Marte Eirin Solhaug I How to teach your dog to pull?

In this episode of the Unleashed podcast, we talk all about pulling with World Champion, Marte Eirin Solhaug.

 

Blanka
Welcome back to a new episode of our Unleashed podcast. Today, I’m here with Marte Eirin Solhaug, World Champion in both combined and pulka. Welcome!

 

Marte
Thank you.

 

Blanka
Today’s topic is how to teach your dog to pull. So, my first question would actually be, how did you get into sled dog sports?

 

Marte
We always had dogs in the family, so I started when I was very young. We had German Pointers, and I began skiing with them as soon as I was able to ski. But I didn’t start doing it professionally until about six years ago. That’s when I quit kayaking and got my first dog, Sepp, specifically for this purpose.

 

Blanka
And Sepp is also a German Shorthaired Pointer, right?

 

Marte
Yes, he’s a GSP. He’s from Thelma, who was a dog I borrowed from a friend and started racing with before I got Sepp.

 

Blanka
So, Sepp was a real turning point for you. From there, you didn’t kayak anymore, and you started focusing on sled dog sports more competitively and professionally.

 

Marte
Yes, that’s right. That’s when I started training more for competitions. But I had joined some competitions a few years before that as well.

 

Blanka
Was Sepp like a natural talent, or did you have to teach him to pull? How did that journey with him begin?

 

Marte
I always hoped he would be like Thelma, and he turned out exactly like her—just the male version. He is very hardworking and a fast learner. But because he’s such a fast learner, it was really important to do things right from the beginning. Everything he learned from a young age stayed with him, and it’s really hard to turn things around if you do it wrong initially.

 

Blanka
That’s very insightful. I see it with many dogs—even those with a natural drive to pull—it’s important to keep it a positive experience for them to strengthen that behavior.

 

Marte
Yes, absolutely. It’s all about creating positive associations.

 

Blanka
Now, you have several dogs, and all of them are doing amazing. How do you start with them? When do you begin teaching them to pull?

 

Marte
The training and habit-building start at a very young age. They come with us on sessions, starting with short and fun ones. In the beginning, it’s all about keeping it short, fun, and leaving them with extra energy at the end. You don’t want to push them too far.

 

Blanka
When you were bringing them for these first sessions, did you start with pulling, or were they just running alongside the older, more experienced dogs?

 

Marte
In the beginning, it’s mostly free running, and they mostly run alone. This way, they get to choose their speed and build important muscles. Once I start introducing pulling, I like to bring them with the older dogs. The experienced dogs show them what to do, and the young ones learn by copying them.

 

Blanka
That’s a smart approach. Do you find that young dogs copy both good and bad behaviors from older dogs?

 

Marte
Yes, they copy a lot. That’s why it’s so important to bring them around dogs you are comfortable with and that set a good example. If older dogs have bad habits, like barking at the stakeout or stressing in the car, the puppies can pick up on that quickly.

 

Blanka
So role models are super important. But sometimes, you also train with other people’s dogs. Is there something specific you need to pay attention to when doing that?

 

Marte
Absolutely. You need to be certain about the dogs you’re training with to avoid any bad experiences. One negative incident can set you back a lot, and it takes many positive experiences to rebuild trust after something goes wrong.

 

Blanka
You mentioned starting with short sessions. What does “short” mean in this context?

 

Marte
It depends. For free running in the woods, it can be longer since the puppy sets its own speed. But if you’re bringing them with older dogs for pulling, the session might only be 15 to 20 minutes. The focus is on creating a routine and keeping it a positive experience.

 

Blanka
When you start pulling, is there a specific type of activity you prefer—canicross, skiing, or biking?

 

Marte
I think canicross is a great starting point because you have free hands and more control over the dog. If you’re a good skier, skijoring is also a nice option because you can still guide the dog with your hands. Biking can be a bit trickier at first since you only have brakes for control.

