Ole Posted March 18, 2010 Report Share Posted March 18, 2010 Training Your Dog for Canix No matter how fit they may look, you cannot assume that pet dogs are up to long distances. As well as the risks from heat and accidental over-exertion, there is a third danger: that of deliberately imposing demands on dogs that can kill them or permanently damage their health. I advise you to build your dogs distance up over several weeks/months. During training runs and hot weather (over 16°c) some breeds (ie those with short muzzles) may have difficulty cooling themselves. If your dog is overweight, unfit, not used to exercise, recovering from illness, of advancing years, or you have any doubt about your dogs ability, please consult your vet. Start by jogging for a few minutes while out walking, and increase the minutes as the weeks go on. Familiarise yourself with your dog’s normal behaviour while running. If at any time sh/e shows any signs they are struggling (excessive foaming at the mouth, shaking the head or pulling to the side), immediately find a shaded place to stop (preferably with a cool breeze) and give them some water. Keep an eye on your dogs tongue length, the longer the tongue the harder it is for the dog to cool down. I monitor my dogs tongue length when we are doing mushing activities. Important....watch your dogs behaviour for 1/2hr after your run – this is the most critical time when sh/e is likely to overheat. More importantly have fun with your dog, most dogs love to run and will enjoy the activity of canix/canicross. Tails 'n' Trails have a few members that are training for canix, so feel free to ask them any questions. Canicross Belt A canicross belt wraps around your waist which allows you to run 'hands free' of the leash, while an elasticated 'bunjee' shock absorbers help take some of the stress of some of those chase the squirrel -rabbit - cat - moments. There's a few different types of Canicross belts on the market, ones without legs loops and ones with. The choice is up to you on which you prefer. Trevor prefers the one without the leg loops as he feels less restricted, but these have a tendancy to slide up your waist while you are running. Some people prefer the leg loops as they provide more control by lowering the center of pull from the small of your back to your butt. They are also meant to be good for increasing your balance and saving stress on your lower back muscles which were actually working to counteract the pulling forces of the dog/s. Canicross belts are also used for bikejoring, some people forego a bike attachment device all together and opt instead to attach the line directly to themselves to the canicross belt. People that do this report that they feel more secure having the dog tied directly to them. This method allows them to control their dog with their body weight rather than the dog controlling the bike or scooter with his. Here is a few images of the most popular types of belts. Canadogs Canicross Belt Nordkyn Mushers Belt Canix Belt with Leg Loops Bungee Line A bungee line takes the stress off your back and your dogs. One end is a fidded loop for attaching leader sections while the other has a quick release that attaches to the belts tethers and D’rings. Lines are usually made of a multi-strand polyethylene rope, and contain a bungee section. Internal bungee is best, and for some clubs and organizations, it's compulsory. The bungee reduces the shock and stress to both the canine and the human, reducing risk of injury to both. Lines run between 7 and 12 feet and can be set up to accommodate 1-2 dogs depending on the need. Generally canicross participants run shorter lines as quick stopping ability is not a consideration. Shorter lines are also easier to control. Longer lines are used for bikejoring, scootering and skijoring as extra distance from the dog(s) is needed for stopping. However, personal preference and ability really dictate what the individual will use. Photo of a Bungee Line The quick release snap shown below that attaches to the D rings, is used in case of an emergency and releases you from the dog/s. Dog Harness Several types of harness are used by dog-powered sports enthusiasts and the preferred harness largely depends on where you are from, what discipline you will be doing, how you and or your dog are built and the set-up you choose to use. The X-back harness is the most common type of harness seen. Its design allows the pulling to come from the chest but then disperses the stress across the entire body. The X-back harness is the item of choice for most North Americans, a lot of Europeans, and many would argue, is the best all-around option. For canicross it is recommended that a harness is used where the lead is attached above the dogs shoulders. These are known as short back, shoulder or distance harness, they allow greater control of the dog while running. Some runners prefer the long distance harness to an x-back. The x-back is meant to cause stress on the dogs intercostal muscles in the stomach becasue of the higher attachment point on the mushers belt compared to a sled. This type of harness may be a good choice if you are attaching your bikejoring or scooter line to yourself