Urban Dog Mushing in Wichita

A half dozen dogs, snow, and a sled aren't necessary to participate in the sport of dog mushing. Dog scootering, a type of urban dog mushing, is great fun for both dog and man and a wonderful way to get larger dogs the exercise they need. Only one dog is necessary if riding on the flats, but two or three enthusiastic pullers can make for a wicked good time :).

The dogs in this video are Belgian Tervurens, aged 3 and 9. Any dog over about 30-40 lbs can pull an adult on a scooter on flat ground if they're eager for a run, although some breeds (huskies, malamutes, samoyeds, etc) are particularly well suited. It does take some dedication to teach directional (left-right) commands, but this process can be sped up greatly if training with another experienced team or leader.

Urban mushers use every manner of wheeled conveyance from bikes and 3 or 4 wheeled carts to rollerblades and skateboards, but one of the easiest and safest vehicles is a 2 wheeled scooter. Usually equipped with BMX bike tires, front and rear brakes, a non-slip skateboard deck, and even suspension systems, scooters provide plenty of control and stopping ability, good ground clearance, light weight, low rolling resistance, and are easy to bail off if (when) your canine companions abruptly decide the squirrel on the side of the trail looks like a tasty snack.

Category:

Pets & Animals

Tags:

• urban
• mushing
• dog
• scooter
• scootering
• wichita
• belgian
• tervuren

[Myfilism]

Wow this is amazing, they do it like real pros!! I wonder if I could ever try the same with my dog, she has an enormus amount of energy but I think she's a bit small perhaps haha :)

How do you even train this?

[SheFlyz]

@Myfilism She looks like she might be a little small for urban mushing - but you could always add a second dog :) It's easiest to train a new dog if you have access to someone who already has a trained team. You can hitch your dog in with the experienced team and they learn by example. If you don't have another musher to assist you, there are a lot of excellent resources online about dog scootering and urban mushing that can help.

[13johnmachell13]

were did you get your scooter

[SheFlyz]

@13johnmachell13 The scooter came from digglerstore dot c o m. My lines are hollow core braided polyethylene rope. The main line has a 12” heavy-duty bungee inserted into the center and sewn on either end to provide shock absorption for the dogs. They’re actually skijoring lines that I found years ago from an online retailer that’s no longer in business, but there are numerous other places that sell similar equipment - just search for skijoring gear.

[Myfilism]

@SheFlyz Ye she´s a bit small and she cant really focus that well either but I think I might try and make her help me shuffle some snow this winter :) She just adores snow and it might fit her size a bit more haha.

Thanks for the tip, I'll try and find some mushers, hopefully we can atleast get a one day trip and meet awesome dogs and having a great time!

[tornadoeplayer14]

I LIVE RIGHT NEXT TOO WICHITA

[marshall98407]

my dog is scared of the skateboard so i got a all terrain mountain board that is quieter but hes still scared of it..i guess i dont go out enough..and even if i push myself he will laydown behind me like hes scared..im trying possitive teaching technics too..

[CitizenKate]

I and my 2 dogs have taken up mushing only in the last couple of years, long after leaving Wichita, but it's great to see such a fine team racing through my old stomping grounds. This made me smile. Loved seeing Andover Park and the River Walk again... I really miss Wichita.

[13johnmachell13]

what lines do you use ? would love to know more :D

[whynotchaos]

Awe! That's so awesome!