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SDK-LadyHawke Kennels Home---Dog Events--- Carting
YOUR DOGS FIRST CARTING SESSION (cont'd)
Let's Go Carting
Now that you understand a bit more about a well constructed cart and the importance of fitting parts of the cart to your dog, its time to GO!
  1. Harness your dog and give him a bit of stretching.
  2. Attach the traces to the single tree (not the harness) which in turn is attached to the cart.
  3. Position the cart behind your dog.
  4. Back your dog into the space between shaft poles

What's this, he won't back up perfectly? That's Ok... just something else to work on as you polish your dog's carting ability. For now, give him a hand as long as he tried to back up for you.

Pass the shaft poles through the shaft pole loops (part of the front cinch of the harness) and then connect the traces to the appropriate D-rings.

Place yourself into heel position with your dog (on lead) and walk straight forward. While not entirely new (we prepared your dog for lots of these sensations), there is plenty going on right now. Reassure your dog that he is doing fantastic work and continue walking straight forward.

Next, introduce a wide left-turn and let me stress W-I-D-E. I like to start with a left-turn as you can help your dog with left turns by nudging the cart's shaft pole with your knee. Once he is doing Ok with this, introduce wide right-turns. It will be difficult for you to physically help the dog (do not drag him to the right using his collar, but certainly encourage him) and so for this reason I tackle right turns after left turns.

  1. Stop your dog every now and then and ask him to stand-stay.
  2. Walk around the cart
  3. Have your dog sit (this is not as easy as it sounds)
  4. Will your dog lie-down? Some dogs will not during their first session. This is just another thing to work on as you add polish to your draft dog.

Make your first carting session brief and fun...and do not forget the treats...heck, make it a jackpot after you finish. Speaking of finishing, here is how we un-hitch:

  1. Bring your dog to a halt (standing)
  2. Disconnect the traces from the dog's harness
  3. Walk the dog out of the shaft poles

Now, remove the harness and give him a good massage... follow up with the jackpot I mentioned above. This will be an experience he will never forget and hopefully, you will both treasure forever.