The Good Guys Carting Dogs

About Us

WHO WE ARE

Founded in 1987, THE GOOD GUYS is a small group of dedicated dog owners who, in addition to participating in many other “doggie” disciplines, take time out to support worthwhile community services by way of fundraising events. These fundraising events help to show that dogs with responsible owners can be contributing members of a community. The committed members donate their time, talents, travel expenses and equipment (not to mention their dogs.) to make these successful events happen.

THE GOOD GUYS come in all sizes, all breeds and mixes of breeds. Some of the breeds participating in our events are Newfoundlands, Bernese Mountain Dogs, Leonbergers, Bouviers, Labrador Retrievers, Collies, Border Collies, Rottweilers, Akitas, Bulldogs, Irish Water Spaniels, Papillons, Samoyeds, Beagles, Belgian Tervurens, Australian Shepherds, Shetland Sheepdogs, Cockapoos, Labradoodles, Goldendoodles, Miniature Schnauzers, Alaskan Malamutes, American Eskimos, Siberian Huskies as well as big and small mixed breeds. Most dogs work as singles but we also have some teams. For example, a team of Beagles and a team of Cockapoos in addition to some large teams such as Newfoundlands and Bernese Mountain Dogs.

WHAT WE DO
By asking our well trained carting dogs to give cart/sled rides to children at various events and locations throughout the year, we raise funds for the community service selected by the organization inviting us to participate. We also do carting demonstrations that introduce our training methods as well as some of the fun things you can do with a trained carting dog. We charge $2.00 per ride and all funds go to the community service. If you are planning an event you think we might be a part of, please contact us.

HOW WE DO IT
Participating dogs are properly trained to harness by way of draft/carting classes, have excellent temperments and must be extremely well socialized. We ask that our dogs have a Canine Good Neighbour Test and/or Therapy Dog certification. Our puppies and our retirees along with new dogs still in their training process take part in our events as “petting dogs”, a very popular part of our events.

COMMUNITY SERVICES THAT WE HAVE SUPPORTED
(Lions Foundation) Canine Vision, Camp Quality (a camp for kids with cancer), Childrens' Wish Foundation, Variety Village, the Alliston, Toronto, North York and Oakville Humane Societies, Orangeville Childrens' Festival, United Way, Tiffen Conservation Area, Toronto Department of Heath (Animal Welfare Division), Federated Health Campaign and many more.

SOME OF OUR 'SHOWBIZ' EVENTS
We have had a lot of fun over our years of service taking part in the Superdog shows, the Dina Petty Show, Breakfast TV and the Cable 10 Telethon, “All For The Animals”. We are also known for our exciting carting demonstrations at the “All About Pets” show, the Toronto Sportsmens' Show as well as at various fairs throughout the province.

CLASSES
To assure quality draft training, the group's founders offer (the first and only) eight-week training course to share the fun, responsibilities and usefulness of dogs in harness. Carting dogs take part in parades (parade organizers love 'em...) children's parties, hauling the family Christmas trees out of the woods, visiting senior homes and hospitals/rehab facilities and - if you and your dog are real “show-offs”- you can prepare for various Draft Tests including the Canadian Kennel Club Draft Dog Test.
The classes are held in Schomberg (Hwys 9 & 27) each Spring starting towards the end of May. In addition to being long time draft trainers, the instructor is both a Draft Judge for the Canadian Kennel Club as well as for various other draft testing groups. Please contact us for more information.

News

2012 marked the 20th anniversary for The Good Guys to be hosted by Drysdale's Tree Farm. We were at Drysdale's on December 1st and 9th this year. For the second year in a row, the lack of snow had the dogs pulling carts and wagons instead of sleds. Over the two days, the hard working dogs, handlers, and helpers raised $927.81 for Camp Quality. CTV News Barrie was also at Drysdales on December 9th and some of our dogs and handlers appeared on the 6:00 PM news that day.
The Good Guys were visited by Terra Ciolfe of the King Weekly during one of the carting classes. Terra's visit resulted in an article on page 7 of the Wednesday, June 20th, 2012 edition of the paper. CLICK HERE to see the article and photos.
The inaugural Caledon Snowfest on February 20, 2012 was incredibly success with real snow on the ground, the sun in the sky, no wind, and a huge crowd of people in attendance. The Good Guys were kept going non-stop for about 4 and 1/2 hours. In that time, we raised an amazing $784.83. Most of that was from rides with some from generous donations. Dr. Helen Wicki of the Nobleton Veterinary Clinic donated $225 and Mars Canada matched her donation. This gave a total of $1234.83 which will be put towards the purchase of Pet Oxygen Mask Kits for Caledon Fire and Emergency Services.
The 2012 Barrie Winterfest will be remembered for the lack of ice on Kempenfelt Bay and a lack of snow and winter conditions in general. We had to park our sleds and hitch the dogs up to carts and wagons. In spite of the abnormal conditions and much smaller crowds than usual, the Good Guys still managed to raise $420.22 for the Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides!
Drysdale's Tree Farm hosted the Good Guys twice in December 2011. The lack of snow on both days had the dogs pulling carts and wagons instead of the traditional sleds normally seen at Drysdale's. The hard working dogs, handlers, and helpers raised $673.37 over the two days for Camp Quality.
The 2011 Barrie Winterfest provided the Good Guys with great weather and a very big crowd. By the end of the day on Saturday February 5th, the dogs, handlers, and ticket sellers / takers combined their efforts and talents to raise an impressive $1,149.06 for the Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides!
Drysdale's Tree Farm hosted the Good Guys twice in December 2010. Our hard working dogs and handlers were there December 12th and 18th and raised a total of $982.71 for Camp Quality.
The Good Guys made an appearance at the Mayday fund raiser for The Gatehouse in Toronto on Saturday May 30th, 2009. We conducted a number of demonstrations during the day and raised some money for the charity by offering rides after each demonstration. It was a very successful event with great weather for carting, a good crowd, and a large number of Good Guys turning out to lend a hand.
The Barrie Winterfest proved to be an incredibly successful event again on Saturday, February 7th, 2009. The warm weather made for muddy conditions and some heavy pulling for the dogs but together with their handlers and helpers, they raise $699.92 for (Lions Foundation) Canine Vision!
Drysdale's Tree Farm provided a great venue on Saturday, December 7th. 2008 for the club to do some fundraising. While the temperature was a bitterly cold -12 degrees Celsius, the dogs, their handlers and the families out to bring home their Christmas trees combined to raise $356.35 for Camp Quality.
The Barrie Winterfest was an incredibly successful event Sunday, February 3, 2008. Our great location along with fantastic weather (not typical for this event!) combined with our awesome crew of critters, handlers and helpers to raise $719 (between 11 am and 3:30 pm) for (Lions Foundation) Canine Vision!