The beauty of this sport is that ANY dog can do this. HOWEVER, it is important to know that not all dogs will or can pull and not all of them will pull with the same vigor. If done properly skijor, bikejor AND canicross can all be completed with tiny dogs, huge dogs, 3 legged dogs, blind dogs, dogs with arthritis and yes… we have even seen a cat skijor!!! The key is to always keep sessions short and to keep it positive. Your goal with ANY dog is just to get out and have fun and teach them the rules of the game. If you notice a sudden change in the ability or desire of your teammate that is a BIG sign of a health condition. Either it is mental and we have pushed too far, or it is physical, and you should consult with your veterinarian. Having your teammate checked out by a sports medicine inclined Veterinarian or one certified in Chiropractic (VSMT) or Physical Therapy (CCRT or CCRP) will ensure any small issues can be helped. Keeping the distances short for older or special needs dogs and keeping the intensity down will also ensure you are NOT causing more harm than good with your exercise regime.

If you or your dog come back from exercise overly sore, then it is best to either shorten the intensity/ duration of the activity or to consider that this activity may not be a good fit for you or your dog.

Dogs and humans can participate in mushing at any level. Recreational to competitive. If you have concerns about your dog’s health please consult your veterinarian and know that there are lots of ways to help these athletes through cross-training, and diet/supplements.

Remember our ultimate goal is to just get outside and enjoy being active TOGETHER!

Our canine teammates are true athletes and deserve to be treated that way! There are a few key principles to health.

Ideal weight is the first step. We know excess fat causes inflammation and that leads to all sorts of devastating consequences. Aim for an ideal body weight score for your canine athlete. A great resource is Purina Body Condition Score

Consult with your veterinarian and choose a high quality food. Monitor their intake based on their activity level.

There are also lots of nuances on when to feed for performance. Make sure to allow your dog to digest any food at least 2 hours before high intensity workouts, and allow your dog to cool off before watering or feeding them after work-outs to avoid bloat.

Hydration is key!! Ensure your dog is well hydrated to help prevent over-heating.

Heat stress in dogs is a concern, and many mushers go by the rule of 100. If you add up the temperature and the humidity and the number is greater than 100, please use caution exercising your dog. Many breeds can overheat, and this is a great website link that will help you determine if you are pushing things too far with temperature.

Eukanuba Signs ofHeat Stress

It is never too early to start foundation training, introduction and directional commands with a puppy, however your puppy should not participate in pulling sports until at least a year old. We always recommend speaking with your veterinarian. Depending on what your goals are, there are so many things that you and your new puppy can work on before mushing, so they are a happy canine citizen. Your bond with them, basic commands, and overall introduction to new situations and gear are a great start.

Early socialization has to be thoughtful due to a puppy’s vulnerable immune system, and puppy classes are a perfect way to accomplish this in a safe setting.

How far and when should my puppy start pulling?

Again, we recommend you consult with your vet or any breeder. Often there’s many factors that go into this answer, such as breed, genetics, age, and overall health and activity level.

In general, you want to minimize high impact running and pulling until 1 year of age.

As they are nearing 1 year of age, you can introduce the harness on walks/jogs. Keep everything short and fun! Reward pulling with praise and speed. The session is usually about 5 minutes at most. Do not allow puppies to pull over 1/8 mile. As they age, increase the distance and the speed based on how they’re doing. Always check for signs of fatigue and discomfort. This should be something they love and want to do more.

It is no “secret” that paw health is a hot topic for competitive canines. Feet should be evaluated after every run. Most paw problems are solved by slowly conditioning them. We notice issues with dogs that live in the house and then one day do a long hike on rocky terrain. Tearing paw pads, sore wrists, etc. These issues do not occur or are greatly reduced with dogs that walk/ run on unpaved trails to strengthen their paw pads during dryland season (Fall training before the winter season- Canicross, bikejoring)

In addition to regular walks/hikes/runs on unpaved trails, always check with your vet to make sure your dog is healthy and getting adequate nutrition. If they need additional foot protection, we recommend a paw balm like Musher’s Secret, Mountain Ridge Emu Salve, or The Natural Hound Paw Balm. These help moisturize their feet and keep them hydrated.

Dog Booties:

Dogs may need booties for various reasons, but they do not help keep paws warm. Some snow conditions require booties, for example, if it’s very cold, the snow can be razor sharp and very punchy or icy. This type of snow/ice can cut their feet.

When walking in the city, booties can help protect your dog’s feet from the salt/ debri.

Snow can also cause snowballs to form on hairy dog feet—again booties are your best defense.

Watch for fissures between the paw pads. These again can be best protected with booties and are common in dogs that have sweaty feet or sensitive skin.

Make sure to purchase dog booties that are created for mushing, as everyday booties will not stay on, and often restrict movement. Opt for fabric materials with stretchy velcro closings. Fabric booties are made to wear out, and you may consider getting a few sets. The more rugged forms of booties for salt/debri or during dryland seasons are often tougher materials, and will last quite a bit longer. They should not look like shoes, and should still have some stretch.

If your dog continues to have foot or nail problems this can be a sign of a nutritional deficiency or even an underlying medical condition. So don’t be afraid to seek a Veterinarian’s guidance if needed.