Yesterday was the first bike ride of the season for my mutt and I (finally). We picked right up as though we hadn’t missed a day. I went slowly of course, barely above our running pace so Ace didn’t have to break into a run. When we got to a park I let him off leash and allowed him to sprint after me if he wanted. He took on my challenge and raced across the field remaining at my side no matter how fast I peddled. I should’ve checked our speed, but I forgot.
I love the days when my mutt slowly walks a step or two behind me. Ever since we have been walking, running and now biking more, my dog’s leash manners have improved. He even heels better than he did when he was on a high dose of prednisone! I made a point today to leave all training collars at home. Ace doesn’t really need them in the neighborhood anymore.
If you are considering biking with your dog, it is worth putting in some training time first. Don’t even think about biking with your dog if he can’t heel at your side while you are walking. Work on controlling your dog in all situations like when other dogs run up to you or when Rollerbladers go by. If you need some pointers, here are some tips for biking with your dog and teaching your dog to heel.
What’s dangerous about biking with my dog?
As long as I have total control over my dog, I am not putting myself or others in danger while biking in a suburban area. There are lots of other walkers, dogs, cars and bikers out and about, and I can’t have a dog that gets excited over every little thing. If so, he could pull me right into traffic or cause me to crash or run into someone.
Ace and I always remain out of the way. If there are cars on the road, we stay on the sidewalk. If there are people on the sidewalk, we move onto the road. If there are people and cars everywhere, we move with the flow.
I make sure to keep my mutt at my side when we bike. I would never let him run in front. Instead, I’ve taught him to have respect for the bike. He watches my body language and listens to commands when I’m on the bike just as he would while we are walking. A hands free bike leash helps with this concept.
When Ace and I approach an intersection I say, “slow” as I slow down. When I have to stop, I tell him “wait” and he stands and waits. This week I am trying to teach him to sit whenever the bike stops. As we approach turns, I tell him “turn left” or “turn right.” I doubt he knows the difference, but he does know we are switching directions. He pays attention so we don’t collide.
Know how to respond to ‘bad’ dogs in the neighborhood
Sometimes it’s better to jump off my bike and walk when I see “hazards” like loose dogs or a dog on a Flexi leash. If your dog gets excited over cats or rabbits, then be on the lookout for small animals. Don’t hesitate to walk when you see them.
There are certain dogs in the neighborhood that lunge and bark when Ace and I are just walking. But when I bike, even the normally quiet dogs might get agitated. A lot of dogs get excited or even aggressive when they see bikers in general. So when they see a person, a dog and a bike, they go completely bonkers.
One man walking some sort of Afghan-looking breed could hardly control his dog as it barked and pulled at Ace and I yesterday. The best thing I could do was make sure I had control over my own dog.
Sometimes it’s best to go a different direction and avoid certain encounters. But other times it’s impossible to avoid problem dogs, like when a pug on a Flexi leash comes around the corner out of nowhere. Usually it’s easiest to ignore an aggressive dog and continue on our way, but sometimes the faster we move, the more the dog wants to chase us.
When Ace and I are out running, we never run from aggressive dogs. Instead, I slow down and casually continue on my way showing that I am neither scared or up for a challenge. Running only encourages chasing, aggression and prey drive. So when Ace and I are out biking, I have to keep this in mind when we encounter unpredictable dogs.
Since the Afghan was leashed, we didn’t slow down. Thinking back, slowing down or walking by this dog might’ve been the better choice. Our speed caused the dog to lunge and act more aggressively. Had this dog gotten away from its owner, it would’ve easily caught up to us.
Later a pointer ran into the sidewalk, barking and beginning to chase. Since this dog was unleashed and unsupervised, I stopped and let the dogs sniff each other for about two seconds. I knew the pointer was being territorial and not a threat – we’ve passed this dog many times. Ace and I slowly moved on.
If you’re going to bike with your dog, be prepared for all situations and know how you will respond. I prefer to bike in quieter parks and roads whenever I can. A bike leash for dogs helps if you want to keep both hands free.
Walk your dog 101 miles (day 16)
Ace accompanied me on a run with one of 4 Luv of Dog’s rescue dogs yesterday. We ran with Lucky, an American pit bull terrier up for adoption. The dogs got along great. The photo of Lucky is from 4LuvofDog.com.
Anyone looking for a dog-friendly pitbull should definitely go and meet Lucky at Saturday’s adoption days from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. over at the West Fargo PetSmart. Lucky is a great dog. He ran just fine on the leash and didn’t even pull or bark when we passed kids, school buses and bikers. What a good boy!
After almost 7 miles yesterday, Ace and I walked an easy 1.99 miles today. The month is half over and we broke 50 miles, so we are right on track to reach 101 miles.
April miles: 50.68
Related posts:
- Walk your dog 101 miles (day 27)
- Walk your dog 101 miles (day 24)
- Walk your dog 101 miles (day 11)
- Walk your dog 100 miles (day 31)
- Walk your dog 100 miles (Day 21)
April 16th, 2009 at 8:54 pm
I used to love biking and roller blading with my Dalmation. And I could tell he enjoyed it better than running next to me. It seemed like when I ran he couldn’t find a comfortable pace next to me. I ran at a speed that was in between his trot and run. So he was constantly speeding up and slowing down trying to keep pace with me.
