Cycling as a training tool

[BG and Gavin]

My DH and I just got new bikes and thought we would try cycling with Gavin on leash.  I had DH hold the leash as I haven't biked in years (but like they say, just like riding a bike...you never forget!) so did not have the confidence.  I followed behind.  Gav did pretty well for his first time out I must say.  We went at a fairly leasurely pace, but I noticed Gav had to keep checking in with DH as they moved.  A few times he checked over his shoulder looking for me, but DH gave some well timed leash corrections to keep him on track and watching where he was going.  When there were dog distractions we gave the "leave it" command and DH sped up a bit which required an extra bit of concentration from Gavin.  It seemed to me to be a very good mental as well as physical workout for him.  After he cooled down he finished up his breakfast and ate his whole dinner ration without a topper (unheard of, lol) and flopped down to sleep. Does anyone else cycle with their dogs?  Thoughts about cycling as a training tool?  Tips?

[Lynda Kamrath]

Yes, I have noticed that a harness is better than a neck collar also.  My largest doodle would pull like crazy on the bike tow when we were riding and he would be huffing like an old steam engine.  I told my husband that I worried about him and so we got some harnesses and that seems to work better.  On the bike tow, they are good for about 5 or 6 miles, but if they are free off leash they will do more.  We have one route that we all take in our own ways.  I leave my husband off and he rides his bike to the beginning of the DeAnza Trail.  I drive to the trailhead and leave the car and start walking with the dogs.  When my husband catches up, he continues up the hill with the dogs (running with him).  My DH gets about 17 miles on his mountain bike, I get a good walk, and the dogs get about a 10-mile run/walk with both of us.  Works for us.

[Lynda Kamrath]

Oh yeah, the harness!  We were doing some rides with the BLT attached to the boys' collars and my big goldendoodle would be huffing and puffing like an old steam engine.  He would be trying to pull me on the bike.  When we got them on harnesses, the pull was on their back not their neck and it is so much better.