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Classified: Very promising Male for Sale
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AD/Springer questions... (9 replies)
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I've got a young working line bitch I'd like to start doing some road work with for conditioning purposes. Since you "never know" there is always the possibility I might do an AD with her at some point. Since it makes sense to get her used to things only once, I'm wondering the "correct" side to put the Springer on with regard to the bike. Assuming that when sitting astride the bike, that your right side is the right side of the bike also.
So, with regard to the springer - does anyone have advice as to introducing the dog to the whole thing? I have horrible visions of my drivey working line bitch jumping up and getting caught in spokes/chains etc.
Comments on springer vs a leash? Better? Worse? Should I use the Springer with the "normal" dog attachments (break away) or rig something up myself? If using the Springer, should I use a backup leash?
Thanks for any input.
-Calvin
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Put the dog on the right hand side |
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I keep the dog on my left side on the bike. When teaching them, I use the heel command as I walk with the bike on one side and the dog on the other. Once I get on the bike, I teach it with a leash, so I can correct if necessary. Once they got it and were comfortable, I always looped a traffic lead beneath my bike seat and never had a problem. |
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Calvin, we use the left side and we use only leash, loosely held, and because too many of us are old, fat and out of shape, we sucker our teenage friends or children into doing it. Don't run on asphalt, and pace the dog so the speed is between 7 and 8 or so mph. Start slowly. Don't overdo it. If you want more information, feel free to email me.
regards.
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Where I live we don't really have bike paths so I put the dog on the right, use the harness that comes with the springer with the breakaway attachments. I also put a leash on the training collar for extra control. This will give you pretty good control in the majority of situations. I have had deer jump out infront of me and was still able to maintain balance and control. (Anyone who really knows me will tell you that graceful and coordinated are two words that don't really describe me :) )
Experiment and see what works best for you. I do recommend the gel seat and bike shorts with gel in the seat as extra human padding.
Colleen |
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When I use a Springer I put it on the left side, but there's no right or wrong about it. If you have to run your dog on the side of a road, you're probably better off with the dog on the right, away from the traffic, but that's just a personal judgement call.
I do NOT recommend trying to ride a bike while holding a leash. Too easy to get yanked and take a tumble, especially when the dog is first getting used to the game.
When my dogs are old enough for a good run, I take them to the woods and ride my mountain bike while the dog runs with an e-collar. You don't need to ride on technical singletrack - if you find an old fire road in the forest I think you'll enjoy the ride more than pounding the pavement on a road sucking down diesel fumes.
Yvette |
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Sasha and I did her AD and it was the first time she had ever ran next to a bike! the judge talked us into "just do it" we did run on concrete, and I had a reagular leash on her. I kept her on my left and also told her to foos.
She pulled me like crazy for the first 2 miles or so, and then finally settled in. She did not like seeing any dogs in front of us, so once we were out in the lead she did fine.
Around mile 6 or so, she just dead stops and starts to potty, I am not an avid bike rider, am probably hadn't been on a bike for a couple of years, I hit the break, the front break and fliped over my bike, I crashed pretty hard, knocked the wind out of me! We got back up and finished the AD. Sasha did great, although I could tell the next day she did not run up the stairs so quickly!
If you can practice that is great! But I think a working, conditioned GSD can run the AD with very little problems, its the rider that needs to be conditioned!! Our club a few years ago had a member who rode the AD for another member, and she crashed her bike (this lady was a triathalon racer) and she ended up with a shattered ankle, she still has pins in her ankle 5 years later!!! Best of luck to you!!!! ~Kari |
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Back in 1989, I broke my back (a compression fracture), while roadworking a dog on a dirt, school track. The lead was held under my left and on the handle bar grip. The dog suddenly had to potty. This jerked th handlebar abruptly to the left--tossing me over head first.
A couple of years later, I bought a Springer. The first time I rode it (dog wearing harness with break-away attachment), some leaves blew across the road in front of the bike--causing the dog to bolt. This time, I found myself laying on a blacktop country road. I gave up on using the Springer.
In the mid-90's, I purchase a K-9 Cruiser: http://www.adogsbestfriend.com/template_page.cfm?id=12
Since then, I have put AD's on 3 different dogs using the K-9 Cruiser. I prefer this attachment as it lowers the dog's center of gravity and makes it impossible for the dog to pull ahead of the bike. I attach the supplied, nylon lead to the dog's fursaver. I attach a second, shorter, competition lead and place the end loop under my left hand on the handlebar.
To tell the truth, I've had the dog wearing a mini-pinch collar snapped to the shorter lead. Knowing that I was nervous after having broken my back, not one of the SV judges has said a word about the second lead or the mini-pinch. If I have to stop suddenly, I just let the shorter lead fall to the ground and hold onto the handlebars for dear live with both hands. The dog isn't going anywhere because of the nylon lead on the K-9 Cruiser. If nothing else, you can train the dog for the AD wearing the mini-pinch.
I find that, with the velcro strap, when the dog is really pulling hard, the end of the Cruiser to which the nylon lead is attached may lift somewhat and alter the position of the device. I have found it much easier to secure the K-9 Cruiser to the frame with a couple of lengths of duct tape (in addition to attaching the other end to the axle--under the rear wheel Quick release).
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Also, while conditioning the dog, I apply Tuf-Foot to the pads. I also apply Tuf-Foot (http://www.tuffoot.com/) to the pads prior to the AD and during the brief breaks for rest, exercise, and water.
BTW, the GSD athlete requires little real conditioning for the AD--never more than 3 days a week for a period of 2-3 weeks. I never run the entire 12 miles of the AD during training--no more than a human athlete trains for a marathon by running it regularly.
I probably never exercise the dog for more than 5 miles on any single day--usually only 2-3 miles. This way, during the actual running of the AD, the dog will not act tired as he is always anticipating that each stop may be the end of the course. |
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Louise,
Thanks for sharing the info on the "K9 Cruiser". I don't use my Springer anymore either. I have bought a different attachment that looks more akin to your Cruiser than my old Springer, but I can't remember where I got it. (Clearly not enough caffeine this afternoon).
It also attaches lower on the bike, near the bottom bracket, which is a more most stable point.
Sorry to hear about your spill and injury. I'm glad you seem to have been able to bounce back. Were you wearing a helmet? I always wear mine when I ride, with or without the dog. I've got to protect whatever brain cells are left that my college beer-swilling days didn't kill. LOL.
Yvette |
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