roading your dog w/bicycle
- mossanimal
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roading your dog w/bicycle
Hello,
I want to start exercising my dog on back-country roads with my mountain bike (once the snow melts!). I'm looking at a couple of different products... The Springer dog jogger and the Walky Dog. Is anybody familiar with these? Or does anybody have any general advice for bicycle roading dogs?
Thanks!
I want to start exercising my dog on back-country roads with my mountain bike (once the snow melts!). I'm looking at a couple of different products... The Springer dog jogger and the Walky Dog. Is anybody familiar with these? Or does anybody have any general advice for bicycle roading dogs?
Thanks!
Re: roading your dog w/bicycle
get the springer good unit
currently two shorthairs, four english pointers, one Brittany, one SPRINGER a chihuahua and a min pin lol
Re: roading your dog w/bicycle
I have tried roading off a bike but it was tricky to say the least, I do like to free run the dog off the bike though.
Re: roading your dog w/bicycle
I used to do that until i ended up in the ditch a few times. Teach your dog "haw and gee" first.
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- gonehuntin'
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Re: roading your dog w/bicycle
That's how I keep mine in shape, that and swimming beside a kayak. It kind of depends on what you have in mind, letting the dog's pull you, or pedaling with them free running. That's how I do it. I get on a gravel road (actually, we have a 30 mile long bike trail up here, all gravel), keep ecollars on them, and just let them run free. If I'm building muscle, I have them drag logging chain.
If you have a lot of traffic, you'll have to use the springer. I have never used it, but the people that have them, like them. That may have to do with weight. The heavier you are, the harder it is for the dogs to tip you or make you veer. A springer also keeps the pressure point low on the bike to make it more stable.
Don't ever tie the lead to you, or to your bike. Take that as a word to the wise from someone that has done it.
If you have a lot of traffic, you'll have to use the springer. I have never used it, but the people that have them, like them. That may have to do with weight. The heavier you are, the harder it is for the dogs to tip you or make you veer. A springer also keeps the pressure point low on the bike to make it more stable.
Don't ever tie the lead to you, or to your bike. Take that as a word to the wise from someone that has done it.
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Re: roading your dog w/bicycle
If you have the resources...Dennis from Skydance Kennels has a nice bike...http://www.skydancekennels.com/images/2 ... ng800a.jpg...and beautiful area to road...near a state park in WI
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- LoveMyGSPs
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Re: roading your dog w/bicycle
Wow. I didnt know that made stuff like that. I just get on the 4 wheeler or golf cart and he runs right along it, on leash. Very interesting looking equipment!
*!~Shantel~!*
Re: roading your dog w/bicycle
google whiz wheels get the tour modelLoveMyGSPs wrote:Wow. I didnt know that made stuff like that. I just get on the 4 wheeler or golf cart and he runs right along it, on leash. Very interesting looking equipment!
currently two shorthairs, four english pointers, one Brittany, one SPRINGER a chihuahua and a min pin lol
Re: roading your dog w/bicycle
I don't care for the bike products because the dog learns to run along side ...and it's dangerous. That is not what I want from roading. I want them PULLING and I don't want to worry about a squirrel running across the path and dumping me. I would reccommend this product because it is MUCH safer than a bike and provides better conditioning for the dog.
http://www.dogscooter.com
I stripped the batteries and chain from my sons old Schwinn Scooter and it worked pretty well. Several of us would get together in the summer and road dogs in the state parks.
http://www.dogscooter.com
I stripped the batteries and chain from my sons old Schwinn Scooter and it worked pretty well. Several of us would get together in the summer and road dogs in the state parks.
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Re: roading your dog w/bicycle
I just use a simple roading harness, just be sure to keep one hand on the brake
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Re: roading your dog w/bicycle
Anything wrong with using a treadmill? I can drink beer and run my dog at the same time.
Re: roading your dog w/bicycle
Carl uses the walky dog attachment on his bike at our local reservoir. It worked really well for conditioning for this past fall season. In fact I cut down food portions at the end of the season and ended up having to "up" it again for two of our dogs because their metabolism was still revving apparently and they LOST weight on lay-off when they certainly didn't need to. They were definitely in the best condition they've been in for a trial season. It's tough when you don't have the land to use a 4-wheeler or golf cart and you don't have a big enough safe place for alot of free running.
He wore out a set of brakes in the first 4 months he used the bike. The dogs vary in their desire to pull, etc. Our Irish Setter has never liked "roading" of any sort- off the 4-wheeler at the trainers, etc. So he gives Carl the worst time about it. He runs along for the first 15 minutes or so and then Carl has to pedal to keep him going. Now with the Brittanys it's a different ballgame. They take off SCREAMING at the top of their lungs and Carl doesn't touch the pedals til he hits the first big uphill with them, lol....They are why he wore the brakes out by the way!
