Skijoring

 

What is skijoring?

Skijoring is a winter sport where a person on cross-country skis is pulled by a dog or as many as three dogs (sometimes, by a horse).

So you think you might like to try skijoring?

Skijoring can be done by anyone who is a good cross-country skier. The most important skiing tip you need to learn is how to fall safely: You don't want to hurt yourself or your dogs.

And guess what? You can train your pet dog to skijor if it weighs at least 35 pounds - and is willing to be trained to pull. Skijorers have used many different breeds aside from huskies: German shepherds, Labrador and golden retrievers, standard poodles, bull terriers, and almost every combination of mixed breed you can think of. Here are some tips:

Equipment:
You can find equipment for skijoring at northern outfitters, dog supply, and dogsledding equipment stores in those parts of the country where the sport is popular.

For you:

• Skis, boots, and poles.
• You'll also need a special skijoring belt--at least three inches wide across your back (to prevent back injury). (New belts have straps that go under the legs to keep the belt from riding up your back.)
• Windproof clothing is also a good idea.

For your dog (one dog):

• A standard sled-dog harness (not a weight-pulling one), such as an X-back harness. (Be sure it fits the dog right. It's the single most important piece of equipment, and you want it to fit right so the dog can run and pull you easily.)
• Skijoring Line: Tugline with a bungee cord to attach to dog's harness and then to your belt. Use with a quick-release or open hook on your end and a brass snap on dog's end.

Optional dog gear, depending on weather:

• Booties for dog's feet. May be necessary to keep your dog from getting snowballs between its pads or from getting its pads cut by sharp icy snow. (Most of the time you probably won't need these.)
• Dog coats, crotch band, or belly blanket depending on weather and whether your dog is short-haired or long-haired. If you can walk your dog without a dog coat, then you can run the pooch without one.

Starting Out:

• You need to be in pretty good shape before you start.
• The same is true for your dog - it shouldn't be overweight.
• In both cases, take your time to get yourself and your dog in condition.
• Don't take a couch-potato pooch out on a five-mile run!
• First, it's a good idea to take your dog through basic obedience training, if you never have. The dog needs to know basic commands and needs to recognize that you're in charge. The training tools learned in basic obedience will help with training it for skijoring.

Basics of Skijor Training:

This is just to give you an idea of how this works. But it's a good idea to get help from more experienced skijorers rather than doing this all on your own!

1. Get the dog used to the harness. Don't ask the dog to pull anything yet.   
2. When the dog is used to the harness, tie a line and a small log or small tire (2 to 5 pounds) behind him. Walk the dog as it pulls the object. Then run ahead of the dog to encourage him to run and pull. Keep the lessons short - no more than 15 minutes.
3. As your dog gets used to pulling the log or tire, start running behind her. You can hook one end of a leash or skijoring line to your belt and the other to your dog. Don't use skis yet. Work on having the dog stay in front, while you run behind her.
4. When the dog seems ready, see if it will pull you on skis. You may need to have another person or another dog run ahead if the dog seems to hesitate. Start on an easy flat trail where the dog can see clearly.  
5. Keep it short at first. Then start teaching trail commands, for let's go ("hike"), right ("gee"), left ("haw"), stop ("whoa"). Work up to training three times a week.
6. It's easier to go on groomed trails, but you should always get permission when using a skimobile or cross-country ski trail.
7. Think about joining the local snowmobile club. That way you and your family can help keep the trails groomed.
8. And always carry plastic bags and clean up after your dog if it poops on or near a trail. That way, you'll be invited back!

For more tips, see this book: Skijor With Your Dog by Mari Hoe-Raitto and Carol Kaynor (1998). It's an adult book, but hopefully you know an adult who could help you with all of this!

Happy Trails!