biking with my dog

[neinerj]

:confused: ok everyone i need some ideas. i have just purchased a new bicycle ( a cruiser) and have a basket for the front to take my little dogs for a ride my issue is how do i teach my standard poodle to run along side of me. He is leash trained and walks on my left. doesn't pull but will sometimes get about a half foot ahead of me. I've seen some contraptions online that attach to the bike but am unsure. do not want to injure him or myself. (will not be taking small dogs and large one at the same time.) any ideas????
:cool: thanks jane

[abi_n_beau88]

well I cant really say about training an adult.....but I have always biked with my dog-a Lhasa Apso. I was 9 when I got him and we started biking together when he was about 5 months old. i just started walking on one side of the bike with him on the other side and started walking and worked up to running along side and then we were ready to actually bike.......I of corse had to start out slow-having a MUCH smaller dog- but we got so that we could end up going to a run and I dont remember crashing more then like 2 or 3 times! lol

Hope this helps some! I DO really like biking with Beau---but just as a side note....I would NEVER use any thing that made it so that I couldnt hold on to the leash my self.....just for the fact that if you are falling towards the dog you can let go of the leash and yell and they will run out of under the bike...just my openion!

[neinerj]

well I cant really say about training an adult.....but I have always biked with my dog-a Lhasa Apso. I was 9 when I got him and we started biking together when he was about 5 months old. i just started walking on one side of the bike with him on the other side and started walking and worked up to running along side and then we were ready to actually bike.......I of corse had to start out slow-having a MUCH smaller dog- but we got so that we could end up going to a run and I dont remember crashing more then like 2 or 3 times! lol

Hope this helps some! I DO really like biking with Beau---but just as a side note....I would NEVER use any thing that made it so that I couldnt hold on to the leash my self.....just for the fact that if you are falling towards the dog you can let go of the leash and yell and they will run out of under the bike...just my openion!

thanks thats a good idea. i'm going to start practicing this tomorrow.

[6dogmom]

I do it all the time, tie the leash on the bottom of the seat it evens the weight more. The first time I did this I had the leash on the handle bars, it was a disaster. I still have the scares to proove it. Just keep you focus when biking and tell the dog what to do. I say "slow it up" when I turn I just go. I will focus my brain onto where ever I want to go. then they just know. Good Luck!
I am proud that someone finally got the idea to bike with their dog.

[k9mania]

Never put the dog on the handlebars and don't try and hold the leash while riding, it is too dangerous. There is a great thing called a springer. You can find it on the internet. Easy to put on and almost accident proof:)

[6dogmom]

Never put the dog on the handlebars and don't try and hold the leash while riding, it is too dangerous. There is a great thing called a springer. You can find it on the internet. Easy to put on and almost accident proof:)

Now you tell me k9, LOL.
That's how I started now I put it under the seat. works much better. I have seen that springer thing but it only holds on dog and sometimes I take two or three with me.

[zorasdad]

I dont know! I brought out the bike last year. Going to do the dog thing. Well bike is still in the yard rusting! Dont know if its my biking im afraid or doing it with the dog!

[neinerj]

Never put the dog on the handlebars and don't try and hold the leash while riding, it is too dangerous. There is a great thing called a springer. You can find it on the internet. Easy to put on and almost accident proof:)

thanks i've looked at the springer but was unsure. i might have to try it.

[Corinthian]

Never put the dog on the handlebars and don't try and hold the leash while riding, it is too dangerous. There is a great thing called a springer. You can find it on the internet. Easy to put on and almost accident proof:)
I like the Springer because of they use that plastic connector that will break under a specified force.

[Monsterpuppy]

My dog never had a problem. I tied the leash to the rear wheel arm, low, short enough where he could not run in front and took off. He paced the bike just fine. It's usually a lot easier than you think it will be, because the dog is moving at a decent clip and less likely to be haring off after skateboarders or cats or whatever his little weaknesses are. He picked up quickly on some basic commands for stop, watch out (turning toward him) this way (turning away from him) whoa (slowing or stopping) and just trotted along like he was born to it.

For the commands, use what's going to come out of your mouth - don't overthink it or you'll never get the right thing said at the right time.

I believe the springer thingamajig would be a good improvement. Also, you do have to pay enough attention to notice if doggie needs a private moment to attend to business, or if he is getting winded. Start slow and with only short rides at first. Pay attention to the surface you are making your dog run on - pavement's hard on the joints and rough surfaces like gravel can be hard on the pads.

[6dogmom]

Have you started biking yet? Hope you are having fun with it.

[6dogmom]

I dont know! I brought out the bike last year. Going to do the dog thing. Well bike is still in the yard rusting! Dont know if its my biking im afraid or doing it with the dog!

The scary part only lasts for a few seconds, it's when they first take off that they have energy, once you get going it's smooth sailin

[Lola_Joy]

Love going biking with little miss Lola,before I got the lttle thing that attaches to your bike, I just clipped her to the handle bars, (stupidly) but, we didn't get hurt. But, I still don't advise it because, the dog could run right in-front of the bike, and you can hurt the poor thing.

[neinerj]

Have you started biking yet? Hope you are having fun with it.

am working on it

[neinerj]

thanks everyone for the suggestions, i have alot of great info and am going to use it.
am a little nevous because it has been years since i've ridden but am practicing. had a spill yesterday but am ok. will add the dogs once i am more sure of my own abilities. thanks again
jane

[lucysnewmum]

if you are nervous about biking with a dog at the side of you why not try rollerblading first to get the dog used to the fact that you can travel at speed? At least you will have your feet on the floor if you do take a fall in the early stages!!

[Jr_K9_Expert]

Personally I bike with my dog all the time, and I don't use any contraptions that hook the dog up to the bike. Its just like sledding, it takes practice and skill. And I'm at a disadvantage here too, because my dog has a HIGH prey drive.

All I do is start off slowly, and of course I use a retractable leash because this way the dog can go as far as he wants and doesn't have to be next to the wheels, also there is no loose leash to get cause in the wheels. The only way I'd go fast is if I'm sure that there wont be any obstacles ahead. And MOST importantly you have to learn to read your dog's moves. You have to predict the way your dog will go in order to correctly respond to it, if he moves to the left you slow down and move to the right so that the time he is dirrectly in front of you is cut down.

Once the pooch is tired he'll more readily go next to you.

Keep in mind that accidents will happen, believe me I've had it happen to me many times. I've gone one way of a pole and my pooch the other way so that the leash would get caught, and in those cases you have to let go! Keep some treats in your pocket so facilitate recall. Don't give up and don't be nervous, it takes practice its about all I can say:D