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Truth Hurts, Doesn't It?
Lv 7
Truth Hurts, Doesn't It? asked in PetsDogs · 1 decade ago

Biking with my dog....?

Before anyone says anything, i got the approval from her vet: she's in good health and he says to go ahead and see if she'll enjoy biking. She's also leash trained and has no more issues on lead (used to lunge at birds/squirrels.)

My walking pace apparently isn't fast enough for her and i'm not fit enough to jog or run with her (no balance to speak of on rollerblades so that's also out.)

Any tips on how to get her used to biking? How to build her up slowly so she can go at a good pace for a good length without "hurting" her? She is a schnauzer/poodle mix, 18 lbs and pretty high energy - how long/fast is too long/fast?

I bought a WalkyDog and it isn't "illegal" to bike with her where i want to go with her (around my block, the trails by my house.) The neighborhood is pretty nice and i can bike on the road while she mostly runs on grass. I plan on doing this two or three times a week to drain energy (in addition to regular walks on non-biking days.)

So any tips from any other bikers?

Update:

She's been around bikes (my cousin loves to ride his and he's over all time time.) That's also how she learned to not cross in front of them (he ran over a paw - no injuries.) She's fine beside them though, and does like to chase him around in our driveway.

My mom (who wants to get in shape) offered to help us out by walking with us during the initial training. She'll be able to take the dog if Kiley doesn't do well; she can also offer correction if needed (she finally buckled down and learned ^_^.)

I'm most concerned about running her too much, too fast, and with the wrong equipment - which reminds me: best type of harness/collar to use would be...?

I plan on going SLOW - have to get myself used to riding before i even think about bringing her with me (haven't been on my bike since last spring.) I will be looking around for any "experienced" bikers in my area but it's a small town... can only find so many people. ^_^

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  • ms manners
    Lv 7
    1 decade ago
    Favorite Answer

    I am in the same boat - have had a few high energy dogs, and I cant run or skate to save my life. :o)

    I just put a leash on the dogs, adjusted it so that they did not have enough leash to get in front of the bike, and took off. (Of course I had spent a lot of time teaching them to walk beside me before we reached that point.)

    The biggest danger, to my mind, is them running in front of the bike. If your dog knows not to do that (my rat terrier does) then it isnt hard at all. I did accidently run over a foster dog who ran in front of the bike(fortunately I was going very slowly, and it was on grass, and it didnt hurt him).

    The other danger is them yanking you off the bike. I tried to take my 100 lb lab mix for a run, but he suddenly stopped, and so did I.

    My abrasions have healed now, and he is relegated to the treadmill, instead. :o)

    Since you have a smaller dog, that should not be much of an issue, but you might want to use a harness, rather than a collar, so you dont run the risk of hurting the dogs neck.

    As far as building them up, I would just start with a mile or so, and see how the dog does. My rat terrier ran a mile with the bike, and wasnt even breathing hard.

    Source(s): lots o dogs
  • Anonymous
    1 decade ago

    I've always heard that its a VERY bad idea to bike with a dog without being incredibly well trained and experienced. So many things could go wrong.

    I suggest you talk to a professional trainer or someone in your community that regularly bikes with their dogs. One wrong move and you and/or the dog could be severely injured.

    First, she needs to be introduced to bicycles. She needs to be comfortable being so incredibly close to a large moving 'machine'. I know some people that ride a stationary bike at first, so that their dogs get use to the size of the bike, the noises that it makes and the movement of you and the wheels. Your dog has to be VERY well trained though. Not only to walk on a leash but just general outdoor behavior. She can't cross in front of you. She MUST stay on one side. She must be able to immediately follow verbal commands (you can't hand signal as easily while riding a bike). She must be able to ignore any and all distractions.

  • Shanna
    Lv 7
    1 decade ago

    I can't help you with the biking, but have you thought about a backpack for your dog? I have one dog that I couldn't seem to wear out so I invested in a backpack....I fill it with water bottles and such and he seems to wear out much easier. I know they make backpacks for small dogs and they say that with 10% of their weight in a pack, the walk usues triple the energy they would normally use. So a 15 minute walk with the pack on is like going on a 45 minute walk without one.

  • ?
    Lv 6
    1 decade ago

    I've never done that but I do see a guy in my neighborhood that does. Maybe start out just pushing the bike with your dog walking beside you. Get her use to seeing the bike there first.

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  • emilylambert :)
    1 decade ago

    first, you can start on a scooter and get her used to that. then just ride up and down the street in short distances on the bike pretty slowly. once she's used to that, you can go faster. then longer. i know she'll love it, my dog is the same way, but i am able to jog.

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