est. 1989

ABAWP/IDWP Rules:

All dogs must be no less than nine (9) months of age (to date of birth) to Title (Novice dogs excepted). Dogs can only weight pull with no collar or a flat collar. No pinch or chock collars allowed. No aggressive or Uncontrollable dogs will be allowed to enter. ALL equipment to be used by participants MUST be checked by the Judges, Prior to use. The weight pull area must be 10-15ft X 30-35ft. Length of pull is to be 16ft (Start to Finish). Novice dogs must be no younger than 9 months to pull (may pull on or off lead). Judge may stop a Novice dog from pulling at any time for the safety of the dog.

Incline: In the event a dog stops pulling it is the Cart Handlers responsibility to stop the cart from pulling back (but not bump the cart) for the safety of the dog. Males and females pull together.

Fouls: Will be called and entrant will be disqualified in the weight class competing in after two (2) fouls are committed. NOTE: In the event of a foul, The clock, cart and dog will be reset instantly and given a re-do on the same weight increments, the dog will remain in the competition so long as it completes the pull. A 2nd foul would be a disqualification & the dogs last completed pull will be recorded.

The following are a list of fouls:

Touching the cart or dog in any-way after time has been started.
Tangling in harnesses.

Disqualifications DQ:

Intentional fouling
Aggressive action by handler towards dog during pull competition.
Aggressive or uncontrollable dog
Using bait (Including edible)
2nd foul
If your dogs time hits 60 seconds and the cart stops rolling.


Weight Pull Title Percentages-ABA ONLY


15% Body Weight: WP1 

25% Body Weight: WP2

35% Body Weight: WP3

45% Body Weight and 100points: WPCH


*add 10% to each title if pulled on rails.

ABAWP/IDWP Point System


Competitors start to earn points once they have earned at the least a ABAWP/IDWP1 Title *NOTE: Classes are won by most weight pulled per Class, NOT %. Point awarded for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place wins.

1st place:  7 points
2nd place: 5 points
3rd place:  3 points

MWP Most Weight Pulled & MWPP Most Weight Pulled per Pound 10 points each

NOTE: POINTS will be awarded to MWP & MWPP (Over & Under 60lbs) so long as the event has at least 8 open competitors who successfully complete their 1st round pull in the allowed 60 second time frame.

(Added 1-19-2013: MWP & MWPP Over & Under 60lb POINTS ONLY ). PLUS: 1 point for each dog placed over.


The pull will start according to the weight divisions, lightest weight class will pull first. Dogs must pull the cart and weight a total of 16 feet(regardless if cart is in motion, If the cart does not make 16ft or less it is considered a NO-PULL) TIME: Start time will begin as soon as a command is given, dog attempts to pull or Cart Breaks.

Ties will be broken by the elapsed time it took to complete the pull. In the event of a tie due to the hosting club running out of weights, additional weights can be provided in any form as long as the Judge and Hosting club approve it. (Safety and Clubs liability is 1st concern when considering this option. Therefore, elapsed time should be used whenever possible to break ALL ties)

Judge will make the FINAL decision as to how ties will be broken. Every dog has the right to "sit-out" on a weight increase no more than 4 times Consecutively. (Choose to pull at a weight increase or wait for the next weight increase.) "sit-outs" after a dog has made a complete pull.

Every dog will pull to his/her weight limit in the class entered, This will determine the 1st, 2nd & 3rd place awards.

Dogs will pull in turn, but no dog will be required to pull without five (5) minutes allowed between pulls (Excluding in the event of a Foul).

If the rest period is taken, the pull is to continue with the dog re-entering as soon as the rest period is up. Handler may choose to waive the 5-minute rest period.

All dogs ,will be harnessed after being called to get ready and remain harnessed in the holding area until the dog is called to the pulling area.(The dog will then be able to compete) Dogs will be eliminated if the dog fails to complete the pull, fouled out or he will remain at the rear of the line in the holding area for the next pulling round. (Harness may be removed from the dog between pulls, as long as participant does not hold up the pull).

The cart will be placed with front wheels directly behind and touching the start line, the round is complete and time recorded when front wheels first touch the finish line (The Pull will begin & end in the same fashion).

Weight Pull Classes

There are eleven (11) weight pull classes as listed below:

Under 20 lbs.
21 to 30 lbs.
31 to 40 lbs.
41 to 50 lbs.
51 to 60 lbs.
61 to 70 lbs.
71 to 80 lbs.
81 to 90 lbs.
91 to 100 lbs.
101 to 125 lbs.
126+ Unlimited Class

Certification will be made by the weight pull Judge of the cart and individual weights to be used. Total weight of the cart will be added as part of the total weight pulled.

Harness, must be supplied by owner of the dog. (A well-fitting harness is an advantage for your dog.) This will encourage handlers and owners to provide their own harnesses made to fit the dog that is pulling, and made to weigh as little as possible.) ANY harness used must be a "Standard Harness".

NO leashes will be allowed to be attached to the dog, collar, or harness while the dog is pulling (Exception for NOVICE class).

Surface: Any surface selected by the club must be as smooth and level as possible.

ABA Weight Pull (ABAWP) is dual sanctioned with Irondog Weight Pull (IDWP)


ABA Weight Pull