How to introduce the cart to your young dog. Start draft dog training today!

[@courtneybuckley637]

As a new owner of a 6mo berner this video was so validating in the training I’m doing with her and her level of nervousness around new objects and places! Taking the time and letting the dog lead can be frustrating at times but 2 steps forward and one step back is still forward movement. This is exactly how I’ve been trying to build her confidence and another dog present has done wonders!

[@yukonica4560]

Thank you Stacy. I'll use your lesson as a training framework to introduce Pablo to drafting. Years back; Darwin and I cleaned trash in front of our property. We walked to the mailbox, gathered leaves, and generally enjoyed every moment we worked together. I'd like to build that bond with Pablo.

[@rouxchat6033]

So glad you posted this video demonstrating how important it is to approach training slowly and patiently. Nice that Chase can show the way.

[@sousalarson6858]

Ok but when Duce also layed down when his sister layed down i was unreasonably happy 😂

[@stevenj9970]

Awwww. So Patient with a dog that’s perfect. It proves if you go to fast sometimes you have to start back to square one and it takes much longer

[@SitStaywithStacySlade]

Yup, trust me, I have learned the hard way. Much easier to build them up to confidence than have a breakdown. Chase now has two draft titles and is fearless in the cart!

[@MaximillianandRubyGrace]

This is so helpful! I made the mistake of hooking him up with the shafts and my guy freaked out I had no idea how to get him in position Thank you for this

[@SitStaywithStacySlade]

Yes, baby steps and big rewards along the way build great behaviors!

[@DavidLamb123]

Glad you posted this showing how you must take time and reward well. Like you I allow the novice to learn from a more experienced dog and often encourage the novice to walk along side the experienced dog, without a leash and reward for walking next to the one with the cart. Thank you

[@SitStaywithStacySlade]

They learn a lot from other dogs, it is actually really powerful!!

[@TheMineA7]

Not me watching this so I can train my future dog to carry 20 pound salmon back from our fishing trip

[@Lindsey2726]

I was so excited to find your channel as we prepare to bring home our next berner pup, and specifically this carting playlist! I haven't found anyone/organization yet in Florida to learn about carting, but I've been dying to learn about it. Thank you so much for posting all of this content, and for showing how well strictly gentle positive reinforcement works with a sensitive berner!

[@SitStaywithStacySlade]

Florida is tough for Bernese clubs since there aren't a lot of Berners there. You might try to see if there is a Swissy or Rottweiler club who drafts!

[@Lindsey2726]

Great idea!@@SitStaywithStacySlade I'll have to ask around some more. I don't think I've seen a swissy here, but lots of Rottweilers.

[@tomatoma9207]

It’s no so easy to train the dogs( to my mind) ,but you’re an expert in it!

[@SitStaywithStacySlade]

Тома Тома You can do it too. It just takes time, Patrice and trust!!

[@truthbetold4350]

I want to train my dog to pull a cart like that but the kind I can sit on lol kind of like a horse cart, but smaller. He’s a big dog, American bulldog/hound mix

[@jesseelisabeatty8205]

where did you get the harness and a cart? my malinoise/ boxer/ lab 2 year old monster..lol who pulled 200 lb metal stairs off my house down the street ..would have no problem carrying my 110 weight in a wheel cart. nothing phases him. i just need to learn how to teach him to drive..smh i taught my horses but dogs? not the same..and i dont know what kind of harness or cart thanks

[@SitStaywithStacySlade]

I would contact any regional club near you that does carting. Rottweilers are a breed that drives, Leo’s, Newfs, Swissies, bouvier’s and Berners all have regional clubs who get together to draft. I get my harnesses at Nordkyn or Dog Works.

[@joseandrade_official]

Beautiful dog. Where can I find a cart like that?

[@SitStaywithStacySlade]

They actually don't make them any more, but Dog Works makes good carts!

[@MaximillianandRubyGrace]

That’s where I got mine! It’s really big😂

[@francisfishing4913]

Sorry if you mentioned this before and I missed it, but how old is he?

