Riding bike with your dog - Page 2

Ace- Slam is pretty good at responding to PM's in a timely manner and he has much more experience than most on the forum.

Send him a PM if you need help.


Kim

Ace,
Put a harness on your dog and attach the "springer" to the harness.  Attach a leash to your prong collar and hold it in your hand.  I would start by walking him next to the bike to accustom him to it if you feel you need to.  I keep the dog on my left side when biking and hold the leash in my left hand.  I have had loose dogs run out into the street after my dog.  My dog is very dog aggressive and given the chance will try to chase the other dog.  The springer absorbs the impact if the dog just bolt to one side.  If a loose dog approaches I stop and correct my dog if needed and wait for the other dog to leave or the owner to grab it.  My male is very alpha and dominant, fortunately for me most dogs will leave before they actually approach him.  I use the leash to control my the dog if necessary. 

You have to gradually build up your dog's endurance.  I start with a mile or so and watch the dog.  I will generally just let the dog pull and I coast for the first mile or so.  My dog generally pulls at about 8 mph's at an easy trot.  As he tires I began to peddle and maintain a good speed.  You need to watch your dogs pads and make sure they do not get torn up if you are biking on concrete or asphalt.  I also constantly monitor his breathing and gate.  If I see any limping or fatigue I slow down or stop.  After a few rides you both will be pros at it. 

Start out slow, accustom the dog to the bike, harness and springer.  Monitor the dog's gate and breathing.  Check his pads after each ride.  Be sure to keep your head on a swivel and watch for loose dogs, cats, squirrels and above all vehicle traffic.  It is a great way to exercise your dog and keep him in shape. 

Kim,
You would never be "stepping" on any of my posts, you always have great things to add.


Jim


 

Agreed Kim- Slam is very generous with sharing his experience.

Ace-
In terms of another option, I just ordered the Bike Tow Leash or BTL (http://biketowleash.com/index.php). Howling Dogs Alaska makes an interesting harness for it (Pulka Harness) (and they sell the BTL). I can't quite remember why my husband, a mechanical engineer, prefered the design of the BTL (to the Springer, etc.) but I think it had to do with the fact that the connection point is closer to the ground so it is harder for the dog to pull you over than if the connection point is under the seat. I'd have to ask him again to verify his explanation. Please keep in mind that I'm an incredible klutz so I need all the odds in my favour. :)

Slam,

Thanks for the instructions!  I will do as you suggested.  I see that Amazon has it for &74 and free 2 day shipping so I guess I can't go wrong with that deal.  You know, I would have never though about watching the pads on their feet, thanks for the tip.  I will be looking forward to this.

Laura - Thanks for the additional option!

Kim - Yeah I fill his PM box, lol

I will send you flowers when you end up in the hospital, Ace.

In all seriousness, you really think a bike is the right venue for exercising a dog who isn't even reliable on lead while walking yet?

I wouldn't ride with a dog who wasn't proofed off lead. I don't do it, period (because I'm lazy and because the dogs chewed up my bike seat) so my bf rides with them. None of them have killed him yet, though they have never been ridden with before. I was confident that they would be angels, or I wouldn't have sent them with him. It's dangerous, especially if you're just holding the lead. You don't start proofing a dog while you're on wheels and at a significant disadvantage for corrections.

JMO.

Edited to add...what about other animals? My dogs have been accosted while riding and that's when training comes into play. My angelic Pit just stepped around and avoided a nasty dog running at him in the middle of the road and the others don't even glance at leashed or contained dogs flipping out at them. Every little distraction can be a hazard if you're not prepared. 

It's dangerous, especially if you're just holding the lead. You don't start proofing a dog while you're on wheels and at a significant disadvantage for corrections.


That is where the "Springer" comes in attached to a harness, it makes it safe and the leash is for any corrections.  It is not hard to stop the bike and correct if necessary.  I agree some control and training is necessary as is the ability to ride a bike.  It took me two minutes to learn to ride a "Segway" and one minute to get the dog heeling next to it at one of the city fairs. 

Laura, Thanks.

Jim





 

Jim, I think all bike cops should ride with a dog. Would make them look a little less Reno 911.

Here is Boomer during his Segway lesson:

Nah, still looks a little Reno 911.

Chaz,
I have thought about it, except they make us do Bike patrols in pairs.  I can do a foot patrol in the same high crime neighborhoods or apartment complexes alone.  That is a whole lot easier.  I worked on a squad years ago where roll call was exactly like Reno 911.  It was a lot of fun at times and scary at other times.  Every day when I walked in I thought of Reno 911.

Jim