Cycling with My Dog.. Any Advice??

Alsison

I would like to start cycling with my 1 year old Weimaraner and I am looking for advice from anyone who might already ride with their pooches...

What do you think??

Cheers,
Alsison

GetSoda

get a specially made leash that attaches to teh bottom of the seatpost.

DestinyS29

I used to ride with my Rottweiler. He was plenty big so I didn't have to worry about running him over, it only took a few trips till he got used to running along side and not trying to run across in front of me. I personally did it b/c he was so full of energy and I couldn't run with him so this worked. Warning though this does require a bit of balance and coordination as I had to ride one handed with the leash around my hand b/c I didn't want him to see something and pull the bike down in the process. I have two smaller (20# each) pups now and am looking to get one of those doggy trailers to pull behind my bike so they can enjoy the breeze after a nice walk and I burn some extra calories.

Good luck!

LorinaLynn

I thought you meant like this....

jaz050465

I read a post from a vet saying running or cycling with a dog is not a good idea as they will keep going regardless and maybe over exercising themselves. I'd talk to your vet first.

Alsison

HAHAHAHA... If I could only teach my dog to do that!!!

melaniecheeks

I run with my Weim. He's scared of bicycles, no way could I cycle with him!

They do tend to be a bit hyper, you'd need to be convinced he was going to freak out at a passing cat/ leaf/ puddle.

jaz050465

And I suppose you need to make sure that he is enjoying it. If not- go alone and walk him separately.

Megs081211

I did it with a mix breed dog and ended up in a cast with crutches and found out after the cast was off I ripped my acl in half and tore the cartilage in my knee; just because the dog wanted to chase a squirrel; and it wasn't the first time we went out it was the 3rd time.

So my experience with it isn't exactly the best and your dog is older so it might be a little harder; I'd also make sure s/he prey drive isn't extremely high, chases after birds, squirrels, ect...could be a recipe to end up like me lol. First I would maybe walk the bike with your dog just to see how s/he reacts to the bike. And look online for "contraptions" they have that attach to the bike for riding with a dog.

Alsison

Oh my goodness Megs, that is horrible... I am so sorry you had to deal with that.

I have two Weims; Heidi is 7 and Dietr is just a year old. I want to start cycling with Dietr because he has so much energy that it is hard to get him enough exercise with walking alone. I have a bad knee and can't run so I thought cycling beside him would give him a chance to get up to a trot beside me.

I like the idea of walking the bike first to get him used to it and working towards the point that I can ride slowly beside him.

I will definitely keep a very close eye on him to make sure he is enjoying it and not overdoing it....

Thanks for your input :flowerforyou:

Cheers,
Alsison

Megs081211

Oh my goodness Megs, that is horrible... I am so sorry you had to deal with that.

I have two Weims; Heidi is 7 and Dietr is just a year old. I want to start cycling with Dietr because he has so much energy that it is hard to get him enough exercise with walking alone. I have a bad knee and can't run so I thought cycling beside him would give him a chance to get up to a trot beside me.

I like the idea of walking the bike first to get him used to it and working towards the point that I can ride slowly beside him.

I will definitely keep a very close eye on him to make sure he is enjoying it and not overdoing it....

Thanks for your input :flowerforyou:

Cheers,
Alsison

Have you tried getting a chuck it or playing ball, I have a 3 yr old lab and that's the only things that works

grimm1974

Riding with my dog is great....until he sees a squirrel.

DestinyS29

Riding with my dog is great....until he sees a squirrel.

This is why I couldn't bike with my dog now.. LOL She would kill me without any regards... SQUIRREL!! :laugh:

juliegrey1

Oooh dont know about this,might be dangerous for both of you,he might get too much exercise or run after something and knock you off the bike!be very carefull!!

Katla49

Visit YouTube Dog carting. There are lots of good ways to combine dogs and cycling, but not simply leashing your dog to your bike. We harness ours to our recumbent trike for exercise. He loves it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nuOq94fCBYw

bumblebums

There is a guy in my neighborhood who rides a skateboard while his two Weimaraners pull him forward. It's not much exercise for him, but great for them, and it doesn't give me the heebie jeebies in the same way as bike+dogs does... At least if you fall from a skateboard, you can land on your feet.

Weimaraners are very high energy dogs, at least while young. Do you have a dog run nearby that you can take him to? Will he play fetch, on land or on water?

Dogwalkingirl

Cycling with a dog can be great excercise but you really do have to look at a lot of factors.

First cycling with your dogs just by holding onto a leash can be SUPER dangerous so do look into an attachment for your bike. There is one called "walkydog" that I think gets good reviews but there are a lot of different brands. It keeps your dog at a safe distance from your bike and keeps your dog away from the tires so the leash (or dog) doesn't get run over or tangles in spokes etc.

Also dog will overdo it! Dogs like Weimaraners will go forever to please you so...don't let them do it. Always keep water on you and don't ever go faster then your dog (don't drag him along etc). Also too much pounding on pavement can be bad on dog paws ....even worse in heat. So if you have nice trails or something you can bike on that would be better.

