Bike riding with a dog

[KalamazooMom]

Have tried a few times to go for a bike ride with the dog on the leash. I have just used a regular leash and regular collar. The first couple times we did fine and she seemed to have fun running along side. Then we had a couple incidents where she dashed across at a squirrel or another dog and I almost crashed. Anyone have advice on how to do this better and more safely? I see that they make special gadgets that attach to the back of the bike that prevent the dog from running in front of the bike or getting tangled. Anyone tried one of those?

[Sailor]

The gadgets they make (the technical name alludes me right now) are MUCH safer. Not only for you, but also for the dog. In a leash, the dog can get tangled into the wheels and either dragged for awhile or choked. So, while I know people do this, I would never just use a leash. It's not safe.

The gadget thingy, lol, makes it impossible for the leash to ever tangle and it keeps the dog at a safe distance from the bike. Also, it gives you more control so if the dog veers away, you're more likely to regain control than crash.

You might want to start out slow, though. It takes time for the dog's paws to toughen up to running long distances on pavement. Don't laugh - but doggy running "shoes" can really save their paws. Running on concrete for a long time can really take a toll on the paws of a dog, after all.

My partner is a cyclist, and he has one of those gadgets (it's going to bother me all night that I forgot the name) for when I'm too lazy to take my dog out. It works well, but he has to watch his speed and make sure he doesn't overdue it in terms of a dog's paws.

[Girl In The Fire]

Springers work very well if you follow a couple of rules... I have used them with larger high prey drive dogs and have had a couple incidents where if they had not been attached to the springer we would have wiped out.

About those rules... do not use the quick release things that come with the springer a good pull and your dog will be gone if they have high prey drive or do not have a solid recall. Instead you can get a something like a single tugline they are about 5 inches with snaps at each end so it can be attached to the springer and then to the harness. Do not use the crappy excuse of a harness that comes with the springer, I would highly recommend a padded walking harness like this one.

[KalamazooMom]

Thanks much. So you think the Springer is worth the money? Looks like there are some cheaper variations.

[Carson]

I would suggest you to work on general obedience before getting on a fast moving vehicle, regardless of what other tools you use. Learning to 'leave it' and 'heel' or 'slow down' on foot is a lot easier than it is on a bike.

[mesa]

I bike with Austin (my 100 # ridgeback) every day. I tie his leash to the seat post, but short, like a foot long. Then I keep the leash behind my leg while I bike. I want to get a springer, but it's going to have to wait until I can afford it He has a high prey drive, and tries to pull after other dogs, but he's generally a pretty good boy, and the leash being attached to the seat post puts him under my center of gravity so he doesn't wobble the bike nearly as much.

I also use a chain instead of a regular collar, but I hook the leash to both rings so it can't tighten. I found after trial and error that he responds better to the "bite" of the chain, and he will pull right through a flat collar. I've always used a chain for training and showing, so when he's wearing one, he knows it's business time. YMMV, though.

I have to bike him. It's the only way he can get even close to enough exercise. He HAS to run, at least 5 miles a day or he goes nuts.

[Girl In The Fire]

Originally Posted by KalamazooMom

Thanks much. So you think the Springer is worth the money? Looks like there are some cheaper variations.

Yes the Springer is worth the money. If you shop around online you can get it for about $30-40. I did try a different kind of attachment once, I think it was called a K-9 Cruiser and it was awful. One tug and it almost pulled the bike from under me, luckily I was going very slowly and was able to stop the fall. The spring on the Springer really absorbs the shock from the dog pulling.

[prairiemommy]

Yeah, go for the gadget. Our puppy class instructor's (adult) son was bike riding with his dalmation and the dal got his leg stuck in the spokes. I think it was broken so badly they had to remove it. Poor puppy. And this was an adult who grew up with and had dogs who competed and won in conformation. Sometimes accidents really do happen and they can be horrible.

That said, hope you can get one of those and continue to have fun with your dog!