Although the word Skijoring rhymes with “boring,” it is anything but!
This dog sport is actually a great way to get exercise for you and your dog during the winter and a fabulous way to build a bond with your dog.
What is skijoring?
Skijoring is a sport in which your dog pulls you while you are skiing on cross-country skis. It is different from dog sledding in that, while your dog is pulling you, you are also adding to the momentum by skiing along. In a unique twist, you bring not only your skiing skills to the team but also your dog training and handling skills. Typically, people skijor with one to three dogs at a time. You can do this sport competitively or recreationally.
What if there’s no snow?
Skijoring is a wintertime sport, but in summer or in warmer climates lacking snow, there are other activities where your dog can pull you, such as scooter-joring, bike-joring, or cani-cross. Scooter-joring uses scooters made specifically for the sport. They are quite stable and low to the ground with hand brakes. For bike-joring, you can hook your dog to your bicycle and have them pull you using a special bungee leash (it’s like a regular leash but it is elastic, so it reduces the impact on the dog). Cani-cross is a sport where your dog is attached to you using a bungee leash and you can run or hike with your dog while they run with you.
What equipment do I need?
In skijoring and cani-cross, you have a belt that fits low across your back and hips.
- This is connected to your dog via an elasticized bungee leash that reduces the stress of pulling on your dog.
- Your dog will wear a pulling harness in either an “x-back,” “h-back” or “fastback” design.
- When using a scooter or a bike, the dog harness is the same as is the special leash with give or stretch, connecting you to your dog.
- The connections at the scooter and bike level can vary but look for a design that is safe for both you and your dogs.
What’s key to this sport?
Pulling sports can be easy for a dog to learn, fun for you and your dog together, and offer your dog a chance for sustained and focused aerobic exercise. Because these sports are fast-paced, clear communication is key. You and your dog will be in constant communication as you will be giving your dog directions. You’ll be directing them when to speed up or slow down, when to turn, and when to continue straight on. You’re developing a bond built on trust that can get stronger with every run.
Is my dog right for this sport?
Remember, not all dogs are cut out for skijoring. Just because your little Chihuahua pulls like a husky when she is out on walks, that does not mean that she is cut out for skijoring. Skijoring can be right for a dog that:
- Is not too large, but weighs over 35 pounds.
- Has a thick coat for protection from the cold weather. If they have thin fur, their harness must fit properly over their coat.
- Has thick and stiff paw hair that doesn’t pack up with snow.
- Understands and responds to verbal cues.
- Has a low prey drive, and won’t take off after a squirrel or other distractions.
- Can stay focused when other dogs and people are around (if you’re going to compete).
Getting started with skijoring
Your own cross-country skiing skills affect how well your dog pulls you in skijoring. Taking a ski lesson or two will benefit both you and your dog! It is essential for you to be able to keep your balance and stop on cross-country skis before you hook up to your dog. And remember that when you first start skijoring, unless your dog is used to being attached to your waist and has seen skis before, he might be a bit confused as to what is expected. As always, train your dog using positive reinforcement.
- Slowly introduce any new equipment: the harness, the bungee leash line, and the skis. Use rewards when they show curiosity in the skis and when putting on the new harness, etc.
- Dogs can learn to pull by being hooked to a dog that already knows how to pull or by chasing another human or dog.
- Pulling for most dogs is very instinctual and is highly self-rewarding.
- Useful cues to train include “let’s go” (for “go”), “on by” (for “leave it and move on”), and “whoa” (for stop). Traditionally “gee” means go right and “haw” means go left.
- “Come around” means to make a 180-degree turn and “line out” means to pull the lines out to get ready to go, but not yet bursting out at full speed.
Again, using reward-based techniques, especially praise, is essential for teaching a dog to pull with confidence.
Tips for success
- Before starting this sport, wait for young dogs to be all done growing so that their growth plates have completely closed. This can take up to one to one and a half years depending on the breed.
- Most dogs (and people!) don’t do well in extreme heat or extreme cold. Different breeds have different heat and cold requirements and it's important to understand where your dog’s limits are. Bring water and adequate clothing for you and your dog.
- Before getting frustrated with your dog, try to improve your own skiing skills. Take a few more ski lessons and also ensure that your dog understands the new words you’ve taught them.
- Practice the new words when you’re out for regular walks, for example, check that they know what “on by” means and make turns using “gee” and “haw.”
- Avoid feeding your dog for at least 2 hours prior to exercise.