 

Blanka
I’ve noticed some people tend to talk a lot to their dogs during training. What’s your approach to communication while training?

 

Marte
I don’t talk to them much. I use commands like “left,” “right,” “go,” and “pass,” along with occasional praise like “good.” Talking too much can overstimulate or stress them, so I keep it simple and focus on clarity.

 

Blanka
If someone has already made mistakes while teaching their dog to pull, what would you recommend? How should they proceed from there?

 

Marte
It’s important to reset and start over. Give the dog time, build new positive experiences, and don’t expect too much too soon. Start from scratch as if it’s the first time. Praise them when they do well, but don’t push them.

 

Blanka
That’s a great tip. It’s probably better to stop when things are still going well instead of trying to push them too far, right?

 

Marte
Yes, exactly. If, for example, the challenge is passing other dogs, make sure you train with dogs you’re confident about to create positive experiences. Start with small, manageable steps and build from there.

 

Blanka
Do you ever use other dogs as a tool to help with training?

 

Marte
Yes, that’s a great method. For example, if I’m working with a young dog on passing, I’ll sometimes use a third dog in front of them as a guide. This way, the young dog isn’t focused on the dog they’re passing but instead on following the lead dog. It makes everything easier.

 

Blanka
That’s clever. Do you also train young dogs alone, or do you always pair them with experienced dogs?

 

Marte
I train them alone as well. It’s important to build their confidence on their own and not rely solely on the older dogs. But if I’m attaching them for pulling, I make sure to do it at the start of the session when they have a lot of energy. The session should be short and set up for success.

 

Blanka
It sounds like timing is key. If they aren’t ready or are playing with the leash, it’s better to wait, right?

 

Marte
Exactly. If they’re not ready, it’s better to wait and try again later when you can set them up for success. Pushing too soon can lead to frustration for both you and the dog.

 

Blanka
Is there a specific type of training you like to start with when teaching pulling?

 

Marte
Yes, I think starting with canicross is ideal because you have free hands to guide the dog. Skiing is another good option if you’re experienced because it allows for similar control. Biking can work too, but it’s harder to guide the dog since you only have brakes.

 

Blanka
That’s a good point. When you’re training young dogs, do you reward them after pulling sessions?

 

Marte
I don’t use toys or treats during training, but some people find that works well. Instead, I praise them a lot after the session and give them something like meat soup or other recovery treats.

 

Blanka
Did you ever face any particular challenges with your dogs when teaching them to pull?

 

Marte
Yes, one common challenge is that they all seem to naturally prefer running on the left side. I’ve had to train all of them to balance that out.

 

Blanka
How do you teach them to avoid favoring one side?

 

Marte
I wait until they’re stable with pulling before addressing directionality. I start them on the right side and make sure to avoid reinforcing their natural preference to move left. If they do start going left, I stop and correct them to go back to the right.

 

Blanka
That’s a helpful tip—don’t try to teach everything all at once. Start simple and focus on one thing at a time.

 

Marte
Yes, exactly. Don’t go too fast or try to teach pulling, directions, and other skills all at once. Let them master one thing before moving to the next.

 

Blanka
Speaking of pulling, you also have a Whippet in your team. She’s not the typical pulling dog, is she?

 

Marte
No, she’s not. Whippets are made for chasing, not pulling. She needs the right motivation, like competing against one of the GSPs. She loves speed, so I combine that with pulling, and she thrives in those conditions.

 

Blanka
What about uphill pulling? Do you think there’s a way to motivate her to work harder on hills?

 

Marte
It’s tricky with Whippets because they’re so focused on speed. Starting the session with an uphill while she’s fresh and eager might help, especially if she’s running with other dogs. But it’s hard to completely change a breed’s natural tendencies.

 

Blanka
That makes sense. At the end of the day, you have to respect what each dog enjoys, right?

 

Marte
Yes, absolutely. It’s about finding what works for each dog and building on their strengths.

