The top 5 winter sports to try out with your dog
If your dog is like mine, he's a snow lover! Musher loves the snow. Leave on a winter sports holiday with my dog is a real pleasure. She runs like crazy and rolls frantically in the snow. I feel that makes him really happy. And you, are you taking your dog on a winter sports holiday? I'm a big fan of snowball fights and of course, I don't leave without having made a snowman, much to Musher's delight. As a good gourmet, the man's nose does not last long...
This year, I want to start a new sport with my dog! We have already made a few outings in cani-racket previous years but this time, I want to set myself a little personal challenge and try something new. So here you go, the top 5 super wow winter sports to try this year with your dog! I've slipped in some tips if you ever want to try too. Health, equipment, instructions… Let's go for 5 activities to do with your dog in winter in the snow.
Trottiski, kickspark or scooter with your dog
Wondering what this sport is? In fact, it's like a scooter but instead of wheels there are skis to slide on the snow. Your dog is harnessed in front and tows the scooter. You can help it by sliding with your legs like on a classic scooter, hence the name trottiski.
It's a real canine pulling sport that requires your dog to know how to respond to commands such as STOP, left, right... otherwise you will definitely end up in the background, especially if your dog gets into the game and pulls like crazy. Speed and thrills guaranteed. Just like you, your dog must be in good physical condition because it is a demanding sport.
Do you want to know more about this pulling sport to test with your dog? find Annaelle and Snow's scooter experience.
Snowboarding with a dog
This is a sport Too W'ouf! If on paper, it seems tempting, it is rather a sliding sport reserved for those who have a good level in snowboarding. It is indeed necessary to master the subject well before getting down to your dog. You should not hurt yourself by falling or hurt your dog with the edge of the snowboard.
You form a team with your dog so take care of your teammate. If he's having trouble keeping up, slow down. Depending on his physical condition and level of training, or even his mood for the day, he may find it more or less difficult to keep up with you. Keep a close eye on his pads: depending on the quality of the snow, they can deteriorate very quickly and your dog can be seriously injured. In the article The precautions to take for a ski holiday with your dog, you can take stock of the preparation of your dog's pads: socks, boots, tanning balm...
Also make sure your dog doesn't catch a cold after strenuous exercise. Dry it if necessary with a microfiber towel or even a pulser and bring him warmth with a coat for dog if he needs it. Should you dress your dog in winter? Make the point in the article dedicated to the subject to know everything and check if you need to equip your dog. For more information on this activity to try out with your dog, discover Franck and Liou's experience, his Belgian Shepherd Malinois.
Skijoring or cross-country skiing with your dog
Do you cross-country ski? Test this activity with your dog. This is a great activity to take a breath of fresh air and do some sport with your dog. As for all canine hauling sports, your dog must be equipped with specific equipment adjusted to his morphology to allow him to practice the activity in complete safety and comfort. It must therefore be equipped with a pulling harness, An elastic lanyard connected to your harness ou traction belt. It is almost the same material as for the cani cross. Here, the dog being farther from you because of the skis in particular, it will be necessary to adapt the length of the stroke line and opt for a long harness to ensure running comfort for your dog. To choose the right material, read the dedicated article canine traction sports where Matthieu Morin, our canine equipment expert, gives you all his equipment advice.
For fans of downhill skiing, you can also go ski touring with your dog. You can never take your dog skiing with you. Dogs are prohibited on the ski slopes because it would be super dangerous for him as for all other skiers. The only way to ski with your dog is to go cross-country skiing off-piste. This practice is exclusively reserved for mountain connoisseurs: there is no question of putting yourself or your dog in danger.
Caniluge
This is a sport that your children will enjoy. I don't know why, but sledding is often reserved for children, as if growing up, we adults no longer had the right to savor the simple pleasures of a good toboggan run!! In short, if you have a dog, children and a sledge, you will be tempted to go cani-sledding. 🙂
But BE CAREFUL, it doesn't happen just any old way!! It is strictly forbidden to tow your dog if he does not have the appropriate equipment. No question of keeping him on a leash and collar for this activity. It wouldn't occur to you to tow something by hanging it around your neck so why inflict that on your dog?? I raise the tone in this part of the article because every year on skis, I see this kind of practice. On the pretext that we laugh for a few minutes with his sledge and his children, we make his dog do anything… Grrr! He is a full member of your family so respect him too. It's not a toy.
You can also choose to go sledding and let your free dog run alongside you. Be sure to be able to brake if your dog ever passes in front of you… An article dedicated to cani-sledding is coming soon 🙂
Fatbike, caniVVT in the snow
This is a sport that is becoming more democratic in our ski resorts. The fatbike is a mountain bike equipped with very wide tires that allows you to ride on snow. The fatbike therefore makes it possible to do caniVTT all year round. Can you imagine cycling with your dog in the mountains in the snow? Explore the resort with your dog. An article dedicated to fatbike will be available soon 🙂
As with all winter sports, find out before you leave to identify the tracks authorized for your vehicle and especially for your dog. Some ski resorts are more dog-friendly than others and unfortunately, dogs are not always allowed on the cross-country ski trails… Discover the top 4 dog-friendly ski resorts in the Alps, the Jura massif with his dog, And beautiful resorts in the Pyrenees.
Going on a winter sports holiday with your dog
If you and your dog are not big sports and sliding fans, opt for sports that are just as great as Cani-snowshoe hike with your dog, a white canicross or white canitrail.
Whatever activity you try with your dog, remember to check his paws and pads when you get home. And if you have walked in the resort, rinse its paws to prevent the road salt and other anti-freeze products spilled on the roads in the resort from damaging its pads.
Any last advice for the road? Make sure you always have water on hand to give your dog a drink. If he is thirsty, he will not hesitate to eat snow... Snow + dog: beware of intestinal problems… Adapt his daily food ration because between the cold and the activities, your dog will surely exert himself a little more than usual.
Are you looking for dog-friendly accommodation for your winter holidays with your dog? Don't panic, find our list of dog-friendly accommodations for your holidays here.
Capture your adventures in photos and videos and share them with us with #emmenetonchien on Instagram or directly by sharing your dog-friendly tips on EmmèneTonChien.com for all the Wouafer's to enjoy! Enjoy your ski vacation with your dog 🙂