Skijoring is a winter sport in which a person on skis is pulled by dogs or horses. The sport originated in Scandinavia as a means of transport. Skijoring with dogs is rapidly gaining popularity throughout North America as people learn how much fun it is for both them and their dogs.
Louisa Morrissey is the owner of Skijor-N-More in Summit County, Colorado. The Colorado native got her start as a ski instructor, but for the past five years her business has gotten hundreds of people out on the snow with their dogs. Skijoring promotes team work between owners and their dogs, while providing much needed fun and exercise. Another great aspect to the sport of skijoring is that it offers leash law compliance since dogs are connected to their owners by a bungee cord and a tether.
Skijoring Equipment
According to Morrissey, any healthy dog over thirty pounds that likes to pull is a good candidate for skijoring. Any type of nordic ski will work. Classic touring skis will help in deeper snow, whereas skate skis may be advantageous on groomed surfaces.
Harnesses for dogs – Dogs require a full body harness that will allow them to pull with the weight evenly distributed across the body. There are several types of harnesses on the market. Some people prefer the standard x-back style pulling harness; however, some find that when a skijoring line is connected to a typical X-back harness, the steeper angle will cause a lifting force on the harness. Another option is the distance harness, which creates a flatter angle from the line and the dog's force is more evenly distributed.
Waist harness for the skier – The skier needs a waist harness to attach the bungee lead. Specific skijor waist harnesses can be purchased, but another inexpensive option is to use a waist belt from a fanny pack.
Bungee lead – A bungee lead will allow a smooth ride and prevent harsh jerks when the dog stops and starts. A bungee lead can be purchased or constructed from climbing rope and bungee cord purchased from a climbing or hardware store.
Quick release system – A quick release system is a crucial piece of safety equipment. The quick release allows the skier to safely and quickly release from the dog in case of a fall so neither the dog or the skier gets hurt.
Dog Sledding Commands for Skijoring
Skiers should cross-country ski at an intermediate level and have basic voice control over their dogs before attempting to skijor. It is also recommended to progress to a two-dog skijor team after successfully skijoring with one dog.
Over time, dog owners can teach their dogs classic dog sledding and skijor commands.
- Hike – start running/pull
- Easy – slow down
- On by – continue past any distraction
- Gee – turn right
- Haw – turn left
- Whoa – stop
- Come around – turn around
Skijoring is great fun for dogs and their owners. The teamwork builds the human-animal connection and provides a wonderful outlet for the dog's energy. Skijoring is also an excellent way for both animal and owner to get a great workout when winter snows fall. Skiers are encouraged to check with their local nordic skiing or recreation department to find dog-friendly ski trails in their area.
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