Bike Riding?

[rawnzgrl]

Hey guys, I am trying to train Katy to run beside me while I ride my bike. I seem to recall reading something about this last summer of course then Katy was tiny and it wasn't happening so now she is ready and so am I! I did a search and came up with zero. Anyone got any tips on training the dog to run with the bike.
We have started slow, walking together with the bike, walking on the other side of the bike as her, and now I am on the bike and just pushing it . She does fine with all of the above. As soon as I start riding she gets excited and starts trying to bite my tires. Danger for her and me! :(
This would be such great exercise for both of us and I would really like to train her to do this!
Our trainer also suggested getting the arm that you can attach to your bike.
How expensive are they? Should I invest in one in order to train her or after she is trained with the bike?
Let me know if you can offer more advice.
Thanks

[Judi W]

I have always biked all of my dogs. I personally don't like the idea of the arm thing for several reasons. With the lead in my left hand I can give subtle clues to the dog a slight tug back if I'm turning left, a small pop if they need to pay attention, etc. If she is going after your tires you have a bit too much lead. I use about a 24 inches or so lead and with some of my dogs a pinch.

You should get on the bike and bike about 5 or so feet and when she starts to bounce towards the tire, stop quickly and give her a correction at the same time. Might take you a while to go around the block, but by the time you get back, she should be getting the idea. Start just as far as you see her starting to get the wind in her whiskers, pop and tell her "no" and stop all at the same time. You'll be able to go further each time. Be alert and give her a discipline voice when she starts up, and a "good dog" when she moves ahead correctly.

All this assumes she has some obedience training and knows her place is at your side and understands corrections and your "ahhahh" voice.

[Carina43]

I used to bike Phoebe - I didn't use any special techniques or equipment, just lots of patience and starting slow! She didn't bite at tires, but she was liable initially to lunge after birds, other dogs...anything moving fast. I learned to anticipate that, and once when she pulled me off the bike in the park I went off at her, I was SO mad! That pretty much cured her though.

After a while she would see me get the bike and would immediately assume the position on my left, just like heeling.

It was really fun! I should start doing that again, with the Rottens, when it gets a bit warmer.

[alexav]

I have always used a "Springer". No training involved and no danger of road rash either. I even had a Great Pyrenees on it who lunged after a cat and I mean LUNGED! I would have turfed it and the dog would have been gone had it not been for the springer.

IMO, it is the easy way out. You certainly can train your dog to be safe with the bike with a little effort on your part but I like the fact that if for some reason my dog loses her mind after seeing a squirrel party in the street or a flock of ducks doing the wild thing on someones lawn, she will not be injured and neither will I.
Even a great dog will have an off day now and again...;)More info on Springers

[legalbeagle]

What's worked for me so far with biking with one of my dogs at a time, is
to take each dog separately to the local baseball field behind the local junior high school. This is a perfect place to ride and train the "heel" for the left side of the bike, just like on walks. I like the fact that my mountain bike [which is a double suspension bike] works well on turf and loose soil or gravel as well as pavement. I wouldn't ride a road bike with a dog [meaning a bike with skinny tires] until the dog was completely trained to heel alongside the bike.

What I've done is simple: take dog on long tether, around 25 feet, and loop around handle bars loosely. Have dog at left side, get on bike and peddle in low gear so you can control bike at very slow speed. Make sure you have around 5 feet of slack in the line. Give the heel command and start riding. If the dog goes after the tires, then you need to immediately stop and give a very strong leash correction. I used a prong collar in order to prevent any lunging or big ideas [like squirrel chasing]. One pop was all it took as well as a very close eye to eye in dog's face with low firm command voice of "NO PULL!" and it worked. Taught both of my maniacs in one session each. Now I'm working on proofing them. I won't go onto a road or trail until I'm sure I won't be doing a facer. I prefer trails and not pavement, so even if I do fall, I shouldn't be tearing out patches of skin. Wear a helmet too just in case you're around rocks. Have fun! I've been able to get them to fast trot alongside and it's great exercise.

Cathi M

[lblax]

Originally posted by alexav
I have always used a "Springer". [/url]

i agree the only way to bike a dog

[Beckysmom]

The Springer sounds interesting if it works even when a Great Pyrrenes lunges. Gosh, that's hard to picture why the back tire didn't just fishtail out after the dog. But if it really works there are times when it would be really nice to have both hands available for the bike.

I've actually been using the leash and prong collar method though, and starting out very slow practically just pushing the bike along with feet as if it were a scooter, then starting to ride at dog's trot speed mostly.

