From local clubs to competitive events, pulling sports are gaining more and more popularity. Canicross, in particular, because it is ideal for beginners as it requires minimal equipment! But passionate dog owners are also getting into bike-joring, dog scootering, skijoring and even carting or mushing, which can be started with a team of two or more dogs.

These sports are truly win-win for both dogs and their humans. Here’s a breakdown of the benefits of pulling sports for dogs:

• Burn off energy: Fulfilling your dog’s physical needs is essential for a balanced, happy life. High-energy dogs especially need an outlet where to pour all this extra energy. For many dogs who can’t be safely let off leash, pulling sports offer the perfect opportunity to run at full speed while still remaining under your control.
• Strengthen your bond: Doing an activity together is a great way to improve communication and deepen your connection with your pup. Pulling sports involve teaching commands and focusing on each other to keep a good pace, this is true teamwork!
• Fulfill natural instincts: Some breeds were specifically bred for pulling so it’s in their DNA! Many working breeds also thrive when they have a job to do alongside their humans. If you have a nordic breed or basically any shepherd, retriever or pointer, they should love pulling sports!
• Provide mental stimulation: Pulling takes focus! Dogs have to follow commands, read the environment, and stay engaged during intense physical activity.
• Help your dog build muscle: A strong, fit dog is better equipped to support their joints and may even live longer thanks to a better cardiovascular health.
• Create a training opportunity: Pulling sports are a great outlet for dogs who tend to pull on walks. They allow your dog to do what they naturally want to do, and you can actually enjoy the activity together. It's recommended to meet a dog’s needs before starting training, so going for a canicross session before working on loose leash walking is actually ideal! If you train with other dogs, your dog also learns to focus and work despite distractions, and to manage their excitement around other dogs. This can take time to train, by gradually reducing the distance between you and other teams, but it will ultimately be useful, even on everyday walks. Additionally, for some anxious dogs, pulling sports can help build confidence thanks to the structure they provide and the intensity of the activity, which leaves less time for the dog to focus on scary triggers. Finally, pulling sports also help build drive, which can be especially useful for working dogs!
• Satisfy your dog’s social needs (sometimes!): If you join a club, attend group training, or practice with multiple dogs, pulling sports can also help fulfill the dog’s need for social interaction.
• Have fun: Your dog gets to run, be outdoors, and share an exciting moment with someone they love, so they usually love pulling sports! And if your pup doesn’t enjoy it? That’s totally okay too. You’ll know, pulling isn’t something you can fake.

Of course, these sports aren’t just good for dogs. They offer real benefits for humans too:

• Get fit (and healthy): Whether you’re running, biking or skiing, the dog is far from doing all the work for you, it’s definitely a serious workout to try to keep up with them!
• Meet a community: Guess what? You have social needs too! And those dog sports can definitely help you meet new people, whether it is through clubs, social media, at competitions or directly on the trails!
• Stay motivated: Ever tried to go for a run but couldn’t get yourself out of bed? Same. But when your dog is staring at you, ready for the best moment of their day? That’s motivation.

How to Practice Pulling Sports Safely?

However great those sports are, they still need to be practiced safely. Here's what to keep in mind:

• Vet checks: Before starting such a demanding activity, take your dog for a thorough vet examination. This may include X-rays, heart and lungs assessments, and a weight evaluation. If your dog is overweight, begin with food management and low-impact exercises like walking and swimming before trying pulling sports, as it could be dangerous for their joints.
• Nutrition: Feed your dog high-quality food, in portions calculated according to the activity level. You can also give supplements for joint support as pulling sports can be straining for the body.
• The right equipment (of course!): A proper pulling harness and a bungee line are common to all pulling sports! Depending on terrain (snowy, rocky, etc…), booties might also be necessary. Check out our kits if you’re unsure of what to get: Canicross Starter Kit, Bike-Joring Starter Kit (also great for dog scootering) and Ski-Joring Starter Kit.
• Warm ups: Just like us, dogs need a good warm up before any demanding physical activity. You can start with a walk and some fitness exercises, and try an ointment such as Fast&Go.
• Train smart: Begin with short, slow sessions. Build up gradually to avoid injury or burnout.
• Hydration: Always have water available before and after the activity, in reasonable quantities to avoid bloating. Electrolytes for dogs can be given after intense sessions.
• Temperature: Dogs can overheat easily and quickly! Above 15°C (60°F), it is not wise to take your dog out for training.
• Recovery: After your session, help your dog stretch or give them a light massage to support muscle recovery.

Remember to apply most of these to yourself as well!