Iron Dog Sports Association

“Baiting” refers to any attempt to motivate or coax the dog to pull by using, or pretending to use, food, treats, toys, a bite sleeve, or similar rewards, such as showing your arm as if it were a bite sleeve, reaching into your pocket as though getting a treat, throwing your hat or another object over or into the chute, waving or briefly flashing a toy, or patting a pocket or bait bag to make the dog believe a reward is available.

In weight pull, a “slingshot start” is when the dog begins the pull with extra momentum created by slack in the tug line. The handler allows the dog to move forward or build speed before the line fully tightens, so the load starts moving with a sudden jerk rather than from a controlled walking or stationary start.

A tangle occurs when a dog becomes so wrapped in its harness that it would be unsafe to let the dog try to free itself. It is not a tangle if the dog simply turns or briefly resets its position, unless during that movement one or more legs or the body become caught in the harness in a way that creates a high risk of injury. Any such unsafe entanglement is considered a foul, because it is an undesired and hazardous situation.

Double Handling is any assistance from someone other than the dog’s designated handler that is intended to influence the dog’s performance while it is attempting a pull. This includes anyone helping to guide, cue, attract, or drive the dog during the pull, beyond normal cheering or crowd noise, and is typically treated as a foul or disqualification.

Some examples of double handling include a “high value” person in the dog’s line of sight at the end of the chute, a friend coaching or cueing the handler from a distance, a helper near the finish line clapping or calling the dog by name to draw it forward, someone moving alongside the chute talking to or gesturing at the dog while the handler is also cueing, or a person behind the dog stomping or making noises to drive the dog forward.

A novice dog is a dog in its first year of training and competition that is still learning the skills, rules, and routines of the sport. A novice dog typically requires extra handler support, lighter or simpler pulls, and more training-focused guidance in the chute to build confidence, understanding of cues, and safe pulling habits before being expected to perform at a more advanced or competitive level.

Handler Withdrawal is when the handler chooses to remove their dog from further competition, even though the dog is still eligible to continue. This usually happens when the handler decides the dog has worked enough, is getting tired, stressed, or losing focus, or when the handler simply does not want to attempt any additional, heavier pulls that day.

“Bumping the cart” means asking the cart help to give the cart a brief, light push to help it break inertia so the dog can feel it move and understand the task. It is typically done with green or novice dogs that hesitate on a heavy or “sticky” start, must be minimal and controlled so it does not meaningfully add to the pull, and is considered a foul even though it is commonly used in these situations.

Braking is most commonly used on snow to prevent the runners from freezing to the track. The cart is set at the “brake line” approximately 1-2 feet behind the start line while the dog and handler enter the chute. When the dog is hooked and ready; the sled is “broke” and moved to the start line. Once the sled has come to a complete stop, the dog is released to pull. The same idea is used at heavier weights on rails or wheels to ensure the cart does not settle in place at the start line. Braking does not assist or add momentum to the dog’s actual pull.

The Designated Marker is a tape line or other visible indicator that marks the point the D-ring must cross before the dog can be released. It helps prevent slingshot starts while still allowing safe starts with lower impact.

What sanctioning format is being followed? Some dual-sanctioned events may allow you to continue competing in IDSA after the first and only foul is assessed for APA. 

What organization are awards being provided for? Hosts have the autonomy to decide if they are doing awards and if awards will be for one or both organizations.

You can file a complaint against any dog, participant, spectator, judge, event host, or member of the IDSA who you believe to have violated IDSA Weight Pull Rulebook. To do so, complete a Complaint Form available at www.irondogsports.org and submit the completed form via email to general@irondogsports.org.