FAQS

WHAT IS MAHDS?

Harness dog sports are practiced all over Canada and internationally and are steadily growing on the East Coast! 
MAHDS is the regional body promoting and developing harness dog sports in the maritimes. We do this by providing education, guidance, and support for competitive and recreational participants and professionals alike. We fall under the Canadian Association of Harness Dog Sports (CAHDS) which is the national regulatory body for harness dog sports in Canada. More information about CAHDS is available below.

WHY GET A MEMBERSHIP?

MAHDS provides guidance and support to member clubs, individual members and event organizers to help grow and develop harness dog sports safely and positively throughout the maritimes. You must have a valid MAHDS membership to be considered for annual points calculations or to attend Nationals on behalf of the maritimes region. Your MAHDS board is working hard to provide additional benefits to members in the coming months - get your membership now!

HOW DO I FIND OUT IF THERE IS A CLUB IN MY AREA?

We have lots of local member clubs, but if there isn't one in your area, send us an email and we'll help you find one close by or set one up yourself! Check out the "Clubs" page for more info!

WHY DO YOU WANT THE DOG IN FRONT?

Harness dog sports are all about working together with your dog - creating a bond that allows you to achieve your goals as a team. The human "drives" or directs and the dog pulls. The line between you and your dog is your connection point and your communication line. Every time you lose tension, you lose communication. Sort of like when you're listening to someone explain something on the phone and then the call drops all of a sudden - now you're distracted by everything else around you and you're no longer engaged with the person you were talking to. Having your dog run in front of you improves your communication and ability to work together, but it's also safer because it allows you to observe how your dog moves and react more effectively to external issues. Plus, pulling keeps your dog mentally as well as physically engaged throughout his run.

I'M NOT REALLY IN SHAPE/MY DOG ISN'T REALLY IN SHAPE - CAN WE STILL PARTICIPATE?

Yes! Harness dog sports create a great bond between human and dog and that often translates into an incredible form of motivation and confidence. You don't need to be a "serious athlete" to join a MAHDS member club - you just have to want to work together with your dog! Harness dog sports aren't all about the dog pulling - their human counterpart has to help in some fashion in each discipline. Get in touch with one of our member clubs & they'll be happy to help you get started!