Overview
What is Weight Pulling
Weight Pulling is an ALL BREED competitive dog sport where a dog pulls a cart or sled loaded with weight a short distance across dirt, carpet or snow within a given time allowance. Dogs are separated to compete against each other within their own weight class.
Dogs pull of their own volition, they are not leashed during the pull. You cannot coerce your dog to pull. It is up to his willingness and just between you and him.
Dog weight pulling competitions are sanctioned by various non-profit organizations, and in Calgary pulls are sanctioned by the International Weight Pulling Association (IWPA) as well as the American Pulling Alliance (APA) and Irondog.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do dogs like weight pulling?
Guaranteed. No one is forcing them to pull, you only train them what to do, and then ask them to do it.
They do have a point where they will stop. Other dogs bark excitedly when adog is out working, and tails wag as they pull!
A harness or a specific set of clothes will cause dogs because to bowl their handlers over with excitement!
Dogs need a job, and although this is not a job or a sport for every dog, many breeds enjoy it can can excel at it.
Is weight pulling healthy for dogs?
Definitely, as proven by personal experience. My oldest dog who was over 100 lbs and a fat couch potato before we trained for this turned into a chiseled 80 lb dog. I think you would agree that losing 20 percent of body fat extends a dog's life, and is good for the dog? I was told when my other dog got her hips x-rayed that between the age of 5-7 she would have to be put down due to pain caused from arthritis in her hips from dysplasia ... I am proud to say that just under 12 years old, she got the gold medal for her weight class at IWPA championships! Hasn't limped a day in her life, and I believe that part of that is owed to her strong hip muscles and ligaments holding her hips in place better. I think you will agree that extending this dogs life and fending off possible pain is good for the dog?
I can go on and on about the bond built between dog and owner through this sport and how I have seen dogs come from being shaking puddles to being confident happy dogs within a few months of training. These stories are plentiful.
Do the dogs know when too much is too much?
In the club's 10 years of experience training weekly, probably over 150 dogs total during that time, in this sport dogs ALWAYS have a "that is too much" point, where they will not try, whether it is from being tired or from trying to pull too much weight. I have seen a lot of different types of breeds, including high drive pitbulls from gamebred lines, and people often come to this sport when they have nowhere else to go with their dog because of issues with their dog. The name of this game is to build dogs slowly, so you know exactly where they are at, and don't over-exert them, as you will break the dog's confidence that way. It is much more a game about building the dog mentally much more than it is about building them physically. Build the mind and the body will follow!
Are there many injuries in weight pulling?
It has been proven that there are many more injuries in agility, dog park runs, etc because of the type of movement the dog does. These are a lot of jumps / sharp stops / change of direction, whereas weight pull is a slow, forward movement, which the dog is built for. I have not seen a dog get injured during weight pull in the 10+ years I have been involved in it. I have seen torn ligaments in dogs running in the backyard, and even falling off the couch! But no, no injuries in weight pull, which I believe comes a lot from the fact that the dog does know when they have had enough.
How Do I Get Into It?
Now you know what weight pulling is .... and you are interested in getting involved. Great! Now what?
Contact the Western Canada Pull Club via email, phone, or facebook, and inquire about entering into the next introduction to weight pull seminar. Once you have learned the basics of weight pull, you can practice at home, or if you are interested you can inquiry as to the availability of one of the limited membership spots to practice with the club on club nights.
How Does It Work?
Practices
Member practices (for approved and paid members) start at 6pm and 8pm at Wet Creek Stables, just North of Hwy 566 on RR 14.
New dogs can start with one of our harnesses available for practice use on a drag sled. The handler and dog will be trained proper drag sled training, and the dog will progress through a number of weight increments, until it is deemed that they are ready to start pulling weight on the small cart, and then later the competition cart. Dogs will then start with a low weight on the competition cart, and go through 4-5 repetitions of a number of increments until they are showing signs of wearing down. Ideally if the handler and dog are committed to the sport, come to practice often, and supplement with at-home workouts, the dog will progress quickly through the increments and perhaps be able to compete. The goal is always to make weight pulling a fun experience for the dog, and to never push them into failure, always doing what the dog knows it can do to build confidence.
