Page 25 - Trending Magazine 2018 Winter

Dashing Through The Snow_Layout 1 18-12-04 2:30 PM Page 5

She has found that
interest in skijoring
and kick sledding is
on the rise, with
many of her clients
asking about the
sport. It doesn’t
take long to
throw a harness
on and attach
the dog. The
hard part is
shaping a dog’s
behaviour to
successfully skijor
or kick sled.
Using a system of
commands, Fletcher
trains her dog in
targeting and queuing.
Targeting is training a dog
to touch targets; queuing is
building on targeted training so
a dog learns to recognize specific
commands combined with training a
dog follow through on shaped behaviours.
These training techniques can be used to build a
Having seen some skijorers and kick sledders reach foundation to go kick sledding or skijoring with your
around 20 kilometres per hour, Fletcher is excited to dog.
see how fast McCoy can go. “They’re really versatile, you’re not looking so much
Almost any dog can participate in the sport, though for the trails,” Fletcher said.
she recommends a medium to large-sized dog for kick Calling herself a beginner, Fletcher loves the sport
sledding, – she does have a friend who skijors with a and hopes to see it grow in the community.
Corgi. Finding kick sledding a nice alternative for new
The smaller the dog the easier they are to control, moms or moms with young kids, Fletcher said it
but you have to work harder. encompasses the fun of skijoring, but it's easier to get
“You’re not just standing there being pulled,” out on the trail with a young family.
Fletcher said. Fletchers daughters Edith, three, and Rose, one,
Fletcher was drawn to the the spot of kick sledding love getting out as much as their mom.
because it was something she could do with her kids “I put Rose in her big snow suit and put her in the
and her dogs. kick sled and November and I would go,” Fletcher
Interest in the sport is growing, said Fletcher, who chuckled, “Rose really loved it.”
has hosted workshops at her shop Grassroots For Fletcher it's important for her kids to see her
Grooming in the past that were well attended. Her outside having fun and being healthy, and offers the
only wish is that Brandon had a bigger community chance for her dogs to have a job and have fun.
that could help beginners learn the ropes. “It’s what I love to do, it’s my passion,” Fletcher
“It’s not uncommon for people to ask about it, it’s exclaimed with a smile.
just really easy to bring the family,” Fletcher said.

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