Opinions/Comments on Running my Dogs off of a Bike

[mtlee]

I recently discovered the Springer Attachment and decided to give it a try. My plan was to run both my dogs off of my bike because I can't run far enough to tire them out and the backyard just isn't going to cut it. So, I finally got the attachment in and used it twice this week. I only have one of the arms so far (sidenote: If you decide to get one DO NOT ORDER IT FROM THE MANUFACTURER'S WEBSITE, they take their sweet time. Order it from KV Vetsupply off of Amazon.com). Anyway, so I hooked the 10 month old EP up to the bike and let the older Shorthair run beside me with her e-collar on. I discovered that the EP had no interest in jogging happily beside the bike. He pulled me faster than I could pedal in 7th gear (no big surprises there...his 2 speeds are asleep and Mach 1 ). So, I feel like I am roading him which was not my intention. I am just worried about him doing too much at a young age. What are yall's opinions/suggestions about this situation? Is he too young? The only think I can do is ride the brakes so he has to slow down, but he's still pulling. Thank in advance.





PS This last picture has nothing to do w/ this topic, I just though it was funny that Gent can fit under Maggie's body.....talk about LEGS

[kninebirddog]

your way more daring then me

I could just imagine the dog doing a stop to flush or take chase ....

and the thought of road raspberries just doesn't sound like any fun anymore

[TrueBlu Shorthairs]

First and foremost the dog is too young for more than 5 minutes a few days a week purely to get him to somewhat the concept of roading. Second, I think this type of roading is about as dangerous for you and the dog as anything could be. Dog sees a cat, he hauls rear dead left, pulls you in front of a car and you're both dead. Lastly, please buy a decent roading harness that isn't going to make him strangle himself. Don't know what that nylon deal is, but it ain't a useful harness for walks, muchless roading. Try..

http://www.christie-enterprises.com/ind ... ustom_tack

Or, http://search.store.yahoo.com/cgi-bin/n ... earch.html

[mtlee]

First and foremost the dog is too young for more than 5 minutes a few days a week purely to get him to somewhat the concept of roading. Second, I think this type of roading is about as dangerous for you and the dog as anything could be. Dog sees a cat, he hauls rear dead left, pulls you in front of a car and you're both dead. Lastly, please buy a decent roading harness that isn't going to make him strangle himself. Don't know what that nylon deal is, but it ain't a useful harness for walks, muchless roading. Try..

http://www.christie-enterprises.com/ind ... ustom_tack

Or, http://search.store.yahoo.com/cgi-bin/n ... earch.html

1) I'm not trying to road him, I bought the system with the intentions to RUN/JOG him for 20-30 min a few times a week. The problem is I don't have anywhere nearby I can take him and run him off leash that is very big except the Dog Park, which I don't like. I didn't realize he was going to pull like that until I actually tried it out. Are you saying he shouldn't run more than 5 minutes a day? He would go insane.

2) This system is set up so the dog can't pull the bike over. That's what the spring is designed for. Please go to http://www.youtube.com and search for "Springer Demo." Watch the first video that comes up. He tried to get after doves,ducks, and squirrels...I can ride with one hand on the handle bar.

3) I don't ride on the road. There is a 12 mile dirt/grass "Greenway" down the road from house designed to bike/walk on.

4) That is the harness that came with the system. I know nothing about them. Thank you for the harness suggestions.

[TrueBlu Shorthairs]

Unless the dog will heel and pace you he's gonna pull, which is hard on his throat with your system, and it's far too hard on a still developing body.

[jessie]

MT I think you've done your homework on this. I would go to Lion Country Supply and you can find a real nice entry level roading harness for about $22. I think the exercise will be good for him. I would caution against running him on pavement when he is young as I have learned the hard way that they will burn pads off real quick. I don't see the harm in running him down the road off a bike. I do the same thing with mine and have had no ill effects. Pointers are a little different then britts, shorthairs, vizlas or any other breed. They are faster mature physically then some breeds. I wouldn't go crazy with 4 or 5 miles journeys or anything but I think you know that.

Andy

[Casper]

By 10 months old I would think that the skeletal development has reached its peak. Sled dog people start their young dogs pulling at younger ages than 10 months. Mostly light duty but I am sure they take into consideration everything necessary. I would be willing to bet that as long as Matt kept a close eye on his pup that a little running/pulling isnt going to hurt his pup any. I am sure living in suburbia Matt finds it difficult to get his dogs enough excersize so adding a little resistance to what he has available would probably benefit him and his dogs more than just a little walk down the street.

Matt if I were in your shoes I would try and ride as fast as I could while still allowing pup to pull some. Keep an eye on him if he starts to slow than that has probably been enough for that run. Before you know it you are going to be running him hard and fast for an hour with him pulling you at full speed.

