Dog running / Canicross

 

Canicross is the easiest way for many people to start sled dog sport. In canicross, the dog and runner move forward with the dog pulling the runner. The dog wears a suitable pulling harness, while the person wears a canicross belt around their hips. There is always a bungee pull line between them to absorb jolts.

In canicross, the so-called weakest link is usually the runner, as the dog and runner mainly move at the pace the runner is able to maintain. The dog can of course provide considerable pulling assistance, but compared with other sled dog sports, the dog’s pulling ability is not as decisive in canicross. This makes the sport easy to pursue even at competition level with many different types and sizes of dogs. Many people also enjoy canicross without any competitive ambitions at all: it is an easy way to improve both their own and their dog’s fitness. A dog is an excellent pacemaker, and doing something together gives a whole new boost to an ordinary run!

Getting started with Canicross

Some dogs take naturally to pulling, while others may need more encouragement. If you want your dog to become a confident puller that does not stop for scents or other distractions, it is worth practising pulling just like any other new skill. Canicross should be started gradually. Pulling a runner is strenuous for a dog, so at first the distances should only be a few dozen or a few hundred metres. When you do not let your dog become too tired, it will retain its enthusiasm for running.

When can you start canicross?

You can begin practising directional, start and stop commands with a puppy during everyday walks, and continue reinforcing them throughout the dog’s life. However, the dog should be fully grown and healthy before starting actual pulling training. It is good for both the dog and runner to have some basic fitness before starting canicross. The runner’s body is also put under different strain in this sport than when running without a dog pulling, so the supporting muscles and running technique should be in good condition to help prevent sports injuries. This is particularly important when running with large, strongly pulling dogs—the effect of the pull is naturally smaller with smaller dogs.

In any case, the threshold for starting canicross is very low. Compared with bikejoring and skijoring, it is considerably easier for a person moving on foot to control the dog. Canicross is also a good introductory pulling sport for a dog, even if the aim is to focus on other sled dog sports later.

Get the equipment right from the start

Whenever a dog is asked to pull, the equipment must be in perfect condition: the correct-size pulling harness for the dog, a bungee pull line and a canicross belt with leg loops for the runner. Do not fall into the trap of thinking that you will buy the right equipment once you have first tried the sport. The right equipment is a safety factor for both you and your dog. Ill-fitting pulling harnesses, for example, can quickly undermine a dog’s motivation for the entire sport. Canicross equipment is also versatile: the same running belt and bungee line can often be used for everyday walks and hiking as well. Read more about the equipment below.

Basic exercises

It is best to start pulling training with very short runs of a few dozen metres towards a reward. The reward can be food, a toy or even a familiar person. If you can use an assistant, have them encourage the dog verbally from in front. An enthusiastic runner shouting behind the dog can easily make a beginner dog look back or even stop.

• Run together towards the reward with the dog wearing a pulling harness but not attached. This helps the dog get used to a person running close behind.
• Let the dog pull towards the reward in a pulling harness while you brake its progress. This gives the dog a feel for pulling in a pulling harness. You do not even need to run yourself at first in this exercise.

Always remember to warm up and cool down both your dog’s and your own muscles before and after even short pulling sessions.

Lengthening the pulling intervals

 

Once the dog is no longer distracted by the “brake” running behind it and has learned that pulling in a pulling harness is allowed and desirable, you can gradually lengthen the pulling distance over different training sessions: for example, 100, 300, 500 and 800 metres. As the distances increase, turns will naturally be introduced as well.

To maintain the dog’s motivation to pull, it is important to remain patient during training. Especially with a beginner dog, the pulling section should be short enough for the dog to manage it with the line taut. Successful performances give the dog confidence in pulling and increase its motivation to pull.

You can include pulling training as part of a longer run. It makes sense to jog first to warm up the muscles, do a pulling section in the middle of the run, and then continue with the rest of the run while cooling the muscles down. When the dog is not supposed to pull, the leash can be attached to the dog’s collar. You can of course also warm up and cool down by allowing the dog to move freely, if that is possible.

