When to start training for carting and drafting??

[dolphin]

I'm really hoping that you all don't think that I'm dumb for asking this.

When "should" I have started the training for carting and drafting?? I have a 17 month old rott (well will be 17 months the 14th) and I really want to get him into carting and drafting. I have had alot of people tell me that I need to be starting now before its to late. But in all the books that I have read tell you NOT to start until they are in between 18 months and 2 years. Am I wrong? Should I have started sooner? Or am I right that I should wait until he is 2 years because many organizations won't let them compete until they are at least 18 months. Should I have already started the training? I mean I have started the training but not the pulling, he is used to the harness already but I don't want to start using the cart to soon. My vet told me to wait until he was that way I can have all the X-Rays done at once. Vet said that he is in great physical condition and would be a great dog for either one of them or even both. :D So should I listen to my heart and wait (like my vet wants me to) or should I start now? I hope that I did not confuse everyboby about what I'm asking.

[TrinityRun]

Originally Posted by dolphin

When "should" I have started the training for carting and drafting?? I have a 17 month old rott (well will be 17 months the 14th) and I really want to get him into carting and drafting. I have had alot of people tell me that I need to be starting now before its to late. But in all the books that I have read tell you NOT to start until they are in between 18 months and 2 years.

I don't think this is a dumb question at all. I don't compete with my dogs in carting. It's just something I do with them that we enjoy so I can't answer you from a rulebook standpoint. But, I can tell you I would have no problem starting this dog on the basics now. There are still things you can do without adding any weight to the cart. What have you done with him so far?

[Jaegergirl]

i'm just looking into this myself. i am not looking to compete right now, i would just like to have maverick pull a wagon around for the kids "for fun." maverick will be 2 in april. i would think there's no harm in teaching your dog the basics now to see if he even likes to do it. that's what i'm going to do. i'm not going to go out and buy a lot of expensive stuff until i know this is something maverick will enjoy.

[dolphin]

Originally Posted by TrinityRun

There are still things you can do without adding any weight to the cart. What have you done with him so far?

Well as I said I have put the harness on him and he has had not one problem getting used to it. I have not decided yet if I'm even going to have him compete, all I want right now is for us to have some fun with it, my neice, husband and myself. I had a man in my home town make the harness, so it fits him prefect (for now he still growing) it is ajustable so if he does not get ALOT bigger then it will still fit him by the time he is done growing. My husband made a cart out of two small bike tires and a couple pieces of hard plastic, its just the predect size for my rottie to pull my little rat terrier around in. The cart and the rat terrier only weigh about 20 lbs max (rat terrier 11 lbs and I was thinking at the most 9 lbs for the cart). I really didn't know when it would be ok to get him in to pulling the bigger cart (have to buy one first) and then when it would be ok to start adding some weight to it? As of now I don't know if I even want him to compete I just want him and my family to have some fun with something new.

[TrinityRun]

OK. Carts when moving over a flat weigh next to nothing empty. So an empty cart or with the little dog in it will not be a problem for your 17 mo old dog.

I start my dogs working on separate commands from what I do in obedience. You can use whatever ones you want but it's important to have them down good before you actually hook him up. If he's food driven, super. Mine are so a few hotdogs and they are pulling within a matter of minutes. Straight lines no sharp turns that require they side pass. Empty, flat parking lots work great for this. It's natural for them to try to turn around to see what that is pushing and pulling behind them - just keep him in a straight line, going forward. Keep the sessions short and end on a good note just like any other kind of obedience exercise you do. I've had one female that wasn't 100% convinced this was the most fun thing we could be doing together initially. She had her reservations. I crated her a few hrs before I pulled her out to do some work on the cart and it worked beautifully. Once she got the hang of it, I had no move persuading to do.

I have yet to meet a dog who didn't enjoy the cart. After all, they were bred to pull. I know I've said it before but carting is one of the BEST ways to educate the public on the breed. Walking a Rottweiler on a leash down the sidewalk is like parting the Red Sea sometimes. Hook him up to a cart and they flock to them, facinated by the concept. (So keep those Learn BEFORE You Buy packets handy!) :D

[rottcrazed]

We just started our young girl at the beginning of the year. She is now 19 months old and pulling only minimal weight. We had her hips and elbows x-rayed and she looks excellent. So, she is pulling a sled with one of our kids at a time (30 lbs) and a tire. She is doing excellent. Until we get our cart made, there will be no cart pulling. Perhaps in the spring.

Hopefully this photo attaches. This is Jewel on the weekend getting ready to pull Sarah, one of my three year olds.

Kristi

[Jaegergirl]

This is Jewel on the weekend getting ready to pull Sarah, one of my three year olds

now THAT looks like fun. my kids would LOVE that. :)

[dolphin]

Originally Posted by TrinityRun

OK. Carts when moving over a flat weigh next to nothing empty. So an empty cart or with the little dog in it will not be a problem for your 17 mo old dog.

He is pulling my little dog right now. We only do it for about 15 mins.

I know I've said it before but carting is one of the BEST ways to educate the public on the breed. Walking a Rottweiler on a leash down the sidewalk is like parting the Red Sea sometimes. Hook him up to a cart and they flock to them, facinated by the concept. (So keep those Learn BEFORE You Buy packets handy!) :D

That is so true!! When I first moved here NO body wanted to even be walking anywhere near my dogs it was really like The Parting Of The Red Sea. I made it a point to be the last on to the bus stop in the morning so they did not have to be around my dogs that long. But now, when I take them out in the morning for their first walk I'm one of the first ones there and all the kids will stay back for a few mins. (thats what I asked them to do, they are all 13 and up so they understand) Then they pet him until the bus gets to the stop. The parents are fine with my dogs they even pet them. Then in the afternoon for their third walk I put the cart that my hubby made on him and my little dog in the cart and off we go to the bus stop to meet the kids. The parents will even talk to me while we wait. Unlike before, they would not let their kids anywhere near me or my dogs. Now my dogs get the greetings before the parents do!! :D :D It makes my dogs happy and it makes me feel good. :D