or if you're of above average height or running a small dog. Photo of a distance harness Copyright Rita at Tails 'n' Trails Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tamz Posted March 18, 2010 Report Share Posted March 18, 2010 i've been looking into this as Shiloh loves to run lol.......jst tryin to find a good price for the hands free belt and leash at the mo Tami x x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ole Posted March 18, 2010 Author Report Share Posted March 18, 2010 i've been looking into this as Shiloh loves to run lol.......jst tryin to find a good price for the hands free belt and leash at the mo Tami x x My husband does canicross with our 2 Irish Setters He's getting fitter and fitter every week and the dogs love it He's invested in proper running gear for himself now Can I suggest going for a 4" canicross belt if your running more than 2 dogs The extra back support does make a difference Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tamz Posted March 18, 2010 Report Share Posted March 18, 2010 thnx for the tip x x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tikaani&Aiyana Posted March 19, 2010 Report Share Posted March 19, 2010 Thnks for the advice Ole I put a feed on here not long ago for any info on Canicross and this is just what is was after. As Tamz said I am also urrently looking for the best priced equipment at the mo so not long till I can get started! Do you have any advice on what suppliers are the best to go for? This is the best one i have found so far but I am still tryong to decide on leg straps/no leg straps? http://www.snowpawstore.com/canicross.html This gives you the whole kit for £57 which seems quite good. Can't wait to get going Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ole Posted March 19, 2010 Author Report Share Posted March 19, 2010 Thnks for the advice Ole I put a feed on here not long ago for any info on Canicross and this is just what is was after. As Tamz said I am also urrently looking for the best priced equipment at the mo so not long till I can get started! Do you have any advice on what suppliers are the best to go for? This is the best one i have found so far but I am still tryong to decide on leg straps/no leg straps? http://www.snowpawst.../canicross.html This gives you the whole kit for £57 which seems quite good. Can't wait to get going I saw your thread and instead of hijacking it I started another I sell the same package in Ireland for around €65 I don't know if I can post the link or not? but it's the same gear as the snowpawstore Get a shoulder harness and not an xback Xbacks are designed for lower points of attachments such as sleds and rig The shoulder harness will stop any pressure been put on your dogs stomach Canicross is fun and it gets you fit! I'm still not able for running too long yet lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cathy Posted March 19, 2010 Report Share Posted March 19, 2010 Get a shoulder harness and not an xback Xbacks are designed for lower points of attachments such as sleds and rig The shoulder harness will stop any pressure been put on your dogs stomach I'm glad you said that. I had noticed that the chest/shoulder fit of my dog's EzyDog harness seemed well-suited for the angle of the lead attached to my waistbelt and thought that the x-backs used in sledding seemed designed for a lower attach point. Thanks for confirming! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chewbacca_&_me Posted March 19, 2010 Report Share Posted March 19, 2010 Interesting, thanks for the info. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarah Posted March 19, 2010 Report Share Posted March 19, 2010 great thread, added to rep Feel free to post up the link if you like Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ole Posted March 20, 2010 Author Report Share Posted March 20, 2010 great thread, added to rep Feel free to post up the link if you like The business I own is www.countryhounds.ie in Ireland Thanks Sarah Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
valkyries Posted March 20, 2010 Report Share Posted March 20, 2010 how much is this € 25.00 in £ ???? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ole Posted March 20, 2010 Author Report Share Posted March 20, 2010 how much is this € 25.00 in £ ???? About £22 I remember when the euro first came out €10 was worth nearly £15 I still go to the North to buy all my drink though lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarah Posted March 20, 2010 Report Share Posted March 20, 2010 The business I own is www.countryhounds.ie in Ireland Thanks Sarah wow that's a great site Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sasha_Bailey Posted March 20, 2010 Report Share Posted March 20, 2010 Would you post INT at the buyers expense?