Wagon Pulling

[ElJefe]

First off this is my first post, so please son't flame me if i say something wrong.
I have a rott pup he's 9mo 76lbs. is that a good weight for him?
i going to get a utility wagon from lowes/home depot and have him pull it with some firewood in it possible max a 150lbs. distance is about 80yds. is this ok? will it hurt him in the long run?
i know big dogs are prone to hip problems...if he's healthy and not over weight would this still be a concern?

[hokisteph5]

I found this thread with more info for you. It sounds like you should wait until your pup reaches 18 months old before having him pull any weight.

[rottcrazed]

No, you pup is WAY TOO YOUNG TO BE PULLING ANYTHING.

You can certainly be teaching the pup to pull the cart, with NO weight at all.

18 months minimum forsure.

Kristi

[Ayoka]

I agree he's too young and pulling an empty wagon would be best for now.

You should do some looking around to see if there is anyone offering carting classes/seminars in your area. We did one last summer and I learned a lot about carting - especially about how, like anything, there's a way to do it that is safe for your dog (weight, harness type, 2 wheels vs 4 wheels.) and a way that isn't.

It was much more complex than I had (ignorantly) thought Carting would be!

[Shelby427]

I agree - your dog is too young to be pulling any weight. You don't want to damage developing growth plates and stress his joints. I would wait until hips and elbows have been x-rayed to make sure there aren't any problems before having your dog pull anything. 18 months minimum.

[ElJefe]

I had just planned on getting him used to the wagon's wieght... walking him while attached to the wagon for a while and slowly add wieght, nothing overnight...i just want him to get used to the wagon early in life, so it's nothing new..."you can't teach an old dog new tricks" kinda thing...

[AngelBunny]

Originally Posted by ElJefe

I had just planned on getting him used to the wagon's wieght... walking him while attached to the wagon for a while and slowly add wieght, nothing overnight...i just want him to get used to the wagon early in life, so it's nothing new..."

Add weight when he's at least 18 mo old.

Originally Posted by ElJefe

I....you can't teach an old dog new tricks"...

I started drafting with my bitch when she was 5 yo.

The only time you can't teach a dog something new is when the dog is dead. It's total hooey to think only puppies learn.

[ElJefe]

Originally Posted by AngelBunny

I started drafting with my bitch when she was 5 yo.

The only time you can't teach a dog something new is when the dog is dead. It's total hooey to think only puppies learn.

i didn't mean literally...lol. i would rather him get used to it now, so later on when he's ready for wieght it'll be nothing new to him. i know you can teach an old dog tricks...sorry for the sarcasm.

[Marylou Mader]

First and foremost, what type of harness are you going to use? I must fit correctly, and the dog will need to get used to waring it and having shafts along side, the height of the cart needs to be correct for your dogs height, so there is all this measurement issue to consider.

Maybe you could call out for a Rottie club or members near you, as you need someone to work with you, the internet is good for reference etc, but you will need a hands on mentor.

Good luck to you...

[linedog]

There is an excellent section on training for carting for rottweilers in "The complete Rottweiler by Muriel Freeman" good book for some in depth info on the breed, it should be available from several sources on line.

[ElJefe]

Originally Posted by Marylou Mader

First and foremost, what type of harness are you going to use? I must fit correctly, and the dog will need to get used to waring it and having shafts along side, the height of the cart needs to be correct for your dogs height, so there is all this measurement issue to consider.

Maybe you could call out for a Rottie club or members near you, as you need someone to work with you, the internet is good for reference etc, but you will need a hands on mentor.

Good luck to you...

Thanks alot!
I'm goin to build a cart out of pvc pipe with a piece of board on top of the pipe and use some old bike wheels!my guess would be 25-30lbs for the cart alone.it's going to be 2' side by 3' long. that way it's cheap and easy to adjust as he grows!

[Marylou Mader]

When you position the shafts, they should be at the level of the D rings on the cart harness, do you understand what I'm getting at? The shafts run through the D ring and there should be a breaking system on the shaft so the D ring stops the cart itself, actually there may be some great diagrams on the Bernese or Newfoundland sights, as they have been active cart dogs much longer than the Rottie people...

[ElJefe]

i'm not really sure but i'll do some research on the self stopping any good links you know of?