Pulling

[OdinBB]

Hello, I am a new mommy of a boerboel (BB) and would like some advice on getting him into pulling. I do not have a very big yard so I am trying to find ways to keep him active physically and mentally. I found that pulling and weight training for BBs to be an effective exercise for what I'm looking for. When is a good time to get them into pulling? Odin, my BB is 17 weeks old. Does anyone have any advice on pulling for beginners? Thank you!

 

[DennasMom]

I'm trying to get Denna into this, too... not competition, just for fun, exercise and maybe some help around the yard.

My advice: Go Slow.

Keep it calm and fun and rewarding (treats/praise)

There are a few books out there - we're going more the 'carting' versus weight-pulling side, so I don't know weight-pulling, specifically.

Get a good harness - if you start before he's full grown, you'll need a bunch and/or ones that are adjustable.
Be careful and don't add too much weight too soon. Especially on growing bones and joints.

Maybe find a pulling club in your area? They'd have some contacts for harnesses and training, maybe some social events with hands-on help for you.

 

[OdinBB]

I will def look into it, all I want is a happy healthy doggy and thank you for the advice I really appreciate it.

 

[Hector]

I have my dogs pull ME. Look up canicross. My dogs can't pull for long so it's a good thing for me and it works out walking 2 dogs hands free. I didn't have my mastiff pull me until about 20+ months.

Edit:

He lacks drive to pull so he won't pull stuff.

 

[Siloh]

I don't know anything about pulling, but something you can additionally do to relieve extra energy in a small yard is use a flirt pole (if he has the drive for it, I guess). I made a makeshift flirt pole for my pit mix and it wound up being a great tool for my chihuahua, who has unstoppable energy and ridiculous drive (this dog could hang from a spring pole for 5 minutes at a time if properly motivated--a lot in my opinion for a 4# dog). I've also heard that flirt poles can be excellent mental stimulation and promote control, but I kinda let him go wild. Just a thought.


"Nothing is neither good nor bad, but thinking makes it so."
Hamlet Prince of Denmark

 

[OdinBB]

These are all really good ideas guys thank you!

 

[Ash1985]

I just started carting with my mastiff bulldog mix and great Pyr. The Pyr likes it more, Galoot, not so much. There are awesome carts on PullCarts.com: The Leading Carts Site on the Net. I have the duo one but am thinking about getting a single because Galoot doesn't seem to care for it

 

[OdinBB]

I just started carting with my mastiff bulldog mix and great Pyr. The Pyr likes it more, Galoot, not so much. There are awesome carts on PullCarts.com: The Leading Carts Site on the Net. I have the duo one but am thinking about getting a single because Galoot doesn't seem to care for itView attachment 42191

This is a very good website, thank you for sharing!

 

[OdinBB]

It was for gulf carts, not what I was looking for but it was still a very good website.