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ole Posted March 20, 2010 Author Report Share Posted March 20, 2010 Thanks Sarah It has taken me 2 years to grow all the products I've a new website getting designed at the minute, it should be ready in June. Would you post INT at the buyers expense?? Shipping to the UK is €10 regardless of the weight I do post to other countries on request, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adjam Posted April 21, 2010 Report Share Posted April 21, 2010 I'm glad you said that. I had noticed that the chest/shoulder fit of my dog's EzyDog harness seemed well-suited for the angle of the lead attached to my waistbelt and thought that the x-backs used in sledding seemed designed for a lower attach point. Thanks for confirming! Hi There Would you recommend using an EZYDOG harness for scootering or would i be better getting a shoulder harness. Not sure if the chestplate on the EZyDOG would put too much pressure on the dogs chest!! Cheers Adajm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ISDW Posted April 21, 2010 Report Share Posted April 21, 2010 Hi There Would you recommend using an EZYDOG harness for scootering or would i be better getting a shoulder harness. Not sure if the chestplate on the EZyDOG would put too much pressure on the dogs chest!! Cheers Adajm My own opinion, I'd go for a harness designed for pulling, such as an X back, or the Manmat long distance ones discussed on here. I think the Ezydog ones are designed for walking dogs that pull aren't they? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarah Posted April 21, 2010 Report Share Posted April 21, 2010 They are Karen, I use an ezydog to walk and the xback to run on the scooter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adjam Posted April 22, 2010 Report Share Posted April 22, 2010 They are Karen, I use an ezydog to walk and the xback to run on the scooter Thanks for the reply Sarah/Karen Would i be better getting a x-back or a shoulder harness for Scootering with one dog???? Cheers Adjam Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adjam Posted April 22, 2010 Report Share Posted April 22, 2010 One more question I am thinking of transfering my Walkydog from my MTB and attaching it to the headtube of the scooter pointing straight forward, that way i wouldn't require a bungee section and just connect the tug line directly to the Walkydog. This would also keep the tug line away from the front wheel of the scooter. Do you think this would be a practical idea or am i just better off sticking with a tug line - bungee setup ???? Cheers Adjam Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarah Posted April 22, 2010 Report Share Posted April 22, 2010 Thanks for the reply Sarah/Karen Would i be better getting a x-back or a shoulder harness for Scootering with one dog???? Cheers Adjam x back would be better on the scooter x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarah Posted April 22, 2010 Report Share Posted April 22, 2010 One more question I am thinking of transfering my Walkydog from my MTB and attaching it to the headtube of the scooter pointing straight forward, that way i wouldn't require a bungee section and just connect the tug line directly to the Walkydog. This would also keep the tug line away from the front wheel of the scooter. Do you think this would be a practical idea or am i just better off sticking with a tug line - bungee setup ???? Cheers Adjam you'd still need some sort of shock absorber on though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adjam Posted April 26, 2010 Report Share Posted April 26, 2010 you'd still need some sort of shock absorber on though The walkydog has in-built shock absorbtion (it has three springs inside the tube) so i thought that would be ok for absorbing shocks. my only concern is that the mounting point may be little too high for using an xback harness. the scooter should be arriving this week so i will attach the Walkydog and send some picks to see if you think the mounting point height would better suit a xback or a shoulder harness cheers Adam Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ole Posted April 27, 2010 Author Report Share Posted April 27, 2010 One more question I am thinking of transfering my Walkydog from my MTB and attaching it to the headtube of the scooter pointing straight forward, that way i wouldn't require a bungee section and just connect the tug line directly to the Walkydog. This would also keep the tug line away from the front wheel of the scooter. Do you think this would be a practical idea or am i just better off sticking with a tug line - bungee setup ???? Cheers Adjam A Walkydog wouldn't be strong enough for scootering My Irish Setter pulled the springs out if it while using it with a bike. You can get antennas especially designed for scootering and bikejoring. But with using and antenna or any other attachment that is high you will need to use a shoulder harness. X-Backs are not suited for scooters that have high points of attachment I'd stick to a normal gangline as it has a built in bungee. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adjam Posted April 28, 2010 Report Share Posted April 28, 2010 This is the scooter with its current setup I am thinking of asking my dad to make up a front fender assembly like those on the pawtrekker scooters. He's is a dab hand around the garage and if he can make one would mean i can lower the tether point to a better height for an x-back harness adjam Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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