Introduction

Great Dane Harness Racing!  (Somebody grab hold of my feet here, please; before I get too far off the ground.)  This would combine the lure Weight Pulling and the pride of Obedience with the excitement of a fast paced contest.

Safety First!  As with any sporting activity, the danger of personal injury exists.  One must guard against this by whatever means possible.  Accidents Hurt!!

Training is of paramount importance.  What I’m saying is that to harness your untrained 10-month-old 125 pound Great Dane puppy to a Sulky and then climb in, only to have your pup decide that the neighbor’s cat is the most pressing thing on his agenda, is not a pretty thing.  In fact, it could get painful when he chases the cat under the porch.  Therefore, first ensure that you can control your dog.  …Off the leash.  …By voice command.  …Every time.  …Period.

Unless you have a Crash-test Dummy available, you will need to be patient and methodical at each step along the way.  Proof each level before moving on to the next.  Place your dog in situations which may arise so that you can observe, reassure and guide him.  Take small steps and consolidate at each step before you progress to the next.  Always let your dog accustom himself to the activity before you introduce a new level of activity.

The first level at which we will train and test the dog is to Heel on Lead with the dog harnessed to cart.  This is no different from what you learned in your basic obedience class, with the exception that there’s a cart included. After you accustom your dog to walking around dragging this “trailer”, you can proof the training by taking your dog and cart out in public, to a dog park or dog show.  Put the dog in harness and walk him around.  Let him sniff and be sniffed.  Are there any ducks where you take your dog?  Ducks are a great distraction!  Watch your dog closely at all times while he’s in harness, being ready to issue a quick “Leave it” or a pop on the leash, to forestall any unwanted problems.  At the early stages your dog can easily injure himself while in harness.  Think about vet bills, then be vigilant.

When you are confident of your dog’s ability to handle the complexities of walking in the harness you are ready to try heeling off lead harnessed to cart.  Again conduct the exercises that you did at first, only without a leash to aid in correcting your dog.  If you are not comfortable at any time during this, you should go back to the first level and proof further on lead.  At the conclusion of this level of training you must be confident that your dog will remain with you at all times while in harness.

Now we will remove your physical presence from the dog’s immediate attention.  Repeat all of the proofing that you have done at the heel position off lead while you walk behind cart.  Voice alone must suffice to obtain the behavior you want from the dog.  Your dog should respond appropriately to “Let’s Go” “Stop” “Right” and “Left” (or “Giddy-up” “Whoa” “Gee” and “Haw”) <G>

The final stage of training before you commit your tender flesh to the cart is to add weight to cart.  This will simulate your placement in the cart.  Train for voice command while you walk behind the cart, and while you stand in one location and have the dog and cart maneuvered around you.  …At the park. …With distractions.  …Until you are sure how your dog will behave in any situation.  Because for the next stage we’ll no longer be looking at vet bills, but hospital bills.  I don’t know about you, but I don’t like hospital stays.  Are you sure you’re ready?

Really sure?  Alright, get a helper and try sitting in the cart while repeating the above progression, from heel on leash (helper handling the dog) to off leash (again, helper in front of the dog guiding) to the finished stage; you, sitting in the cart, handling the dog by voice command.  Now, your powers are truly God-like.  At least it’ll feel like that.

I will also mention the “Halti”.  It functions as a bridle and bit does for a horse.  My feeling is that the use of a “Halti” is a crutch to make up for insufficient training.  Still, for use as an “Emergency Brake”, I can recognize its usefulness.

Have a blast carting, see ya at the park!!

Evan