Some good tips but bad ones also. For the bike you definitely need an "antenna" at the front to avoid the line going into the wheel resulting into throwing you away with injuries. Totally agree on the harness comment earlier, those are not made for dog pulling and will injure your dog on the long run. Use an X one that goes all the way down.
This is a great video. A lot of good comments in the comment section to think on. This is helpful info. I’m looking to get a puppy in January and I want to start training her commands and being used to being in harness early, obviously not pulling weight for a couple years. I never liked running but the canicross you were doing seems like it might be a fun way to train early on flat trails. Do you do these activities competitively or just for fun? I just want to do it to get outside more and enjoy my companion and maybe find a reason to like snow 🤣
Thanks for the kind words. I do these activities just for fun, not competitively. I too am not a fan of running, but when I run with my dog, it makes it so much more fun…it’s a great motivator. Congrats on getting a new puppy soon! From my experience, your puppy will truly appreciate the additional time spent with you doing these activities, and hopefully inspire you to love snow😉
@@AdventurousHeartRachelNagle That makes your video even more relatable to me. Have you ever taken your dogs skijoring at any ski place? I was wondering if they'd allow it on the cross country trails. If I don't love the snow, I better learn, because I've got a deposit down on a new ball of white fluff that probably won't stay out of it. Over the years I've fallen short getting outside during the winter, so I think this will hopefully greatly help me get outside during the cold months.
Yes, I am sure your new dog will certainly help! The first time I took mine out, we went out playing in the snow for a solid hour. When we came back in, she sat by the door for the next hour waiting to go back out. Needless to say, we played in the snow a lot that day 😝 I love skijoring with my dog as well as just cross-country skiing on my own. I did take my dogs to a groomed cross-country skiing area on a golf course once, but then realized how much their paw prints seemed to “ruin” the tracks for those skiing without dogs. No one said I couldn’t do it, but my internal etiquette decided it might not be best to do it on a groomed course. Now, I just go on ungroomed trails and set my own tracks. If your’re not sure for your area, you could just ask and see what they say. I am sure some areas are more prone to having dogs on groomed areas than others. Also, are you getting a husky? If so, their feet seem to be made for the snow/ice. If it is a different breed, you may need to do something to help with their feet. For my Australian Shepherd, he constantly gets ice balls on his feet.
@@AdventurousHeartRachelNagle Ah I never thought of paw prints on trails. I am not sure if the walking trails at our nearest park are suitable for skies. I guess I can do some scouting by walking them first. I am in line for a Samoyed pup. Everything willing, I should have her end of January at 8 weeks. I wondered about feet and boots, even when I am in the woods with sticks and thorns and such. I've never had an issue with dog paws before, but doing long walks in the woods and such did make me wonder if investing in some boots would be a good idea. I got a 10x10 kennel at TSC and put it up against the front of our house where it covers my office window and front door (we never use the front door, everyone uses the side door since the driveway comes up to it), so it gave me 10x20 worth of 6' high kennel space that looks nice. I work from home, and I intend to spend lots of time with my winter loving fur friend. However, I do realize there are some times that she may want to be outside when it's literally below zero and I just can't take it and be on a call shivering, so now I have that option of making us both happy, lol :) I had heard from others what you said about wanting to be out constantly in the snow!
That sounds like a great setup. I’m not entirely familiar with that breed. Are they big diggers like Huskies? If so, be sure to keep that in mind when setting up your kennel. Very excited for you!
Aren’t you supposed to use the X-back harness? Extra weight on your dog (like the backpack harness) on top of pulling you puts strain on their joints. The X-back evenly spreads the pulling weight on your dog so it doesn’t cause discomfort for the joints
When using the backpack harness, I put very little weight in the backpack, so it doesn't add much extra weight for them. It is what I started with, but the x-back harness is probably a little better. I actually just upgraded to the x-back harness for my husky this year, and it is working well: ruclips.net/video/adptxeSwaF4/видео.html If you are just getting into skijoring, the x-back harness is a great option!
