How to Train Your Dog to Pull a Wagon
Introduction
Want to give your dog a fun task that helps you out with chores, gives him an opportunity to earn rewards, and provides excellent physical activity and conditioning? Why not teach your dog to pull a cart? Dogs that were bred to be working dogs, especially, benefit from having a purpose and being able to perform work; it’s what they were designed to do! If you teach your dog to pull a cart, you can have him haul firewood, groceries, or other items, and help around your home or farm. Also, pulling a cart can provide entertainment if you have your dog haul small children in a cart, providing hours of fun for the kids and the dog. Most dogs actually enjoy the work and the attention they get for performing it. There are even competitions you can participate in, where your dog pulls carts with increased weight or around obstacles, or you can participate in local shows and parades to showcase your dog’s ability.
Defining Tasks
Getting Started
It is important to use the right kind and correct fitting harness when teaching your dog to pull a cart. A harness that is appropriate for dogs to pull a cart is available commercially. The harness should evenly distribute weight and is padded for comfort and extends down the dog's torso with a quick release snap so you can free your dog in case of a problem. The harness should have rings on the side to connect to the shafts of the wagon. The shafts and rings allow the wagon to stop when your dog stops and prevents the wagon from hitting the back of your dog. The wagon you use should have attachments for shafts on either side to attach to the harness, and the wagon would be in good repair and pull easily. You can use a commercially available dog wagon, or convert a child's wagon for use by your dog. Your dog should know basic obedience commands before getting started pulling a wagon. Lots of treats and a leash to attach to your dog's harness will aid with training. Using a clicker can be a useful training aid, especially if your dog is previously familiar with clicker training.
The Prepare Off-Wagon Method
The Acclimatize Method
The Reinforce Pull Method
Written by Laurie Haggart
Published: 10/20/2017, edited: 01/08/2021
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Success Stories and Training Questions
Training Questions and Answers
I can't quite get a response on my dog for most tricks.I would think that he would pick this up in no time not to pull a wagon but to pull a cart. Because he is a bernese mountain dog.
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Hello Louise, I suggest trying a different motivator in front of him, like tossing a ball, having someone walk in front on him and feed him treats as he takes steps, or encouraging him forward with a tug toy. He may be nervous about the cart behind him or you might be starting too heavy or large. Taking the training slow and rewarding him for all progress, starting with a smaller or lighter cart first and gradually adding weight or moving to a larger one, or making sure his harness is padded and not rubbing may help. It takes the average dog 20-30 repetitions of something to learn a basic trick or command, so try to be patient with him and break the steps down even further for him, motivate him to move with something he likes, and reward even small amounts of progress to show him that he is doing the correct action. Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden
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Training Success Stories
I got SUPER lucky. I have a 7 year old dog also named Wunder's Art of War CGC TKN TDI RN (AKA Tank). He works because I ask him to. (While rolling his eyes.) He did like doing the nursing home visits, but he's almost 8, & he is starting to like napping more than visits, training, & shows. So, He is retired. My 2 year old Jack aka J.D. Has ALWAYS loved working. When he was little, he loved balls, stuffed animals, & he rarely shreds anything. He never ate anything he shredded either. Training has been amazing. He loves to bait for treats. He doesn't care what kind of treats either. However, if it's a really highly rewarding treat like real meat, my fingers are my livelyhood, so we have to stay away from that! LOL! His favorite toys are little squirrel squeaky toys from Chewy.com, & Chuckit balls. He also has a skateboard, that even if a squirrel is near, he'd rather play on his skateboard. When he was 1, he almost broke my foot. We were in the beginning of a parade, & he was being SUPER naughty. I had trouble controlling him. He stepped on my foot. My shoe fell off, & I just put it back on, & kept going. I am still paying for medical bills, & still going to physical therapy for it. So, I figured, I'd keep training him, get him to heel, & when he was 2 planned on getting a radio flyer wagon. I scored one on facebook for $35! WOOH! I bought him a harness. Tried Tank first. He HATES it. Tried it on J.D. I skipped most of the steps, because I have walked both dogs with the harness just because of my crippledness thanks to J.D. I have also done yard work with the wheelbarrel with them. So, both dogs were exposed to most of the steps already. J.D. was great with the empty wagon. So, I figured I could have him help me with yardwork ect. So, in the picture above, he was waiting for me to finish cleaning up halloween decorations. In the winter, he hauled me from the pool house. Yesterday, he hauled a total of 300lbs to the shed. We do have a hill, & he was getting frusterated with 100lbs. So, I took a 50lb bag out, & he made it up. So, 1 bag at a time, we made several trips up to the shed. He taught himself, that going up hill fast made it a LOT easier! What an AWESOME BOY! :) Maybe eventually, he'll carry me TO the poolhouse!
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