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. 

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 is a real canine pulling sport that requires your dog to know how to respond to orders such as STOP, left, right… otherwise you will definitely end up in the scenery especially if your pet gets into the game and pulls like crazy. Speed ​​and thrills guaranteed. Just like you, he 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.

This is a sport that is 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. You must indeed master the subject well before tackling your dog. You do not want to hurt yourself by falling or hurt your dog with the edge of the snowboard.

You and your dog are a team, so take care of your teammate. If he has trouble keeping up, slow down. Depending on his physical condition and level of training, or even his mood of the day, he may have more or less trouble keeping up with you. Keep a close eye on his pads: depending on the quality of the snow, they can get damaged very quickly and he can get seriously injured. In the article The precautions to take for a ski holiday with your dog, you will be able to take stock of the preparation of its pads: socks, boots, tanning balm...

Also make sure your dog doesn't catch a cold after intense exercise. Dry him off if necessary with a microfiber towel or even a pulser and bring him warmth with a coat if he needs it. Should you dress your dog in winter? Check out the article on the subject to find out everything and check whether you need to equip your pet. For more information on this activity to try with your dog, discover Franck and Liou's experience, his Belgian Shepherd Malinois.

A quick break from your reading: if you're like me and always afraid your dog will escape when you're out walking, a GPS for dogs will change your life.  You will be able to locate it anywhere in real time!  I tested several models with Musher: discover our GPS comparison here. Aside ended: return to the article

Do you do cross-country skiing? Try this activity with your dog. This is a great activity to get some fresh air and do some exercise with your pet. As with 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, since the dog is further away from you, especially because of the skis, you will have to adapt the length of the stroke line and opt for a long harness to ensure comfort when running. To choose the right equipment, reread the article dedicated to 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 forbidden on the ski slopes because it would be super dangerous for him and for all the other skiers. The only way to ski together is to go ski touring off-piste. This practice is exclusively reserved for mountain connoisseurs: there is no question of putting you or your pet in danger.

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, this is not done just anyhow!! It is strictly forbidden to have your pet towed if he does not have the appropriate equipment. There is no question of keeping him on a leash and collar for this activity. It would not occur to you to tow something by hanging it around your neck, so why inflict this on your dog?? I raise my voice in this part of the article because every year when skiing, I see this kind of practice. Under the pretext that we laugh for a few minutes with our sled and our children, we make our dog do anything... Grrr! He is a full member of your family, so respect him too. He is not a toy.

You can also choose to go sledding and let your pooch run free alongside you. Be sure to be able to brake if your dog ever runs in front of you… If this is a sport you enjoy, here is a special article Sledding with a dog: cani-sledding.

A quick break from your reading: if you're like me and always afraid your dog will escape when you're out walking, a GPS for dogs will change your life.  You will be able to locate it anywhere in real time!  I tested several models with Musher: discover our GPS comparison here. Aside ended: return to the article

This is a sport that is becoming more popular 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 allows you to do caniVTT all year round. Can you imagine cycling with your dog in the mountains in the snow? Go and explore the resort with your dog. Ride a fatbike with your dog It's a real treat: try it!

As with all winter sports, find out before you leave to identify the trails authorized for fatbiking or bikejoering. Some ski resorts are more dog-friendly than others and unfortunately, dogs are not always allowed on 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.

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 🙂