Exercising from a bike

I wouldn't do it without proper equipment to keep the dog (and yourself and other road users) safe, tell her to look at the bike attachments (Springer or Walkydog) that keep the dog at a safe distance from the wheels and prevent her being pulled over if the dog pulls sideways after something. And never use a flexilead!
 
good as long as it is done correctly and safely as dollyanna said.
I run with my dog, I don't really like to cycle except in on few paths where there is plenty of space for us to pass other people.
 
IMO the Springer type attachments aren't great either, dogs can still be caught by the rear wheel, they tend to loosen/spin the seat post with any kind of pressure and even a fairly small dog can exert enough force to pull the bike over sideways. Far better to use an antenna style attachment to keep the line clear of the front wheel and invest in some basic mountain biking training re: braking, gear changes etc. and teach the dog to run upfront.

I would very strongly recommend contacting a local canicross/bikejor/sled dog group before undertaking any exercise from a bike. You cannot train just anywhere - *never* on a road or public footpath, certainly, but also permits and insurance are required in some areas. At this time of year the temperature, humidity and ground conditions are also a concern, particularly with a newbie dog. If anybody is interested please PM me and I can put you in contact with a local group. :)

If we have any Scottish AAD-ers they may be interested to know that the 2015 European canicross and bikejor championship is being hosted there this October. :)
 
So whizzing along a public road, with one hand on the handlebar and the other clutching the lead and dog, is not how its supposed to be done, then? That's a relief ;).

The first person I knew to do this suffered life changing injuries after her 'perfectly trained' dog pulled her off her bike onto tarmac. Think the dog was ok.
 
Daft way to go about it but only from the point of view of endangering other road users and/or the dog's joints and feet - no matter how/where it's done there will always be an element of personal danger! :p
 
Not wishing to start a riot but we meet a lot of folk whizzing along on their bikes with their dogs running along behind trying to keep up when we are out walking our lot. They are on a safe route, as in a riverside walk, not a road, and they are allowed to cycle on it...but...the dogs never look very happy to me. They cant stop to sniff things or have much interaction with their owners. Unless you are trying to get the dog fit for something, I cant see what the point is of doing it. Surely just running the dog makes it fitter, so it needs more exercise. Is it not better to go for a decent walk so they can have a mooch about, bit of running, bit of sniffing, bit of interaction with other dogs and people. Am I missing the point here.
 
Mine comes out with me on my mountain bike sometimes; he runs next to me and we do the fire road so no cars and few walkers. He really enjoys it; it's part of a mix of things that we do. He is extremely fit and very energetic. We have done 14 miles avg 7mph and he could happily have gone again (I couldn't).

If it was the only walk he had, I daresay he'd find it boring, but he does enjoy it when we go, because for once, I can go at his kind of speed!
 
MyBoyChe said:
Not wishing to start a riot but we meet a lot of folk whizzing along on their bikes with their dogs running along behind trying to keep up when we are out walking our lot. They are on a safe route, as in a riverside walk, not a road, and they are allowed to cycle on it...but...the dogs never look very happy to me. They cant stop to sniff things or have much interaction with their owners. Unless you are trying to get the dog fit for something, I cant see what the point is of doing it. Surely just running the dog makes it fitter, so it needs more exercise. Is it not better to go for a decent walk so they can have a mooch about, bit of running, bit of sniffing, bit of interaction with other dogs and people. Am I missing the point here.
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This, 100%. Give the dog a proper walk that means something to the dog.
 
If it didn't mean anything to the dog she probably wouldn't be doing this and having to be restrained by two people on the start line. :p

[video]https://youtu.be/-27f99lC5mM[/video]
 
My westie loved running and we would go down to the bridle path on our bikes and she would run on the lead next to us when on the bridle path she would be off the lead. It's not a matter of it being dangerous it's how well your dog is trained. I used a nice lead rope length lead and she ran on the pavement. Only for 5 minutes.
 
blackcob said:
If it didn't mean anything to the dog she probably wouldn't be doing this and having to be restrained by two people on the start line. :p

[video]https://youtu.be/-27f99lC5mM[/video]
Click to expand...

Oh my gosh that dog looks ready to go!

Looks amazing. I think my dog would enjoy this - how do you go about getting into it? is it the bikejor?
 
I love love love seeing dogs running along side bikes or jogging with people, imo it's a real commitment to giving a dog what it needs, esp the higher expending energy breeds. I wish I had the co-ordination needed, Unfortunately I just deck it!! but my OH is a pro at biking with the dogs, I have seen him our with more than 1 dog either holding them whilst biking or them running after him. Nothing wrong with perfectly well behaved dogs whizzing by full pelt. Our cavalier can run for miles like this and indeed you get the (aw look at that little dog) in amazement as she runs along side the bike, she loves it and no amount of mooching and scenting can expend the energy for her the way running along side the bike does and quiet the opposite for me, it teaches the dog not to focus and a good amount of discipline, I encourage any clients im working with behaviourally to get on a bike as part of their training with their dog. I like structured dog walks and equally I love to see dogs being able to run to their hearts content of which the only way a feeble human can compete with this is a bike lol.
 
Cayla, your post makes sense. I suppose its about the type of breed and playing to its strengths. I can see with some of the higher energy breeds it would be a really good way to exercise both their mind and body, as long as it isnt a substitute for "being bothered" Im afraid that some of the people I see dont seem to have any thought for the dog and are taking the easy way out! They certainly dont have the dogs attention :(
 
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