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Introduction to Dog Carting/Driving
Page 2
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Getting started:
When starting training, you need progress slowly just as you would any sport for yourself. If your dog is a couch potato, then you'll need to work on gradually getting him into shape before asking him to pull his potential. This should include both diet and exercise. While training, the distances and loads are slowly increased while he‘s learning the basic driving commands. Usually several weeks of ground training is necessary . When you are both ready, however, a good driving dog is happy, in great physical condition, and can hardly wait to get into harness and a brisk cart ride on a cool morning or evening is an awesome experience for everyone. And gathering other carting friends for a group ride just gets everyone in a great mood for a brisk run!
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Choosing the cart:
There are now several dog cart manufacturers that offer a selection of cart styles. There are still two basic styles of carts, however the dual side shaft carts and the single shaft, dorsal hitch sulky. When choosing your cart, you want to consider the weight of the cart, whether it will accomodate multiple dogs, if brakes and shocks are available for control and comfort.
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Joanne and her team, Keido and Kactus
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The BREAST STRAP Harness places a wide, padded strap across the dogs chest with a ring on each side to attach either the traces back to the cart, or sometimes, the shafts of the cart has a connection point to this ring. Some carters feel the breast strap harness places pressure on the shoulder joints and could cause pain or injury.
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Rudy and Melissa are the youngest competitors (Mom helps too)
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Select the harness:
After you choose your cart, then you select a harness that will work with the cart. Some carts require specific harnesses that have the necessary connections for a specific cart. Other carts can take a more
generic harness.
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The SIWASH style harness (there are several varieties) have a "Y" configuration on the dog's chest and a strap underneath back to the girth strap. This style of harness is preferred by mushers and carters as it does not impede the dogs breathing or shoulder movement and permits the dog to exert maximum force against the front straps for pulling.
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The DORSAL HITCH harness is also a SIWASH style harness with a solid connection ring on the top of a thick pad at the top of the harness. The tip of the Dorsal Hitch cart connects to this ring. The direction of the pull with a dorsal hitch cart is UP and BACK, again, allowing the dog to exert maximum force into the chest straps.
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Training:
As with any sport, you and your dog will need training, especially if you plan on driving (riding in the cart). Every dog needs one-on-one training before being placed in a team. Most carters train their dogs themselves, but use internet carting email groups and local clubs to gain tips and techniques. Some books, and the internet carting lists are available. The basic groundwork, however, is started with just a regular buckle collar and leash, so you can be well on your way before the cart and harness arrives!
Training for dog driving differs from other types of dog training, and most people need a few tips when getting started. Finding the right motivations for your dog is key to success !
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Carting in a group is fun for the dogs and brings out the urge to be the lead dog !!
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Bobbi, Coco and Maggi
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Darlette and Julie with the Carting Porties return from a nice drive through the paseos of Valencia, CA
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Darlette and the Carting Porties participated in the Big Dog Parade in June, 2005
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Gerald, Bobbi and Darlette get ready for a run in El Dorado Park in Long Beach, CA.
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Vivian in Ohio carts in the local 4th of July Parade
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Sandra works the Santa Clarita Carting Club Booth at the Pet Expo in June, 2005
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Bo and Darlette execute a sharp turn
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Jibby, Gladys and Chuckie, 3 of the 4 carting Porties
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Some things to consider:
Dog Driving is a sport, that is not only physically challenging for the dog, but for the trainer/driver too. During the training period, the trainer must do ground work which consists of walking and running with the dog and cart for distances of blocks at the minimum, and further if possible. This is necessary to enforce the training across a variety of terrain and distraction challenges. Dogs will not enjoy training in a parking lot or arena and must feel they are going somewhere to enjoy the sport. This period of ground training can last for 3-6 weeks.
After the in initial ground work is complete and you are riding, the training will continue almost indefinately when new challenges are encountered such as hills, difficult turns, and distractions such as squirrels and cats cross you path, so at any time you may have to stop, and walk the dogs through a situation.
The most difficult challenge carters face is the off-leash dog(s) that approach your team. Because the dogs cannot defend themselves while in harness, they will need your assistance. The driver will need to be able to exit the cart and move quickly to the front of the team.
Weight /Load- The combined weight of the cart and rider should not exceed 2.5 times the combined weight of the dog(s). The closer this ratio, the faster and further you can go. Exceeding this ratio, will tire your dogs quickly and could result in injury to your dog.
Hills: Driving dogs are pulling up to 2.5 times their own weight, so any degree of incline is very difficult on them. One should not ask their dogs to pull them up a hill in excess of 6% grade, and/or 100 feet in length. To do so will quickly exhaust your dog and perhaps cause injury. This same rule applies to downward inclines which if taken in a cart without brakes, can push the dog down the hill and cause injury.
Brakes are used on downhills to keep the cart from riding up or pushing the dog downhill. Dog driving should be done on primarily flat, paved surfaces.
And finally, as with any sport, there is a level of risk where the rider may find himself being carried off by his team and will need to exit the cart, or put your feet down and manually stop the cart. Being able to manually exit or stop the cart if necessary is essential.
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Contacts, Links, and more information:
Join ChariotsoftheDogs@YahooGroups.com to meet other carters, get help with training, carts and harnesses, and find events in your area.
Read about Dog Carting throughout history:
Contact me, Darlette Ratschan at DogCarting@aol.com for more information.
Visit www.rjwalsh.com.au for info on the Mini Dog Sulkys
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