Pitfalls are people who want to talk to the dogs and SQUIRRELS and ground hogs. He hasn't been spilled off the bike yet but it's come close when a dog sees a critter off to the side. We do varied things for conditioning including using a treadmill (coming in handy this week with another 10" of snow on the ground), some free running in a pretty limited area, dragging chain weights while in harness walking them and the biking. We also get them to the trainers on occasion for free running and to some state lands when the cover is beat down enough to keep track of them.
With all the snow we've had in Ohio this winter I keep threatening to buy him a dog sled or at the very least ski's but he's not liking either of those ideas! Kristi
He wore out a set of brakes in the first 4 months he used the bike. The dogs vary in their desire to pull, etc. Our Irish Setter has never liked "roading" of any sort- off the 4-wheeler at the trainers, etc. So he gives Carl the worst time about it. He runs along for the first 15 minutes or so and then Carl has to pedal to keep him going. Now with the Brittanys it's a different ballgame. They take off SCREAMING at the top of their lungs and Carl doesn't touch the pedals til he hits the first big uphill with them, lol....They are why he wore the brakes out by the way!
Pitfalls are people who want to talk to the dogs and SQUIRRELS and ground hogs. He hasn't been spilled off the bike yet but it's come close when a dog sees a critter off to the side. We do varied things for conditioning including using a treadmill (coming in handy this week with another 10" of snow on the ground), some free running in a pretty limited area, dragging chain weights while in harness walking them and the biking. We also get them to the trainers on occasion for free running and to some state lands when the cover is beat down enough to keep track of them.
With all the snow we've had in Ohio this winter I keep threatening to buy him a dog sled or at the very least ski's but he's not liking either of those ideas! Kristi
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- mossanimal
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Re: roading your dog w/bicycle
These are all great points... Thanks y'all! Looks I will have to decide between letting her free run and getting a Springer/Walky Dog type of thing. I haven't actually tried having her free run with me on a bike yet. I live out in the country in Northern Wisconsin and we don't have a ton of traffic, but enough for me to worry about where she is. If I can get my bike up to the county forest roads, free running would be no problem. BTW... I DO have a brittany (french). Are you saying that if I use a Springer-type device, she will actually pull me on my bike????
Re: roading your dog w/bicycle
Well cross-country you'll probably have to pedal more. There is a bike path at our reservoir Carl uses- he keeps the bike on the path and the dog is in the grass beside the path. He does take them on some of the trails. Just depends on how much your dog likes to pull. Our Brits love pulling. The oldest Irish not so much. Kristi
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- LoveMyGSPs
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Re: roading your dog w/bicycle
Nothing wrong with using a treadmill! Esp if you cant get the dog out to exercise.
Have you guys ever seen the dog whisperer on Natgeo? He gets his pack of dogs and they pull him while he is on roller blades. Looks like fun! lol Of course, those arent hunting dogs.
Have you guys ever seen the dog whisperer on Natgeo? He gets his pack of dogs and they pull him while he is on roller blades. Looks like fun! lol Of course, those arent hunting dogs.
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- gonehuntin'
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Re: roading your dog w/bicycle
If you use a treadmill, make darn sure YOU AIR THE DOG FIRST!!!
Those recumbent bikes are darn expensive and a dog scooter is ridiculous in price. If you want the dog to pull, buy an adult Schwinn or some other brand, 10 speed three wheeler. With a cute pink basket on the front. The dogs can pull those, they're almost impossible to tip, and they're cheap. Beware though! I differ from Yawl on this. You don't want to just build muscle on a dog. That's great for young dogs, but once they muscle out, then go for sprints and endurace. Ever see a muscle bound Marathoner, or any other runner?
Thing with a bike is, recumbent or otherwise, you're going to have to make it back to where you started. With a bike you can pedal back. Not much on "scootin".
Those recumbent bikes are darn expensive and a dog scooter is ridiculous in price. If you want the dog to pull, buy an adult Schwinn or some other brand, 10 speed three wheeler. With a cute pink basket on the front. The dogs can pull those, they're almost impossible to tip, and they're cheap. Beware though! I differ from Yawl on this. You don't want to just build muscle on a dog. That's great for young dogs, but once they muscle out, then go for sprints and endurace. Ever see a muscle bound Marathoner, or any other runner?
Thing with a bike is, recumbent or otherwise, you're going to have to make it back to where you started. With a bike you can pedal back. Not much on "scootin".
