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Introduction to Dog Carting/Driving
Travel at the Speed of Dog !
( the Santa Clarita Valley Dog Carting Club)
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History:
Mention dogs and pulling, and the Iditerod would probably come to mind today but throughout history dogs have been used to pull carts and wagons. Dogs were referred to as the "poor man's horse" and pulled wagons, sleds, travois, and 2-wheeled carts. See http://hometown.aol.com/vixensmistress/myhomepage/profile.html for an excellent history of dog carting. Today there are several “dog powered” sports to choose from: dog carting, dog scootering,mushing and more!
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What dogs can pull?
Any structurally sound dog can pull. You don’t need a large dog, as the the “ideal” sled dog is an energetic 40-50# dog. The amount of weight and distance is dependant on the physical condition of the dog and his weight. A sound dog in good shape can pull 2.5 - 3 times his own weight on flat ground but the lower the ratio, the better! Speed and distance , depends on individual strength and stamina. Dog carting is generally done on flat ground.
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The CARTING PORTIES
Gladys, Jibby, Chuckie and Annie with the Mini RS Roadster Sulky
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Is it FUN for the dog ?
You can’t "force" a dog to pull. A horse will run at the touch of a whip, but any mistreatment of a dog results in cowering and lying down. Dog carting only works in a positive environment. Think back to those first walks with your pup - he was probably pulling your arm off !! Training for dog driving involves finding the right motivation so the dogs enjoy it as much as you do! This often means “going somewhere” to the places your dog likes to visit already – the park, the dog park, visiting dog buddies or even a spin up to Starbucks for some treats!! Typical runs can be 2-5 miles.
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Megan and Maureen and
TEAM NEW HAMPSHIRE !!
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What are the benefits?:
Few of us have the time or stamina to really give our dogs a good workout every day so many dogs are over weight ! Carting can take those extra pounds off. Many sports activities provide dogs with exercise, but take preparation time. A cart run can be as quick as going on a walk with your dog. Some carts can be equipped to take multiple dogs and, dogs love to run in a pack, and often enjoy group carting more than running alone.
Even if an older dog doesn’t pull, he can be tethered to the cart and just run along! Carting is also a great way to keep your dog in great shape during the week, for the weekend sports like agility and flyball. Mushers use carts in the summer to keep their dogs in shape for the winter races.
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Cart Types:
Carts can be made of any materials as long as they are light weight and strong. Carts can be purchased, or home made .Home built or commercially built 2 and 4 wheeled carts are used for fun and for carting competitions.
2 wheeled carts, called sulkies are used for driving where the owner rides in the cart Sulkies can have either 1 or 2 shafts. The pulling is done from either the harness connection or by traces, which are rope or webbing lines that attach from the cart to the harness.
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Dorsal Hitch:
The new dorsal hitch Mini dog cart has only one connection to the top of the dogs back. Both the pulling and the steering is done at the dorsal hitch connection. This allows the cart to handle with the ease of a 5th wheel trailer and turn on a dime.
The dorsal hitch is easier and tangle free and because the dogs do not side shafts they can move freely at any gait. Dogs do not have to learn to sidestep for turns and generally adjust to the cart much faster. The dorsal hitch also can accomodate 2,3,4 and even 5 dogs of different sizes!
The Dorsal Hitch sulky comes in 2 sizes, the 38# City Mini with fiberglass wheels and shocks for pavement or off-road, and the smaller lightweight Mini RS with 26" racing wheels that weighs in at only 25#!!! Both carts have several optional components like seat rails, flag holders and speedometers, and theCity Mini offers disc brakes as well!! See more options at http://www.rjwalsh.com.au
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Katie and Duds in their Mini RS Dorsal Hitch Sulky
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Dual Side Shaft Cart : The older, more common cart has shafts and traces. The shafts are used to steer the cart and the traces (rope or webbing lines that connect the harness to the cart) are used to pull the cart.
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Jim Walsh, inventor of the Mini dog carts and Tommy (on what appears to be a "brisk run")
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Draegin and his side shaft sulky
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Sandra, Shadow and Spirit on their City Mini
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Rage and Wyatt
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Glossary:
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Carts can have 2,3 or 4 wheels. They can be commercially made, home-made, or custom made. 2 wheeled carts where a person rides in the cart are called sulkies.
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Shafts: Shafts are long curved bars that connect the cart to the dogs harness and are used for steering and sometimes pulling. Carts can 1,2,3, or 4 shafts
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Competitions / Trials:
Driving trials test the team's ability to maneuver the cart through obstacles, gates, and general
command responsiveness.
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Carting is a general term where a dog(s) pulls a cart or wagon. When the trainer rides in the cart, it’s can be referred to as Driving. For driving, the dogs need to be trained to respond to verbal commands and/or reins hooked to a driving collar or halti.
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Balance: - A properly designed cart should NEVER place weight or pressure on the dogs back.The placement of wheels under the seat determines how the balancing works.
In some carts you have to sit and lean back to lift the shafts and harness. Leaning forward shifts the riders weight onto the dog's back.
The dorsal hitch Mini dog carts have the wheels mounted so your weight is always behind the axle and you don't have to sit or lean back. The balancing is built into the design so the rider can just sit back and enjoy the ride!!
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Pleasure Driving
Just a simple run with the team for fun and exercise!! It’s all up to you if you want to pursue competition or just get out and have fun on pleasure drives through the parks and walkways of your area.
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Harness: Carting harnesses have special connections to attach to the carts they are designed to pull. There are different styles of harnesses and the type of cart you use determines the kind of harness you need. Pick your cart first, then buy the right harness.
Reins and a driving collar or modified Halti are used for steering along with verbal commands
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Peggy and her Briards, Spencer and Douce
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