Do you recommend mushers secret or booties? Depending on snow type and conditions?? I have rubber booties too. Sometimes he wants to jump in icy creeks which is probably fine, when he isn't connected to me but his pads getting wet may make them more sensitive to 'sharper' snow crystals? So booties or mushers secret helps? Please advise.
I wish I had a clear answer for you, but I don’t want to lead you in the wrong direction either. My husky has no issues with her feet, so I don’t typically put anything on her feet. We are only out for a few hours at a time. My Aussie has been having issues with ice balls on his feet, and I am currently trying to solve this problem too. I tried some mushing booties (cloth ones) but while we were skijoring they would fall off from time to time, and it made them hard to find. I have just started using a mushers balm. It is called Paw-Tect from Mountain Ridge. I haven’t used it enough yet to recommend it. Initial reaction is that it helps but it isn’t the complete answer. I also recently tried trimming some of the long fur on the feet both on the top and bottom of the paw and adding paw-tect, but the snow melted before I really was able to test it. I would say both your options of booties and mushers secret are good. It really comes down to your and your dog’s personal preference based on how long you stay outside. Hopefully others with more experience in this area will chime in as well.
@@AdventurousHeartRachelNagle yes and thank you. I also just found an article on a website when I Googled bikejoring dog antenna' and found nylon booties sold by nonstop dog wear. See doggiesport.com/dog-bikejoring-antenna-attachment/
Hi Rachel, What belt are you using for yourself? Also, do you like it? I have lower back problems (spinal fusion due to an accident) and I want to get a great belt! Thanks
I am using an older version of the Ruffwear Omnijore Hipbelt. Overall, it has been an excellent harness. I like the wide hip belt on this version, which would be essential for you if you have low back problems. In addition to a wide hip belt, you'll want leg loops for your harness. They can be a bit uncomfortable at times, but you get used to them. Without leg loops the harness rides up and causes more stress on the low back. Leg loops allow you to keep the harness placed in the right spot to protect your back. To further help your back, make sure you get a towline with an integrated bungee. This helps protect both your back and your dog's. I like this one: www.mtnridge.com/Skijor-Towline_p_47.html Best of luck!!!
For the dogs, I am using the Moutainsmith Dog Pack. The red one is an older model, around 2014, and it seems to have a better fit than the newer blue model. Mountainsmith is a great company as some stitching came undone in crucial places, and they honored the warranty and sent me a new blue one. Unfortunately, I don't like the fit of the blue one quite as much. Because of the way I continue to use it, I have now switched to the X-back harness for Shira: www.alpineoutfitters.net/scripts/prodList.asp?idCategory=16. I've had it since March, and it is holding up great! For me, I am using the Ruffwear Omnijore harness. I like the thick waist belt as well as leg straps that it has. For the set-up, I use the skijor towline with an integrated bungee: www.mtnridge.com/Skijor-Towline_p_47.html
Thanks for the video. When I saw you were using the Mountainsmith K9 pack, I figured I would let Swarley use that to pull until the Ruffwear Omnijore system arrives. He likes the fit on the K9 pack better than than his Truelove harness.
That bike joring needs some support or it can turn into a horrible experience for owners and their dogs. Either a spring attachment or DIY pvc pipe so that the lines dont get tangled if the dogs come to a stop
Hum, might wanna get a belt that get your ass and not ur spine pulled... Cuz long term wise its painful and creates lower back problems. You have a big bone just for that, I don't remember the name tho. Its a very sturdy bone made for that and other things.
Thank you so much. Very fulfilling to be able to have the activity with our fur babies.
Some good tips but bad ones also. For the bike you definitely need an "antenna" at the front to avoid the line going into the wheel resulting into throwing you away with injuries. Totally agree on the harness comment earlier, those are not made for dog pulling and will injure your dog on the long run. Use an X one that goes all the way down.
thanks for sharing your doggy adventures, great ways to keep fit for you and the dogs. cheers.
