How do you train a dog to run by a bike?

Henry is a wannabee Husky, he just went 'wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!' off ahead, then ran in front of the bike, then went and pounced on an old dust sheet (shed being cleared out) and tried to kill it, then jumped up at me causing some serious wibbling, then ran in front of the bike again (is this painting a picture for everyone...?):eek::rolleyes:
 
Basically the same way you train the heel, only on a bike.
Start off walking along with the bike, then sitting over the bar but walking, if you know what I mean. Dog on your left with his shoulder to your knee level.

In the beginning you will need a higher control collar than is normal for him such as a half check or full check to prevent injury to both you and the dog and a squirty bottle on standby for when he decides to dive in front of the wheel.


Later you can get a spring attachment for the bike so you are hands free.
 
Another way of teaching this (or any heel work if, for example, you need a velcro heel for obedience) is to teach the dog to target a small card, then attach the card to something that sticks out on the side of the bike and keep up the targeting, then start moving the bike while the dog continues to target the card. When the behaviour is consistent introduce the word you want associated with it. Eventually you can do away with the card. One advantage of this method is that it is place specific, i.e. it teaches the dog to heel to the bike at an exact place, not too far forward, not too far back.
 
Hmm, I think with the excitement of the shed being emptied, his mind was not on the job:rolleyes:

He was on his harness with the long line (obviously not at full length, it was just the only clip lead I had with me), as it was either that or the slip lead which didn't seem a good idea (!) but he was just mucking about, silly dog. We can't go out yet anyway, I want to get him a hi-viz jacket as he is dark coloured and at ground level (although I will have him on the verge side of me, it still seems best to have him visible). We'll have to go and find a quiet lane when we are fully equipped and give it another go:rolleyes:
 
I can barely ride a bike let alone with a do on side:o:D OH however takes 4 at a time out on the bike, all ours are used to bike s now, but OH is rather good and very steady, he used to start with one hand on wheel and lead head away from bike and short almost like "holding a wet dog away from you, to stop it soaking you":rolleyes::D
You can also get an attatchemnt for your bike that the dog lead clips to that holds the dog at the correct poeition to stop it from getting tangled or in the way of the bike, not sure if they are in this country yet, but I saw some people using them on cesar milans programme the other day, like a silver bar that attatches near the back wheel.

Good Luck:D
 
CAYLA said:
You can also get an attatchemnt for your bike that the dog lead clips to that holds the dog at the correct poeition to stop it from getting tangled or in the way of the bike, not sure if they are in this country yet, but I saw some people using them on cesar milans programme the other day, like a silver bar that attatches near the back wheel.

Good Luck:D
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Google WalkyDog or Springer - probably the Springer for a small dog, maybe I have an enormous bike but the WalkyDog is only just the right height for a husky. Both good bits of kit but the WalkyDog is a bit more versatile, it pops off the bike really quickly and has a rubber handle to double up as a short lead, plus now madam has progressed I've attached it to the front to act as a brushbow to keep the line off the wheel.

Or just get a proper dog that will pull you along in harness from the front... :p :D ;)
 
Me and Otto went for the learn quick or die technique :D
I got on the bike, told Otto heel and cycled with him on the slip lead running alongside, he picked up straight away what to do, we just had issues with turning - left I would run over him and right he'd run into the bike :D
He does a fantastic extended trot next to the bike, he'd put some of those slopey backed GSDs to shame :p :D
 
Attach the dog on a short enough lead that they cannot go in front of the bike (I actually to begin with used a bit of wood to extend the handle bars so that they couldn't physically get under the wheel). Most dogs once they have been caught by the wheel will avoid it like the plague.
I personally don't struggle with controlling large dogs on the bike, and have taken up to 4 dogs all on leads on bike rides. They learn pretty quick that it's just like walking-and you just need to use your voice to give them a nice ride. Maybe no so necessary with one but I always used forward to go, come on to go faster and whoa to stop, along with left and right to turn. Along with 'in' when I am going to plant the bike in a hedge because a car is coming.
You will need to watch out for sore paws, and be aware you won't be going nearly as fast as normal. (and much slower than you might want to get a run up to hills!)
I also found that while some dogs don't mind it, some absoloutely hate it.
 
kirstyhen said:
Me and Otto went for the learn quick or die technique :D
I got on the bike, told Otto heel and cycled with him on the slip lead running alongside, he picked up straight away what to do, we just had issues with turning - left I would run over him and right he'd run into the bike :D
He does a fantastic extended trot next to the bike, he'd put some of those slopey backed GSDs to shame :p :D
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That might well be my approach in the end:D

What's the worst that can happen, right?
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SusieT, you are right, I will have to go much slower than normal - happily I'm in east anglia so not many hills:D

I did run him over in the garden *ahem* on purpose *ahem* (going extremely slowly - just a bump really!) when he was pratting about as an object lesson...:o He was happy enough to follow afterwards!

We won't be going far, my plan is that we cycle along the lanes to get to the local footpaths, walk along there, then cycle home:)

ETA we just made it to the top of the garden and back - eeeeexcellent :)
 
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sounds like agood plan, I really enjoy cycling with the dogs and the high energy ones it certainly tires them out!
 
It really is brill exercise, my mum used to run three off a bike and most dogs at our club get run off a bike, and you can tell.
We're hoping to host a bike endurance test later this year - tis a pity I live on the world's worst road to practise on :o :p CRASH BANG WALLOP.
B's 'grandad' had an unfortunate incident with his bitch and a cat last year and ended up with a bent front wheel....
 
Further to last post, we have just been for our first bike ride as I decided that all the excellent advice here was great, but that actually my natural training style is indeed learn fast or die:o:D

And we are not dead, despite seeing lots of bunnies:eek::p:D

Yay!:cool:
 
I love the natural tendency of spangle owners to opt for "Learn fast or die" :p

Us too :D OH took Madam mountain biking around Glentress for her baptism of fire. I was made to wait (with a large coffee and cake) with rescue services on speed-dial until they returned. All went well - apart from Madam nicking my cake when she got back! :mad: :D
 
Spudlet said:
Further to last post, we have just been for our first bike ride as I decided that all the excellent advice here was great, but that actually my natural training style is indeed learn fast or die:o:D

And we are not dead, despite seeing lots of bunnies:eek::p:D

Yay!:cool:
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I was just going to say that when I used to bike my dogs I used to just get on and go, used a check collar for some control but I used to take 2 GSDs at a time. Only had one mishap when a rabbit crossed the road in front of us, dogs went through a 5 bar gate, I ended up draped gracefully (or not) over it and bike.:D
 
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