Organizers of the new Timmins Dog Powered Sports Association say membership is a win-win for you and your dog.
The group promotes exercising with your dog or dogs by sledding, skiing, cycling and walking or running.
Founding board member Megan Rasmussen she says that sledding is not cruel – it’s just a good run on a short course.
“Some of the dogs, especially pet dogs, they may need a little bit of encouragement,” she explains. “They may need to develop a little bit of confidence, because a lot of them have been taught not to pull. But everything is positive.”
A sled dog does not have to be a husky or other northern breed. says it just needs energy to burn.
“I’ve seen teams at races that are full of Belgian Malinois and bulldogs and standard poodles and Labradors,” Rasmussen says, “and I even saw someone canicrossing with a Maltese.”
Canicross is cross-country running with a dog.
For more on the sports and the association, go to its Facebook page.