Great video! Thanks for posting as I'm just getting into skijoring and bikejoring. I appreciate the information.
I think you should get a neckline for your dogs when you use both of them! It'll keep them together!
That's a great recommendation. I have used one before, and it works well. They happened to chew through the last one, so I need to get a new one!
This is a great video. A lot of good comments in the comment section to think on. This is helpful info. I’m looking to get a puppy in January and I want to start training her commands and being used to being in harness early, obviously not pulling weight for a couple years. I never liked running but the canicross you were doing seems like it might be a fun way to train early on flat trails. Do you do these activities competitively or just for fun? I just want to do it to get outside more and enjoy my companion and maybe find a reason to like snow 🤣
Thanks for the kind words. I do these activities just for fun, not competitively. I too am not a fan of running, but when I run with my dog, it makes it so much more fun…it’s a great motivator. Congrats on getting a new puppy soon! From my experience, your puppy will truly appreciate the additional time spent with you doing these activities, and hopefully inspire you to love snow😉
@@AdventurousHeartRachelNagle That makes your video even more relatable to me. Have you ever taken your dogs skijoring at any ski place? I was wondering if they'd allow it on the cross country trails. If I don't love the snow, I better learn, because I've got a deposit down on a new ball of white fluff that probably won't stay out of it. Over the years I've fallen short getting outside during the winter, so I think this will hopefully greatly help me get outside during the cold months.
Yes, I am sure your new dog will certainly help! The first time I took mine out, we went out playing in the snow for a solid hour. When we came back in, she sat by the door for the next hour waiting to go back out. Needless to say, we played in the snow a lot that day 😝
I love skijoring with my dog as well as just cross-country skiing on my own. I did take my dogs to a groomed cross-country skiing area on a golf course once, but then realized how much their paw prints seemed to “ruin” the tracks for those skiing without dogs. No one said I couldn’t do it, but my internal etiquette decided it might not be best to do it on a groomed course. Now, I just go on ungroomed trails and set my own tracks. If your’re not sure for your area, you could just ask and see what they say. I am sure some areas are more prone to having dogs on groomed areas than others. Also, are you getting a husky? If so, their feet seem to be made for the snow/ice. If it is a different breed, you may need to do something to help with their feet. For my Australian Shepherd, he constantly gets ice balls on his feet.
@@AdventurousHeartRachelNagle Ah I never thought of paw prints on trails. I am not sure if the walking trails at our nearest park are suitable for skies. I guess I can do some scouting by walking them first. I am in line for a Samoyed pup. Everything willing, I should have her end of January at 8 weeks. I wondered about feet and boots, even when I am in the woods with sticks and thorns and such. I've never had an issue with dog paws before, but doing long walks in the woods and such did make me wonder if investing in some boots would be a good idea.
I got a 10x10 kennel at TSC and put it up against the front of our house where it covers my office window and front door (we never use the front door, everyone uses the side door since the driveway comes up to it), so it gave me 10x20 worth of 6' high kennel space that looks nice. I work from home, and I intend to spend lots of time with my winter loving fur friend. However, I do realize there are some times that she may want to be outside when it's literally below zero and I just can't take it and be on a call shivering, so now I have that option of making us both happy, lol :) I had heard from others what you said about wanting to be out constantly in the snow!
That sounds like a great setup. I’m not entirely familiar with that breed. Are they big diggers like Huskies? If so, be sure to keep that in mind when setting up your kennel. Very excited for you!
Aren’t you supposed to use the X-back harness? Extra weight on your dog (like the backpack harness) on top of pulling you puts strain on their joints. The X-back evenly spreads the pulling weight on your dog so it doesn’t cause discomfort for the joints
When using the backpack harness, I put very little weight in the backpack, so it doesn't add much extra weight for them. It is what I started with, but the x-back harness is probably a little better. I actually just upgraded to the x-back harness for my husky this year, and it is working well: ruclips.net/video/adptxeSwaF4/видео.html
If you are just getting into skijoring, the x-back harness is a great option!
