Question for you folks who have trained a young Husky to pull, sled, skijor, etc.

What methods have you found most useful for teaching left, right, stop. slow down,etc?

I am up to date on age restrictions for pulling and any training I would do early on would be weightless, of course.

I was told, once proper age and growth are established, to train with a milk jug filled with gravel, a baiter in front with a toy or treat, and someone in back with a lead working in conjunction to associate words and lead tension with commands.

Any tips?

I started biking with them on a springer attachment keeping them to the side of my bike. As we made our turns I'd use the commands and positive reinforcement, there was a learning curve once they were out front but it came quickly. I've also had people recommend using the commands while on walks just so they get used to the expectation. Since I got into competitive racing I did purchase a veteran lead dog which improved the command reinforcement. No one can teach them as well as they can teach each other

Noted, thanks. I imagine the timing of the command with some sort of physical tension on their lead is critical during training, yes? Or is a follow-me type of thing in conjunction with the command?

I started with a follow me type training first, tension isn't completely necessary from what I've found so far. Most of mine fell into the harness work naturally, the first team generation is now teaching the second team generation. Work on getting a really good foundation on one, they'll do the rest of the teaching.

Cool, good to know, thanks. I have every intention to find some sort of school or meet up type of thing in Washington so I can get my Husky team sledding at some point down the road. Solo sledding in parks around Seattle in winter will be a piece of cake!

There is a much recommended boot camp that pops up around the northwest, I think this year it's in Flagstaff. I'm just on the other side of the state from you can gladly share events on this side with you if you want Also some great events in central WA and OR. Feel free to message me any time!

Will do, thanks Lani!

Oh if you don't know already, Sled Dog Central is a great resource for equipment networking and race schedules.

https://www.sleddogcentral.com/

sweet, thanks. i am planning on getting the puppy harness from nordkyn.....any thoughts?

My friend uses them, they seem to work well. I personally like my Alpine Outfitters Custom harnesses, the only problem I have found is in the lengths of the tug loops, I've had to replace a couple from the factory. No biggie there. I also like the Taiga harnesses and collars. Be sure to get a collar with a large ring, easy to find and clip with gloves on!

noted, thanks

These are the ones I use on my team, just picked up another set from a mentor of mine at the last race.

I've just started training these commands, I've been getting the dogs to walk in front of me and then with a regular harness attaching a double lead to the back rings, rather than the one on top, I've been gently putting pressure on the side I want them to go - and finding a path I can practice on where there are turns is making it easier. So if I want to go left, I say Left and apply pressure to the left hand side and when they turn left I praise and repeat.

With mine (as they are not huskies) after 10 minutes of training, I let them off and play a game, then put them back on. I am also taking their harness off after every training session so they learn harness = pull. Something I learned when I was looking at tracking with them.

Hike and stop are obviously the easiest to do in that order, swift pat on the booty and she happily runs and shell slow and look back and ill yell hike and shell run again. Stop was just like training any other trick. I use that as an all round stop. like an emergency or a do not do that call. shell freeze if were walking, running, or if shes biting or misbehaving. Im working on Haw(left) and Jee ( right). My approach is holding her by the harness and putting two treats down and steering her in the right direction with the call. Its easier because she already understands the leave it command.

Hike to run, Woah to stop/slow down, Haw for left, Gee for right.

We trained ours while going for walks with 15ft leashes. Wed start running behind them and yell Hike and as soon as they started to run we praised them. Then to slow down/stop we would yell Woah and slow down to a walk or stop and when they did we praised.

Then for left/right we just zigged-zagged through the neighborhood. Everytime we went left we yelled Haw and once they turned left we praised. When we went right we yelled Gee and when they turned right we praised.

Surprisingly we didn't use treats while training and they picked up on it pretty good.

Hey
I am interested in starting to train for sledding and ski/bike/skate -joring with kye. You guys have helped alot with how to teach it THANKS!! :DI would like to start (not with any weight  of course, he is only 6mo.). How should I do it? I have a standard H-Harness and long leads, is this safe to use or should I go straight to something like this http://www.ruffwear.com/Omnijore-Joring-System once he fits his eventual med. sized one?
If I do use the H-harness I assume I should stop using it for loose leash walking.

In terms of sledding, I am interested in very casual 1-dog ( a tobbagan type thing), would a joring system work for that or do you need different equipment?

Thanks, Your all great and have cute pups!!

The biggest difference that I could see between a 'joring' system like the Ruffwear where the attachment point is in the middle of the back, that is designed to have the tugline angle above the level of the back of the dog (like attaching higher to a bike or belt) and a sled/cart set up with a traditional trail harness where the tugline is level or below the back of the dog where you'd need a tug loop nearer the rear of the dog- Pulling angles if incorrect can cause strain in areas that are not intended, harness rub, and being generally uncomfortable on the dog.

I did the same thing Lani did! I had a Walky Dog and had Link run alongside me, when I turned I'd say the command. When we went to a bike specific trail without traffic around I tried letting him in front and he did fabulously, listened to all the commands and he's run in front ever since. I've taken Yuki out with him a couple times, and she's already picked up so much from him so its like Link's training her. Now I may be lucky since both of them have pretty great drive to run without me really having to encourage them much, but I know I've gone out with Abby's girls and another member in our Ohio group, and having Link run ahead kind of helps show them the ropes, its gotten them running.

Well Lani hit everything, nothing like experience to pass on. I would like to suggest some reading for those who might be interested:

Ski Spot Run; I have not read this one but have heard it recommended.

Skijor With Your Dog; Mari Hoe-Raitto and Carol Kaynor. A very good read! Something for everyone
from two of the people who helped skijoring gain popularity in the U.S.

Mush!; Sierra Nevada Dog Drivers, inc.; Also an excellent book. Deals mostly with sledding but also
has chapters on equipment and even winter camping trips!

Feeding and dog care is also covered in both books.