FWIW

[phermes1]

I used to use a spring with my dogs and it's very difficult for a dog hooked up to one to pull a bike over. The dog can basically make the bike STOP if it really wants to, but I never felt out of control or about to crash when using mine.

At 10 months old, my biggest concern would be running the dog on pavement. I just wouldn't do it. I don't know enough about roading to comment on if he's too young to be pulling like that.

[Ricky Ticky Shorthairs]

I usually start mine at about a year. I always start out slow to get the dog used to it, (7-8 mph) then up the speed when they get their gate. Always check their pads after the first 5 or 10 mins. to make sure their not burning them off.

If you are having a problem with him pulling you, then I wouldn't go more than 10 or 15 mins. twice a week. If he lets the lead slack, then probably 30 mins. 4 or 5 times a week, since he is basically free running.

Doug

[gonehuntin']

I road mine off a bike all summer long. I would never hook one to it; it's just too dangerous. I let the free run two to three days a week alongside the bike at about 10mph with occasional wind sprints. For resistance, one or two days a week I have them drag logging chain behind a pulling harness. They can only go about two miles dragging about 40 # of chain.

Trust me when I say you're only moments away from disaster when you hook a dog to a bike, even with a break away unit. I personally, would never do it.

[bobman]

Geesh,

I'm the one that suggested Matt get one and I've used one for years there is no way the dog can pull you over no matter how big the dog is and they work great. If my 55 year old achy butt can handle it his young self wont have any problems, heck my 120 lb daughters use it with our husky. I just recommened he put a thread on the site so he could get good roading harness recommendations.

If I had a 10 month old pointer that couldn't jog along side a bike for 30 minutes I would give him away. Matt just got it a week ago the dog and he will get into a groove in a couple weeks. ANd even if the dogs pulling its nothing like real roading because the rolling resistance of a bike is so low.

Its the safest and simplest way to run a dog in areas near traffic without getting him hit by a car. I have a 95 lb husky thats a deer running devil and he can't pull me over on it and he could drag a team of EPs backwards in a pulling contest. Its a well designed means to safely give your dog some exercise.

I was hoping Wildrose or true blue and the others on here could recommend good sources and brands of roading harnessses and why they recommend a specific one because thats the part of the springer I don't like. I use a roading harnesses and but my harness is probably older than Matt.

People that haven't tried something should maybe not be so quick to say its a bad idea, I have a lot of respect for the knowledge on this board, I would like tutoring info on roading harnesses also

thanks
Bob

[ohiogsp]

http://www.dresslersdog.com/dog-harness.html#4419

The one that says Scotts padded pulling harness is the ones I have they work very good.

[steingre]

Just my 2 cents:

I've used the springer for 4 years; I would caution against saying that you "can't" be pulled over- it only happened to me once- but unless your dog(s) is COMPLETELY obedient, having Bambi jump out of the bushes right in front of him/her may just be too much of a temptation! I went over- no permanent damage to me, the bike, or the dog!!!

My sessions go like this:

1) 1/2 to 1 mile of "pulling" to get to a spot that I can free run the dog- brakes applied "judiciously"!
2) Free run along the bike, with a couple of stops at fields where they can "hunt", and I have to walk- depends on how much time I have- 30- 40 minutes usually, sometimes a swim at the end
3) Hitch up and 1/2 to 1 mile back home- they are usually not pulling at this time- I set the speed on the bike, depending on how they appear- if it is hot, it is more of a "cool down" period.

[Casper]

I bought harnesses for this lady. She custom makes them for your dog so they fit real nice and they are priced real nice. The Urban Train Harness is probably the one I would suggest for this kind of usage.

http://alpineoutfitters.net/Secure/Scri ... roduct=155

I like these over the leather harnesses. Dogs seem to have more freedom of movement in the shoulders. I have the hybrid harness for my two dogs.

[mtlee]

Thanks for all the comments guys. I realize my situation is not ideal, but I'm STUCK in the city for 2 more years until I graduate. I'm trying to do the best I can with what I've got! I will definitely get a better harness.

For those who are skeptical about the Springer, please take a look at the video (www.youtube.com Search for "Springer Demo" Its the first video). I realize that nothing is impossible, but it seems like it would be extremely hard to be pulled over based on this video and my 2 days of use! I'd be just as likely to trip and fall while I was running with the dogs in my opinion

[natetnc]

i live off of a main road and all i have is a fenced in back yard (.5 acre). i would rather have my dog gain a little weight in the off season and have to slim her down than to have her laying on the side of the road. i have tried running with her but as most of us are, i am just too out of shape.

rollerblading, yeah, i will NEVER try that one again! anyone ever seen "the great outdoors" with john candy? well the scene where dan aykroyd pulls john candy behind the ski boat, well that was me. luckily i decided to try this where we were out of all types of danger (besides myself) so no one was in real danger, however if i would have been near traffic it could have been really bad.

after looking at this bike thing i may attempt this, hopefully it wont turn out like the rollerblading incident

[gonehuntin']

I was hoping Wildrose or true blue and the others on here could recommend good sources and brands of roading harnessses and why they recommend a specific one because thats the part of the springer I don't like. I use a roading harnesses and but my harness is probably older than Matt.

