cart pullin

[Rkinken]

i have a 7 mth old male that i would like to train to pull a cart. what do i need to do. what websites do i need to visit to get the proper gear for him. are there any books that i can purchase an read. any information you can give me would be greatly appreciated. im sure im a little behind on startin to train him but i still want to try it.

[Shelby427]

Originally Posted by Rkinken

i have a 7 mth old male that i would like to train to pull a cart. what do i need to do. what websites do i need to visit to get the proper gear for him. are there any books that i can purchase an read. any information you can give me would be greatly appreciated. im sure im a little behind on startin to train him but i still want to try it.

You will need to wait until 18months before he can pull any weight. He's too young right now and you don't want to damage developing growth plates and joints. You can get him started on pulling an EMPTY cart or wagon for now, but you cannot have him pulling weight until at LEAST 18 months.

[Carol Burke]

You can start by getting a harness and letting him get used to that, then attach lines to the harness and get him used to you walking behind him holding the lines. Teach him to move forward, stop, turn right and left. There is a great book, Travel at the Speed of Dog, you can get at PWDpoocher@aol.com. Also if you google dog carting you will come up with lots of sites that can help you get started. Are you doing obedience training with your dog? If you have a dog who is already in training it makes it much easier.

[Shelby427]

Originally Posted by Carol Burke

You can start by getting a harness and letting him get used to that, then attach lines to the harness and get him used to you walking behind him holding the lines. Teach him to move forward, stop, turn right and left. There is a great book, Travel at the Speed of Dog, you can get at PWDpoocher@aol.com. Also if you google dog carting you will come up with lots of sites that can help you get started. Are you doing obedience training with your dog? If you have a dog who is already in training it makes it much easier.

I agree that having a good basis of training is ideal. Having a dog that is reliably trained will help immensely with other types of training, whether it be cart pulling, agility, etc.

[Rkinken]

i havent put him into an obediance training i am training him myself. i have another dog that i use as an example in a way. i kno im not suppose to have him pullin at this young of an age but i was thinking more along the lines of harness and which one to use and the best way to teach him and a book that i could use to help me along.

[alice's mommy]

I, too, want to get Arthur a cart to pull when he's of the right age! I think there would be nothing cuter than him pulling a cart around the neighbourhood to show people how well behaved and useful rotts can be! I'll look for that book. :)

[moz205]

I also will give carting a try but my guy will be 2 in July. I've already discussed having him fitted for his harness with my trainer (his sister will do this and order the appropriate one) as this is so important. I want to ensure the proper fit as well as be sure that he will be ready to undertake carting physically.

[mikimm]

Fidogear is where I get my harnesses for carting. They custom make them according to your dog's measurements. If your dog is just 7 months though, he's going to get thicker and may need a larger size later. If you let these guys know that, they may be able to build in enough adjustment room for you. They are great to work with. When I ordered a Great Dane harness, they called me to clarify the measurements that I made so that it would fit him properly with his tall, long, and narrow proportions.

[Mavides]

You do not need to wait until your dog is 18 months old to begin -- you can begin much early introducing them to the harness and some other tools that will help them get ready for a cart. I believe the ARC requires dogs to be 12 months old before competing in carting...and at the first two levels, the weight is only 40lbs...that should not be a problem for a well-built young dog to do. Here is an EXCELLENT site that goes through the steps to begin carting...

Rosewood Rottweiler Carting Page 1: Getting started

Best of luck and have fun - I've had a blast doing it with my dog.

[Cdn1050]

Not to hijack this thread, but has anyone ever made a PVC cart? If so was it easy to make or would you have rather purchased an already made cart? I'm thinking of making this my spring project. I already know where I'm going to order a good cart pulling harness, and my dog will be 21 months by the time I start making this cart. Note: No weights will be put in this cart. Just for her to pull so that she can think she's hot stuff working around the neighbourhood pulling a cart during walks.