 

Blanka
Are there any common mistakes you see people make when starting to teach their dogs to pull?

 

Marte
Yes, going too fast is a big one. You need to take it step by step and focus on the basics first. Rushing into things like direction commands or expecting perfect performance too soon can confuse the dog.

 

Blanka
When you start with young dogs, how often do you train them in a week?

 

Marte
It depends on the conditions. In good conditions, you can train more often but keep the sessions short. Regularity is important so they get into a routine and use up some of their energy in a productive way.

 

Blanka
That’s important—don’t use pulling to tire them out, but rather to build a routine and teach them gradually.

 

Marte
Exactly. Stop before they get too tired. You want them to associate pulling with giving their all and having fun, not exhaustion.

 

Blanka
Do weather conditions play a role in your training approach?

 

Marte
Yes, absolutely. If it’s icy, for example, it can hurt their paws, and they might associate that pain with pulling. Always check the conditions and don’t train if you’re unsure—it’s better to skip a session than risk a bad experience.

 

Blanka
If someone’s dog has already had a bad experience or if mistakes were made during training, how can they recover from that?

 

Marte
The key is to focus on creating positive experiences moving forward. Start from scratch, take small steps, and don’t expect too much too quickly. It’s about rebuilding their confidence.

 

Blanka
Would you say that praising them when they do well is better than pushing them harder to improve quickly?

 

Marte
Yes, absolutely. If you push too hard, they might become uncertain or lose interest. It’s better to stop while the session is still positive and fun.

 

Blanka
For issues like passing other dogs, is there a specific strategy you recommend?

 

Marte
Yes, I’d recommend training with dogs you trust and know are well-behaved. You can also use a lead dog to guide the young dog, which helps them focus on moving forward rather than getting distracted by the dog they’re passing.

 

Blanka
That’s a great idea. Do you think it’s helpful to always have experienced dogs with young ones, or should they also train alone?

 

Marte
Both are important. Training with experienced dogs helps them learn and build confidence, but they also need to train alone to develop independence and focus. When training alone, keep the sessions short and positive, especially at the beginning.

 

Blanka
It sounds like timing and setting them up for success are really important.

 

Marte
Yes, exactly. If they’re not ready or show signs of frustration, it’s better to wait and try again later when the circumstances are more favorable.

 

Blanka
When you’re teaching pulling, do you think it’s better to start with something simple like canicross, or does it depend on the situation?

 

Marte
I prefer starting with canicross because you have free hands and more control. Skiing can also be a good starting point if you’re confident on skis because you can guide them similarly. With biking, you have less control and rely more on brakes, which can make things harder.

 

Blanka
Do you think weather and conditions impact the dog’s learning process?

 

Marte
Yes, definitely. For example, if it’s icy and their paws get hurt, they might associate that with pulling and lose interest. Always make sure the conditions are good before training.

 

Blanka
You mentioned you have a Whippet, and she isn’t a typical pulling breed. How do you approach her training differently?

 

Marte
Whippets are built for chasing, so I use that to motivate her. She loves speed, so when we have fast conditions, she excels. She’s not as motivated in uphill or slower sections, so I try to start sessions with a challenge when she’s fresh and eager.

 

Blanka
It’s fascinating how much individuality comes into play. Do you think it’s possible to completely change a dog’s natural tendencies?

 

Marte
You can work with them and find ways to improve certain aspects, but their breed and personality will always play a role. It’s about respecting what they enjoy and building on that.

 

Blanka
That’s a great perspective. Are there any final tips you’d like to share with our listeners about teaching dogs to pull?

 

Marte
My number one tip is to make it fun for both you and your dog. If you both enjoy it, success will come naturally.

 

Blanka
Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge, Marte. I think our listeners will find your advice incredibly valuable and motivating.

 

Marte
Thank you for having me. I hope everyone enjoys teaching their dogs and exploring new adventures together!