Bike Riding? Yes? No?

[LegendsMami]

Since the weather seems to be getting nicer I like to spend more time outside w/ Legend. I'm not the jogging type but I thought maybe I could ride my bike w/ him. My little sisters taught him how to run behind and stay on the side of them while riding their bikes. He's not DA (he will defend himself though) so I don't have to worry about him lunging. So I thought maybe I'd get a Springer. I have a good spot nice and quiet to ride w/ him. I know not to go fast but at a jogging pace for him and to keep a collar and a leash attached to him.(Springer comes w/ a harness which will attach him to the bike) Does anyone do this w/ their APBT? I asked this on a dog forum. BUT APBT's are strong and dont compare to other dogs! How long do you think I should start out at 15-20 minutes?
http://www.springerusa.com/index.html (http://www.springerusa.com/index.html)

[bahamutt99]

I biked with Loki for a while, before we established that the concrete was bothering her joints. I just took a 4-foot lead and tied it underneath the seat. That gave her room enough to run behind or to the side, but not move up past the front wheel. You might want to walk him around and stretch him out before you actually take off. As far as how long to go at first, that depends on your dog. I'd just watch him for signs of fatigue, and take a short break halfway through. And bring one of those water bottles to share. :)

[ABK]

I think biking w/ a dog is great.

I have used a Springer w/ my dogs. One absolutely loved it & would run herself silly, one absolutely hated it & refused to even move (he even made me drag him back to the house) & another just tolorated it.

But if Legend is already used to running alongside a bike he should like using a Springer.

I prefer the Springer to a leash b/c of the shock absorber on it. A leash has no way to absorb shocks & even if a dog can't get under the wheels, they can still pull the bike out from under you if they jerk straight out to the side (trust me, I know!).

Also, I use dog booties to keep their paws from getting torn up.

I also put the Springer on the bike's right side, that way the dogs are away from the traffic. Plus, if you put it on the right side if for whatever insane reason the Springer malfunctioned & the dog was to even jerk the bike to the side, they'll jerk you into a ditch as opposed to jerking you into traffic.

As for how long to ride, I guess that would depends on how much running Legend is doing now. I would just start out where he's at & perhaps increase 5 - 10 minutes per week or so, until you're where you want to be.

Good luck! http://www.thesmilies.com/smilies/happy0034.gif

[lipshipsattitude]

Ditto, thats great way to exercise him!!!!

[CrazyK9]

If you don't have the money or space for a slatmill or jenny, this is your best option! It allows you to go at a pace your dog prefers and tires them out more quickly than a walk.

I used to bike with my dog but my stupid bike pedal broke off. :rolleyes: The screw is completely worn, so it can't be fixed. I need to go buy a new one.

[ABK]

Go look at your local thrift store or pawn shop. Usually you can get a working, ready to ride bike in good to fair condition for cheap & you can get a parts bike at a steal.

[JessicaK]

I think this sounds like a great idea~! I actuallly am going to look into buying one once this snow up here melts

[coolhandjean]

I thought about doing that as well...From others, I've heard it's really helped exercise their dog and tired them out pretty nicely.

[LegendsMami]

Okay! Thanks guys!!! The weather has been clearing up. And I hate being trapped in the backyard or just going for a normal walk!...Oh and he's finally caught on to playing frisbee so we play that too now! lol

[dog-man]

The hardest part is training your dog to ride beside you , you say he already knows that, so it should be smooth sailing.

[ericschevy]

HAHA, People laugh at me but I don't care, their the ones doing it the hard way..LOL
http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o301/ericschevy/DSCF0081.jpg

[ABK]

For what you spent making that, you could have gotten a Springer. Not to mention Springers are safer & look better. lol.

But that was a pretty smart design you have there. ;)

[ShelterDog]

I use this device, which works fairly well. Keep the rides short, and only ride in safe areas where there are not a lot of loose dogs, etc. Also, make sure you keep seated for strong pullers

http://www.k9cruiser.com/index_cart.cfm

[Fedor23]

Cool bike, do you have 2 dogs or something? I ride my bike with my dog, good thing theres a park with a river and trails right outside my backyard, I don't realy run my dog on hard surfaces, usualy like on dirt, and stuff.

