Weight Pulling

We’ve already covered a few of the more popular dog sports in Straight Poop – dock diving, agility, and flyball, so I thought this issue might be a good time to learn about one of the lesser known dog sports – weight pull competitions.

What is a weight pulling competition?

Very simply, weight pull competitions are all about seeing which dog can pull the heaviest weight across a specified distance  in a certain period of time.

The International Weight Pull Association, one of many sanctioning organizations, compares it to a tractor pull for dogs.  The IWPA has as its goals to keep all dogs in shape and to highlight the working heritage of dogs.  Other organizations such as the Alaskan Malamute Club of America and the various Bully breed clubs, sponsor weight pulling competitions as just one of the activities for which their breeds are known.

The basics of dog pulling

The IWPA divides North America into eleven regions for competitions, although some regions are less active than others.  For example, the Alaskan region and the Ark-LA-Tex Oklahoma region held no competitions last year, while other areas held several.  Members of the IWPA may compete in any region, and often travel thousands of miles each year to take their dogs to competitions.  Other sanctioning organizations have different regions and areas of competition.

Regardless of the sanctioning organization, dogs compete in different weight classes that serve to equalize the playing field between dogs of different sizes.  For example, one would expect a Malamute to be able to pull quite a bit more weight than a Cairn Terrier, so they are placed in different classes, based on the weight of the competing dog.

There are a number of different ways in which dogs can earn points.  They are awarded points not only based on whether they come in first, second, or third place, but also based on how many dogs they beat.  For example, it might be more valuable to come in second in a field of ten competitors than to come in first in a field of just two.

There are also working dog certificates awarded to dogs who pull a certain percentage of their weight.  This again speaks to the wide variety of breeds that can be involved in the weight pulling.  For example, a 20-pound dog who can pull 5 pounds (25% of his or her weight) can be ranked above an 80-pound dog who pulls 20 pounds (20% of his or her weight) even though the larger dog is pulling more total pounds.

The only equipment that is required for competition is a freight harness.  Most harnesses are custom-made, and a properly fitted harness is important to success.  The function of the harness is to spread out the weight so it is not all being pulled by one part of the dog.  Examples of harnesses can be found on Carol Dodd’s harness website.

Mechanics of a dog weight pull competition

There are many different sanctioning organizations, ranging from the IWPA to the American Dog Breeders Association, to the United Kennel Club, to the International Sled Dog Association.  Each has its own set of rules and requirements for entry, but the overall process is the same.

Depending on the organization, pulls may be held on snow, rails, grass, or carpet over asphalt.  Carts may be flat-bottomed or wheeled.  Dogs within the individual weight class are hooked up to a sled carrying a prescribed amount of weight.  Each dog in the competition attempts to pull the weight the length of the course within the designated time.  After each dog completes round one, weight is added to the sled and the dogs attempt the pull again.

The winner is the dog that pulls the highest weight, although if more than one dog fails at the highest weight, the dog with the fastest time on the 2nd – to – last pull (where both completed the pull) is declared the winner.

Breeds suitable for weight pulling competition

Any purebred or mixed breed dog  can be entered in weight pulling competitions for some sanctioning organizations, although some bodies require that the dog be a member of the organization before entering a competition.  However, certain dogs have bodies built specifically to excel at this type of work.  As you might expect, dogs known for physical strength do the best:  Pit Bulls, Bulldogs, any of the snow sledding dog breeds, and Mastiffs.

Put a harness on your puppy to get him used to it.

Training your dog to pull

When they are very young, dogs can be harmed by attempting to pull weights, but that doesn’t mean they can’t start their training by getting used to the harness.  At about the age of three to four months, a dog can be fitted with a small harness, just to get him or her used to the feeling of wearing the apparatus.  Playing with your dog while he or she is wearing the harness is a great way to help them become accustomed to the harness, while not stressing their joints or muscles.

As the dog gets a little older, you will tie a light weight to the back of the harness, letting the dog get used to the fact that the weight will pull back against him.  A plastic bottle partially filled with pebbles can be a good starter weight.  The bottle can be attached to the harness with fifteen to twenty feet of clothesline.  Using a long line gets the puppy used to the noise behind him, without it being too close to his sensitive ears.  As the dog gets used to the noise, you can shorten the string, and as the dog gets older and more able, you can add weight.

To keep your dog interested in pulling, reward the dog for finishing whatever length you have set up for him or her to pull.  You want your dog to pull a short distance at first, then increasingly longer distances, but the important thing is that the dog finish the prescribed distance each time.  Don’t set the dog up to fail by loading up too much weight on the sled.  The idea is to finish, not to strain the muscles.  Weight can be built up later.  Encourage your dog to keep walking while he or she is in harness by giving small tugs on the leash until the finish line is reached.

You should work with your dog every other day to allow the muscles to heal between sessions.  Let your dog take the lead in telling you how much weight he or she can handle.  Your dog should always be able to finish the course with the weight applied.  Training sessions may involve taking long walks with your dog carrying only some of the weight he or she would pull in competition over a very short course.  Using a long walk with a smaller weight builds endurance, which will help in when the competition does roll around.

Find out more training tips from Todd Tripp, owner of PullDoggies.

If you’re looking for a sport that’s a little off the mainstream, but provides a bonding activity for you and your dog, and keeps your dog in great physical condition, weight pulling may be just the ticket.

PullDoggies, a site dedicated to the sport, has a great photo gallery of weight pulling dogs in action.