Dog running / Canicross

Canicross is for many the easiest way to start sled dog sports. In canicross, the dog team moves forward with the dog pulling the runner. The dog has suitable pulling harness and the person has a canicross belt around the waist. Between them is always an elastic pull line that dampens jerks.

In canicross, the so-called weakest link is usually the runner, as the dog team mainly moves at the pace the runner can run. Of course, the dog can provide significant pulling assistance, but compared to other sled dog sports, the dog's pulling power is not as crucial in canicross. The sport is therefore easy to practice even at a competitive level with many different types and sizes of dogs. Many also practice canicross completely without competitive goals: it is an easy way to improve both your own and the dog's fitness. The dog is a great pacer and doing things together gives a whole new boost to normal walks!

Starting canicross

Some dogs start pulling quite naturally, while others may need more encouragement to pull. If you want your dog to become a confident puller who does not stop to sniff or get distracted, it is worth practicing pulling just like any other new skill. It is advisable to start canicross training gradually. Pulling the runner is hard work for the dog, so initially the distances are only tens or hundreds of meters. If you don’t let the dog get too tired, it will keep its enthusiasm for running.

When can you start canicross?

Direction, start, and stop commands can be practiced already with a puppy during everyday walks (and reinforced throughout the dog's life). However, for actual pulling training, the dog should be fully grown and healthy. A basic level of fitness for both the dog and the runner is a good foundation for starting canicross. The runner’s physique is also put to a different test than running without pulling, so supporting muscles and running technique should be in good shape to prevent sports injuries. This is especially emphasized when running with large, strongly pulling dogs – with smaller dogs, the effect of pulling is naturally smaller.

The threshold to start canicross is very low anyway. For example, compared to bikejoring and skijoring, it is much easier for a person on foot to control the dog. Canicross also works well as a starting pulling sport for the dog, even if the goal is to focus later on other sled dog sports.

Equipment in good condition from the start

Whenever the dog is put to pull, the equipment must definitely be in good condition: pulling harness of the right size for the dog, elastic pull line, and a canicross belt with leg loops for the runner. So don’t fall into the thought that you will get the right equipment after you have started the sport. The right equipment is a safety factor for both you and your dog. For example, poorly fitting pulling harness can quickly crush the dog’s motivation for the whole sport. Canicross equipment is also versatile: often the same running belt and elastic line can also be used for everyday walks and hiking/trips. Read more about equipment below.

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Basic exercises

Pulling training should start with very short pulls of a few tens of meters 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 the front. A runner eagerly barking behind can easily cause a beginner dog to just look back or even stop.

  • Run together towards the reward with the dog in pulling harness but not attached. This way the dog gets used to the person running close behind.
  • Let the dog pull in the pulling harness towards the reward while you brake the movement. This way the dog gets a feel for pulling in the harness. In this exercise, you don’t even have to run yourself at first.

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

Extending pulling distances

When the dog is no longer disturbed by the “brake” running behind and has learned that pulling in the pulling harness is allowed and desirable, the pulling distance can be gradually extended in different training sessions: e.g. 100, 300, 500, 800 meters. As distances increase, turns naturally come into play as well.

To keep the dog’s motivation for pulling, patience should be maintained in training. The length of the pulling section should especially for a beginner dog be such that the dog can pull it with the line tight. With well-executed performances, the dog gains confidence in pulling and the pulling motivation grows.

You can include pulling training as part of a longer running session. It makes sense to first jog to warm up muscles – take the pulling section in the middle of the run – and then continue cooling down muscles for the rest of the run. When the dog is not supposed to pull, the leash can be attached to the dog’s collar. Warming up and cooling down can also be done with the dog off leash if possible.

Even if your dog already seems to find the exercise rewarding in itself, the thank you waiting at the end of the run is an important part of maintaining pulling motivation.

Equipment for canicross

  • Pulling harness for the dog
    Well-fitting, right-sized harnesses intended for pulling sports. With ergonomic pulling harnesses, the greatest pressure of the pull is comfortably on the dog’s chest and not on the sensitive throat area or shoulders. Check out our pulling harness fitting guide here.

    If your dog is not actually meant to pull but only to move ahead of you on the leash, or even beside you, well-fitting shorter Y-harnesses are excellent for running with the dog instead of long pulling harnesses.

  • Elastic pull line
    In all sled dog sports, an elastic pull line must always be used. The optimal (and competition rules compliant) canicross line length is stretched at least 1.5 m and at most 2.5 m measured from the dog’s rear to the competitor’s canicross belt lock/hook. According to official rules, there must be no metal parts (locks or rings etc.) on the runner’s end of the elastic line, as they may injure the dog if the pull line somehow detaches/is detached during pulling. This safety factor should also be considered during training.
  • Also 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 heavy use.

  • Canicross belt for the runner
    The canicross belt worn on the runner’s hips must stay in place while running. Leg loops prevent the belt from sliding up while running. A belt worn too high on the waist is very risky, as all jerks then affect the person’s back. The canicross belt should also be wide enough: competition rules require the belt to be at least 7 centimeters wide on 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 comes from below, at the runner’s buttocks level.

Canicross competitions

Sled dog sports competitions in Finland are still relatively small events with a relaxed atmosphere. So don’t hesitate to participate in your first competitions! Starting a sled dog sports career is easiest with canicross. Practically, the 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 definitely does not belong in sled dog sports competitions, as tight overtaking situations inevitably occur.

In Finland, so-called dry land sled dog sports competitions are held in spring and autumn. Summers are vacation and base fitness periods for sled dog athletes, as hot weather is not suitable for sled dog sports. Competitions under the Finnish Sled Dog Sports Association use the international sled dog sports federation IFSS competition rules. National rules complement IFSS rules in national sled dog sports competitions and Finnish championships.

Information about upcoming canicross competitions can be found here: Sled dog sports competitions and events. In competition announcements, canicross series class abbreviations are DCM / DCW (canicross men / women) and for juniors DCMJ / DCWJ (boys/girls). Even in official competitions, a normal canicross class (usually about 5 km) is often held alongside a canicross hobby class (usually about 3 km).

Also remember to check out our page: Participating in canicross competitions.

Does the dog always pull on the leash if it practices pulling sports?

One concern for those considering starting pulling sports is whether the dog will start pulling on leash during everyday walks. In practice, dogs do learn to distinguish from different equipment when they are allowed to pull properly and when not. Pulling harness feels very different on the dog than normal everyday walking gear, so it is easy for them to differentiate. It is logical for the dog that different harnesses are used on pulling runs than those used to teach polite walking without pulling in everyday life.

A dog that practices pulling sports does not automatically mean a dog that always pulls on leash. Practicing pulling sports is also a great way to channel an active dog’s energy into exercise. Thus, allowed pulling in pulling gear can very well also make everyday walks easier.