I felt like I was in the midst of a Robert Service poem. The moment I spotted Krystyna, the two dogs pulling her with such animation along the snowy path, I felt an excitement within me. Her skis “shoosed” over the gem-like snow. As the dogs approached, I could see the smile on Krystyna’s face matched the enthusiasm of both dogs. That was something I wanted to experience with my dogs.

Skijoring – Norwegian for ski-driving – has deep roots as a Scandinavian sport. Fortunately, it has also become a growing sport here, driving people and their dogs out into our great Canadian winters.

Dog-powered cross-country skiing is a simple yet accurate description of skijoring. It’s a great way to make winter come alive, for you and your dog – and it’s easy to get started. Whether your dog is an Australian Shepherd, a Pointer, Giant Schnauzer, or any medium to large breed, and assuming you can cross-country ski, you’ll do well in this exhilarating winter sport.

Skijoring is the ideal winter sport if you have one or two dogs. You don’t need deep pockets for equipment or a huge investment in time. You’ll be amazed how your dog’s pulling power will extend your glide. As a bonus, you’ll both burn calories and define a few muscles along the way.

Some recommend that dogs be 35 to 40 pounds at a minimum, though this would be for pulling someone who is definitely not a heavy person. For less strain on the dog, and as a safer size recommendation, your dog should weigh 40 to 50 pounds or more. He should be at least 18 months old before pulling, to ensure the complete development of his growth plates.

Skijoring requires only a proper X-back mushing or skijoring harness, and a shock-absorbing bungee-like tether, which in turn is connected by a quick-release snap to a skijoring belt. It’s important that you use the proper type of harness since walking or weight-pulling harnesses will cause rubbing and make your dog sore. An ill-fitting harness can be just as harmful. If the right harness is not available at your local pet-supply store, you can purchase the gear on-line through sled-dog-supply companies. Some even sell skijoring kits to get you started.

You may already have cross-country skis, but the skijorers I spoke with suggest using skate skis as they work best on groomed trails or at faster speeds. The wider touring skis can be better on rugged trails. For your dog’s protection, skis with metal edges should not be used for skijoring.

Be sure to bring water along for your dog, dress in layers, grab some dog booties in case the snow is apt to ball up in your dog’s paws, bring a warm-up coat for short-haired breeds (to use before and after skijoring), and let’s go have a lesson. Speaking of lessons, check with local clubs to see if any clinics or lessons will be offered – they’re a worthwhile investment.

Before you hit the trail
Fit the skijor harness on your dog, letting him wear it a few times before the first lesson. Praise your dog and combine wearing it with a fun activity. Never leave your dog unattended when he’s wearing the harness.

While out walking with your dog, begin getting him accustomed to and familiar with some of the sport’s commands, such as Gee (turn right) and Haw (turn left). Teaching your dog to ignore distractions with the command “On by” will be invaluable for the skijoring trails. If you can also get your dog familiar with Easy (slow down) or Whoa, the term will help you and the dog once you’re hooked up and flying down the trails!

Get your dog accustomed to pulling light weights such as a stuffed sack or an inner tube once he’s familiar with the harness. Start by walking alongside your dog and gradually lag behind as he feels confident. Make it fun – even toss a ball ahead – and praise when he pulls.

First lessons
The first training session will be the most important because it will set the tone for your dog. All training sessions should be fun from beginning to end. That’s the point of this exciting sport.

Ideally, and especially if you’re not taking lessons, have an experienced skijorer join you to help get you and your dog started.

If possible, train on a narrow trail rather than an open area, particularly until the dog fully understands what’s expected of him. When you’re at the trailhead, put the dog’s harness on, then your skijor belt. Leave your skis for last. Harness your dog and, for now, carry the towline.

If you’ve brought someone along to help you, that person can bring your dog to your starting point while you put on your skis. The helper can connect the towline to the dog’s harness and keep him straight. Connect the quick release to your belt.

Next, the helper can go ahead of the dog on the trail. When the helper gets far enough along, nod or in some way let her know you’re ready and she’ll call your dog to get him enthused. In an excited voice say, “Let’s go!” “Hike,” or whatever command you’ve decided to use, and begin to move forward. This is where you’ll test your balance. The moment your dog pulls, praise him. You’ll need to help him by skiing as smoothly as possible – the less jerking, the better. It sometimes takes a little practice to keep that line taut in the beginning.

If your dog is reluctant to pull, encourage him and, if he’s wearing a collar, gently tug forward. Praising the moment he responds is important! An alternative to this method is to hook your dog up to an experienced dog for the first lesson or two. As long as the dogs get along, consider this the express method for teaching your dog what skijoring is all about.

Keep the first few lessons short and upbeat, and always end while you’re both having fun.

