19.0°
“On By!” The author moving down the trail with his skijor buddy. Photo by JP Lagos |
Comments (1)Not Your Average Dog Walk
Skijoring for exercise and adrenaline
By Eric WallisPublished: April 8, 2010
Special to Moonshine Ink
Skijoring is great way to satisfy your pooch’s appetite for exercise and your own passion for the outdoors. Never heard of it? The Scandinavian sport is a hybrid of cross-country skiing and dog mushing in which a human on skis is harnessed to a dog. It offers exercise, discipline, and affection, in that order.
Harness up yourself and your trusty sidekick, strap yourself to Fido, and away you go!
According to SkijorNow.com, you must simply tap into your dog’s natural “pack tendencies” to run free. But for some modern mutts, domestication has already confused these tendencies, so it might be time to find something else for them to chase. First, try and link up with another skijor enthusiast, as this is an ideal way to inspire your dog to chase and pull. If no one is available, a friend on Nordic skis or a snowmobile both work well — especially if you can get your friend to suit up in a squirrel costume.
It’s also a good idea to get overly excited every time you pull out the skijor equipment. Now is the time to use your happy-baby-dog gibberish. Also, make sure to reward your companion with treats and praise as you put on the harness, throughout the entire event, and especially at the end.
The connecting line is traditionally between eight and ten feet long, and most have a bungee cord at one end to cushion the torque, limit wasted energy, and save your back. Some people fashion their own waist harness, but properly fitting equipment made specifically for skijoring is key if you want your dog to stay interested in the sport and attentive to you.
Here are some key tips to keep in mind when learning how to skijor. First, you want to learn on a firm surface; unfortunately, it is nearly impossible for a dog to pull you through powder. That would be awesome — but it would also be canine torture. It’s ideal to learn on a clear snow path or groomed trail when available. Without a distinct path, your dog will have no idea which direction to go.
The next thing you will need to do is master some basic commands. To begin, arm yourself with some of your dog’s favorite treats. You are going to want to reward your pooch for pulling. How you reconcile a lifetime of teaching your dog not to pull on a leash with this new endeavor can be a challenge, but make it clear that the harness is the difference and keep the commands consistent to make the distinction.
The core commands will be “hike” or “let’s go” to get your dog moving, and a loud “whoa” to stop. “Easy” is used to slow them down, while “gee” and “haw” should cue them to turn right and left, respectively. Another critical command, “on by,” is used to keep them moving if they slow or stop to sniff along the trail. Use the commands sparingly, and speak in a loud and clear voice to avoid confusing your dog. As the dog obeys the commands — whether deliberately or not — reward your four-legged friend with a hearty “good dog!”
As John Thompson from SkijorNow.com notes, “We work the commands into everything we do with the dogs.” Teach the dog only to pull with the harness on, and to heel when on collar and leash. Thomson also suggests teaching some commands to your dog when you are on walks. For instance, a gentle tug left as you say “haw,” or a tug forward on the leash as you command “on by.”
Next you want to find the appropriate equipment for the type of trail you are using. Skate skis will work best if you are on a smooth groomed run, whereas classic equipment is better suited for breaking trail and moving through less-traveled areas. As Thompson reiterates, you must “choose a trail which aligns with your ability to ski.” Avoid steep descents, and off-camber trails until you are proficient and your dog is familiar with the core commands.
One more challenge might be finding a safe and legal place to take your dog skijoring. Most of the local cross-country areas have “no dog” policies, and although some have very gracious dog-specific hours and trails, skijoring is banned at most places I have called or visited. Thankfully, with a little scouting, any firm backcountry ski or snowmobile track will suffice. Tahoe and Truckee actually have some of the best multi-use trails. A quick Internet search also revealed some great events and races throughout the northern Sierra. And there is no better time of year than spring to get out and learn a new sport. The soft corn snow makes for perfect conditions to toughen up a dog’s feet for summer hiking and biking.
Skijoring might be the outlaw sport of the Nordic world, but for some, getting away from the rules and traffic of the busy Tahoe winter hustle is just the point. With the right equipment, training, and patience, skijoring can be a fun and affordable activity for you and your dog.
~ Comment on this story below.
1 Reader Comment so far ...