But on the bike or with my roller blades on he could run at a comfortable pace and it was perfect for me too. He actually listened to commands better also. Almost like he knew that it was a little more intense for me. His favorite thing to do was when we were roller blading I would give him free reign and tell him to go go go. He would go into a flat sprint and pull me way faster than I could ever go with out a hill. But if I said stop and heel he would be right at my side again. I don’t know how many motorists had a complete look of terror as we would pull up to the intersection they were about to cross. I found it quite entertaining.
And good job on keeping pace for you 101 miles. Maybe next month Ruby Bruno and I will try and beat it.LOL
April 16th, 2009 at 9:15 pm
Your Dalmatian sure was a great dog. Sounds like you had him trained really well. I would love to have you, Ruby and Bruno walk further than us next month!
April 16th, 2009 at 9:39 pm
I could imagine trying to ride a bike with Gus. I would end up walking the bike and the dog. If I tried to ride he would stop and hold until one of us fell over. I think I’ve seen him run once outside. The only time I get Mr. Laziness to run is if it is close to dinner time. I can run from the kitchen to the living room and down the hall and back. He thinks this is funny and runs after me, howling. Other than food, Gussie is not motivated to do anything but slowly stroll. I have the worlds laziest dog! We did get 4 miles in tonight but I am a bonehead and lost count for the month. Don’t I rock?
April 17th, 2009 at 5:49 am
I bring my dog with me when we go horseback riding, which resembles the part where you let Ace loose. It took a few months for Sheba to understand that horses are dangerously big, but now she runs by our side or just behind – and simply adores it. I’m sure she would love tagging behind a bike too, but being a rhodesian ridgeback, she’s not fond of leashes. You can really tell that in her mind, it’s a lack of trust, so we just work on obedience with the leash as a reserve for all-too tempting situations.
April 17th, 2009 at 1:24 pm
Lindsay,
I have biked with my dog Hayduke several times and learned some things. Most importantly, don’t put the leash around your wrist. Once I was riding with him and we passed another dog that was behind a fence. Hayduke ran forward faster than I was going. He pulled the leash and consequently my wrist that is attached to my hand, that had a firm grip on the handle bars which quickly turned the wheel of my bike. I’m sure it was comical to the observer when I toppled over the handle bars of my bike and ended up in a tangle of leash, bike and dog.
One skinned knee later, I learned to only hold onto the leash so if that happens again I can quickly release it.:)
April 17th, 2009 at 2:04 pm
That is great advice! I do the same thing. I hold the leash so I can be ready to jump off my bike and keep holding the leash if needed. I would never tie the leash to the bike or myself. I wouldn’t use one of those bike/dog attachments either, for the same reason.
Gentle Leaders or Haltis work great for controlling a dog that pulls. When I was first biking with Ace, he wore his Gentle Leader every time, just to be safe.
May 9th, 2009 at 12:59 pm
Great recreational activity!
I bike with my two Vizslas and my Westie every day.
Sadly, in our region, doing the bike while dog-is-on-leash thing is against our bylaws here. Something about proper care and control of the bike. Also, it *can* be very dangerous to have an inflexible leash in one hand with a strong dog while you steer your bike with the other.
So … for us frozen-brained Canadians , I’ve started a business here to sell biking attachments that are 100% legal, safe *and* are supported by our Humane Societies, Vets and the SPCA’s.
With the owner of this blog’s permission, I’d like to offer this link for folks to read-up on the topic and see the products that are out there. We do not sel into the US but, these products are all readily available throughout the USA.
Please visit bikewithmydog.com
Best regards and happy cycling to all
Thomas
May 9th, 2009 at 5:22 pm
Sounds cool. I prefer to just hold the leash. I don’t want my dog to be permanently attached if something were to happen like an accident. But I’m sure it works for some dogs.
May 9th, 2009 at 7:27 pm
Hi Lindsay
Yes, it is very cool.
The holding-the-leash thing might work for you but, it is thought of as quite dangerous … notwithstanding the legal side – if it works for you – great
!
The Springer addresses your specific concern. Its built to release the dog under either (or both) of 2 conditions … if the spring gets bent beyond a certain angle (force-related), the plastic keeper slides off the loop … also, if a sudden force is exerted on the plastic keeper (like the rider on one side of a street sign/pole and the dog on the other) it will snap and release the dog. The retail package comes with 3 of these keepers.
Between these 3 products, if a person can ride and the dog can run – anyone with almost any dog can use them. Certain very small, short legged or heavy breeds just can’t do the exercise. Bulldogs and Chihuahuas are prime examples of this (most of them).
June 15th, 2009 at 3:27 pm
I just found your website and love it! We just adopted a 5 month old Rhodesian from a rescue and I am looking forward to riding my bike while running her! This is giving me tons of ideas! Thanks!
June 15th, 2009 at 4:21 pm
Thanks Joy! Good luck with your new dog! Let me know how it goes.