As someone else also mentioned start off by walking your bike and your dog etc before just hoping on. This way he gets used to the idea.

Good luck!! Also if you are looking for other ideas Weimaraners love to use their brains! Sometimes this will tire them out as much as a run. Since he is young doing 30 min of mental training with a day will also keep him tired out..obedience, agility training, search games (hiding things and making him find them in the house or outside) etc are also good.

Have fun!

cmriverside

I have a friend who shows Huskies. She does intense exercise with them by using a long leash ad running them around her in a circle while she stands in the middle.

It's this concept:


She can't risk injury to a top show dog, and this works great, I've watched them do it. She keeps the dog at a trot for 15-20 minutes, then rewards with a ball.

Alsison

I have a friend who shows Huskies. She does intense exercise with them by using a long leash ad running them around her in a circle while she stands in the middle.

It's this concept:


She can't risk injury to a top show dog, and this works great, I've watched them do it. She keeps the dog at a trot for 15-20 minutes, then rewards with a ball.

That is a great idea! Thanks!!

glovepuppet

i think it's a bad idea. it's very easy for a bike to get pulled over or off course. plus, how much control do you really have over your dog in that situation? no matter how well trained your dog, you can't say for certain s/he will never react suddenly in an unexpected way.

it's just not responsible to have a large, powerful dog and not be in full control.

Katla49

Here's a link for the kind of bike we use. We have one dog, and mostly he trots beside while we ride.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hi06SFswb7c

Alsison

Here's a link for the kind of bike we use. We have one dog, and mostly he trots beside while we ride.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hi06SFswb7c

SERIOUSLY!! That is so cool!!!!

hyper_stitch

I think it depends where you intend to cycle too, leashing to the bike as already established is very dangerous for both of you ..... not sure if yours has their tail or not, wagging tails and bike wheels do not mix! I have a Samoyed and she needs exercise, I have biked with her off lead a few times, I tried it once with her on lead and it scared the crap out of me lol Whatever way you can work out with your pooch is great just make sure it's well thought out

labeachgirl

It's the summer, it's hot, I'd veto that idea.

I go hiking every day, and every day there's a dog overheating on the trail because their owner didn't hydrate them and stop often in the shade. And that's just walking, much less ask the dog to run distances.

Buddhasmiracle

First, I would check with a vet .

I don't know where you are planning to cycle with your pooch, but where I cycle dogs tethered to a leash with their Mom or Dad cycling are pretty much a pain. Some of them lunge towards whom ever is going by, and take up the width of the bike trail.

But whatever you decide to do, enjoy.

phytogurl

I think it depends on where you plan to cycle and how well trained your dog is:) I used to ride with my dogs all the time, but on trails or dirt roads where they can be off leash. They learn to run ahead or after me on the bike and I've taught them not to cut across in front of me on the bike. If I were to ride on paved streets with them it would only be a short distance and they'd heel by my bike, off leash. I wouldn't use a leash with them while riding, because it's too risky for both.

That being said, I think that you have to be very careful not to over exert your dog while you're riding a bike. I didn't take my lab out until he was a 1.5 yrs, but I think you can take them out younger, but just not too long. When I did take them out, I would try not to ride too fast or far, because it's easy to ride longer than they can walk or run. You don't want to injure their ligaments, tendons or anything else. I don't take my dogs out while riding anymore, but I do take them on runs and walks. Check out my picture. I enjoy the companionship of my dogs and it makes my exercise more entertaining for sure!

SyntonicGarden

I think it depends on the disposition of your dog. For the first few attempts, maybe have someone shadow you, in case it doesn't work out.

I tried to get my dog involved with my fitness routine. She's deathly frightened of ANYTHING with an axle. Thank goodness for my elbow pads and that helmet.

She won't run for any distance without stopping to sniff every 10 feet. She does do an excellent of keeping my yoga mat warm though.

RunnerInVT

My advise...DON'T DO IT! I got hurt too. Dog decided to turn and pulled me right over and I put my arm out to brace myself. Pulled shoulder out of the socket. DAMN that hurts!! Never again.
If you do...I really wish you luck and safe travels.

butters1

I would only suggest training off leash with a bike if you can find safe circumstances for the dog. Heck with what i consider well trained dogs i'm always concerned with the what-if's even on a run. There is no way i'm risking my *kitten* or theirs in any bike type situation.

roadmapmaker

Go slow reinforce him with enticing goodies and train him to watch you. slow training and positive reinforcement with 100% recall would help. I bought a bicycle doggie jog or something like that that also had a quick release. unfortunately my dog went lame from an accident just before we could use it now it sits in my garage. My dog loves to run but we have to limit her. also build up his paws before any real long ride and check him often. always something on the trails! best of luck!

poohpoohpeapod

It is called lunging and used for horses. It is mind numbing for the animal. Show dogs excercise like any other animal I have a 25,000 GSD that runs at the dog park. The hot walker you show is also a form of abuse. Would YOU like to walk in a circle for 2 hrs? Think people.