Bike Riding with your doodle

[Michelle]

Who does it? What's the best way to do it to prevent injuries? How old was your doodle when you started?"

[Katrine]

Hi Michelle, I haven't done it yet but would like to this summer! I would think after one year you could start to ride with your pup. As my father has flipped a couple of times with just holding his dog on a leash while riding, I'm going to get a springer: http://www.springeramerica.com

Have fun!

[Debb, Lucy & Oscar]

We've done it with Lucy (which she took to very quickly) using the WalkyDog Bike Leash: http://www.thedogoutdoors.com/dog-bicycle-accessories.html

We didn't start biking with her until she was nearly 2. Depending on the size of the dog, you should start biking with your dog between 1-2 yrs old. For standard size doodles, 18 months is a good age. Its best to have your dog checked out by a vet first too, to make sure there aren't any specific restrictions.

As for the WalkyDog, it prevented the bike from tipping when Lucy would pull, but I think the 1-Running Dog Bike Tow Leash would be a lot better because it has a lower center of gravity. Its also a lot more expensive.

We always used Musher's Secret on Lucy's pads to prevent blisters and sore spots. It worked well. Also, we started out on very short rides and gradually lengthened them in order to build stamina. We stopped a lot for breaks for Lucy and always packed her water. She was thrilled to go biking with us, but it really was all for her, as she could never have gone as far as we could go without her. We went by ourselves when we wanted to go further and longer.

[Michelle]

Getting the BTL! So excited. Thanks for your input. As far as the harness goes, would a front hook one work or does it need to be on the top?

[Debb, Lucy & Oscar]

The best harness for biking is one with the ring at the back. That way if the dog pulls the harness will allow him to help pull the bike :)  A padded harness with good chest coverage is best.The other way around if the dog pulls, he/she would be pulled to the side, and that wouldn't be good.

[sf1]

We started with Milo over the last month - so he is just over a year now.  Started off with the regular collar, but he pulled and almost pulled me off the bike.  We switched to front clip dog harness and have complete success.  He no longer pulls because it corrects him.  We keep him on a 5 foot leash and I keep about 2 feet in my hands, rapped around but able to pull away without hurting my fingers or hands (important because if you loop it around your fingers and the dog pulls, you could easily break a finger).

[Julie, Boomer, Milo & Casey]

Another member, Lynda K. Posted a picture a year go of the bike tow leash and she gave a great review so I bought it. It has a low center of gravity and has great reviews.

http://www.biketowleash.com/

[Lorrie W.]

The K9 Cruiser is another bike attachment that works well - https://www.k9cruiser.com/

[J and Riley (and Luna)]

Luna has such a strong prey drive I wouldn't trust exercising her on anything I can fall off of :p

My husband does rollerblade with her though and just started at 2.5 years old.  Her leash training and "leave it" are pretty solid and she is well past being fully developed physically.

[Heather & Brinkley]

Brinkley has the same.  I'd be afraid I'd end up on the ground and Brinkley would be dragging my bike behind him as he chased a rabbit or other animal. 

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

WalkyDog works well, however you really need to make sure that you do NOT overdo it for the dog's stamina.

[Lynda Kamrath]

Saw this post on my iPad and just had to respond.  I don't like the keyboard on the iPad, so had to come back to my computer, but it didn't take long.

Definitely go bike riding with your dog.  They love it and it is a great excuse for more exercise.  My first doodle started very young because he was only 3 months old when my husband retired.  We have a great little park nearby (5 miles around) and they would go riding all the time.  His poodle would go too, but he was slow and only went at one pace.  Hondo loved to race so they did.  He also rode with me on Sundays (I was still working) and he would just follow at the back of my foot.  He was a great dog and never ran off.  Our next doodle was slower but would come along with us and just take his time.  Our third doodle, an ALD, is another racer.

We like for them to be off leash, but that is less and less available for them because of restrictions everywhere.  So we started with the BTL (bike tow leash).  It has a very low center of gravity and hooks onto the rear wheel.  The dogs cannot pull your bike over and if they go to the back or run out to the side, it just yanks on the bike.  I have never fallen with the bike tow leash.  One thing to be aware of is that you really need a halter to hook the leash onto.  We rode at first with the leash hooked to their collar and Groucho would be puffing like an old steam engine because he was pulling so hard on the leash. You don't want that, so the halters work much better.

Don't EVER hold a dog on his leash while riding a bike.  I know so many people who have had crashes when their dog runs out and knocks or pulls them over.  Broken collar bones are the usual result of this.  The Walky Leash is fine, but the BTL is even better because of the low center of gravity.  They are expensive but worth it. Visits to the ER are much more expensive and down times from accidents are most annoying.  Oh yes, and watch the feet.  We try to ride on dirt paths, and avoid pavement, but that is not always possible.

Here's some photos of our BTL rides.  (Sorry can't find them on my computer, but there are definitely some on the photos on my page.  Take a look.)

[Michelle]

Getting the BTL! So excited. Thanks for your input. As far as the harness goes, would a front hook one work or does it need to be on the top?