Beginners’ Dryland Intake Workshops

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Love winter? If your dog pulls you on leash, there’s a good chance they will be great in harness.

A beginner lesson, taught by Snow Motion co-coordinators Susie Strachan, Lorne Volk, Asmara Polcyn and Nick Turchyn will give you a taste of what it’s like to train your dog to pull you on skis or a kick sled.

Dryland lessons provide you with a loaner harness, training treats, and a take-home sheet of instructions. If your dog has food allergies, please bring your own training treats. Harnesses must be returned (or purchased) at the end of the workshop.

The lesson covers how to gear up and how to train your dog to follow the mushing commands.

We talk about how to modify your current ski set for skijoring, and how to purchase skis if you need these.

What you need for a workshop:

  • Your dog(s) must be over 6 months of age. You must have your own dog (we don’t supply them).
  • A leash for the dog(s), and good footwear for yourself.
  • Basic control over your dog(s). They should be able to follow simple commands such as “come” and “sit”.

The workshop lasts for approximately 2.5 to 3 hours. Please dress for the weather conditions.

Your dog must stay in your car for the first hour of the workshop. Please provide your dog with whatever you need to keep them warm and secure.

Post-workshop training walks take place at trails around Winnipeg and are a requirement before you can join our beginners’ group when we switch to on-snow group runs.