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Cycling with the dog can be great fun for both parties – it always looks great when sporty people go for a bike ride with their wiry dog. And the four-legged friend must therefore work out much better than if he just goes for a walk. But you keep thinking: how do they do it? Do the cyclists really never fall and does the fur child really always keep up? And what actually happens when a rabbit or a deer is in sight at the edge of the forest? It’s hard to imagine how fast you can get on a bike with a dog on it and then the hunting instinct wins. I have summarized for you how you can ride a bike with your dog without an accident.
What Does My Dog Have to Be Able to Do?
The prerequisites for this are, of course, first of all, that your dog is no longer a small puppy. On the one hand, this has to do with the fact that he would still be very playful and, on the other hand, that the soft hips would not yet be able to withstand such a permanent load. You also avoid climbing stairs with very small dogs and carry them instead so that you don’t damage your hips at a young age. After about one and a half to 2 years, the skeleton is mature and firm. If in doubt, breeders and veterinarians will provide information as to when your own dog can run next to the bike.
Commands Have to Sit!
In addition, the most common commands and orders should fit perfectly. By this I mean above all the “no” and the “off”, as well as “foot” etc. This in turn ensures that your dog also obeys you when it sees potential prey. It goes without saying that every dog has a certain hunting instinct, but you are its master and you are in charge.
Dogs in particular, which are subject to a pronounced hunting instinct and are good burners, only really let off steam when cycling. The best example of this would be Jack Russel. But all in all, there isn’t a race that wouldn’t enjoy cycling with their masters or women. With very sluggish and heavy breeds as well as with very small dogs, however, one should consider whether cycling offers the right form of exhaustion. If you want to be pulled by your dog, bikejoring or the trend sport dog scooting would be a tip for reading on.
I’m Afraid of Falling
Ultimately, you don’t have to. Of course, this is just a matter of practice, but after all, you are a well-rehearsed team in everyday life. And if your four-legged friend can implement the commands you give him, you don’t have to worry about falling. It should also be emphasized that it is better to use a harness than a normal collar. And in the shops, you can also get a special device with which you can attach the leash to the bike. In case of doubt, this allows the animal to be released in an emergency and also cushions jerky pulling. For more extensive tours, please decide on forest soil as the surface and not solid asphalt paths, as this puts a strain on your dog’s joints.
How Do I Proceed?
It’s best to start slowly. First of all, I would recommend only pushing the bike to the side during the upcoming walks. If that works well, you can sit on it and roll along a few meters. After that, your darling gets a treat as a reward for accepting the bike as a new companion and not running away.
If you increase the whole thing, please also increase the training slowly so that your dog does not immediately overdo it with joy. In the beginning, a 10-minute bike ride is really enough. And please don’t go full throttle all the time either, it has to be a varied tour, in which things sometimes go very slowly so that your four-legged friend can also sniff and enjoy.
First, please keep your dog on a leash. Your calf should also be his running height. You have to give him plenty of praise for that. Even if it stops and comes back to the correct height when you stop to stop it. If your darling moves again, stand still until he finds his place again. Then give praise and so on.
In general, you should show your dog both sides of the bike so that you can cycle on both sides if in doubt.
Choosing the Right Equipment
In order to be really safe on the road, you should only get on your bike with the appropriate equipment, especially for your own protection but also to protect your dog. First and foremost, this includes a roadworthy bicycle. You need to be able to rely on your brakes and have a stable grip on the bike. A loose bike handlebar, missing lights, and a wobbly saddle are the least that should be fixed.
A well-fitting bicycle helmet should also be taken for granted. This not only applies to the first training sessions but in general. On the road, you MUST reckon with the stupidity or at least the mistakes of others. Depending on the size of the planned bike tour and the selected routes, you should also have a poop bag, a water bowl, and enough water in your equipment. Check out bike helmets on Amazon.