What is dog scootering?

Dog scootering is a young and still quite rare sport, although in Russia there are already competitions in riding a dog on a scooter. They are supervised by the Russian Cynological Federation. By the way, the name of the discipline “dog scootering” is translated from English as “dog scooter”.

Dog scooter features:

• In Russia, competitions are held in two classes: a scooter can be pulled by one dog or two;

• The length of the track depends on the specific races, but most often it is from 3 to 10 km;

• The rider can not only ride a scooter, but also push off with his foot or even run alongside. It is important that he should not get ahead of the dog; it is also unacceptable for the athlete to lose contact with the team;

• The winner is the team that came to the finish line first, if we are talking about a mass start, or showed the best time to complete the distance in an individual race.

Sports Equipment

In terms of equipment, dog scootering is certainly not the easiest sport. But in many ways, the quality and cost of equipment depends on your goals. If you are not planning a sports career, but want to do it for yourself, then a simple scooter will do.

What is needed for dog scootering?

1. Scooter – This is a special two-wheeled scooter that does not have an engine or electric drive. Its main difference is the wheels of large diameter. Since the competition is held on rough terrain, this design makes it easier to drive on a dirt road. The most common are models with a 26-inch front wheel and a 20-inch rear wheel. There are also scooter models that have a front wheel diameter of 29 inches and a rear wheel of 26 inches. These are more suitable for hilly terrain. It is necessary that the scooter be equipped with brakes on the front and rear wheels.

2. As in other sports disciplines, links the rider and the dog sipping – shock-absorbing cord 2,5–3 m long.

3. The dog is put on a special sports harness. You can buy it at the store or make your own.

4. Indispensable attributes of the racer – suit, helmet, goggles и gloves. Optionally, you can also purchase protective knee and elbow pads.

Who can participate?

Both purebred dogs and mestizos can take part in dog scootering competitions – the breed does not play a role. The weight of the animal is also not important: even medium-sized pets can pull the scooter.

It is forbidden to participate in competitions of pregnant and lactating dogs, as well as sick animals. Before each race, a veterinary examination is carried out.

There are also age restrictions, and they concern not only the animal, but also the racer. So, the pet must be over 18 months old, and a participant who has reached the age of 12 years old can ride a scooter with one dog, and 14 years old with two dogs.

Training process

Dog scootering is safer than bikejoring and dog karting. At any time, the rider can simply jump off the scooter. However, in order to avoid dangerous situations, it is necessary to train a lot and carefully.

You can prepare for competitions on your own if you are confident in your abilities and if you have the relevant experience. Or you can seek help from a dog handler. He will make the best training plan.

Training starts with scooter control and dog training. Gradually, when this is mastered, they proceed directly to skating. First at short distances, then gradually increase the distance.

If you decide to try your hand at dog scooting, remember that this is a team sport. The success of a team depends on the well-coordinated work of its members, understanding each other and mutual respect.

March 20 2018

Updated: 22 March 2018