How can I start training my dog to pull a scooter?
While most dogs are strong, enthusiastic about exercise, and can easily pull many multiples of their own body weight, it’s essential to see how your dog responds and to make the first sessions fun and easy.
Snacks and treats will be necessary, so you can reward your dog for doing even partially well. You will need to teach your dog some commands to follow so that you have control over where the two of you end up, when you start, and when you stop.
Decide on some clear commands and begin training your dog while you aren’t on the scooter. Maybe whilst out walking, or even better when out running with a dog that pulls.
Some popular commands you will hear at dog scootering competitions are…
- “Mush or Go” – to begin
- “Stop or Woah” – to come to a full stop
- “Easy” – to slow down
- “Right (or more traditionally Gee)” – turn right
- “Left (also referred to as Haw)” – turn left
- “Straight” – to continue forward at crossroads
- “Leave it” – avoid or disregard distractions
Once your dog has started to follow the commands, have a few tries while riding on the scooter. Some dogs will pick this up this transition very quickly; whilst others may be nervous and need a little more time to learn that this metal monster chasing them isn’t going to cause any harm.
If you encounter any difficulties you may need a friend, mainly if your dog is used to walking beside you, not ahead of you.
Get a friend to walk in front, calling and encouraging your dog while you walk the scooter.
It’s always a good idea to start out slowly, on level ground, in a clear, open space with minimal distractions.
Do not progress to riding the scooter or taking on more challenging trails until both you and the dog are confident and have a good level of communication and understanding.
Closing notes
Hopefully, by now, you’ll comfortably be able to answer the question ‘What is dog scootering?’, but to recap, it’s a dryland mushing sport where dogs are attached via an elastic leash and adaptor to a wheeled scooter.
The principle is the same as sled dog racing in that the aim is to complete a course in the fastest time possible.
Except instead of snowy landscapes, dog scootering competitions will take you around wide forest trails and grassland tracks.
If you’re a beginner, consider starting by working in a scooter to your regular walks and taking slow leisurely rides along the sidewalk.