People thanks
Bob

The one most guys use for PULLING, is the one Lion Country sells, the padded one. For roading, most use the orange nylon one. I use the orange one for both and have had no ill effectly on the dog. I do think to pulling, the padded model is better because the dog pulls with the padding across his chest and is cushioned more. Although I'm happy with the orange ones, I may go to the padded this year for the logging chain. Just for the heck of it.

I'm almost certain those are the same ones Rose uses.

[bobman]

Natenc I use it and I'm a old fart, you wont have any problems, its like anything there is a learning curve but you couldn't get me on roller blades if you pointed a gun at me so I doubt this will be to hard to master.

[natetnc]

you couldn't get me on roller blades if you pointed a gun at me

is the case with me now. blades came from goodwill and have since been returned.

[MarineX]

Congratulations on the Springer and starting the fun journey of biking with your dog. I don’t see any issues with starting your dog at 10 months. Just use common sense and let the dog tell you when he’s been overworked and whatnot.When first starting out keep a close eye on his pads, until they toughen up. Dogs can handle way more than most will ever expect out of them and are designed for traveling. I personally don’t use a Springer I attach the line (10’) directly to my handle bar stem that has a small bungie cord around it. The Urban/Distance type harnesses are best for bike and they’re more designed for it and the angle associated with biking versus something like an X-back harness.
I bike my 10 month old Jagdterrier that weighs 16.5lbs all the time. We are averaging about 70 miles a week. I’m still taking it easy on him as he’s still a pup our longest trip has been 17.3 miles and we done it at a slow pace finishing in 1 hour and 20 minutes. Once he gets older and more filled out, I’ll bump up the pace and distances accordingly. At that time I’ll be expecting him to run 30 miles and complete it around the hour and a half mark.
I wouldn’t worry too much about over working your dog. You can see they can handle way more than us human. A 12mph run is equivalent to a 5 minute mile and a pace a dog can keep for a very long while. If my little dog can tow my 200lb rump around yours won’t have any problems. Typically they’ll start out extremely fast (excess of 22mph) and once going they’ll find their stride and settle in to a consistent pace. Enjoy the journey, once getting used to it let your kids have some fun to with being towed around the neighborhood by their "buddy". On our days off my son (10) loves to hook up the dog to his scooter and go around the neighborhood so each of them can blow off some pent up energy.

[natetnc]

At that time I’ll be expecting him to run 30 miles and complete it around the hour and a half mark.

Typically they’ll start out extremely fast (excess of 22mph) and once going they’ll find their stride and settle in to a consistent pace.

30mi in 1.5 hrs is averaging 20mph, he is going to be hauling. it probably wont be too difficult thought if he

can tow my 200lb rump around

at 13mph.

[Nebraska]

When my 14.5 year old GSP was young (1.5 years), I taught her to heel to my mountain bike and we both REALLY enjoyed those runs!! She liked the exercise and I like watching do such a wonderful job on HEEL. We started very slow to work through the distactions but it didn't take long at all for her to be 100% because she was having so much fun!!

BTW - She was already fully trained on HEEL to my side so I didn't use an attachment and started in open parking lots on the bike so I could constantly change my speed/direction without having to worry about cars, people, etc. and she picked it right up.

[Nebraska]

Another point on heeling to my bike is that I spent as much time riding so slowly I could barely keep my balance (and turned alot of corners) as I did with the dog "jogging" straight ahead. I set the pace and she had to constantly watch my bike to see what to do and that made it kind of a game for both of us....

I would also give her a WHOA at random corners so she would have to stop as I rode on. After that, I'd ride circles around her and pass her from behind to make sure she was steady until I released her with the HEEL command again.

It was so much fun I'm actually smiling just thinking back about it now... I wish she was that young again...

Good luck with your pup!!

[fishvik]

I run both my dogs off of a bike at heel and have had no problems. I usually go 4-8 miles and I run them along low use county roads bordered by hay and spud fields here in E. Idaho. They will sometimes take off into the fields or swim in a ditch, but controling them is pretty easy. My worst experience has been when they both spotted and got sprayed by a skunk. Another guy in the area runs his GSP with one of those yoyo leashes and he says that works fine.