Here's a new way to enjoy snowy weather and have fun with your dog at the same time.
In skijoring, your dog pulls you across the snow while you wear skis or sit in a sled. Any young dog over 50 pounds can probably do it, but the bigger your dog is, the more fun you both will have. If you have two dogs, so much the better. Hitch them both up and get a great ride. This is also very popular in rural areas and it is done with horses.
Here's how it works: You outfit your dog in a special harness so it can lead you through the snow. You can do it without special training. But instructors from sled-dog clubs and skijoring clubs can teach you and your dog techniques and commands, like "gee" for going right and "onby" for keep on moving. Just make sure Fido doesn't have a bad back.
Although skijoring has been popular in Europe and Alaska for a long time, it's rapidly spreading to other parts of the world. As more tour companies feature skijoring, dog enthusiasts recognize it as an activity they can participate in with minimal equipment.
You can order a skijoring kit online. It contains a waist belt, lines for one or two dogs, a neck line and a panic snap. The unit has a built-in shock absorber.
The system allows you and your dog to exercise while you enjoy a fast-paced ride or a calm glide through snowy trails. Tow bars are also available. They make the experience similar to water skiing.