The Front Does Not Pull

By Steven A. Robinson
Of
Darkstarr Rottweilers

Actually, a dog does not pull with his front but rather pushes with his rear. This is true when he walks as well as if he is pulling. One of the main function of the front assembly is to adequately distribute the power generated from the rear toward the direction of travel and toward the support of the front. Another function of the front is to control instability. Instability is required in order for movement to occur. For example, when a person takes a step, he first leans forward creating instability. Try taking a step without leaning forward, it doesn't happen. The same is true about our dogs. When a person is pulling something and moving forward, he leans a great deal more than he does when he is walking because the load requires greater instability to accomplish movement. When a dog is pulling a load, the further the front legs get under the body the more he leans forward the greater the instability. As movement occurs he will move his front legs forward in order to support the front and keep it from falling to the ground. If you have a dog that is a recall fanatic, have someone pick up his rear legs then call him. There isn't much power in the front. Put a harness on the same dog. Now have someone lift him up off his front, then call him. A lot more power in those rear legs.

**Not for reprint without authors consent**

06/14/2008