[@SitStaywithStacySlade]

He is under a year. They don't start pulling until 2 years old, but I introduce them early. :)

[@ingkabing]

I'm just starting out with this awsome new interest. I'm curious about how you start out with harnesses. Should it be a carting harness right away or can it be a different version of a harness to acclimate? You may have already done that video and I just haven't found it yet, :) happy carting.

[@SitStaywithStacySlade]

Well a carting harness will have the appropriate loops and hooks and I like to have specific equipment for each sport to signal to my dog what we are doing.

[@Shadowfox486]

Hi, I've got question :) Well... Do you think that akita would be good at dog carting? Because I've got american akita and I'd like to do something like that (and maybe train her as a sled dog in winter) with her. She's quite clever and teachable. For now, I'm trying to learn her command "right", "left" and "go on" and she's does it pretty well. Unfortunetlly, in Poland dog carting isn't popular and few people do it. By the way - your dogs are so sweet :3

[@SitStaywithStacySlade]

Sure! Many different breeds pull carts and do draft work! I would think an Akita would love it!

[@Shadowfox486]

@@SitStaywithStacySlade Thank you very much, we will try :)

[@amycartwright3728]

Stacy, how do you find a training program for this? I am from Buffalo, NY. I’ve been having a difficult time finding something. Thanks! Your videos are SUPER helpful. ♥️

[@SitStaywithStacySlade]

I would contact the regional BMD club in the NY area to see if they hold draft clinics. There are also books too!

[@leelandforestfarm]

Hmm, fairly good job. You're letting him choose when to stop sitting, or laying and never releasing him while he's doing well, he releases himself when he's uncomfortable. And so teaching him that he needs to be the one to stop because it's going to get uncomfortable. You'll get there eventually with him doing this because of all the praise and treats, but it's much cleaner training to give your dog a release command so they know what's required and don't practice that they need to be the one to free themselves but instead that you've got it covered and they can trust you.

[@SitStaywithStacySlade]

Deuce easily achieved his Draft titles and has basic obedience down pat. He's a great draft and obedience dog earning his Versatility Title young!

[@ltaranu]

Dear Stacy, do you know of any resources for draft training over here in Europe? We're expats in Germany with an 8-month-old Berner, and we haven't been able to locate carts or anything. Any help is much appreciated, as are all your videos!

[@SitStaywithStacySlade]

Great question! I don't. I would see if there is a German BMD club and see if anyone carts in the club.

[@brookewagnner]

Anyone know of where to purchase a good cart? Thank you!

[@SitStaywithStacySlade]

Dogworks.com

[@trollvirus5781]

Can a female Rottweiler pull carts & if so, what age because my puppy is still 4 months

[@SitStaywithStacySlade]

Yes! Absolutely. I actually attended a Rottweiler draft test last year. I would google your regional Rottweiler Club and see if you can find some active Rottweiler folks who cart.

[@lurji]

can i train a caucasian shepherd to do this

[@SitStaywithStacySlade]

I don't see why not!

[@lindalakota38]

To be honest your not giving the dog credit the harness should take a little geting use to but after that strap on the cart go from their dogs are alot smarter hook the cart up and let him walk around with it haha not that this is wrong its just unnessasary their not like a horse who is going to flip out the harnes is hardest part

[@SitStaywithStacySlade]

Hi Linda, Deuce was very worried about the shafts and did on many occasions flip out of the shafts when he wasn't hooked up. I start slow to build up his confidence to help him understand they aren't scary. If you do too much too quickly you can have double the work trying to gain their trust again. Yes, some dogs take to it easier than others. In this case, Deuce had very little confidence and was scared of the shafts.

[@Yourmomma568]

dogs are weird. 30kg animal thats scared of a peice of wood. wonder why they are like that.

[@SitStaywithStacySlade]

It's the fact that they aren't used to something limiting their movement and then when they push against it the backend follows, that is scary if you don't understand it. Like anything with a dog, you have to help show them that it isn't scary. Once they are introduced to it correctly, they are amazing at pulling their carts without hesitation.

[@Yourmomma568]

@@SitStaywithStacySlade thanks for the informative reply. it makes sense now, but i still think it's kind of comical. like a caveman poking fire, and leaping back from the strange heat.