Hope to see you out soon!
Competitons
Before the pull
All dogs must be contained in crates in the holding area. Once on the premises, please secure your dog as quick as possible and then proceed to fill out all registration forms, etc. When asked, please take your dog to the weigh-in area for weighing in and then return them to their crate. When called that your dog is "on deck" please have your dog ready in the on-deck area.
Load increments shall be determined by a simple majority of the handlers and will be set prior to the beginning of the pull. The selected increment for each class will remain consistent throughout the class. (IWPA only - APA sanctioned pulls will have varied increments set at the beginning of each round)
Your dog has 60 seconds to pull a loaded cart 16 feet. If the cart is in continuous forward motion the dog shall be allowed to complete the pull and the actual time required to make the pull shall be recorded.
During the pull
All dogs will have the opportunity to pull at every weight increment until such time as they are out of the pull.
The handler positions the dog, hooks them up with enough slack in the tug line to prevent the dog from inadvertently moving the sled or cart. There shall not be so much slack as to allow a sling shot start. The handler then proceeds directly across the finish line without stopping or hesitating; without communication or contact with the dog or equipment. (IWPA only - APA you do not have to proceed behind the line). The time will start once the handler is in the proper position and instructs the dog to pull or the dog attempts or starts to pull.Once the handler has crossed the finish line, they may not make contact with the dog, pulling surface or equipment between the start and finish line. The handler cannot touch the dog until the pull is complete. The judge will direct the handler to physically reposition the dog if there is a tangle or equipment failure. The dog is considered to be in position when the handler moves more than arms length away from the dog.
The handler may pass one or two turns but must pull on the third turn. Once the dog is hooked up to the sled/cart the handler may not pass in that round.
Maximum starting weight:
Wt. Class Max Wt. Class Max
20 lb. 200 lbs 100 lb 700 lbs.
40 lb. 400 lbs 125 lb. 800 lbs.
60 lb. 500 lbs. 150 lb 800 lbs.
80 lb. 600 lbs. UNL 800 lbs.
Whips, noisemakers, muzzles, pinch collars, or related aids shall not be permitted at any time during an event. Throwing of items while the dog is in pulling shut is considered baiting. No food, treats or bait/baiting shall be used from the time the dogs class begins until the dog is eliminated from competition and removed from the pull area. (IWPA only - food, treats, etc is allowed in APA in the holding area only). Handlers shall not have food or bait on their person during the competition. Handling from the crowd by a second handler will be cause for disqualification.
After the Pull
The dog pulling the most weight in its class is declared the winner. Each successive dog pulling a lower weight is placed second, third, etc. If two or more dogs pull the same weight the required distance and can pull no more weight the full distance, the winner is determined by the fastest time in the previous pull.
IWPA point system:
In order for the dog to be eligible and counted for points they must be entered and eligible as described in SECTION 4 - Contestants, A. ELIGIBILITY. Each dog will receive one (1) point for each dog defeated in his class that has made a successful pull. The last place dog in each class will earn 1/2 point, providing they have made a successful pull and place 4th or below.
In addition:
* 5 points will be awarded for first place
* 3 points will be awarded for second place
* 1 point will be awarded for third place
The dog's five best pulls will be counted in the final standing. Two pulls from out of region (two for snow and two for wheels) can be counted. Wheeled events will be kept separate from the snow events.
APA Point System:
1st place - 10 pts
2nd place - 7 pts
3rd place - 3 pts
Win your division (percentage) - 15 pts
Win most weight pulled (overall under/over 70 - 15 pts (cannot win both percentage and overall unless there is 12 or more dogs in your division).
Also gain additional points for beating dogs that pulled:
23x - 2 pts
18x - 1 pts
12x - .5 pts