Cani-skike with your dog
Hello Wouafer's! Today, I'm talking about a brand new canine sport: cani-skike! What is the cani-skike? Or even just the skike? How to practice the cani-skike? Can my dog cani-skike? What equipment is suitable and necessary to practice cani-skike? If you are a fan of canine traction sports with your dog such as canicross, canivtt, skijoring... and you want to discover a new traction sport to do with your dog, this article is for you!
I interviewed Marion, a cani-skike fan. She will tell you everything so that this sport is no longer a secret for you!
Marion, it's up to you, tell us all about this canine sport that you share with your dog.
Cani-skike with your dog: what is this canine sport?
Before embarking on cani-skike, it is important to know what it is! And what do skikes look like! In fact, it's simple, it's like skis but on wheels!
I started discovering this discipline because I love rollerblading and I was looking to try all-terrain skating. But what I love above all is sharing a moment with my dog, a 3-year-old husky named Pichu! And the cani-skike was the perfect combination for my dog and me.
It's been about a year since we discovered the cani-skike. I love extreme and sliding sports so I started to do research and I got in touch with Manuel Campana who is trying to develop the skike! I was already practicing ski touring with my dog, cani-rando, the cani-scooter and others ! So discovering a new activity to do with my dog was obvious!
Musher and Sophie: “While preparing this article on skike with your dog, I was able to chat with Manuel Campana! He is a roller-skating enthusiast who found an ease in Nordic skates because he could practice on different terrains! Since then, he has been trying to develop the skike and make it known, he is the second French seller of this type of equipment. Skike is an activity that develops little by little and Manuel, who loves the world of dogs, tries to combine them as best he can! What he likes above all is sharing, pleasure, discovery and madness! ”
In principle, the cani-skike is a bit like the cani-roller because it is a traction sport with your dog. Sharing with your dog is the same but it's still different because it's similar to skiing. It's a canine sport that combines sliding, sharing with your dog but also a little extreme sensations. If you want a slightly different feeling, that's the best!
Musher and Sophie: “Besides the Wouafer's, if you want to discover the cani-roller with your dog, take a look at this article: Go cani-rolling with your dog!"
If you have never heard of or tested the cani-skike, I would say “GO FOR IT!!”. If you are attracted to canine traction sports, this discipline may appeal to you.
Of course it takes preparation, we do not start like that. Even if this sport is similar to rollerblading and sliding, it's completely another way of doing it! If you already have the feeling of sliding with your dog, it's easier to manage, you learn more easily. In fact, you have to prepare twice. That is to say first of all to master the skike without his dog, to appropriate this object, to know how to steer, to slide, to brake, to know the feeling alone and the equipment. When this first preparation is done, it's time to test with your dog. Also, it's important to start by walking and when you're comfortable you can increase the pace! When you're comfortable, you associate it with your dog and then it rolls, it's the case to say it 😉
Musher and Sophie: “In addition to this preparation, I would add that you also have to prepare your dog. It is not enough to put on a traction harness for him to understand what you expect of him! And even if he tows you, he too will need practice. Depending on his physical condition, age, heat, terrain…. you will have to adapt your outing to respect the desires and possibilities of your dog.
If you are reading this article, it is because you are a fan of canine sports! So, if you want to discover a selection of traction sports to do with your dog, come and discover the Top 10 pulling sports to share with your dog!"
I practice this sport alone. I do not yet know of a group that does cani-skike. It is a sport that is developing but it is still little known.
To begin, it's good to have some explanations at the level of the material, that reassures. If you don't know the world of board sports, it's better to be able to find out with a professional so as not to pick up bad habits. In any case, the brakes are super effective and that gives you confidence!
What equipment for skike with your dog?
To learn cani-skike, we need equipment for us and for the dog.
For the human, it will obviously be necessary skikes, good sticks and after that it is according to the conception of the security of each one; knee pads, elbow pads, protective helmet.
Generally, I put on the helmet, for the rest it depends on the terrain and how dangerous it is.
It is a sport that is practiced in duos, in pairs! You have to listen to your dog because sometimes, it's like us, he doesn't want to, doesn't want to, doesn't feel it… in short, he isn't receptive.
As for his equipment, he needs a pulling harness. Mine I bought it in a specialized store in Grenoble, the brand of the harness is Islandis. You also need a good elastic lanyard to absorb shocks. You can also equip yourself with a shoulder belt but personally I have a classic belt just at the bottom of the hips and it suits me well.
How to cani-skike with your dog?
If you don't have knowledge and practice in traction sports, you have to start by walking. You don't necessarily have to start with another sport before embarking on the cani-skike adventure, but really you have to learn first on your own and starting with the simple gaits and then associate your dog.
Of course, you have to start preparing your dog physically. You have to pay attention to your cardio so first by doing small sections then you go crescendo. The most important thing is really to listen to your dog, to teach him to manage his speed and that he masters the basic commands like left, right, forward and STOP!
My dog, during our first outings on a skike, went full throttle so I worked with him to go slower then faster… Now he manages to manage himself, he tows then recovers and then he tows again.
Our cani-skike sessions last about 1h30/2h which represents about 8/10 kms for someone well prepared. But it will really depend on the terrain and 8kms is already not bad! I work on the flat with my dog and I also go uphill and when we go down I often leave my dog free.
You must also teach him basic steering orders such as the stop which is very important, the front when he can tow and move forward, the left/right, the left/right serve when he has to shift a little. It is also important to teach your dog “gently” if you don't want to end up in the emergency room ;). The intonation does a lot…. I communicate a lot with my dog during the cani-skike session, you have to be in touch with your dog and motivate him, congratulate him a lot. Even if it is also necessary to be firmer when Monsieur decides to do as he pleases and tell him that it is not good to limit the risks for him as for me. It is important.
Tips for cani-skiking with your dog
Before you start cani-skike with your dog, I would say that you must first love traction sports with your dog. This sport is great for creating a unique and strong bond with your dog. And it must always be practiced in fun and in the positive! Respecting your dog. I like practicing cani-skike because I know it makes me smile but it also makes him smile! The advice is really to share with your dog and to be in the positive to make you both happy.
Regarding the places where to practice cani-skike, as it is a new sport, there are not really identified spots; so I'm testing paths around my house.
The skikes really go everywhere thanks to their tires, even on the pebbles! Well let's avoid the big rocks of course!
To practice cani-skike with your dog, you really have to avoid the roads for the well-being of your dog. You can afford to skike with your dog on a small portion of tar but it really has to be a very small portion!
Also, I don't practice cani-skike when it's hot because I want my dog to feel good, so I do it at a maximum temperature of 18 degrees when my dog tows me.
Afterwards, I really like the descents and the speed, I like to go up and then back down. The forest roads which are quite flat, they are more pleasant than small paths where there is not too much amplitude. On the flat when it's wide, it's nice when I can do the skater's step. But I don't really have any preferred or adequate paths, as long as it passes, I go for it! And I have fun with my dog in skike.
WOW!! Well, thank you Marion for introducing us to this new canine traction sport! I'm sure you've made all the Wouafer's fans of traction sports want to take the plunge with their dogs! For my part, I would have loved to try this sport but Musher not being a fan of traction, I can't see myself harnessing my husband… lol!