Do you recommend mushers secret or booties? Depending on snow type and conditions?? I have rubber booties too.
Sometimes he wants to jump in icy creeks which is probably fine, when he isn't connected to me but his pads getting wet may make them more sensitive to 'sharper' snow crystals? So booties or mushers secret helps?
Please advise.
I wish I had a clear answer for you, but I don’t want to lead you in the wrong direction either. My husky has no issues with her feet, so I don’t typically put anything on her feet. We are only out for a few hours at a time. My Aussie has been having issues with ice balls on his feet, and I am currently trying to solve this problem too. I tried some mushing booties (cloth ones) but while we were skijoring they would fall off from time to time, and it made them hard to find. I have just started using a mushers balm. It is called Paw-Tect from Mountain Ridge. I haven’t used it enough yet to recommend it. Initial reaction is that it helps but it isn’t the complete answer. I also recently tried trimming some of the long fur on the feet both on the top and bottom of the paw and adding paw-tect, but the snow melted before I really was able to test it. I would say both your options of booties and mushers secret are good. It really comes down to your and your dog’s personal preference based on how long you stay outside. Hopefully others with more experience in this area will chime in as well.
@@AdventurousHeartRachelNagle yes and thank you. I also just found an article on a website when I Googled bikejoring dog antenna' and found nylon booties sold by nonstop dog wear. See doggiesport.com/dog-bikejoring-antenna-attachment/
Thanks for sharing!
Hi Rachel, What belt are you using for yourself? Also, do you like it? I have lower back problems (spinal fusion due to an accident) and I want to get a great belt! Thanks
I am using an older version of the Ruffwear Omnijore Hipbelt. Overall, it has been an excellent harness. I like the wide hip belt on this version, which would be essential for you if you have low back problems. In addition to a wide hip belt, you'll want leg loops for your harness. They can be a bit uncomfortable at times, but you get used to them. Without leg loops the harness rides up and causes more stress on the low back. Leg loops allow you to keep the harness placed in the right spot to protect your back.
To further help your back, make sure you get a towline with an integrated bungee. This helps protect both your back and your dog's. I like this one: www.mtnridge.com/Skijor-Towline_p_47.html
Best of luck!!!
What harness are you using in this video?
For the dogs, I am using the Moutainsmith Dog Pack. The red one is an older model, around 2014, and it seems to have a better fit than the newer blue model. Mountainsmith is a great company as some stitching came undone in crucial places, and they honored the warranty and sent me a new blue one. Unfortunately, I don't like the fit of the blue one quite as much. Because of the way I continue to use it, I have now switched to the X-back harness for Shira: www.alpineoutfitters.net/scripts/prodList.asp?idCategory=16. I've had it since March, and it is holding up great!
For me, I am using the Ruffwear Omnijore harness. I like the thick waist belt as well as leg straps that it has.
For the set-up, I use the skijor towline with an integrated bungee: www.mtnridge.com/Skijor-Towline_p_47.html
Thanks for the video. When I saw you were using the Mountainsmith K9 pack, I figured I would let Swarley use that to pull until the Ruffwear Omnijore system arrives. He likes the fit on the K9 pack better than than his Truelove harness.
Where did u get your toe line
From Mountain Ridge: www.mtnridge.com/Skijor-Towline_p_47.html
That bike joring needs some support or it can turn into a horrible experience for owners and their dogs. Either a spring attachment or DIY pvc pipe so that the lines dont get tangled if the dogs come to a stop
Hum, might wanna get a belt that get your ass and not ur spine pulled... Cuz long term wise its painful and creates lower back problems. You have a big bone just for that, I don't remember the name tho. Its a very sturdy bone made for that and other things.