Customer Reviews

Ski Spot Run: The Enchanting World of Skijoring and Related Dog-Powered Sports

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Ski Spot Run review

This book is an excellent introduction to skijoring. It begins with the basics, including the history of the sport. It includes plenty of tips and suggestions for how to get started, ways to encourage your dog to pull and general training ideas. The section on commands alone is worth the price of admission - it lays out very clearly when to use each command and how to get your dog to execute the commands. And it seems to contain plenty of material to help both skier and dog continue to train, improve, and enjoy the sport. I also enjoyed the humor that the authors wove into the book. This made it a very easy read. The illustrations and photos are high caliber and help to convey things like how to put a harness on your dog, proper technique for skiing or running behind your dog, and recommended equipment for the sport.

I'd recommend Ski Spot Run to people interested in skijoring as well as those that simply enjoy dogs. The authors obviously care deeply for and respect dogs, and this shows through in just about every aspect of their book. I especially liked their inclusion of the dog's point of view...I seem to look at the trail a little differently now,even when I'm just out walking my dog!
It is to snow this evening and I am looking forward to taking Frannie out into our trails for a trek!!

Jeff

Enhanced with black-and-white photography, as well as the line drawn illustrations of Jack Lunde, Ski Spot Run: The enchanting World Of Skijoring And Related Dog-Powered Sports is the collabortive work of Matt Haakenstad and John Thompson and will be of especial interest to outdoors winter sports enthusiasts who wish to involve their canine companions. A straightforward introduction to skijoring - a winter sport in which a person wearing skis is drawn over snow by a dog or a horse - as well as the basics of training one's dog to pull, how to wear and use appropriate belts, harnesses, and other equipment, etiquette when on the trail, and much more fills this superb reference compendium. Black-and-white diagrams and photographs round out the simple, vivacious instructions, which are narrated in plain terms for dog lovers of all backgrounds.

Walking and running simply isn't enough for our Bloodhound. The section on bikejoring is a perfect solution and she loves it - so do we! This is a well written book with an incredible insight into the canine world and their instinctual habits to lead. We gave the book as gifts to our friends and family. The recipients have Labradors, Weimaraners, and a Shepherd-Mix. Each has thoroughly enjoyed the book and has tried different types of skijoring and has loved it - as do their pets. Kudos to the authors!

Smart, attractive, well organized with lots of humor, illustrations, photos and excellent information on how to get started in skijoring, canicorss or bikejoring.

Lots of useful tips and suggestions mixed with sound knowledge of dog care, training and racing.  If you're thinking of taking up skijoring, do yourself a favor and start here.

Judy Bergemann, Webmaster, sleddogcentral.com

I have a standard poodle that loves to run and get exercise! I picked up this book because I had seen an article on skijoring. Really enjoyed the light humor and found the training instructions excellent in building my enjoyment with my dog, Jackie. What a great way for us both to get a good workout and enjoy the outdoors.
I would recommend this book to future skijorers and dog loving couch potatoes alike!

Fun book, easy read but highly informative. The authors have done a great job in explaining the sport in a way that is easy to understand. I would recommend this book to anyone with a dog and a set of ski's

Awesome book, very easy to read and enjoyable. Illustrations are first rate and photos make it easy to learn how to enjoy this sport. The stories are very entertaining.

An easy read which is rich in practical information as it is in lore and humor. Colorful fictional characters thinly veil real-life experience and wisdom (it won't hold up in court buddy!) Beginners will enjoy learning how to get started in the unique and wonderful sport. Experienced Skijorers will connect immediately with stories threaded throughout as well as glean golden nuggets to help take this sport to the next level.

Even if you aren't interested in getting dragged by your pooch on skis, you'll enjoy this book and get a better understanding the ancient human/dog bond.

This book is easy to understand, well organized, and covers many variations of dog-powered sports. It provided advice on equipment, training, and trouble-shooting strategies. I recommend this for anyone wanting to get into dog-powered sports and has be successful in training dogs in basic commands.

Great book - love the humor - I've just reread it since its original publication and it's a quick, fun read that leaves you feeling inspired to include your dog in your own workouts, whether that be canicross, skijoring or bikejoring (my favorite)! The authors have done a very nice job.