Speed, Acceleration and stamina…..

Parachutes for weight pull?

First thing I need to say is that I think they are great. I think the idea that they are another form of resistance training and people are seeing the benefit in cross training and a means of strength training and conditioning for their dogs is awesome! (see dog in picture…total badass).

As they relate to training for weight pull and the specificity of the sport however…I have a few things to say. The intended use of parachutes, whether they be for humans or athletes is to overcome resistance (average of 15-30lbs) to increase speed, stamina, and acceleration. With that being said, for those that want to utiliize these types of training methodologies need to understand HOW they apply to their chosen goals (if they do at all—because let’s face it— things trend very quickly and many people don’t always fully understand why they do what they do).

As I mentioned in a few earlier blogs regarding weighted vests for training… they aren’t inherently bad… nor are parachutes. I had someone reach out a little while ago, from a shelter, inquiring if weighted vests would be ideal for dogs escaping fences…absolutely not. In fact, weighted vests and dogs who learn to jump WHILE overcoming that resistance just get innately faster and stronger.

Parachutes aren’t necessary for training with the aspirations of competing in weight pull competitions. Now I said, they aren’t necessary…grand champion dogs used simple basic training approaches and never touched a weight vest or parachute. Just like anything, the way in which we use them can either be extremely beneficial OR they can be insanely detrimental to your training. If you have hopes to compete in weight pull events… you don’t need your dog to accelerate. You need them to be consistent, steady… to grind. IN teaching them to accelerate, you might also actually teach them to “sling shot” start and that can be extremely harmfully, not only physically but mentally. When attached to a weight pull cart or sled, with added resistance weight— if they try to accelerate to initiate… well that might feel like running head first into a brick wall. It will hurt, and pretty soon, the dog will become hesitant to try. Again, in weight pull, we do not want that. The dogs need to try.. well, because that is what gets the weight moving.

Now if you participate in sports just as dock diving, bite sports, or even the GRC Sports such as wall climb—explosiveness and acceleration are VERY much needed. Those events aren’t relying on pure form and technique to get heavy ass weight moving. That’s important for you to realize when trying to figure out where to utilize parachutes in your training. Again, parachutes aren’t awful… they are and can be very beneficial to create a more well rounded canine athlete and improve performance. If your aim is to have a titled weight pull dog, and your focus is training for competitions— ditch the parachutes. You won’t need them to be successful.