Some will whine, or bark, or even lie down in protest at this outrage. And, if the driver is not patient, some will even fight the harness, and, in turing back toward you, will further complicate matters by becoming entangled in the harness and tow line. Whatever the situation, you MUST NOT give up at the dogs first show of disobedience or lack of understanding. It does help to start the lead dog training in familiar surroundings also. A path you and the dog have traveled together and where you trained the dog to pull a drag behind you, is a good spot to see whether the dog will lead out on his own.
Dogs vary greatly in temperament.
In the transition between romping and playing with a beloved master, to one of the serious business of pulling in harness, many dogs become confused, stubborn, and some incorrigible. For these reasons, lead dogs are, and always have been at a premium. Many fine lead dogs will follow a trail, or a course that other dogs have traveled ahead of them. For this reason, skijoring with dogs is possible in may circumstances without top lead dogs. We have merely cited the various phases of lead dog training to point out the possibilities for both amateur and advanced dog mushers.