addicted tofun stuff like this .

I'll check out the websites, have my list of questions ready, and get back to you.

[pitgrrl]

Those are such great pictures!

I've had, for years, this dream of Basil and Streets pulling me around in the winter, but alas, Basil's a wimp and Streets has a limp

[Blackdog22]

That looks like so much fun, your very lucky to be able to participate in such a neat doggy sport. I truly envy you.

I always thought it would be neat to build a fancy sleigh and have my GSD's pull me around in golden harnesses......like a snow queen.
Alas, I dont think my sheps will ever get the opportunity to do such a thing as I am too concerned about the potential damage to their hips.

[hazelrunpack]

How cool! Looks like he's doing a great job!

I think I have enough dogs to make a couple of teams...only they all believe in moving in different directions...so I don't think we'd get very far

[Gail P]

Originally Posted by Blackdog22

That looks like so much fun, your very lucky to be able to participate in such a neat doggy sport. I truly envy you.

I always thought it would be neat to build a fancy sleigh and have my GSD's pull me around in golden harnesses......like a snow queen.
Alas, I dont think my sheps will ever get the opportunity to do such a thing as I am too concerned about the potential damage to their hips.

I remember being on a collie breeder's website where they had pictures of their dogs in parades hooked up to some pretty neat looking wagons or sleds, pulling the family's little girl. I just went looking for the site and here's a link to their photos. Check out the stagecoach and the Santa sleigh! http://www.geocities.com/glenrichcol...andidpics.html If you wanted to try getting your dogs into pulling but avoid possible hip problems you should check out the BH model harness at http://www.akkosports.com The first dog we did any pulling with was a very tall great dane and I also had concern about causing hip problems. An x-back sledding harness would have put the tug loop over his tail and I was afraid of creating downward pressure on his hips. I searched the internet for a long time until I came across AKKO's website and found the perfect harness for him. That harness has nothing over the hips at all, instead there is a lower point of pull on each side of the dog and as with all sledding type harnesses it's the shoulder's that are doing the actual pulling. There are other breastplate style carting harnesses around too that offer a similar point of pull, I was just interested in a sled type harness. I think the other carting harnesses may be available at places like Pet Smart or Super Pet.

Originally Posted by hazelrunpack

How cool! Looks like he's doing a great job!

I think I have enough dogs to make a couple of teams...only they all believe in moving in different directions...so I don't think we'd get very far

Mine all move in different directions too when they're not hooked up. All you need to do is teach them to "line out" i.e. stay facing forward and keep the line taut. The necklines help because it keeps them from being able to move too far out from the main gangline and once you get moving the ones that keep moving forward help to keep the others focused and going the right way. It's funny to watch a new dog hooked up beside an experienced one the first few runs. The newbie will be looking around, drifting in and out a bit (or as much as the neckline and tugline will allow) and when they get out a bit to far they get pulled back in and play "bumper dogs" with their running mate. It doesn't take long for them to figure out how to run straight and keep moving.

[diandpat]

Beautiful pictures GailP...looks like a great way to spend the day

If these pics are from this year, where on earth in ON are you that you already have so much snow...we only have the cold :sad:

Hope the new pup loves it as much as the rest of the team.

Enjoy your winter

[Gail P]

Originally Posted by diandpat

Beautiful pictures GailP...looks like a great way to spend the day

If these pics are from this year, where on earth in ON are you that you already have so much snow...we only have the cold :sad:

Hope the new pup loves it as much as the rest of the team.

Enjoy your winter

Those pics were taken last Sunday I'm in Haliburton County and we don't have near as much snow as I hear there is up Sudbury way. Someone posted on the sled dog forum I visit that they have 3' of snow up there.

[angeldogs]

That does look like fun and a fun time for the pups

[ashtoreth]

I sooo want to do that o.0
sledding I mean

[Tundra_Queen]

What great pics! I use to watch the I-did-a-rod.....don't know how it really is spelt. But I loved watching it.

[Gail P]

Originally Posted by Tundra_Queen

What great pics! I use to watch the I-did-a-rod.....don't know how it really is spelt. But I loved watching it.

It's Iditarod (you were close!), also referred to by some as the I-rod. Wish I could watch it but it's not on any channels I get as far as I know. I did keep up with it a bit online and there's someone who was posting day by day commentary about it on another site I visit. I heard there was a TV show made about it that was aired on Discovery but that's another one I don't get so I didn't see it.

Don't know if you saw them or not, but I also posted some other pics of my 4-dog team. That thread has dropped down a bit, probably on the second page now. I titled it "Snow, snow snow and the dogs are ready to go" or something like that.