Dog pulling limits: How much weight can a dog pull safely?

Okay, so the other day, I got curious about how much weight my dog, Buddy, could actually pull. I mean, he's a strong boy, a mix of something, probably some lab in there, and weighs in at a solid 60 pounds. I've seen those videos of dogs pulling sleds and stuff, so I figured, why not try a little experiment? Nothing crazy, of course, just wanted to see what he could handle.

Getting Started

First, I needed something for him to pull. I didn't want to go out and buy a whole sled or anything.

I found an old, sturdy plastic crate in the garage. Perfect! It's light enough on its own, but I could add weight to it gradually.

The Harness is Crucial

Next, I needed a good harness. I got one a few weeks ago, and made sure it fit Buddy well and wouldn't chafe or restrict his movement. It needs to be the kind that distributes the weight evenly, not one of those that just clips to the collar, those types are absolutely no good for this kind of thing.

The Experiment

I started with the crate empty. Buddy was all excited, thinking we were going for a walk. I hooked him up to the crate with a short rope, and he pulled it no problem. He was just trotting along, tail wagging, like it was the easiest thing in the world.

So, I added some weight. I grabbed a few bags of old clothes I was meaning to donate, maybe 5 pounds total. Buddy still pulled it like a champ.

• Attempt 1: Empty crate - Success!
• Attempt 2: 5 pounds of clothes - Success!

Then, I tossed in a couple of heavier books, probably another 3 pounds. Still good. He slowed down a tiny bit, but he was definitely not struggling.

• Attempt 3: 8 pounds total- Still pulling strong!

Okay, time to up the ante. I found a small bag of sand, maybe 6 pounds, and he barely pulled the crate. He was clearly starting to feel it. He was pulling, but it was slow, and he kept looking back at me like, "Seriously, Dad? This is getting heavy."

• Attempt4: 11 pounds total - Too tough!

The Results (and Some Thoughts)

So, based on my super scientific backyard experiment, Buddy, at 60 pounds, could comfortably pull around 8 pounds without any trouble. I definitely could have pushed him further, but I didn't want to risk it. I've heard you shouldn't make them pull more than 10% of their body weight, and I wanted to stay well below that, and the 10% rule is about right.

It was a fun little experiment, and it confirmed what I already knew: Buddy is a strong dude. But it also reminded me that it's important to be careful and not push our furry friends too hard. They'll try to please us, even if it means overexerting themselves.