| There are a couple of chapters in Muriel's book "The Complete Rottweiler". I use a two wheeled cart (Giphle). The two-wheeled carts manuver more easily than a wagon, but the wagon does not place any weight on the dog's back. A properly made two wheeler has the weight distributed over the axel. Many people take a nice wagon and have shafts made to replace the handle and it works just fine. It is also good to replace the wheels with bigger wheels. Do not try to pull without shafts as the wagon will run up on the back of the dog. Because of the type of cart I use, I wait until the dogs are about 18 mos to 2 years of age.
A lot of people have the dog wear the harness first, then drag the straps, then....... and so forth. I have to be honest, I do not do that. I harness the dog to the cart, pop the leash and say "let's go". Give them a cookie after they've done a few steps and we're off. By the time we've reached the end of the block they're doing fine. I've had many people bring me dogs saying they couldn't get them to be between the shafts. Turns our they we building aprehension in the dog by tiptoeing around the whole thing so much and making too big a deal out of it. These are dogs that would (if allowed) gladly drag their owners down the street by their necks for pete's sake, so pulling something wearing a harness should be no big deal. I put them in the cart and do it my way and it works. The dogs have to teach themselves to sidepass when turning due to the shafts. They learn this quickly. When you first start do not try to make sharp turns, but make them very wide until the dog gets the hang of it.
The American Rottweiler Club now offers carting dog certification tests. I'll check the web site for the rules. I believe they are posted there. The best thing about carting is you make friends with every child and parent in the neighborhood and it is wonderful PR. Parades, fund raisers, and errand running.  |