Dog Sulky!! - Page 1

Does anyone on here use their dogs to pull a dog sulky, scooter or cart?  I searched the board and there was a post a while back and I was curious to know if anyone ever did it and if they enjoyed it?  I stumbled across a few sites about it and just was wandering how long it takes to train the dog to do it?  Approximately how much weight they could pull? 

I would LOVE to do the dog scooter!  That is the coolest thing I have ever seen and I think my dog would love it!

Vickie

www.PowerHausKennels.com

We are actually going to build a sulky this weekend!  I am SOOOOOOOOOOOO excited!  It will be perfect to exercise everyone and  hopefully wear them out!!  I know it'll take some time for training and all, but I already do some wagon pulling with them to help feed my horses, I think they will love it!  It just looks like so much fun!!  I can't wait, it should be interesting to see how they will do.  LOL  I'll probably make headlines in my little redneck town!  LOL  I can see it now, "Local Woman Crashes Into Cow Pasture When She Lost Control of Her German Shepherd Powered Cart!"  LOL  Oh my, my horses will be so jealous!  haha 

I did carting with my last guy but I'm afraid we lost him before I managed to get a title.  I really enjoyed it!  I started imprinting the harness on our new young female, very early.  If your dog already has obediance the training will progress very quickly.  Take your time introducing the harness, then the traces (the straps that attach to the cart).  Add an empty 4 litre bottle .... I'd start on grass so it won't make noise.  Then add some water to the bottle.  Be sure to never try to control your dog by the traces...carts don't control dogs.

Dogs are able to pull much more than you might expect as it is all in the balance of the cart.  They actually push the harness, rather than pull the weight.   We have our cart set up with a slight (less than 1 lb) tongue weight.  50 lbs on the cart seems like nothing to the dog.  In fact weight makes the cart handle better, reduces bouncing.   If you build your own cart be VERY aware of the balance/tongue weight.  You also want to be sure to get a proper pulling harness and make sure it fits properly.  We use siwash harness with brake strap.

I suggest finding a local club for pulling breeds like Bernese Mountain dog or St Bernard, they will likely have classes.  

Here's my set-up:  Some changes have been made to the cart since these photos.  The shafts are longer and the platform is now made out of HDPE the stuff plastic cutting boards are made out of.

The brake piece for the harness is not being worn in this photo below...

I don't like it,

I don't like the rig,  the dog doesn't look like it is enjoying it either.

It's not the same as a harness and sled, more restrictive.

Not what a German Shepherd was meant for.

Nothing more to add, I just don't care for it at all.

Moon's.

Moons,

That is why I think the scootering would be so fun!  It is more like pulling a sled but it is a scooter and looks to be less restrictive!

Vickie

www.PowerHausKennels.com

My Sabin pulls a cart, he loves it. 

HA, too funny Moons, you pegged the very first mistake I made when teaching carting!  We finished making the cart and slapped the dog in it to take a photo.  The harness had been introduced, the cart had not. He was definitely unsure but in true Shepherd style did what I asked.  He did end up liking it, we just lost him before taking more photos.  Looking back in history our breed, along with many other guard and herding breeds pulled carts to help earn their keep.  Nothing wrong with versatility.  At the risk of insulting any of the carting breeds I found my dog and the gsd in the classes where far better more tuned to their handlers making teaching commands easy.  The carting breeds just sort of pull because that is what they do.  Some of them just knew when to turn or stand still.  The GSDs stopped/turned etc when asked to.  Kinda neat to see just how well our breed can do in something a little off the beaten path.

As for the rig: you and my husband, who did most of the building, both don't like it but I'm afraid that in order to get a carting title one has to meet specific requirements.  It is an efficient utilitarian design that meets those requirements.

I had cart's with ponies,  and I have driven trotter's.     I know it can turn ugly in a heart beat.

I would prefer a line and harness over this cart personally.   I would love to be up north and experience dog sledding, I also know it can go bad  if you don't know what your doing and have capable dog's. 

Good luck with it.