Dog scootering
Encyclopedia
Dog scootering is a sport where one or more dog
s pull a human riding an unmotorized kick scooter
. It is similar to mushing
, which is done in the winter, but generally with fewer dogs and with a scooter instead of a dogsled. The dogs wear the same harnesses
that sled dogs wear, and are hooked to the scooter with a gangline. The gangline usually incorporates a bungee cord
to smooth out the shocks of speeding up and takeoff. Most of the same commands are used, although dog scooterers tend to be more relaxed about their commands, sometimes using "right" and "left" instead of "gee" and "haw", for example.
-style tires ranging from 16" to 26". These are not razor
-type mini scooters, which would be dangerous in this sport. The scooters incorporate mountain-bike-style brakes and have a large footboard to stand on and kick off from. The scooters are occasionally called kick bikes because they are not yet largely marketed for the sport of dog scootering, although Pawtrekkers have a 'brushbow' attachment on the front to protect the dogs from the wheel and to provide an ideal pulling position for connecting the ganglines. Some of the newer scooters also incorporate front shocks similar to mountain bikes to absorb bumps better.
An alternative is to use a bicycle instead of a scooter. This is seen as a more dangerous alternative, as it is more difficult to dismount a bicycle in an emergency. This alternative sport of harnessing dogs to a bicycle is known as bikejoring
.
All dogs, regardless of size, must be slowly worked into fitness, along with their owners. Don't expect to run the Iditarod in your first month! There is often an adjustment period for the dog's paws, and they may bleed initially if on a longer run, until they toughen up to pavement. The owner should ALWAYS carry booties along for cuts and abrasions, as well as a bottle of New Skin which seals over the cut and prevents infection.
Use the terms "gee" for right and "haw" for left. Teach these commands in ground work with the dog out in front of you, and a leash attached from the harness to your belt, and a leash on either side of the dog's collar. As you turn, say the command you choose, and pull on the leash to turn the dog in the correct direction.
Use the command, "Straight" or "Straight Ahead" when you want the dog to go straight at an intersection.
"Line out" teaches your dog to keep the line taut and not come back to you to say hi when you are stopped.
To make a "U" turn, use the command "Come Around" gee or haw depending on the direction.
"Whoa" is essential to get down before hooking him up to the scooter. Having good brakes on the scooter is essential for stopping dogs. Most dogs consider the command "whoa" as only a suggestion.
"Hike" or "Pull".. the usual commands for your dog to begin to work. "Mush" is rarely used because it isn't a very sharp-sounding command, and can be hard to pay attention to. You can train this initially in ground work, and then when you hook up to a scooter, you might have to use a "rabbit" in the form of a friend on a bike riding ahead and calling your dog. Learning to pull is a difficult concept for some dogs. Pulling is most easily taught using another dog that is already trained.
"On-by" and "leave it".. teaches your dog to go by distractions such as other dogs, people, bikes, blowing leaves, pee breaks, and yummy smells. This command can take a long time to learn, but it is quite worthwhile. Gentle scolding is usually effective when training "on by" Most dogs know the word, "No". Say "No" and then "on by" when encouraging the dog to move ahead. This command is also more easily taught using another trained leader.
"Easy" or "Steady" is helpful to slow down the team when you're going down a hill on foot, and they're still ready to run. Often "easy" is a difficult command for even the most experienced dogs to learn. Use the brakes on the scooter to enforce the easy command.
A few other commands I've used with my dogs are "Sidewalk" to let them know that I want them on the sidewalk instead of the road or at least off of the road for safety. Another of my favorites is "Let's go home" and the dogs will take me home or back to the car. It prevents us from getting lost, and I'm glad they see the car as a way home, otherwise, I'd be in for trouble.
If your dogs need to move over to the right or left to avoid traffic then "Gee Over" or Haw Over" are handy to know.
Most dogs take to this sport with a little encouragement. They get to run as fast as they can and get to see and visit new places. As dog scooterers become more experienced, they tend to take their dog(s) and scooter(s) with them to new trails. This can lead to a stronger bond between people and their dogs.
Dog scooterers get together for fun runs, where a number of dog scooterers run their dogs and scooters on the same trails. Fun runs may be just a morning run, or can be a weekend-long activity with multiple runs scheduled. This is still a maturing sport, but there are a few formal dog races that include scooter events.
In December 2005, dog scooterers are putting on the first Dog Powered Sports relay, Dogs Across America, where participants from around the country will choose one of the trails in their state and ride it in relay style to cover the entire length.
Dog scootering is now a growing sport in the UK, with scootering classes having been introduced to the major dryland sled dog race associations calendars.
Dog
The domestic dog is a domesticated form of the gray wolf, a member of the Canidae family of the order Carnivora. The term is used for both feral and pet varieties. The dog may have been the first animal to be domesticated, and has been the most widely kept working, hunting, and companion animal in...
s pull a human riding an unmotorized kick scooter
Kick scooter
A kick scooter or push scooter, originally scooter, is a human-powered vehicle with a handlebar, deck and wheels that is propelled by a rider pushing off the ground. The most common scooters today have two hard small wheels, are made primarily of aluminium and fold for convenience...
