{the dog blog of Outside magazine}
The Making of a Ski Dog, Part 2
by Grayson Schaffer | on January 5th, 2010 | in Features, Training, Video Clips
by Grayson Schaffer | on January 5th, 2010 | in Features, Training, Video Clips
We’re going to keep harping on this point all winter. Dogs that get close to skis receive gaping lacerations. It’s just that simple. Here are three tips to help ease your mind and your dog’s pain. Nothing keeps me awake at night like the thought of skis cutting doggy tendons. You can see, even in this video clip that Danger and Cooper aren’t perfect. In the heeling part at the end, Danger crosses over my right ski and was very lucky not to have gotten cut.
Next time, we’ll work on positioning—teaching your pup when he should be at your side, when he should be a ski-pole’s length away, and when he should be behind.
Cooper, Grayson, and Danger at Ski Santa Fe
Dude … Grayson … you really should look into skijoring. I sent you a bunch of info and pics on skijoring a few months ago. You should look in your inbox.
For skiing with your dog, nothing beats the art of skijoring. Scandinavians (and northerners in general) have already figured it out and have been skijoring with their pups for many decades, long before metal-edged skis where even invented.
You don’t need to re-invent the wheel. I personally would not use skis with metal edges near my dog. But that’s just me.
Anas – your skijoring buddy.
PS: I am still waiting on the 6 pack (or dog swag) you promissed … I know I know … it must have gotten lost in the mail!!
[...] snow and wanted to play, so I turned the camera on because it was kind of comical. Check out the Making of a Ski Dog article that accompanies the video for some additional tips on winter fun and precautions to take [...]
Anas,
email me your address: letters@outsidemag.com. Totally spaced it.
Grayson:
I agree with Anas’ take, in that you seem to be reinventing the wheel a little. What I mean is that many existing cani-sport handling protocols will guard against pad/paw injuries when skiing, and those work flawlessly when applied correctly. What’s more, they are far less cumbersome than key elements of that you advocate.
When skijoring, snow trekking or cani-pulking for example. The dogs ALWAYS remain out-front where pads and paws are safe from moving ski edges (which is common & customary practice). Moreover; to maintain optimum safety when skiing uphill, teaching the dogs to lead (trek out-front) is superior to some of that you propose.
Therefore I, as has Anas, suggest you seriously research skijoring (or another mushing sport) as well as proper mushing commands and handling protocols. I think you’ll find many mushing techniques less risky for the dogs, and the training a fun activity for snow play (companionship) with them.
…Just sayin, Dude, not trying to rain on your mellow by any means.
Happy Trails
Skijoring is definitely on the list of things to try this winter! My only problem with a dog leading on the ascent is that the handler is already in the background when the dog decides to take off after a deer, snowmobile, or skier coming down the trail. If the dog is harnessed and pulling, clearly this isn’t a problem. Either way, on the descent, you need a dog that’s willing to wait and stay clear of the skis—no chasing, no wandering off. Skiing is serious business for dogs.
Grayson,
I want to try skijoring! Maybe that can be Gibs’ sport.
-your brother