Easy does it
It’s easy to overdo it when first getting started with skijoring. The sport will be fun for both of you and it may be tempting to keep going. Even if your dog is in prime health and in good condition, this is a strenuous activity for him and you don’t want to overdo things. Gradually work up to longer sessions and more-frequent outings. It’s also a good idea to do other activities in between, to keep up his conditioning and work different muscles.

If your dog is overweight – even just a little on the chubby side – it will be even more important to take it slow and easy, gradually working up to more time as his conditioning improves. If he appears to be exhausted afterwards or is not still animated at the end, the outing was too much for him.

A few other tips
The less you talk while skijoring, the better for your dog. Encourage him in the beginning but keep the commands to a minimum. It’s not as easy for your dog to distinguish the words, so save talking for when it’s necessary. Remain consistent with your commands, using them when on other outings. Ensure that family members are also consistent in the words they use. This is another reason to keep commands as simple as possible. Of course, no one will blame you if you blurt out the occasional “Yippee!”.

Remember when you learned to ride a bike or first learned to ski? It was awkward and took a bit of practice, but then you turned a point and suddenly there was a sense of wonder and you felt like you were flying. So, be patient if it takes a few times before attaining that magic.

The rewards
It was evident when talking with Krystyna March, who has been skijoring for seven years, and Doris Gordon, who has been at it for 12, how addictive this exhilarating winter sport can become. “[It’s because of] the companionship of being with them, the speed,” Doris explains, “and we get to go further, see more, and enjoy the outdoors.”

Krystyna echoes many of the same feelings. “It’s exciting, fun, and it is amazing how connected I can feel with my dogs. It is also so rewarding to see how happy the dogs are while they’re running, and after they run.”

In The Call of the Wild, Robert Service asks, “Have you broken trail on snowshoes? Mushed your huskies up the river?” You can experience these winter delights without a husky or snowshoes – give skijoring a try!

Walking through the woods looking for dropped whitetail deer antlers – “shed hunting” – can provide a unique day of excitement for you and your canine companion. A high-priced dog with a pedigree full of famous ancestors is not necessary to make a good shed hunting dog. All it takes is a dog that can recognize a bone by sight and smell, knows how to retrieve and likes to run in the forest and fields.

Shed antlers can be found at any time of the year, but the best time to locate them is during late winter or early spring. Once they hit the ground, they begin deteriorating with the help of rodents, and summer undergrowth can cover them in a thick mat of green.

Focusing on areas that bucks use during the late winter can increase your odds of finding more sheds. If you can locate a food source with thick cover and the warmth of a south-facing hillside close by, it’s a very good place to start looking. Check nearby obstacles, too. Heavy brush could tug on a tine, or the impact of jumping a fence could cause an already-loosening rack to be left behind.

Everyone can get involved in shed hunting, regardless of age, size and experience. Shed hunting can be as simple as a leisurely walk through the woods or fields, or it can be a more physically demanding backpack over steep terrain and through thick habitat.

Incorporating the family dog in the search can greatly increase the success of finding sheds. A leftover bone from the dinner table is no different than one dropped off the head of a whitetail deer. In canine rationale, if it looks like a bone, smells like a bone and tastes like a bone, it must be a bone. As long as it leads to a game of fetch, its origin does not matter.

The efficiency of your rack-retrieving Rover can be increased by using an antler to play fetch in the yard for few weeks. This will help him make the transition from squeaky toy to deer antler and will reinforce what he’s looking for in the woods. Make sure to grind down the points on the tines to avoid injuries while he adjusts to picking up this new oddly-shaped toy.

Once he is proficient at retrieving the thrown antler, simulate actual shed-hunting conditions by hiding the antler in grass or leaves. Guide him toward the area and let him use his nose to locate the shed. It won’t take him long to get the idea that this is a lot of fun, and when you hit the woods he could amaze you with his antler-finding abilities.

As winter comes to a close, check your province or state’s regulations regarding the collection of shed antlers, load up the kids and family dog and head to the woods to share the excitement of shed hunting. With any luck it will be hard to tell if you, the children or the tail-wagging dog has a bigger ear-to-ear grin after finding a few of nature’s hidden treasures.

Larger dogs, too, can benefit from a fetch game. “For dogs that like to chase or fetch, I often recommend owners toss pieces of food down a long hallway or up or down a staircase,” adds Dr. Haug. “This can also be combined with training by asking the dog for a behaviour and then, rather than handing the treat to the dog, the owner throws the food reward so the dog can chase it.”

Think about setting up a small, informal agility course, especially for your little or medium-sized dog. You can use chairs, tables, etc. Your dog can go under the chairs and tables, weave through chairs set up in a row. You are hampered only by your imagination.

Your can play Hide and Seek with your dog indoors. One person hides and you send the dog to “Go find…” adding the person’s name. Most dogs will relish this sort of game. Since the dog’s nose and hearing are so acute it may not be a huge challenge, but it will be fun.

