Carting -- The New Craze
by Jackie Ellis

DOG DRAFTING!
It's cold, it's gray, the kids are bored and what's worse -- dog is bored! One of the hottest, growing activities is called drafting or carting. What makes this activity so fun is that anyone and any dog can do it -- from the largest mastiff to the smallest Pomeranian. Dog power has been around since man has first domesticated the canine. Many native American tribes used dogs to haul their belongings on travois or sleds. In Europe, dogs pulled milk carts, butcher meat carts or the family was not an uncommon site. Certain breeds were once specifically bred just for drafting. The dog was the poor man's horse. While the need to have dog powered vehicles is no longer a necessity, in recent years this activity has grown into a wonderful recreational activity for people and their dogs.

Imagine Rover hauling the children in a radio flyer wagon or a sled. Or perhaps helping haul gardening supplies or lawn debris. Many veterinarians and animal behaviorists stress that many behavioral problems in dogs stem from the fact that many dogs are not getting enough exercise or being included in constructive family activities. Drafting is a wonderful way to do both!

Once you have decided to try drafting, there is a right way to go about it. One cannot just tie Rover to a sled or wagon and take off. Your first step is to take your dog to your veterinarian for a check up. You would not run a 26-mile marathon without being in shape, so don't risk your dogs health by skipping this step. Remember drafting should be a fun activity!

Your next step is to purchase a quality pulling harness. There are several out there -- "D" ring harnesses, breast collar and siwash, even racing harnesses. The important thing to remember is not to skimp on quality! Most harnesses are very reasonable in price. Don't risk injury to your dog with an ill-fitting harness. Many drafting harnesses can be purchased online or at some pet stores. Make sure you get a proper fitting one and that it is designed for pulling or drafting. Harnesses used for walking a dog can do more harm than good. Dogs can draft with many vehicles -- carts (which are two wheeled vehicles), wagons (four wheeled vehicles) sleds or toboggans (called mushing), or they can pull you on ski's or skates (called skijoring).

Whatever you choose to have a dog pull remember that there are some specific steps involved. Your dog should be introduced to the harness and the object to pull slowly and with a lot of positive reinforcement! Drafting should be fun. Some breeds can adapt to the harness and vehicle in a few days some breeds and dogs take a bit more patience and time. Your dog should know some basic obedience commands and be in control. The idea of a sixty pound high-strung dog racing out of control towing the kids in a wagon is not what any of us have in mind! Remember to keep everything upbeat and positive; if you become angry or frustrated so will your dog and drafting will quickly become a bad experience for all.

A general rule of thumb to remember is that regardless of the breed of dog, your average dogs can pull roughly their own weight in a well-balanced vehicle. Many breeds such as bernese mountain dogs, greater swiss mountain dogs, rottweilers, siberian huskies, alaskan malamutes, and other large breed working dogs can pull twice their own weight. Large breed dogs (one over fifty pounds) should never be asked to pull any weight over thirty pounds unless they are over eighteen months old. Joints and tendons are still developing and growing in younger dogs and over doing the weight can result in joint and other musculoskeletal problems.

Not only can drafting be a fun and casual activity for the whole family, but also many breed clubs have sanctioned carting titles that a dog can earn! If you think that you and your dog would like to learn more about drafting, below are some wonderful sites that go into more details on training involved, equipment needed and clubs and people who enjoy this activity.

Copyright 2002 by Jackie Ellis. Used with permission. All rights reserved.