[dunlap]

HAHA, People laugh at me but I don't care, their the ones doing it the hard way..LOL
http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o301/ericschevy/DSCF0081.jpg
Damn good idea lol. I've got enough scraps around here to make me one like that, so I'm going to "copy" your set up. I'll have to use some tougher wood and stuff like that but I'm gonna give it a try.

[bahamutt99]

That 2-dog design is kind of cool.

[ericschevy]

For what you spent making that, you could have gotten a Springer. Not to mention Springers are safer & look better. lol.

But that was a pretty smart design you have there. ;)
LOL, I didn't spend a thing, that's why I made it..LOL (Penny pincher)
I have an excess of hard woods laying around that I get from work..

Yup, I go biking with two, the first time was fun to say the least..LOL

ABK, Is your glass half empty or half full..LOL Just playin with ya...

[Esse818]

why would you want for a dog to run next or behind you. when my do dog rungs with my bike shes always pulling me for miles, now thats a good work out....

[redripper]

this may be a dumb question, but how do you keep them from pulling the bike over? Seems like the first cat, dog, squirell, or interesting bush that came along and I'd be in the ditch with Sadie stopped or chasing something.

[ericschevy]

why would you want for a dog to run next or behind you. when my do dog rungs with my bike shes always pulling me for miles, now thats a good work out....
LOL, Your not the first one to ask this..There is enough length to the chain to allow them to be right beside the front tire..They don't have to be In front of you in order to pull you, not to mention you don't have to worry about one of them interfering with your driving..

[ericschevy]

this may be a dumb question, but how do you keep them from pulling the bike over? Seems like the first cat, dog, squirell, or interesting bush that came along and I'd be in the ditch with Sadie stopped or chasing something.
The only time I have to worry about this is if I'm going really slow, your momentum will correct them when they vear off..

The one the poster is talking about is like a small leaf spring so that there is some give to it.. LOL, there's no give to mine

[dog-man]

I personally jog my dog for excersise, but if that works for you , more power to ya man, i would be scared that a rabit or dog showed up and i would be flying thru the handle bars lol.............................:D

[bahamutt99]

I do recall suddenly going quite fast when a fat cat was lumbering across the road. LOL

[ericschevy]

I would like to thank the inventor of disc brakes..LOL

I would like to jog with mine but I was in a SERIOUS car accident about 3 years ago and I have a bum leg filled with rods and pins...
I don't see it in the cards..LOL

[ABK]

That's good your invention didn't cost you any money - those devices are the best kind! lol! Sadly I do not have access to such materials on a free basis & even if I did, I am not skilled enough to be able to contruct a device such as yours.

I didn't notice it was a 2 dog device either. Too cool! Sadly, for me I could never take 2 of mine out at the same time. But nevetheless it must be a Godsend if you want to work 2 dogs at once.

As for how I look at things, I consider myself a realist. So it depends on the situtation whether I view the glass as half full or half empty. ;)

[ericschevy]

That's good your invention didn't cost you any money - those devices are the best kind! lol! Sadly I do not have access to such materials on a free basis & even if I did, I am not skilled enough to be able to contruct a device such as yours.

I didn't notice it was a 2 dog device either. Too cool! Sadly, for me I could never take 2 of mine out at the same time. But nevetheless it must be a Godsend if you want to work 2 dogs at once.

As for how I look at things, I consider myself a realist. So it depends on the situtation whether I view the glass as half full or half empty. ;)
LOL, It's all good...;)

[ericschevy]

I do recall suddenly going quite fast when a fat cat was lumbering across the road. LOL
LMAO...:D That would be a sight...

[ABK]

No, it sucks. I had my old 65lb F do that to me. We were flying & I swore I was gonna smoke out the brakes on that bike trying to slow down!!