Preparing to Draft

[chumleysma]

I just got back from my dog's trainer who is sewing a harness for future draft work for us. He has a halter which he's worn several times now. She said she's sewing long reins? which will attach to rings on each side of his halter. I'm supposed to drive him from behind (just walking, no cart, no harness) and give his turn commands. I've been to a draft horse driving clinic. Are the turn and stop commands the same for a dog? He also has to learn how to back on command. I'm such the newbie...is this how we start out?

 

[R Taft]

I started by being off leash in just Obedience (and Rally O) and using left, right, back-up, forward and such when i was beside them. From that I started working off leash from behind or either side and even in front. I found getting Annabelle to stop wanting to heel was initially the most difficult, but i never had that problem with Katy. Must be Annabelle's insecurity I have never used a halter , just a long leash on collar if I was in a new environment or at events where there are a lot of potential unpredictability's. I have found my off leash obedience the best to start with. I also used a harness without pulling anything and went on to putting light weights on the traces. On to the cart.....
We do both horse and dog drafting, we have used off leash training for our dogs, but just regular long reining for our horses, though we also use words "get-over" (left) and "come-over" (right) and "whoa" and "giddup" or click. We also use the touch of rein on their backs and still the feel of the bit. So to me horses are slightly different. Some of our horses go on words only, because they have learned to listen. We had one Johnno, who was purely on the bit, from his previous teachings, he was heavy
We love drafting and Annabelle loves it the most. I think she feels special when she has her cart behind her



JUst had to show-off a proud looking Annabelle last Christmas, polishing the cart again for the same jobs

 

[chumleysma]

I think she feels special when she has her cart behind her

That's what I want for my dog too. He's just so bored. We did a dog carting aptitude assessment at the last Newfstock when he was 9 mo. old (some things were omitted due to his age.) It stated...natural and easy going-incredible potential. Very calm- did not react on gravel. Was side stepping on first time- incredible. One of the best aptitudes for draft work that I have ever seen. Learns exceptionally fast and will need challenges or will get bored.
So, I know he can do this, but I don't yet know how to get him there. I can't find any carting seminars during these winter months, but I will do what I can to get him ready for spring. As you mentioned, the off leash obedience. Also, I will see what this trainer has to offer, but she does weight pull competitions, not quite the same I'd think.

 

[Angela]

I teach them "left" and "right" because I do a lot of obedience trials with them, so it's easy to keep the same words I find.
Stand, stay, back I also use.
Teaching back I start without a cart, and use a couple of 2 x 4's to make a chute, just wide enough for the dog.
I've never used a halter, just harnesses.
I keep them on a shortish leash in the beginning and train them alongside me at first.

 

[R Taft]

Ah yes I forgot stand....As you see she does it. I also like Angela, rely on my Obedience. It just flows on.......

 

[2Paws]

In NCA carting competition we are allowed to work next to the dog while competing. I believe there is a level in the Canadian carting competition that requires one to work from behind but I've never heard of anybody training their dog with a halter or reins and working from behind. At least not for canine draft work.

When I first started to do draft work I used the commands "Gee" for right turns and "Haw" for left turns. You will find some of the purists like to use these commands. I found them to be confusing for me so I now just use left and right and for a directionally challenged person, I find this to be so much easier. I use "Easy" for when I want them to move slower and a good "Whoa" for when I want them to stop. For some reason the "Whoa" word gets more attention than "Halt" or "Stop".

I had a training friend who is also a draft judge tell me the most important command in draft work is the "Whoa" She said if you have a good solid "Whoa", you will pass a test. I can say, one of the reasons Henry and I have been so successful in draft work is because he has a very good solid "Whoa".

I taught the backup with my dog in heel position and both of us moving back together. You can use a long hallway to keep them moving straight or between two parked cars or along a picnic table. Once my dog has the concept of what "back" means, then I work on a backup with me in front and asking the dog to move back.

As Angela stated all of these commands can also be used for your competiton obedience or rally work. They all build upon the same skill sets. And all of these commands can be trained while you are doing a nice walk with your dog.

Another thing I did to get my dogs ready was to get them used to different things with wheels moving in front of them, next to them and finally behind them. Henry was one of those dogs that was very fearful of anything with any kind of noise behind him. Wheels by a dog's tuned in hearing standards, make all kinds of noise. By introducing this slowly to him, by the time we were ready to hitch him up to the cart, he was over this fear.

It's not a good idea to have your newfie pull any kind of weight until they are over 18 months of age. Typically, this is about the time they are done growing so no harm will be done to soft growing bones.

 

[heather pluciennik]

I use left and right too even in water training when she's looking for a item. I was thinking of getting into drafting too since I was a steward last Oct for my Newf club. Learned a lot and had fun.

 

[mulenag]

A good obedience foundation makes things so much easier for both you and the dog. They already know the cue words by that point. I never did "drive" Ebony. I always worked along side her, but do try to work on both sides even though it feels easier in heel position. There are times you will need to work with the dog on your right.
I used "come right" and "go left" for turns, but use what you are comfortable with.
A solid "halt" is very important. It can help prevent your dog from bumping into something.
Have fun!!

 

[Angela]

I use "Stay" for the Whoa and because up here in the frozen north lol our dogs cannot sit whilst being tested I say "Stand, stay" which works.
Whatever words you use Stacy always be consistant.