Even if your dog seems to find the exercise itself rewarding, the praise waiting at the end of the run is an important part of maintaining its motivation to pull.

Equipment for canicross

• Pulling harness for the dog
  A well-fitting, correctly sized harness designed for pulling sports. With an ergonomic pulling harness, the greatest pressure from the pull is comfortably distributed across the dog’s chest rather than the sensitive throat area or the shoulders. Read our  fitting guide for pulling harnesses here.
  
  If your dog is not actually meant to pull but only to move ahead of you at the end of the leash, or even beside you, a well-fitting  shorter Y-harness is excellent for running with your dog instead of a long pulling harness.
  
  
• Bungee pull line
  A bungee pull line must always be used in all sled dog sports. The optimal length of a canicross line, and the length required by competition regulations, is at least 1.5 m and no more than 2.5 m when stretched, measured from the dog’s rear to the competitor’s canicross belt clip/hook. According to the official rules, the runner’s end of the bungee line must not have any metal part, such as a clip or ring, as these could injure the dog if the pull line comes loose or is detached during a pull for some reason. This safety factor is worth considering during training as well.
  
  Remember to check the condition and elasticity of the pull line from time to time: even high-quality pull lines lose their elasticity over time and with heavy use.
  
  
• Canicross Belt for the runner
  The canicross belt worn around the runner’s hips must stay in place while running. Leg loops prevent the belt from riding up during the run. A canicross belt worn too high around the waist is extremely risky, as all jolts will then be transferred to the person’s back. The canicross belt must also be wide enough: according to the competition rules, it must be at least 7 centimetres wide at the back. You can learn more about different canicross belt models in our  canicross belt guide. One of the most ergonomic options for a running belt is the  Non-stop dogwear CaniX Belt, where the pulling point is low, at the height of the runner’s buttocks.
  
  

Canicross competitions

Sled dog sport competitions in Finland and elsewhere in Europe are relatively small events with a relaxed atmosphere. So do not hesitate unnecessarily to take part in your first competition! Starting a sled dog sport career is easiest specifically through canicross. In practice, the only skills required are that the dog moves voluntarily ahead of the runner and is not a danger to other dogs or runners. A dog with aggressive tendencies absolutely has no place in sled dog sport competitions, as tight overtaking situations are unavoidable.

So-called dryland sled dog sport competitions are held in spring and autumn. Summers are the holiday and base-training season for sled dog athletes, as hot weather is not suitable for practising sled dog sport.

Competitions held under the Finnish Sled Dog Sport Association use the competition rules of the International Federation of Sleddog Sports.  National rules supplement the IFSS rules in national sled dog sport competitions and Finnish Championships.

Information about upcoming canicross competitions in Finland can be found here:  Sled dog sport competitions and events. In competition announcements, the class abbreviations for canicross are DCM / DCW (canicross men / women), and for junior competitors DCMJ / DCWJ (boys/girls). Even official competitions often offer, in addition to the normal canicross class (usually around 5 km), a recreational canicross class (usually around 3 km).

Also remember to visit our page:  Taking part in canicross competitions.

Will a dog always pull on the leash if it takes part in pulling sports?

One concern for people considering starting pulling sports is whether the dog will also start pulling on the leash during everyday walks. In practice, dogs do learn to distinguish from the equipment when they are allowed to pull properly and when they are not. A pulling harness feels different to a dog when worn than normal everyday walking equipment, so distinguishing between them is easy for dogs. It is therefore logical to the dog that different harnesses are used for pulling walks than those used to teach it to walk nicely without pulling in everyday life.

Having a dog that takes part in pulling sports does not automatically mean having a dog that always pulls on the leash. Taking part in pulling sports is also an excellent way to channel an active dog’s energy into exercise. As a result, allowing the dog to pull in pulling equipment may well make everyday walks easier too.