Weight Pull
The sport, the drama, the controversy
Although Weight Pull is a sport dominated by power breeds like Pitbulls and Corsos, I was introduced by a mentor and her Greyhounds.
Perhaps because I was introduced to the sport by a highly respected pillar of the dog community (and her decidedly non-aggressive, beautiful Greyhounds), I was unprepared for the controversy that seems to follow the sport.
Why do I do Weight Pull? That’s the easiest answer, because my dogs love it! Why is there controversy? That’s more complicated….
Safety
One of the most common objections I hear to Weight Pull is that it isn’t safe. Without fail, this objection is being raised by someone with absolutely no first-hand knowledge of the sport.
In my nearly 30 years (yikes!) of competing in dog sports, I have seen a catastrophic, life-ending injury in agility and in lure coursing. I would not consider either of those sports to be inherently dangerous. I have not seen any accidents in Weight Pull. Accidents can happen in any activity, and sports that have a significant component of speed may be a higher risk.
Weight pull is considered to be a very safe sport by canine sports professionals, veterinary orthopaedic surgeons, and knowledgeable competitors.
Weight Pull is a low-impact sport. The movement of the cart/sled is slow and steady. The best form involves no starting and stopping, no jerking, just smooth and steady movement. Like any sport, teaching proper form and learning under the guidance of someone knowledgeable is key!
Anyone who has done serious weight training or recovered after a significant orthopaedic surgery is likely to be familiar with pushing a sled of weight (pushing vs pulling suits our bi-pedal movement, plus no harnesses!).
This is always my first thought when some naysayer types, “why don’t you try it?!”. Umm, I have. A lot. Pushing weight around on a sled was a consistent part of my weight training when I was boxing & kickboxing. The only significant difference is I never got a cookie for doing well. Seems unfair, really.
Old dogs compete in weight pull. Dogs compete in weight pull after they’ve had orthopaedic surgery. Dogs diagnosed with hip dysplasia are often encouraged to try out weight pull.
Teach your dog proper form. Build them up slowly. Pay attention to their overall conditioning, and Weight Pull will be safe.
The Harness is Key
Part of keeping your dog safe is investing in a properly fitted, expertly made harness. The best weight pull harnesses have a neck roll to distribute force and protect the shoulders and a spreader bar to prevent lateral compression when pulling a heavy load.
There are only a handful of harness makers out there and most have long wait lists - the wait is worth it so if your dog enjoys pulling, get a harness ordered!
It’s All Up to Your Dog
You & Your Dog are a Team
Weight Pull is done fully off lead, you may not touch your dog, their collar, the harness, or anything. If your dog doesn’t WANT to pull, they won’t!
The early stages of Weight Pull are more mental than physical. Your dog needs to believe they can pull when they feel the resistance of the weight.
You learn how to encourage your dog so that they believe in themselves as much as you believe in them!
You build up slowly to heavy weights - both for mental and physical conditioning. You learn as a team what works and what doesn’t. You learn to read your dog and know when they’re ready for a heavier weight and when they’d benefit from an easy pull.
Everyone can Play
One of the great things about Weight Pull is it is a single-dog event that a lot of power breeds who may have inherent dog aggression compete in. The flow of competitors is designed to minimize or fully avoid contact between dogs. Dog aggressive OR human aggressive dogs can absolutely compete - just be honest about your dog’s space requirements!
Pulls are calculated based on your dog’s weight. This levels the playing field between the heavily muscled power breeds and the lean sprinters and everyone in between.
More than once, Hazzard has won “Most Weight Pulled per Pound”. It doesn’t matter that he didn’t pull as much as the Corso that went after him, he pulled more compared to his own body weight.
You control at what weight your dog starts pulling and you decide when they’re done. (For Novive or “A” competitors, there is a strict maximum weight based on your dog’s body weight). If your dog isn’t feeling it or isn’t having fun, you simply say you’re done!
Not every dog will love weight pull. For the ones that do, it can be a great sport that encourages fitness and gives energetic and powerful dogs a safe outlet.
