Weight Pull

Would you believe a 16 pound dog could pull a wheeled cart, and weights, that totaled over 2,000 pounds?
No, that's not a type-o. That is a Weight Pull Competition Dog. And this, may just be the sport you are searching for.


Weight Pull is literally the pulling of weight, either on a cart with wheels, or a sled with runners. The basic rundown, is that the dog must pull this weight a distance of 16 ft, without help. The dogs are organized by their weight class, and they have 1 minute in which to complete the pull. Sounds pretty simple right? Wellllll....Maybe not quite.

Back before cars, trucks and other heavy machines, dogs and horses did this work. Now, you might immediately think of Huskies and Malamutes when you think of dogs who pull, and you'd be right. Did you know the Bouvier Des Flandres was used to pull carts of milk for delivery? Or that the Newfoundland was also known as a freight dog?

And well before that, Native Americans and other peoples were using dogs to pull their things from place to place whenever the camp moved. The sport of Weight Pull is designed to highlight the Freighting heritage of our canine companions.
Since it's inception in 1984, the International Weight Pull Association (IWPA) has been allowing all kinds of dogs to participate. That 16 pounder I mentioned at the beginning of this article? A Jack Russell Terrier! Don't believe me, look it up ...amazing stuff.


As with any sport, there has to be some proper equipment and training involved to prevent injury to both yourself, and your dog. After all, he's the athlete. You wouldn't expect yourself to walk into a gym after months of sitting on the couch and suddenly bench press 350 lbs. Some conditioning is necessary. A visit to your vet to make sure your dog is fit to begin training for this is a must, as well as doing a ton of research. Check out some books on the subject, research some of the pull clubs in your area, and attend some events. Talk with the people involved in the events and meet the owners competing. You'll get a feel for who is consciously caring for their athletes, and who is probably more concerned about the Win, than their dogs. I suggest learning from someone who cares enough to drop out if they had to, in order to keep their dogs healthy.


With licensed veterinary clearance, and an investment in a custom fit harness, now is the time to work out a suitable training plan. And no, ground-swimming and yanking you down the street does not count. It may make you a good candidate to try Weight Pull, but a strong player with no rules cannot make the team. If you've decided you do want to try this, investing in a proper fitting freight-harness is an absolute must. Do not settle for 'cheap' or 'bargain' here. This piece of equipment is designed, and usually custom fit, to each individual dog to minimize the risk of injury. If you enroll in an IWPA competition, be prepared for the judges and affiliates to inspect you, your dog and what he's wearing prior to admittance in the pull. They do this to ensure safety. Can you believe the IWPA has never had an injury at a pull in all those years? That's right, since 1984 they haven't. And it's because of the rules.

 Once you've gotten the harness, start taking your dog for walks wearing it with nothing attached to it (keep your dog leashed for safety). You want this to be a comfortable transition, not something weird and scary. If you watch some of those pull videos (and please do look up the ones from official IWPA links) it is plain to see how much fun those dogs are having! Teaching your dog to be 'under control' is a must, as this is one of the stipulations for joining the IWPA pulls. Your dog cannot be just insane, he's got to have focus, drive, and he's gotta want to do this. Inhumane forcing or treatment to “make” him pull will not be tolerated.


There is some controversy as to the humane nature of this sport altogether. Some that are against it maintain that it is cruel or harmful to 'make' the dogs pull this weight. This point of view is understandable.

After all, a dog is all heart. Most of them don't know when their bodies can't take it anymore, and will continue to try and pull past what is safe for them. As a responsible person, it is your job to look out for the well-being of your dog at all times. Knowing what your dog is capable of within their safe limits, and knowing when to call it quits, before the judge has to, is the mark of a well-versed and educated handler. At some of the non-IWPA sanctioned events, there have been instances of pulled or torn tendons in knees, elbows, and other joints. Shoulder strain, and spinal injuries, due to poorly fit harnesses and heavy weights can happen too. And there are risks to the toenails, paw-pads, and bones in the feet and legs. There are physical risks you take involving your dog in any sport, but with Weight Pull, you are asking your dog to do something very physically demanding, so don't just jump in: Get Educated.


Being irresponsible in “conditioning” the dog is where one could say this is a 'cruel' thing to do. Hanging weights off your dog, or making them drag heavy objects around all the time is NOT the way to build a sound athlete. Strapping weights to your dog, just to see How Much He Can Handle is wrong. You can, and will hurt your dog. There are those competitive Humans who just can't say 'enough.' These people have caused severe injuries to the dogs they claim to love, because they just don't know when to throw in the towel. As mentioned, a dog is all heart.....Allowing them to continue just because you want a win; piling on more weight than you have trained for.....Not ok.


The atmosphere of the handlers and what they are allowed to say or do to their dogs, is closely monitored to ensure fun and safety. If at any time the IWPA judges deem your handling rough, or you are screaming at your dog in a way that seems to use intimidation, rather than encouragement, and if it appears that your dog can't or doesn't want to try, they will send you away. It's that simple. This is a sport that celebrates the working dog. And it is a fantastic workout and energy outlet for some of the more 'hyper', or strong breeds out there. Not to mention the bonding and behavioral bonuses you get from giving your dog a healthy place to put some of his pent up energy. Rottweilers, Huskies, Bernese Mountain Dogs, Jack Russell Terriers, Standard Poodles, Staffordshire Bull Terriers, you'll see them all, and many more at these events.

Training these athletes takes time, and attention to detail. Diet and proper exercise is only part of exposing your dogs full potential. Your Weight Pull dog must also enjoy crowds, and be balanced in their personality, so this can remain a safe event. No dog aggressive dogs, or dogs who don't like people will be allowed to compete. Start your training by walking a mile a day. Talk to professionals in the canine training industry. Interview several if you want help teaching your dog to be a world-class pull dog. Too much too fast can cause serious and sometimes irreversible injury or damage to your pulling pal, so be sure you have done thorough research. Make sure the mentors you have chosen to assist you are on the up-and-up as well. If someone boasts that they have trained “100's of dogs” for this, ask them for references. And, as always, make sure that whatever training that has been presented as the plan, gets run by your vet to make certain the program won't be too much for your dog. It is always better to go slowly, and build that athlete in wholesome, natural ways.


A pull dog who is trained properly, and built slowly will relish the chance to give it all he's got to out show the competition. Remember, this isn't something you can do on the weekends. Just like getting yourself in shape, if you don't have the time to dedicate every day to the conditioning and training this athlete will require, this may not be for you. That's ok, there are so many different dog sports out there, you're bound to find one that suits both your personalities.


There are several different clubs and organizations that now offer Weight Pull as a positive outlet for a strong dogs energy and strength. The United Kennel Club (UKC), the American Pulling Alliance (APA), the International Weight Pull Association (IWPA) and the Global Pulling Alliance (GPA) are all available online for your informational resources. There are also some breed specific weight pull clubs out there as well. The St. Bernard Club of America, and the Alaskan Malamute Club of America host events in different states most of the year. Do some digging and see if your dog has a club near you.


If you are interested in getting your dog started, visit a competition without your dog. This will give you a chance to check it out as a spectator. You'll be able to ask questions, meet some people, and see it this is the sport for you.