Weight pulling as a sport for animals has been around for a long time. Think horse pulls. In pretty much the same vein, weight pulling with dogs goes back a long way. Back when dogs were still as draft animals. Present day weight pulling with dogs is usually organized competitions sponsored by various organizations such as the International Weight Pulling Association or IWPA and the American Dog Breeders' Association.

The IWPA organizes and controls weight pulling competitions and present awards to dogs who meet their requirements. These requirements are based on the percentage of a dog's body weight. The American Dog Breeders' Association sanctions competitions during dog shows for American Pit Bull Terrier. Apart from these two, there are also several sled dog organizations which hold weight pulling competitions in connection with sled dog races during winters in northern regions.

More than brute strength

Weight pulling requires more than just your dog's strength, especially when he/she competes in winter games. Depending on the weather conditions, the ground can make the sled stick or slide quite easily. Should the sled's runners stick to the frozen ground, your dog has to have the sled's runners "break out" of the ice before in can be pulled forwards.

A good technique is to have your dog pull either to the left or to the right, to break out the runners from the ice. Your dog has to keep the sled moving once the runners are free, so they will not stick to the ground again. Another technique in weight pulling it is to keep the body low on the ground and to apply all the horizontally.

Again, let's use the above example. When the sled sticks to the ground, naturally it won't budge. Your dog, in frustration, might start jumping into the air, thus putting their weight into the pull. Although this can break the runners out from the ice, it does not have the forward momentum it needs to maintain movement.

Compared with winter weight pull events, warm-weather events are much easier. At ADBA events, "sleds" are on wheels which roll around a track. This way, dogs are able to pull much greater weights.

How the pull works?

In dog weight pull events and competitions, dogs are weighed-in. (The weight of their pull is based on their weight). Then each dog takes a turn to try and pull the weight, starting with an empty sled. Each dog has to pull the empty sled to a minimum to be able to continue. (In winter events, the sled is about 85 pounds in weight). The dogs must pull the weight up to 16 feet within one minute.

After the initial weight - or the empty sled, a dog's handler can either "pull" or "pass" when their turn comes. The reason behind this is for the dogs to retain their strength. A handler is allowed up to two times before he has to get his dog to pull again. In each "round", 50 pounds are added to the weight. Dogs who fail to pull the new weight are dropped out of the competition, until only one dog remains. However, it doesn't automatically make the last remaining dog the winner. It all depends on the dog's body weight.

For example, 20-pound dogs pull a 160-pound empty sled (initial pull). A 120-pound dog should be able to bull about 480 pounds to be able to beat the 20-pound dog's efforts. Say, the 20-pound dog can pull u[ to 10 times its body weight (that's 200 pounds), the 120-pound dog should be able to pull about 1,250 pounds (or 1,200 at a faster time) to beat the 20-pounder.

Conditioning and Training

Before you can enter your dog in a weight pull contest, he should be properly trained and well conditioned. To be able to join weight pull contest, first you must have the necessary equipments. First, you need the special weight pulling harness. This harness has more padding and comes down low across your dogs back legs to keep the weight bearing are low. The harness has a bar across the rear to keep the straps from pressing against your dogs legs during a pull.

In training, you will need materials that will help you measure your dog's strength. You will need weights in measured quantities so you will know the weight that you are asking your dog to pull and how much weight you are adding each time. Then of course, you will need a cart or a sled where you can put in your weight materials during practice and training. At the start of training, have your dog pull a really light weight, like say, an empty cart.

Stand about 16-20 feet away from your dog and call him. Either your dog will pull the sled without a problem or stay put (because he thinks he is tied). Make your dog understand that the cart/sled is not immovable and that he can move that thing to which he is attached. Use food and treats as motivation. If that doesn't work, use string to pull on the cart/sled. Once it's in motion and once your dog sees that the cart/sled is moving, and then it is easier to stay in motion. Once your dog has understood that there is a treat waiting once he has pulled the cart/sled, you can use a cue word to mean "pull".

Either you can use your dogs name or another cue word you can use to associate with the right pulling technique (low-to-the-ground, leverage pulling) that you want him to do. Once you have achieved this using the empty cart/sled, you can start adding your weight. When you dog reaches that point where he is unable to break the sled free (way before he is actually unable to pull it), use other commands that will make him get moving.

A sudden lunge may also help the sled break free. However, remember to keep a couple of feet of the tug line dangle, because your objective here is to just shake up the sled a bit, enough to for it to break free. Then you your dog to immediately continue pulling low to keep the momentum.

Handlers' Responsibility

• Before you enter your dog in a competition, make sure he/she knows what is expected of him, otherwise, your dog will not deliver, and will either run away or act out and try to be free of the harness.
• Keep you dog in the staging area until your turn comes.
• Do not leave your leash attached to your dog's pulling ring so as not to confuse him. If he thinks pulling does no good he will not perform well.
• Make sure your dog understands that when he has his harness on and is attached onto something, he has to pull as hard as he can.
• Do not use food or other lures (people, toys, etc.) to get your dog to start pulling.
• Return to the staging area promptly when your finished.
• Use your judgment to know if you nee to "pull" or "pass".

Keep your dog's safety in mind. Check your dog if he is in condition. Pay special attention to your dog's feet. See if his foot pads are in good condition and not caked with ice. Make sure his toenails are neither too long nor cut too short. Pulling with either too long or too short nails can be painful. A split toenail can also be painful to your dog and it should be completely healed before your dog can compete.