Be sure that all games involve thinking, not brute strength, wrestling or mindless play that can only teach your dog to be unruly. The point is to be creative and work with your dog to learn new things – fun things that you and your dog will enjoy doing and showing off to friends and family.

I suspect we have a world full of very bored dogs that aren’t making full use of their minds as well as their bodies. Use the inclement weather to ensure that your dog isn’t one of those.

Dog training is more than just obeying orders, because there is also dog agility training in which you could train your dog to do perform several kinds of sport as well as jumping, climbing activities and even dodging in between poles. Dog agility training is an derivative of horse show jumping and it was initially showcased in the UK in 1979 at the Crufts Dog Show, and from then on, it has rapidly grown in popularity for the entertainment value as well sports value of it.

Should Be Able To Follow Simple Commands

Dogs by and large are incredibly lively creatures nevertheless the dogs that are mainly right for sports contest are those that are standard size and also the larger types. Any dog that is being considered for undergoing dog agility training as required must first be examined by a veterinarian and he should as well be able to act upon simple instructions for instance sit down and lie down as well as come, and it has been observed that dogs that are well taught to obey will do well at dog agility training much better compare others having problems with obeying easy commands.

Dog agility training could be carried out in several different ways though the trainer should make sure that the approach used suits the dog the best, and the agility training should be fun for the dog and it would be sensible on the part of the instructor not to become very disparaging of the dog or attempt and make it very aggressive.

Really, dog agility training is a way at prompting the dog weave its way through an difficulty course with the supervision of a handler and there are different types of difficulty including tunnels, poles jumps as also ramps for the dog to traverse. Initially, the dog begins with the simplest of obstacles and as its skills improve, the degree of training becomes more hard, and it is as well to be seen how responsive the dog is to start with, since that will assist to evaluate the kind of agility training to impart to it.

After dogs have been trained in dog agility training, they will then go into competitions in which the moderator selects the course of the obstacle the dog must follow which it does along with its coach, and when the dog has effectively completed an obstacle course, he is entitled to be given an agility award along with lots of praise on top of goodies and of course, many toys.

Finding cool activities is natural in the summer months. Water activities are a perfect solution for you as well as your dog. Dogs that don’t normally take pleasure in getting wet will have a swim if they are encouraged to get wet on a hot day!

There are canines that enjoy swimming with people, retrieving toys or simply just running around in the water. Certain dog breeds have been bred to be around water. Some of these breeds are: Labrador Retrievers, Newfoundland, Golden Retrievers, Irish Water Spaniels, Portuguese Water Dogs, and Chesapeake Bay Retrievers. Some Poodles and Spaniel breeds also enjoy the water. Don’t rule out many mixed breeds that are always ready to dive in!

Pets need daily exercise. Your pet will not only be healthier, but calmer when indoors. Including your dog in your day at a nearby lake can be a fun adventure for all. Taking a swim with your dog and playing ball in the water is a lot of fun.

Another great idea for your water outing is a floating dog toy. Many floating dog toys come attached to rope handles that make it easy to play toss and tug games in or out of the water.

To prevent your dog from an accidental drowning, canine life preservers are available to purchase and come in various sizes and styles. This will help dog owners enjoy the outing, knowing their dog is safe. Your dog may not realize that they are getting fatigued and requires a short break away from the water.

If you don’t want to travel outside of your own backyard, your dog can take a dip in your pool. This is really a personal preference since some pool filters can’t handle dog hair. Even if your dog doesn’t shed, pool owners have differing opinions about pets in the pool. Sometimes dogs can rip the liner or damage the pool equipment.

An easy resolution is to acquire a pool made specifically for your dog. Most dog pools are very durable, transportable, easy to fill and empty and made of tough PVC. These pools are easy to setup in the backyard, on deck or patio. These dog pools fold up making them easy to take on a summer trip and easy to store during the cold winter season.

