Weight Pulling Exercises for Dogs

Like humans, dogs can increase their strength by putting their muscles under resistance. Because dogs do not have hands to lift weights with, they must pull weights to build muscle strength. If you want to show off the strength of your dog, you can enter the dog into a competition.

  1. Suitable Breeds

    • Some breeds have been selectively bred to pull weight, such as huskies. However, dogs not bred for this can still do so, but you will have to work harder to train them. Check with a veterinarian before engaging your pet in weight pulling.

      Dogs from the working and herding groups are the most willing to engage in weight pulling. Working dogs include the Saint Bernard and herding dogs include the Border Collie. This exercise can improve the dog's overall well-being.

    The Cart

    • Start with your dog performing weight-exercises indoors, on a carpet, so the dog does not hurt his paws. The cart should have a top low to the ground and flat. The larger the wheels, the easier the dog can pull the cart. Use the weight-lifting plates people use because you can easily measure the weight the dog pulls. However, anything heavy will work, as long as it is stable in the cart, such as bricks or cinder blocks.

    Harnass

    • Some dogs may not like the harness. Have the dog regularly wear the harness until it becomes accustomed to it, rewarding the dog with treats whenever it wears it. Once you put the harness on the dog and attach it to the cart, encourage it to come to you. If the dog does not move, end the session and try again another day. Encourage the dog each time and give it treats when it performs well.

    Competition

    • In weight-pulling competitions, each dog pulls weight and the dog that pulls the most wins. Cart-pulling is divided into rounds; the amount of weight pulled increases each round. Dogs pull the wheeled cart on dirt, though dogs sometimes pull it on carpet. The dogs must pull the weight past a finish line to win and has 60 seconds to pull the weight. However, dogs can get two retries if they become tangled in the leash or have a false start. The dogs are weighed and each dog competes with others in its weight class.