Biking with your dog

[MeganNoel]

Does anyone here ride their bikes and have their dogs run along with them? I thought this would be great to do with Loki but I am not sure exactly how to go about teaching it. He doesn't pull unless he is excited but I can just him pulling and me going flying off the bike! Or is there enough forward moment everything would be okay? Also I would never want to hurt him either.

[Judi W]

I bike my dogs and I believe others do also. Two things needed. Know how to ride a bike and a decently leash trained dog. I do use a pinch when biking and my lead is about 3 feet long.

The only way you find out is to do it. You might have to start and stop about 10 times before the dog gets the picture or you might want to walk you bike with the dog at your side a ways. Make sure you bike's brakes are up to snuff.

[SABELLESMOM]

I love biking. We only recently started, tho at first I thought I'd have to purchase one of those Springer Coil kits for your bike, about $40 thru Pet Edge online.

I tried biking without it and found it unecessary as yet. Apparently you clamp these things on the back. The coil spring absorbs the shock should they attempt to veer off I believe. But try without if your dog is nicely leash trained. Practice starting and stopping...as per Judi.

GOOD LUCK!

[frontierrots]

I bike with Bea all the time. You do have to work up to distance so that you can be sure control is there. See the picture this section for photos :)

[Mavides]

Originally Posted by Judi W

I bike my dogs and I believe others do also. Two things needed. Know how to ride a bike and a decently leash trained dog. I do use a pinch when biking and my lead is about 3 feet long.

Judi,
Where do you bike? Do you just ride around your neighborhood or do you have a specific place you go? I want to start biking with Legend when it cools down a bit, but I'm nervous to have his feet pounding on the concrete/asphalt...and I'm also a bit nervous about my biking skills (it's been a few years!) - do you know of any good spots around town for beginner bikers and beginner dogs to practice?
Thanks!

[BostonRott]

I put a Springer on the bike (dog in harness) and then a prong with short leash around their neck. The prong/leash is to prevent repeat performances of "shrubbery surfing." (many moons ago with a very young Bort in hot pursuit of a rabbit..........and Gret on a bike going sideways through a 50' long hedge which suddenly ended in a large cedar tree!!)

The biggest pitfalls are loose dogs, I'm always keeping an eye for them, and I make sure the dogs are solid in their "sit with distraction" so that should we encounter a loose dog, I can stop if needed (to end the prey attraction / herding drive of the loose dog).