 

[Cascadians]

Bill at Wilczek Woodworks
http://www.wilczekwoodworks.com/index.php#

DVD Set: "Training Your Draft Dog" and "Showing Your Draft Dog" (Berners)
Manual: "Newfound Draft Work - A Guide For Training" Second Edition by Consie Powell
Manual: "Ski Spot Run" by John Thompson

I knew primarily I needed to drive Orka from behind so that was the 1st emphasis in training. Went everywhere off leash so he would learn. Have an X Back and Ruffwear Omnijore harness and 3 sets of joring gear to mix and match depending on activity.

Have 2 Wilczek drafting harnesses and his cart and wagon.

I wanted to teach the commands in a way that Orka would understand if somebody else was working him. So I taught

Haw Left
Gee Right
Haw Over
Gee Over
Whoa Stop
Easy Slow
Back
Hike
Wait
Stand Up
Stand
Sit
Lay Down
Stay
Line Out

Orka is either off leash or tether jored to me and I use these commands to drive him single file through crowds, stores, on narrow trails, etc. Easy and convenient.

He works with me alongside or behind, and now we're working on me in front facing him.

 

[janices]

I tend to train to be able to give the commands from anywhere, either side, behind, front. I don't stay at side and tend to move around to where need to be. I change the picture on them cause you never know when the picture has to change on a course.

 

[R Taft]

I use "Stay" for the Whoa and because up here in the frozen north lol our dogs cannot sit whilst being tested I say "Stand, stay" which works.
Whatever words you use Stacy always be consistant.

We use "wait" for whoa, because "wait" stops our dogs dead....Which comes from agility. I still work my dog from behind, because i do not only do official draft work. We do a lot of event draft, where I am all over the place and I need to have control from anywhere.

I think it won't matter what words you use as long as you are consistent, just like in anything you do with dogs

 

[chumleysma]

Thanks ever so much for all the input on commands and obedience in preparation for draft work. I now know we're not ready to slap a cart on and go...not that I would've attempted it anyhow (disaster.) Thanks Leska for the info. on carts. When all the hard work is done, we'll buy one. I'll search the dvds as well. I'll need all winter to get these commands down. I'm telling you this dog is so smart I was feeling overwhelmed. 22 mo. ago, I bought him to be a family dog. Now I realize it's not enough for him. I will do you all a favor and watch the dvds first (few more questions), but I thank you for pointing us in the right direction. Sorry, one more question. Is it ok to tie our empty garbage cans and recycling bins to his collar and make him drag them back to the house...it's a long driveway?

 

[Cascadians]

Use a drafting harness for pulling. A collar will put too much pressure on a dog's neck. He should be pulling from the chest with a properly fitted harness meant for the type of work he is doing.

Also, make sure he's used to the cans and bins first, and their sounds on pavement, gravel, grass. Train to all the sounds first without anything tied because you don't want to spook or startle your dog or have him associate drafting with stress. Familiarize him with everything first. It's a slow gentle process, lots of baby steps.

I have Orka sit to the side and watch me pull the plastic jugs so he sees the pulling and hears the noise. I act like I'm having a great time so he's curious and wants to do it also.

First watch the Berner DVDs and read the Manual by Consie Powell. Those really answer the questions and show the baby steps which are necessary to have a safe confident drafting dog. It takes patience but one can practice the commands and basic principles with every walk.

Also, make sure you have an experienced official Newf drafting person help you fit the harness and equipment. Most ppl flunk the fitting portions of the test. It's super important to know how to fit and attach everything properly.

After floundering around with measurements and buying several harnesses that did not fit, we hired an NCA drafting judge and mentor to fit Orka. Plus we joined the Cascade Sled Dog Club for more pulling, joring sports, and attended their Pull Clinic and have a champion for a mentor.

 

[chumleysma]

Thanks again Leska. I will pay for this harness as it's already being worked on, but I will ask an experienced Newf drafter to check it out first. I have someone in mind. If not, I will get help to buy another. I will also drag the cans and bins down our stone driveway myself and show Chumley how much fun it is to do all the work while he just watches me. :lol:

 

[plafleursr]

Have you looked at any sites that make and sell Harness ? Try this one http://www.wilczekwoodworks.com/harnesses.php This is the harnes we use when we do draft work.

 

[chumleysma]

Have you looked at any sites that make and sell Harness ? Try this one http://www.wilczekwoodworks.com/harnesses.php This is the harnes we use when we do draft work.

Thanks...I will use this site.

 

[plafleursr]

Here's one on making your own. http://uberpest.com/2006/10/make-your-own-dog-harness/

 

[heather pluciennik]

Here's one on making your own. http://uberpest.com/2006/10/make-your-own-dog-harness/

Will this be OK for draft tests? I was looking into buying a harness but this looks simple to make. Thanks!

 

[Cascadians]

We watched a Newfie draft test and have talked to several draft judges.

Many persons flunk the fitting part. Proper fit is essential to safety.

After hearing about all the flunks we decided to simply go with the very best proven equipment and hire an NCA draft judge to fit Orka, also to go to drafting workshops and keep getting fit checks so we don't screw up. And go to joring (dog pulling driving) workshops also, same fitness emphasis.

All Wilczek equipment here for drafting. Not just for NCA tests but for actually pulling groceries home in the wagon, having fun at parades and developing more proficiency at pulling and maneuvering.

Saw a lot of interesting home-made rigs at the tests, but they flunked. I'm sure ppl with experience and craftsmanship skills pass, but I'm a newbie and don't want to endanger my Newf with ineptitude (which is already there despite great equipment for a newbie!).