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Beginning Weight Pull Training
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All Pulling Organizations and related Registry's
International Weight Pull Association
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What to expect when going to compete in a sanctioned weight pulling event for the first time with your dog.
To understand how a weight pull works, Please click here
If you are planning to take your dog and compete, you have already read the training pages and have worked with your dog on the basic commands and feel your dog does at least have the basic understanding of what to do. At many Sanctioned weight pulls you can take your dog and enter it in a novice class but it is still best to have a basic understanding before you expect it to do this and do it in front of strange people and dogs. there are 3 basic needs and it is best to have basic commands first. The next thing you will need is a proper crate / cage for your dog. Along with having this it is also a good idea that your dog be crate trained. no one can hold their dog all of the time and sometimes the dog just needs some peace in its own safe place to soak in everything that is going on around the pull. The final thing you will need is a proper weight pull harness. you can barrow one sometimes from people if they have an extra but we are going to keep in the thought process that you have already began with basic weight pull introduction prior. If you do not have a acceptable weight pulling harness you can get one from a number of manufacturers here on PullDoggies.com all of them listed with us will have no problem giving you assistance getting a good fit.
Be sure you have read and understand the official rules for the organization you are pulling with!
If you are going to a UKC or other registry event you will need your dogs registration papers. when going to pull with the APA or UPF you do not need registration papers or a membership as these are all breed weight pull only organizations without a membership. If your going to an IWPA event they are also all breed weight pull only organization and you do not have to become a member. unless you want to earn titles and track your points for their national event you will have to become a member, you can do that at the pull or later. They will all have a fee to enter the pull which is usually between $10 and $20 per day each dog.
Once you have taken care of the registration / entrance all clubs will take an official weight of your dog on their scale by a weight pull official. All dogs must be weighed in at each competition to be sure the event is fair for everyone who is competing. Some organizations will allow you to get a earlier weight from your vet but expect to have your dog weighed. once you have got an official weight on your dog you will have time before you begin to get your dog some water. Be sure to walk it and allow it relieve itself prior to pulling. You don't want to be the person who's dog relieved itself on the weight pull track causing the pull to be held up!
All weight pulls are broke down into weight classes. The class your dog is in will be determined at the official weigh in. Depending on what club you are pulling with will determine what class you will be pulling in. For example if you are competing in the APA and your dog weighed in at 36lbs your dog will compete in the 40lb class with all dogs weighing from 31 to 40lbs. All of the clubs vary on their set up for classes but typically have a smaller weight range for littler dogs and a more broad range for big dogs. The idea is to keep good competition for each weight class. Sometimes multiple classes will pull together but each dog will be judged in its particular class.
For each class they will have different weight increments depending on the size of the dogs competing. This may sometimes be determined by a simple meeting of the handlers or may be determined by the head judge. In many organizations the weight will be set for the duration of the pull, with some organizations the judge is allowed to vary the weight increment for each round trying to get the best situation on the track for the dogs at that time.
At the beginning of each class you can start with an empty cart before any additional weight is added. Being this is your first pull it is usually best to start out without any weight. The first mistake many people do is try to see how strong there dog is its first time out, the idea here is to get as many reps in as possible with stressing or maxing your dog out. Even veteran pullers usually will not max out their dog, they know their dogs well and what it can handle. teaching the dog not to fail is what you want to achieve. You want the dog to pull good today and for many years in the future. Sometimes it is hard not to get wrapped up in the moment but you must provide the best possible learning experience for you and especially your dog.
In this sport and with any other it is always best to be a good sport. After your class is over be sure to congratulate the other handlers. Take a moment and make a nice comment or two on their dog, everyone likes to hear nice things about their dog. People will enjoy competing with you if you practice good sportsmanship.
Before or after you pull enjoy watching the other classes. Many handlers have different takes on how they handle their dog and many dogs have their own style. Watch what they do, how they approach each pull and different ways they call the dog. The has never been harm in learning from someone else's mistakes or triumph's.
Be sure to spend some time after the event to talk to other handlers. One of the best things about weight pulling is the great people affiliated with the sport. Most people are very helpful to a new puller and will give you ideas or tips to help you out. Another thing you might be surprised about is how many people will offer you to let you come out and train with them, most will be happy to have someone else to train with. The weight pull world is full of good people and and we are always looking for more.