I think mastiff specific would be , flirt poles are a harmful and potentially a fatal way to exerciser your dog . weighted vest , the harm far outweighs any benefit , a weighted collar is a waste of money and accomplishes nothing healthy , like folks using logging chains to tether their dogs as a form of conditioning , ridiculous ……… springpoles are safe and some dogs like them , I think the results are variable , but I believe a good form of exercise ……… weight pull done properly can achieve some results , a treadmill , trotting , catmill or hand walking are by far the best exercises for a dog …….. drag pulling can get results with less time expended than just walking , as long as you don’t overdo it , an injury to a young mastiff pup is always more of a serious threat than an injury to a pit pup who is going to be 40lbs full grown …. Folks I’ve known that seriously weightpulled their dogs would use the fact a dog broke down from training as a reason to cull it , so breaking down wasn’t something they worried about , they looked for it …….. ron overgaards mastiff moses , I believe pulled 6,900 lbs on wheels , a st. Bernard called Susitna pulled over 5000lbs on snow , and I think some of eddie eddingtons dogs , pit x ddb , have pulled over 10,000lbs on rails , so from what i've seen mastiffs can excel at pulling ………. as far as conditioned , I’ve seen some great weight pulling dogs that would drop dead left outside on a 90 degree day , like a world class weightlifter having a heart attack , I guess condition is a matter of perspective ……. I’ve drag pulled dogs using chains , dogs that were incapable of running due to poor breathing or movement ……….. weightpull harnesses should be fitted specifically for your dogs …… been a long time , but some folks I remember made decent harnesses would be todd tripp “pulldoggies” , he may still make them , if not I’m sure he’d know where to send you …….. cd pits was another ...... as was mentioned go to a weightpull messageboard or facebook ……. Is the iwpa or apa still around ?
