[kathyk]

Does anyone bike with their dog and if so what do you use?
I attempted this the last two evenings and Benny loves it only once did we almost crash

(another dog barking at us) I also wondered if this would hurt his joints walking fast and running on pavement?

 

[Catu]

I'm just wanting Diabla to get older to start. I think it's too dangerous to do it on the city (hundreds of stray dogs, actually, dangerous not only for her, but for me too) so I'm planning to do it on the surroundings, lots and lots of space around and maybe, if she enoys it I'd like to try some bikejoring, but that when she be even older.

 

[rlwolf]

I do this with Freyja occasionally. The only problem we have is she gets bored of it quickly. She will start out going strong, even pulling me along sometimes. But that only lasts for about 1/8 of a mile. Then she slows down to an easy going trot, and quickly it becomes quite obvious that she wants to turn around and go back home. And as soon as we do start heading back home, she picks up the pace again.

I figure it's a nice physical work out, but mentally frustrating for her because there is no thinking involved. Basically I figure she sees that the same way I see running on a treadmill. It use to be, that I loved to run, but I never could get myself very far on a treadmill.

 

[DianaM]

I bike with Renji on occasion but I will be ordering a Springer bike attachment from Jeffers to make it safer. He loves biking (well, trotting along with the bike) and surprisingly, he can maintain the trot gait at pretty high speeds which I think means his structure is also pretty decent. When I get the attachment, I think I may still have him on leash for direction and correction purposes. Right now it's a leash and prong on the live ring, not ideal, but we've blown by plenty of critters and I've been able to control him very well. I've also been teaching directional and speed commands, namely "left," "right," and "slooooow." He has a very good "leave it."

I always make sure to do frequent stops to check on his pads and I also keep an eye on him to make sure he's not gaiting "funny," whatever speed we're going. I also let him choose the speed for the most part unless I know we're be going for a long distance, then it's a sprint to burn off his "stupids" before settling into an easygoing trot. We make sure to go when it's cool (preferably early morning when the pavement's cool) and I always watch his tongue.

 

[CainGSD]

I had recently started a road work program with Cain. I had a dog tail brand bike attachment given to us as a gift. We had gone several times and he was enjoying it a lot.

Last Sunday morning was a perfect morning for road work. Nice and cool with overcast sky so we suited up and set out. As we were making our rounds a small dog bolted out of it's yard off lead after us. Cain tore the bike attachment off the bike and bent my rear axle before I realized what was up. I platzed him off of the dog and then the little dog got up in his face barking and Cain was deciding to finish this nonsense. He platzed again on the second command the owner of the little dog finally picked it up and carried it off. I was trying to figure out how to put us back together when the owner started laughing thinking this was all very funny. I wasn't finding it amusing and told him that it wasn't funny and that was how dogs were killed. Either running into traffic or a larger dog doing damage. His female companion then proceeded to call me an extremely vulgar name

. I told her she was white trash and we limped/walked the bike back home.

So for us the road work is done. It's not worth the risk of my dog being blamed for finishing what an out of control off lead dog starts. Not to mention I don't think my blood pressure could take too many of those encounters

 

[DianaM]

Nora, carry a Super Soaker and practice your drive-by aiming.

In all seriousness, that is very sad that that happened. Your story is another reason I want to get an e-collar for enhanced control during these situations (plus crittering work when not biking). I imagine crittering working to keep my dog off the little dog, then biking just fast enough to convince the little scrap of a dog to follow me out of sight of the owner, then taking the dog to Animal Control and explaining that the owner was not in sight and the dog chased after me on a bike. Then the owner gets a documented offense and a fine! Bet that white trash that cursed you out would have loved that.

 

[Dano]

I bike with Inga about 4-5 miles every morning, now that the snow is gone. I have been doing it for about a year now. I recommend it to clients that have hyper dogs that need to release a lot of energy and don't have access to off leash exercise.

I use a fur saver collar and a regular leash. That way, if she ever did go after something or there was an accident, I could just let go instead of her being attached to the bike or me.

If you make the dog run at full tilt, the dog will get tired way before you do. Now that she's used to it, there is nothing (so far) that can distract her. She seems to get in a trance and reminds me of a sled dog or a very focused jogger. I think the secret is not going faster than the dog can trot instead of run. It's like jogging. If you pace yourself, you can go farther than if you sprint.

Having your dog obedience trained makes it a bit easier but most dogs, trained or not, really get into it. I know it seems like there is no thinking involved on the dogs part but it does involve a lot of concentration on the dogs part. It keeps the dog focused on you and what is directly in front of them.

We did have an encounter with a couple of pit bulls in the neighborhood that bolted out of their door and I just stopped, they sniffed each other, and off we were. Inga was in her zone and didn't even pay attention to them. I get a lot of people commenting about how well trained she must be to be able to do the bike thing without distractions but it really just came naturally. If you have not tried it, you will be surprised at how your dog gets into it and eventually does not even go after squirrels or cats or other dogs.

By the way, puppies should not be taken on bike rides. I have seen too many people attempting this with dogs that are way too young to be dragged around by a bike. In my opinion, you should wait until your GSD is about 18 months to go out for a couple of miles.

 

[Castlemaid]

I started biking with Keeta last year, and we both love it!!! I do as DianaM does, with a prong and a four foot leash. I would not reccomend this to most people, it might be too punishing for their dog, but it works for us. Keeta is pretty resistant to prong corrections and easely distracted by sounds, sights, smells and loose dogs (and moose and rabbits and dead toads on the road), so I need the extra control. I didn't start biking with her until I felt that she had a very solid heel. I live in the country, with a nice mix of paved roads, dirt roads, and trails and fields to choose from.

Start with short rides to build up the pads. Running on pavement is so much harder on their pads than just walking.

I keep the pace at an easy trot, but we love to just open up and let 'er rip coasting down the hills. I keep an eye on the speedometer and use the brakes to try and keep a steady speed going downhill, at not too punishing a pace.

I occasionally stop and give Keeta a break so she can sniff and pee and explore. Then we are ready to go!! I typically will ride between 3 kms up to 10 kms, depending on how much time I have, and how energetic I feel!

 

[CainGSD]

Diana,

I have to say I can't remember being quite that angry in a really, really long time. Her choice of curse words was one that actually made think me think for a split second of wrapping the broken metal part around her head

. I've definitely matured and I like the super soaker suggestion perhaps with some clorox to clean her up

 

[DianaM]

Nora, use it on the dogs, not the people! Resist temptation!

I would have totally lost it with her. I'd have blown up at her and said that next time she allows her dog to be loose, I'm letting my dog defend ME, then I'm calling the cops/AC on her. Either that or I would pull out my cell phone and call AC/cops right then and there to report the leash law violation, right in front of her face! Oh boy, that would be a good one. I'd probably call the cops though so if she'd threaten me, they can tack that on the list of charges.