DRAFT TIPS
QUESTION:  My dog is afraid of the cart behind her. Should I give up hope for training her to pull a cart?

Answer by JIM LAFROM, BMDCA Draft Judge

A progression of steps is the best type of approach for a dog that is worried or afraid of pulling a cart....
First, go on your walks with a long walking stick (nothing attached to the dog). I also would hold the leash in the middle and let the loose end bump the sides of the dog and let it rub over her back while walking. On occasion I would take a short length of pole (2 ft) and just periodically rub it along the flanks of the dog while walking with a lot of positive happy talk. 

Second week and from then on, have the dog drag some light rope from either side of the collar during walks. She shouldn't be able to even feel the weight of it initially. As she becomes desensitized start increasing the thickness and weight. When she is not bothered by that anymore, using the same rope to tie a small weight (less than a pound) to each side and go for the walks dragging that weight. At some point she will understand that the rope is coming with her regardless of what she wants to do. JUST KEEP WALKING. Lots of happy talk. And don't coddle her. If at any point she starts resisting, just back up one step. Don't make this a negative experience. Keep things positive!

The other thing is that you might try training in a totally new location so that she has to focus on you and has no idea when the exercise will stop, also she can't depend on the safety of the house being just a couple hundred yards away. Once she is reliable with rope dragging behind her then progress with the loose shafts. As you walk, you are holding one end of a 6-7 ft. pole dragging the other end of the pole behind you. It should scrape along the ground approximately where the rear feet of the dog is. If she is intimidated by this, hold the pole in you outside hand away from the dog just for the noise level. Intermittently, direct the end of the pole, along the ground, closer to the dogs rear end but without touching the dog. At some point the dog will become accustomed to the noise. Another noise you might want to introduce is dragging empty plastic jugs. First with you pulling them on a rope to get her used to the noise and eventually the jugs are tied to the ropes at the collar of the dog.
After gaining success with that, it is time to attach the loose poles to the harness. Then more walking with that rig. Lots of treats, lots of praise.

From that point you can introduce the cart. You should be able to have the dog desensitized within 2-3 weeks maximum with daily exposure.