I also have mountain bike tires with inner puncture protectors (needed against blackberry thorns in this area, but also helpful if teeth). Also helpful is that my bike isn't very expensive, so I don't worry too much if I have to jump off it and let it fall while I handle my dog with both hands on leash as a truck passes etc. And I wear a helmet too.

[alexav]

Originally posted by Beckysmom
The Springer sounds interesting if it works even when a Great Pyrrenes lunges. Gosh, that's hard to picture why the back tire didn't just fishtail out after the dog.

Well, I'm not exactly TINY.:D I'm 5'9" and do not resemble a toothpick in any way.;) Yes the Pyr outweighed me by quite a bit, that's as far as I'm telling. ;) :)

IMvast experience, if I hadn't had the springer, I'd have ended up in the hospital multiple times and I'm sure I'd have lost a dog or two for good.
I used to board quite a bit and there was no way I could exercise everyone without the bike.
Once had a Rottie and a GSD, quiet road, stray nasty mut, a butt biter. That would have been a bad situation had it not been for the springer.

[Birdie'sMom]

That springer thing looks really great! My husband got me a mountain bike for my birthday 2 years ago and I am embarrased to say that I have used it once in 2 years!:o I think it's time Birdie and I get into shape and that looks like a great way to do it! Plus - we have some great bike trails at the park across the street!:) Thanks for posting this question rawnzgirl and thanks for the info about the springer, alexav!

[rawnzgrl]

I have searched everywhere for a Springer and I finally found it in a small shop in Calgary called B & P cycle. They carry the Springer for 89.99. Of course it looks like it's cheaper on the website but that is in American Dollars and I would also have to pay GST, duty, shipping etc. So I think it will be cheaper to go to the shop. The guy said he would give me a bit of a discount too. So I shall get it very soon, and will let you guys know just how easy it is with a curious one year old!:p

[cpalenchar]

someone please correct me if I'm wrong....

I was under the impression that 1 years old is on the edge of when you should start excercising your dog??? That is, it is actually bad to have your dog participate in forced excercise (e.g. running, biking) at a young age b/c of damage to developing joints. I thought the age when it becomes safe is 1 year-18 months. So... I would think rawnzgrl should make sure she doesn't push her dog too hard, since she's still on the cusp of the safe ages?

Any more informed guidelines from someone? (i.e. don't go more than 1 miles, or don't go more than 30 minutes???)

-chloe

[rawnzgrl]

My trainer is also a vet and she encouraged this because she says it is great excercise for Katy. She has been working with Katy since she was 8 weeks old and knows her well. Don't worry I would never do anything to push her.

[alexav]

Originally posted by rawnzgrl
So I shall get it very soon, and will let you guys know just how easy it is with a curious one year old!:p

You are going to LOVE it! The first time I saw a springer was at a dog show. This crazy Australian guy with red hair was asking the crowd for a big unruly dog that had never been on a bike trek before.
A guy with a young Bullmastiff steps forward with a big testosterone sneer. Benny the Springer guy jumped on the bike and off they went. It was poetry in motion! It was as if this dog was trained to bike all along!
I think it works so well because the dog is concentrating on moving with the bike and quickly realizes that that's what's going to happen, no matter how strong they are and how much they pulled thier owner around in the past.
I was amazed but didn't buy one right then, after I did buy it, I couldn't believe I didn't get it before!

Word of caution; I don't know if they still provide a thin nylon harness with the springer, but if they do, don't use it. Depending on the dog, I use a well build, nicely fitting harness or a collar of some kind. If you attach the springer to the harness, you can have the option of holding a leash attached to a training collar.

I can't wait to hear how much you love it!

[alexav]

Originally posted by cpalenchar
someone please correct me if I'm wrong....

I was under the impression that 1 years old is on the edge of when you should start excercising your dog??? That is, it is actually bad to have your dog participate in forced excercise (e.g. running, biking) at a young age b/c of damage to developing joints. I thought the age when it becomes safe is 1 year-18 months. So... I would think rawnzgrl should make sure she doesn't push her dog too hard, since she's still on the cusp of the safe ages?

Any more informed guidelines from someone? (i.e. don't go more than 1 miles, or don't go more than 30 minutes???)

-chloe

Good point of caution. (I forget that not everyone knows that.:o)
With a youngster (over a year but still under 18 months) , a jaunt around the block would be fine. I certainly wouldn't recommend a 5 mile bike trek. I would also probably stay away from hard pavement even if it means driving the dog and bike to a different location.
Other cautions:
Be aware of the temerature!
Check paws often for signs of wear.
Take water with you!
Work your dog into this new exercise regime slowly, even if you are coasting, the dog has to trot so even if you're not tired at all, the dog probably is! :)

[Beckysmom]

I've decided to get one of those Springers too! Hope it also works on dogs who like to leap into air.

Kate