Everyone is out running on trails, especially this Saturday for National Trail Running Day.  Even dogs are getting into the sport of trail running.  Dogs have always been such followers.  Dogs have decided to call their new style of trail running, Canicross.  Canicross is a mix of cross-country running with running with dogs.  Canicross started in Europe as a off-season training for mushing dogs.  So it’s pretty much mushing without the snow…which is not mushing at all, it’s Canicrossing.

Runners attach one, or possibly two, dogs to their waist with a bungee chord connecting to their dog.  If you are running with a leash, then it doesn’t count as Canicrossing, you are merely running with a dog.  Sorry cool guy, maybe you should start mushing so when you go Canicrossing you can talk about how much cooler it would be if there was snow.

If you don’t want to mush, start getting hip to the Canicrossing scene by training your dog to pull you.  Dogs love to chase so start by giving them something to chase after.  Have a friend run in front of you and your dog with a tasty treat or get a friend that Canicrosses too and take turns letting your dogs chase after each other.  Just like with any training of dogs, you want to give your dog positive reinforcement.  Since your dog was a puppy he/she has gotten in trouble for pulling, so learning to Canicross can be difficult, make sure you give your dog positive reinforcement for pulling.  Also, never correct your dog for pulling while he/she is in the harness, your dog needs to associate being in the harness to pulling.  Start short Canicrossing on a well defined trail to give your dog positive reinforcement for being able to pull the whole time.  Not that your dog will wear out before you do, dogs are generally a good bit fast than humans.  I know, if you had 4 legs you’d be that fast too.

So if you want to feel more official, then check out the website for the official European Canicross Federation.