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Getting used to harness and cart

Thursday, 29 July 2010 14:19 Neuen Sebastian

As a preliminary remark: there is no standard scheme for all dogs to learn cart drafting; each dog needs extra attention (our own two dogs give the best examples the older she-dog is naturally talented; whereas the younger she-dog has to be trained). The method we introduce here is only one possibility which we mostly practise with great success.

We don't harness our dogs if they have any problems healthwise, nor if a certain temperature is reached (ca. 20°C) or if humidity is too high. The dog mustn't have any visible troubles.

Important: No heavy weights! Our dogs must not be forced to draw, they are rather allowed to draw, even if they would be able to draw heavier loads. our dogs health is more important for us than any type of activity that might harm it.

We consider it as being wrong and not sportive for the dog handler to let dogs draft him on a cart (there may be some exceptions)!!

It is essential for the dog to be x-rayed and to have reached a curtain degree of obedience and subordination. Dog handler and dog must trust each other so that the dog handler is able to calm the dog down in unexpected situations.

Last Updated on Thursday, 29 July 2010 15:25

Zughunde.de - a website about Draft Dogs Westphalia

Friday, 18 June 2010 00:00 administrator

Welcome to „Draft Dogs Westphalia“

This is where information and practical experience concerning work with draft dogs, and dogs in general, is to be shared with others, and contacts enabled with other friends of Swiss mountain dogs, draft dogs and other dog races (irrespective of membership in a dog club).

Our draft dogs group wants to revive, maintain, and promote the age-old tradition of cart drafting, in full compliance with pertinent legislation on the protection of animals, which includes giving animals species-appropriate tasks.

“Excepting cases of emergency patient transport, vehicles drawn by dogs may not be used for transporting persons, including especially the draft dog handler” (Police ordinance on the use of dogs as draft animals, Münster district government, Kingdom of Prussia, June 8, 1889). It is too hazardous in road traffic, to drive draft dogs from aboard a vehicle (even with dogs normally fully reliable with regard to obedience and subordination) because a dog and even more so a dog team, which cannot be totally controlled, would be a hazard both for the persons and the animals involved.

Last Updated on Sunday, 20 June 2010 16:45

Instructions to start work with Draft Dogs

Sunday, 20 June 2010 15:49 Neuen Sebastian

In Germany draft dogs trainings are being offered as well as events concerning draft dogs competitions; please take into consideration that there have been no official draft dog examination regulations in Germany so far.

Therefore please inquire at the association of German dog owners (VDH) or the Swiss Mountain dogs federation (SSV) which clubs have draft dog activities in their programme.With the help of VDH or SSV you will get to know serious dog training groups where reliable draft dogs work is conducted under proper control.

The dogs' well being must take first place.

Our instructions are based on our own experience, which we can pass on the others. We have to consider that there are always many ways to reach a given goal.

In order to get dogs accustomed to cart drafting we must be very patient. Every dog should be x-rayed before drafting, be 18 month old , and in any case a veterinary surgeon should be consulted.

You can make the dogs get used to the harness and sounds of the carts even before it is x-rayed; on the occasion of our meeting in Oer-Erkenschwick dogs withoutprevious drafting experience accompany the group, of course only over a distance appropriate to their age. So they learn to get accustomed to the sounds of cart drafting.

Last Updated on Sunday, 20 June 2010 16:48

Summer Break

Sunday, 13 June 2010 19:10 Neuen Sebastian

Dear Dogfriends !

Now in summer we must face to the fact that the temperatures can be permanently over 22°C. Cart drafting during these high temperatures will bother the dog and harm its helth, espacially the cardiovascular system.

Because of that we will decide spontaniously if the carts will be used while we are taking a walk and while our trainigs lessons.

The animal protection will proceed.

The health of our dogs is more importat !!!

Last Updated on Sunday, 20 June 2010 18:25

How to put the harness on properly

Thursday, 29 July 2010 13:54 Neuen Sebastian

The harness should form a horizontal line parallel to the drafting direction. Pulling power is thus best transmitted by the dog. No shear forces occur and the dog can do longer distances without getting tired and without doing harm to its body.

In case of foulty handling of the harness shear forces occur. These forces bother the dog, which can lead to physical damage and harmful stress effects. The dog then feels not only the pull force but also a shear force, wich harms its hipbones. In consequence the dog needs a far greater amount of strength and gets tired more easily.

Last Updated on Thursday, 29 July 2010 15:24

Zughunde Westfalen