. It is similar to mushing
Mushing
Mushing is a general term for a sport or transport method powered by dogs, and includes carting, pulka, scootering, sled dog racing, skijoring, freighting, and weight pulling. More specifically, it implies the use of one or more dogs to pull a sled on snow or a rig on dry land...
, which is done in the winter, but generally with fewer dogs and with a scooter instead of a dogsled. The dogs wear the same harnesses
Dog harness
A dog harness is piece of equipment for dogs, generally similar to harness tack for horses. There are various designs depending on the type of use, whether it be for assistance to a disabled person, hauling a cart or sled, or pulling a human being, such as in skijoring or pulka...
that sled dogs wear, and are hooked to the scooter with a gangline. The gangline usually incorporates a bungee cord
Bungee cord
A bungee cord , also known as a shock cord, is an elastic cord composed of one or more elastic strands forming a core, usually covered in a woven cotton or polypropylene sheath...
to smooth out the shocks of speeding up and takeoff. Most of the same commands are used, although dog scooterers tend to be more relaxed about their commands, sometimes using "right" and "left" instead of "gee" and "haw", for example.
Scooter
The scooter is generally unmotorized, and has mountain-bikeMountain bike
A mountain bike or mountain bicycle is a bicycle created for off-road cycling. This activity includes traversing of rocks and washouts, and steep declines,...
-style tires ranging from 16" to 26". These are not razor
Razor (scooter)
The Razor scooter is a compact folding Kick scooter invented by Micro Mobility Systems and manufactured by JD Corporation. The Razor appeared in 1999 and became extremely popular around 2000. Today, The Razor Scooter is manufactured by Razor USA, based in Cerritos, California...
-type mini scooters, which would be dangerous in this sport. The scooters incorporate mountain-bike-style brakes and have a large footboard to stand on and kick off from. The scooters are occasionally called kick bikes because they are not yet largely marketed for the sport of dog scootering, although Pawtrekkers have a 'brushbow' attachment on the front to protect the dogs from the wheel and to provide an ideal pulling position for connecting the ganglines. Some of the newer scooters also incorporate front shocks similar to mountain bikes to absorb bumps better.
An alternative is to use a bicycle instead of a scooter. This is seen as a more dangerous alternative, as it is more difficult to dismount a bicycle in an emergency. This alternative sport of harnessing dogs to a bicycle is known as bikejoring
Bikejoring
Bikejoring, is a dog mushing activity related to skijoring, canicross, and dog scootering. It is a recreation or sport where a harnessed dog or team of dogs attached to a towline, pull and run ahead of a cyclist. Bikejoring is a non snow season activity...
.
Harness Types
There have been new developments in harnesses, and many owners who scooter prefer the multi-sport (also called Urban Trails) harness; a harness that is similar to an H-style harness found in stores, but with a specially fitted neck (ZIMA design) and a tighter fit on the girth. This harness has been found to take pressure off the dogs back, and allows for better extension, and curvature of the dogs' back. It is especially useful for shorter dogs whose gangline goes upward towards the point of attachment. It is also useful for dogs who excel at backing out of their X-Back harnesses. There is also a newer design on the Multi-sport harness, called a Y-Back or Hybrid Performance harness. It allows for a straight line back from the harness to the hitching point, and can be used for many different sports.Breeds That can Pull
This sport is open to many dogs, from Huskies, to Great Danes, and Schnauzers to Pit Bulls. Any dog over 30 lbs can pull a scooter, but smaller dogs in teams can also be used. The smaller the dog, the more you will have to help out on hills and rough spots. Whereas the larger the dog, the less stamina it will have.All dogs, regardless of size, must be slowly worked into fitness, along with their owners. Don't expect to run the Iditarod in your first month! There is often an adjustment period for the dog's paws, and they may bleed initially if on a longer run, until they toughen up to pavement. The owner should ALWAYS carry booties along for cuts and abrasions, as well as a bottle of New Skin which seals over the cut and prevents infection.
Supplies/Safety Equipment
- An off-road scooter. It can run anywhere from $100–$800.
- A Well-fit, sport-appropriate harness.$20–$40
- A gangline, about $30 for a pre-made one, or a leash may be used.
- Sufficient safety gear (helmet, gloves, etc.)
- An air pump and sealant for scooter emergencies.
- A cell phone/walkie-talkie.
- Water and bowls.
- Basic first aid kit.
- Each dog should be outfitted with dog boots.
Helpful Commands to Teach
Commands should be taught on foot before hooking up the dog to your scooter. A dog not trained to lead will be hazardous to you and other trail users. The line should be taut at all times and the dog should know how to go on by all distractions before you hook up. Using another lead dog to help you train your dog is the fastest and easiest way to train a dog to lead. Use either a two dog line side by side or a single file line to train the novice dog. A single file line is a better line to use if the dogs are strangers to each other.Use the terms "gee" for right and "haw" for left. Teach these commands in ground work with the dog out in front of you, and a leash attached from the harness to your belt, and a leash on either side of the dog's collar. As you turn, say the command you choose, and pull on the leash to turn the dog in the correct direction.