Exercise is great for keeping both us and our canine friends healthy and happy. Daily walks are obviously a necessity, but what else can you introduce to help boost not only your pets’ health but their interest in play, as well as strengthening your bond? The majority of dogs enjoy walks and play, but it does tend to depend on what kind of activities are best suited to your chosen breed. Most dogs enjoy playing with other dogs, so if you are lucky enough to have close doggy friends then fantastic. There are also some dog playgrounds dotted around, so making use of these is a great way for your pet to exercise and socialise too; but if your dog shows any signs of apprehension, then it’s best not to venture any further into such an area. Of course, you can always try to construct your own assault course in your garden! This is great for agility, so grab any old tyres, tubes, planks, crates and anything else that you feel suitable. Most dogs love to play fetch or frisbee, but let’s not forget that these can sometimes become a bit boring, even for the most enthusiastic of dogs. So why not introduce the occasional tug of war; there are some great toys on the market for this, including ropes, stretchy plastic tugs and the like. For dogs with lots of energy such as Vizslas, German Shorthaired Pointers and Australian Shepherds, a tug of war followed by a sprint to the park is ideal. These breeds love to jump about – agility exercises are great for them as they adore going under, over, and through obstacles and over jumps. They will also enjoy flyball so that they can jump hurdles and retrieve toys. These dogs are also the type to follow you on a bike or skates/blades, but do be careful of other path and road users! Football and dancing are also favourites to try with these energetic breeds, so freestyle boogie and just try to get that football out of your dogs mouth! If you have a Retriever, Labrador, Border Collie, or English Springer Spaniel, then you will have so much fun with chew-toys and balls. Fetch will rarely be boring, and the same goes for games of frisbee and flyball too. They will also love to rummage around in their own toy box so they can pick and choose what they want to play with and proudly parade to show you. These breeds are usually also fond of water, so swimming will be such a treat. Agility tasks are a huge stimulant for them too: try long cross-country walks with plenty of hiding places and obstacles, preferably next to a shallow river or lake so they can run in and out to cool down! The above mentioned breeds, along with working dogs such as German Shepherds and Bull mastiffs, for instance, are also quite smart. So you can also introduce games that are associated with obedience and training. Teaching them to fetch things such as papers or toys, then to put them away, can be as rewarding and fun for them as it is for you. If these dogs are doing something useful they will feel important and valued. You can also hide their toys, letting them hunt for them only when commanded, remembering to praise them lots afterwards for their cleverness. Tricks are also a great way of stimulating the more intelligent breeds of dog. Always ensure that you reward them, as it is as important to them for them to feel loved and appreciated as it is for them to show off their clever antics. If at the other extreme you own a Bulldog, Bassett or Greyhound you may be familiar with ‘the look’ which pleads you not to disturb them, then it can often be best just to do the walk thing – either lots of little ones or one big leisurely long one. Don’t expect too much more from him! If a hound dog is more your style such as a Beagle or Bloodhound then you will notice that they follow their nose – everywhere! They love to track a scent so tracking games are great as they will stimulate their minds as well as exercising your dog and providing excitement too. Try asking your dog to sit and stay whilst you trail around the garden or park, leaving a smell and a treat at the end. They will enjoy hunting for their treats so leave them wrapped up in their toys or play area so they can get the scent before the game begins. Breeds such as Terriers will also enjoy these hunting games, and they love to dig to get at the prize. Try burying some of their toys – especially little furry ones, and watch how they sniff them out and parade their booty. These breeds love to dig for their treats and you can stimulate them even more by hiding them when they don’t know you’ve done it. As long as you don’t play this game on a finely manicured lawn or prized flower bed then you can have loads of fun seeing how they just go wild for the scent of a surprise treat. They also like to chase other animals, so be cautious if playing hunt and chase simultaneously, or playing in busier dog-walking areas, as there could be some protective growling or nipping if your dog thinks his treasure could be up for grabs! If you feel that some of these activities are out of your comfort zone, then just stick to the easiest and most basic ones. Walking and hiking with your dog over different types of terrain and in different areas can produce new smells and experiences for your dog. This will always stimulate them as it will hold their interest and inquisitiveness. If you want to up the tempo then simply jog or run with your dog, but not for too long as some breeds are not built for stamina. Swimming is suited to so many dogs and is now widely used for dogs that are overweight, or those that suffer from arthritis. Special sessions are held at specific hydrotherapy centres, but if your dog is confident in the water, then let them swim in safe areas such as shallow rivers, or dog-friendly beaches at low tide. Even just splashing in the puddles can be as much fun for your dog as it is for children, so don those willies and get jumping! No matter what type of games you play with your dog, you must always be the one in control. This is essential not only for your safety but that of your dog: remember that animal instinct will mostly take over if a dog feels threatened or scared, and that any animal can be dangerous if not treated with the respect it deserves. It is always a good idea to ensure that you have a comprehensive pet insurance policy in place, especially if experimenting with new activities. Ensure that you choose a policy which has third party liabilty – important if your dog is in unfamiliar territory and something unexpected happens. Even the most responsible pet owner can find that accidents do unfortunately occur, which could leave you seriously out of pocket should your pet dog need emergency treatment after a fall or other mishap, for instance. If you feel that you need help or advice you should do some research before trying anything drastically different to what your dog is used to. There is a multitude of pet advice forums out there on the world wide web, often specialised, with expert advice about a specific breed of dog, or just queries of a more general nature. Take your time, and try different things to find those which will suit both of you. Above all, learn how to maximise the fun potential in keeping a pet dog with the added bonus of keeping you both fit whilst doing so! Be as inventive as you can, for as they say, variety is the spice of life!