Carting Workshop

[TrishB]

Hi all,

Parker and I spent the weekend at a Carting Workshop with the Bernese Mountain Dog Of Ontario Club! We were the only non-Berner's there - but were welcomed with open arms.

Parker did very well and I am very pleased with his progress. We went from absolutely NO idea, to being introduced to the harness (2 different types), pulling weight and an introduction to the shafts for the cart. We didn't quite get to the cart (those shaft things are a little creepy) but for only two days, I think he did very well. Everyone was very impressed with Parker and was pleased to give him honorary Berner status.

I don't know if carting is the sport for us, but I do feel that it is something I would like him to know. If we got more of our Rotties out in parades pulling carts, then maybe the public wouldn't be so afraid of them. A little education and a good first impression can go a long way!

[Brooke&Ryan]

Parker is one lucky guy, Trish. You're always trying new stuff with him. Search & Rescue & now carting. He's a lucky boy!!


Brooke

[TrishB]

Originally Posted by Brooke&Ryan

Parker is one lucky guy, Trish. You're always trying new stuff with him. Search & Rescue & now carting. He's a lucky boy!!


Brooke

Thanks Brooke!

I just figure that how will I know what he can be really good at, unless I try him in every venue? It's one of the things that I love about our breed is how versatile they are. It's not like they're one-trick-ponies. If you don't like / your dog doesn't click with one sport - there are LOTS of others to choose from!

[groupieindenial]

Is there anything they're not adept to do?

[fbkeays]

Originally Posted by groupieindenial

Is there anything they're not adept to do?

They are a little big to do earthdog events. So far that is about the only thing that I have found that they are not able to do. My own dogs have their own way of doing earth dog events in my back yard- it is making the gopher hole rottweiler sized

[TrishB]

Originally Posted by fbkeays

They are a little big to do earthdog events. So far that is about the only thing that I have found that they are not able to do. My own dogs have their own way of doing earth dog events in my back yard- it is making the gopher hole rottweiler sized

LMAO!!

I would think that our dogs can do just about anything to varing degrees. I mean - yes, our dogs can cart and sled. However I doubt we'll be seeing any Rotties in the Iditarod anytime soon.

But they can:
Herd
Obedience
Agility
Flyball
Draft / Cart
Schutzhund
Track
Protection
Search And Rescue
Conformation
Rally-O

So it's not like there's any shortage of venues to discover with your dog!

Water Sports are another that I don't think you'll see many Rotties in. They may like the water - but they're no Lab or Port. Although that won't stop some from trying!!

[groupieindenial]

Trish, tell me more about the search and rescue you did. How is this different from say the tracking part of Shch?

[TrishB]

Originally Posted by groupieindenial

Trish, tell me more about the search and rescue you did. How is this different from say the tracking part of Shch?

I would suggest that you go here:

http://www.rottweiler.net/forums/sho...ghlight=search

I wrote it all out there. I really wouldn't know how it differs from Schutzhnund, as I haven't seen a trial yet (I'm going to my first in 3 weeks down in NY state).

Hopefully my description in the other thread will describe it well enough so that you can tell ME the difference!

[fbkeays]

My first rottweiler, Misty, and I went to the Northern CA Newfie club's carting workshops. I think Misty was about 18 months old. They started the introduction to the cart slow, but I got frustrated and told them to just hitch her up. With many warnings, they did. Misty had a grand time prancing around the park with the cart hitched to her. She was a complete natural. She loves carting. She will even ignore cats while hitched- that is something
Some dogs take to it, some don't. My male Duncan, took a long time before he became completely comfortable. There was a time where he could only handle being hitched for about 15 minutes. After that it was, "GET ME OUT NOW!!!!". He is utterly bomb proof now.
I started training Fizbin as a puppy. He is completely comfortable in the cart, but he can get distracted easily. Last carting test we were in, he kept on trying to go visit the bitches that were standing around the edge of the course. After much stopping and backing up, he spied the planned distraction, a bulldog bitch.
Fizbin is crazy about two breeds of bitches- goldens and bull dogs. It didn't help that Fizbin was collected a month earlier by a bulldog teaser bitch at the same fairgrounds. As soon as he saw her, I called the run and grabbed him before he could crash through the x-pen. I am hoping age will bring maturity
Now all you need to do is get a cart or wagon and Parker can haul all of his own stuff onto the show grounds

[TrishB]

Originally Posted by fbkeays

Now all you need to do is get a cart or wagon and Parker can haul all of his own stuff onto the show grounds

Now that's what I'M Talkin About!!!

[Canadianrotti]

Trish, I live in burlington and I am interested in learing more about carting with my pup. She is only 11 m/o at the time, so I have a little time to check things out. I would like to see one of these training seminars, or talk to the traniners to see what I can do now to prep her for this.

Any info you can forward would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

[TrishB]

Originally Posted by Canadianrotti

Trish, I live in burlington and I am interested in learing more about carting with my pup. She is only 11 m/o at the time, so I have a little time to check things out. I would like to see one of these training seminars, or talk to the traniners to see what I can do now to prep her for this.

Any info you can forward would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

The workshop I attended was put on by the Bernese Mountain Dog Club of Ontario:

http://www.bmdco.on.ca/

They had it advertised in Dogs In Canada - under the events listings.

I may arrange another clinic with the Rottweiler Club of Canada - depending on interest. I'll be sure to post it once I have more details. At this point, it may not be until the spring (I'm super busy). If memory serves, they only want dogs 18 months and older (weight / maturity physically and mentally being concerns). I'll post again if I'm incorrect.

Anyway - I'll be sure to keep everyone in the loop.