Use the command, "Straight" or "Straight Ahead" when you want the dog to go straight at an intersection.
"Line out" teaches your dog to keep the line taut and not come back to you to say hi when you are stopped.
To make a "U" turn, use the command "Come Around" gee or haw depending on the direction.
"Whoa" is essential to get down before hooking him up to the scooter. Having good brakes on the scooter is essential for stopping dogs. Most dogs consider the command "whoa" as only a suggestion.
"Hike" or "Pull".. the usual commands for your dog to begin to work. "Mush" is rarely used because it isn't a very sharp-sounding command, and can be hard to pay attention to. You can train this initially in ground work, and then when you hook up to a scooter, you might have to use a "rabbit" in the form of a friend on a bike riding ahead and calling your dog. Learning to pull is a difficult concept for some dogs. Pulling is most easily taught using another dog that is already trained.
"On-by" and "leave it".. teaches your dog to go by distractions such as other dogs, people, bikes, blowing leaves, pee breaks, and yummy smells. This command can take a long time to learn, but it is quite worthwhile. Gentle scolding is usually effective when training "on by" Most dogs know the word, "No". Say "No" and then "on by" when encouraging the dog to move ahead. This command is also more easily taught using another trained leader.
"Easy" or "Steady" is helpful to slow down the team when you're going down a hill on foot, and they're still ready to run. Often "easy" is a difficult command for even the most experienced dogs to learn. Use the brakes on the scooter to enforce the easy command.
A few other commands I've used with my dogs are "Sidewalk" to let them know that I want them on the sidewalk instead of the road or at least off of the road for safety. Another of my favorites is "Let's go home" and the dogs will take me home or back to the car. It prevents us from getting lost, and I'm glad they see the car as a way home, otherwise, I'd be in for trouble.
If your dogs need to move over to the right or left to avoid traffic then "Gee Over" or Haw Over" are handy to know.
Location
While this can be an urban sport, done on sidewalks and paved trails, more dog scooters take the sport off-road to mountain-bike trails and back-country roads, where a higher level of skill is needed. There is also less chance of having to dodge people or vehicular traffic on these trails.Benefits
Scootering provides exercise both for the dog and the rider. The dog gets exercise pulling the scooter but people have to help push, especially up hills. Dogs that exercise regularly tend to be better behaved, as a lot of bad behavior is due to boredom and lack of exercise.Most dogs take to this sport with a little encouragement. They get to run as fast as they can and get to see and visit new places. As dog scooterers become more experienced, they tend to take their dog(s) and scooter(s) with them to new trails. This can lead to a stronger bond between people and their dogs.
Activities
Dog scooterers get together for fun runs, where a number of dog scooterers run their dogs and scooters on the same trails. Fun runs may be just a morning run, or can be a weekend-long activity with multiple runs scheduled. This is still a maturing sport, but there are a few formal dog races that include scooter events.
In December 2005, dog scooterers are putting on the first Dog Powered Sports relay, Dogs Across America, where participants from around the country will choose one of the trails in their state and ride it in relay style to cover the entire length.
Dog scootering is now a growing sport in the UK, with scootering classes having been introduced to the major dryland sled dog race associations calendars.
Related sports
- CartingCartingCarting is a dog sport or activity in which a dog pulls a Dogcart filled with supplies, such as farm goods or firewood, but sometimes pulling people. Carting as a sport is also known as dryland mushing and is practiced all around the world, often to keep winter sled dogs in competition form during...
- MushingMushingMushing is a general term for a sport or transport method powered by dogs, and includes carting, pulka, scootering, sled dog racing, skijoring, freighting, and weight pulling. More specifically, it implies the use of one or more dogs to pull a sled on snow or a rig on dry land...
- BikejoringBikejoringBikejoring, is a dog mushing activity related to skijoring, canicross, and dog scootering. It is a recreation or sport where a harnessed dog or team of dogs attached to a towline, pull and run ahead of a cyclist. Bikejoring is a non snow season activity...
- CanicrossCanicrossCani-cross is the sport of cross-country running while hitched to a dog. It is popular in Europe. It is related to the winter dog-powered sport of skijoring and bikejoring, wherein a skier or cyclist is hitched to one to three dogs....
- SulkySulkyA sulky is a lightweight cart having two wheels and a seat for the driver only but usually without a body, generally pulled by horses or dogs, and is used for harness races...
- Weight pullingWeight pullingWeight pulling is a dog sport involving a dog pulling a cart or sled loaded with weight a short distance across dirt/gravel, grass, carpet, or snow. It is a modern adaptation of freighting, in which dogs were used as freight animals to move cargo. Many breeds participate in this sport, with dogs...
External links
- http://www.snowpawstore.com/introduction-to-dog-scootering?
- http://www.snopeak.net/scooter.htm
- http://www.dogsacrossamerica.org
- Scooting with Dodge and Teddy (a video)
- http://www.lifethroughdogs.com/Urban_GO_Dogs_Clinic.html
- http://www.dogscooting.de/english
- UK Group Finder - find you local canicross, bikejor, scootering and dog-carting(rigging) club