Bicycling for a 3-month old?

[UpTo11]

In November I got my first GSD, a female named Sam. I live in an apartment (I know this is somewhat of a no-no for this breed) but I've been pretty diligent about her exercise.

Well, she's getting stronger...a lot stronger, and faster. I'm in decent shape but I simply can't run as far as Sam seems to want to. So I was considering using a bicycle to run my pup. I know it seems lazy but I genuinely have the dog's best interest in heart. Since I live in an apartment, I feel as though I need to take the utmost measure to prevent her from losing proper exercise and getting bored, which would probably lead to destructive or aggressive behavior anyway.

My main concern is whether or not running alongside my bike would be too rigorous for her at her age.

She is well trained, but I'm still trying to work out the play biting.

[Lucy Dog]

Unless you're biking on grass, I wouldn't do it. The constant hard impact on concrete is not good for their joints at that age.

I'd wait until at least a year before the biking.

[Emoore]

If you can bicycle in a grassy area where she can run alongside you NOT on a leash and can stop whenever she wants, go ahead. If you're on pavement and/or she would have to be on a leash I wouldn't do it until she was about a year old.

[selzer]

No way would I do that with a 3 month old pup. That is way too much on their developing joints, etc. I wouldn't run with a puppy that young.

[Packen]

No way, wait 1 year then cycle with her. In the meantime teach her tracking, fun and exhausting mental work for the pup.

[gsd_newbie]

No don't do that to a 3 month old puppy, even on grass or sandy beach. Off least running your Sam can always take a rest whenever she has to, but it's hard for her to keep the pace unless you are riding very very slow. In this case, it's too much on her developing joints. I would only jogging with her for about 02 miles per section, that should be more than enough for both Sam and yourself.

[BlackPuppy]

Originally Posted by gsd_newbie

No don't do that to a 3 month old puppy, even on grass or sandy beach. Off least running your Sam can always take a rest whenever she has to, but it's hard for her to keep the pace unless you are riding very very slow. In this case, it's too much on her developing joints. I would only jogging with her for about 02 miles per section, that should be more than enough for both Sam and yourself.

[doggiedad]

at 3 months old i don't think we were
walking a mile. i didn't push my dog
physically. when my dog was 15 mths
to 18 mths we were going 3 miles to 5 miles (walking).
GSD's dogs can live in an apartment comfortably.
i look at the living space as a shelter. i train
and socialize indoors.

[gsd_newbie]

Walking few miles is okay for puppy, should not be considered as pushing it physically. When the dog reachs 16 months we then could perform the Ausdauerpruefung test, which including the 12.4 miles run.

[Freestep]

My first dog used to run beside my bike everywhere. I started running her when she was about 8 months old, and even that is probably too young for forced exercise. 3 months is way too young to run beside a bike, unless you are running her on grass, sand, or soft dirt. What you could do is pick a spot where it is safe to run off-leash and have her chase you on the bike for several yards, then stop, turn around, and do it again. Just doing this three or four times will be plenty for a young pup, and will prepare both of you for learning to bike together when she gets older.