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Re: roading your dog w/bicycle
gonehunting, "you air the dog first".....please explain.
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Re: roading your dog w/bicycle
I'm guessing here, but I'm thinking it means make sure they do their business outside first, so they aren't doing it on the treadmill once they start exercising... but I'm only guessing here....nolimitgsp wrote:gonehunting, "you air the dog first".....please explain.
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Re: roading your dog w/bicycle
I run heidi 3.6-5 miles every day in the city. I ride an old schwinn cruiser with riser bars. The upright position and high bars on the bike make it really easy to ride with a dog. I ride one handed, with the leash in my other hand. My arm acts as a boom to control the dog through turns, etc. I have a coaster brake so I dont have to sqeeze a lever. When we get going she will be sprinting alongside me for miles.
- gonehuntin'
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Re: roading your dog w/bicycle
It was an attempt at humor. "Airing" a dog is letting it take a dump, or "air out" before it is exercised. When you work a dog on a treadmill, most people run a double leash, or two leashes from the dogs collar to each front support of the treadmill. That keeps the dog in the center of the machine.nolimitgsp wrote:gonehunting, "you air the dog first".....please explain.
Now, as you know, when a dog stops to take a dump, it is pretty much instant. The pile is then neatly carried under and through the machine. What a mess to clean up. Air the dog first.
LIFE WITHOUT BIRD DOGS AND FLY RODS REALLY ISN'T LIFE AT ALL.
Re: roading your dog w/bicycle
GH I have a recumbent for personal exercise expensive yes but far cheaper than a heart attack and so comfortable once you have one you wont want to go back. They also really strenghthen your knees which for us older farts is great.
They suck off pavement though
Unless you are a total clutz a brittany is not going to pull you over with a springer, I have a 100lb husky that would drag a brittany down the road backards and he can't pull me overon my regular bike, the thing is real well designed to prevent that. The only thing I changed is I use a real roading harness.
Its the easiest cheapest way to safely condition a dog in traffic prone areas, and it will get you in shape also.
Ross your buddy mtlee has one I think
They suck off pavement though
Unless you are a total clutz a brittany is not going to pull you over with a springer, I have a 100lb husky that would drag a brittany down the road backards and he can't pull me overon my regular bike, the thing is real well designed to prevent that. The only thing I changed is I use a real roading harness.
Its the easiest cheapest way to safely condition a dog in traffic prone areas, and it will get you in shape also.
Ross your buddy mtlee has one I think
currently two shorthairs, four english pointers, one Brittany, one SPRINGER a chihuahua and a min pin lol
Re: roading your dog w/bicycle
I would use the springer, I think it gives more stability. Although it will not fit all bikes. Most every dog can out run me even when I'm on my road bike. With a mountain bike they usually will do circles around me so most all gundogs would be pulling and not just running along side you. If you have even a little traffic I wouldn't risk letting them run free (my dogs have no car sense) because of their speed. You will not be able to keep up with them if they start to chase something. I am usually able to run my dog in a large open area but if I'm anywhere with cars they go on the springer. If you are going to ride on a trail or bike path you will have to adjust your riding as you will need a wider path. A bike path will work but with other walkers/bikers on the path it makes it a little tight.
Gary
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- mossanimal
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Re: roading your dog w/bicycle
Thanks for that Gary. I'm starting to lean towards getting a springer. How did your dogs take to it at first???
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Re: roading your dog w/bicycle
That Springer looks like just the thing I've been looking for. Can anyone tell me who sells them and about how much they go for.
By the way I live on Long Island where all we have are cars and can not release a dog without worrying if you are going to get him back! I've been roading using a mountain bike for year, sometimes as many as 4 dogs at one time, they work great, but have taken my share of falls. The one bit of advice I will give is make sure you have good brakes! That Springer unit looks like it would work great.
By the way I live on Long Island where all we have are cars and can not release a dog without worrying if you are going to get him back! I've been roading using a mountain bike for year, sometimes as many as 4 dogs at one time, they work great, but have taken my share of falls. The one bit of advice I will give is make sure you have good brakes! That Springer unit looks like it would work great.
Re: roading your dog w/bicycle
It also is made so that if you go on one side of a road sign pole etc and the dog goes on the other, the spring releases automatically.
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Re: roading your dog w/bicycle
Dogs didn't have any problem with them as soon as they started. I had been riding around them for a while before using it though.
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Re: roading your dog w/bicycle
Okay I missunderstood what a Springer is, I don't see how you can do any more than 2 dogs, maybe. What I want to know was where can you get the funny looking tricycle and about what it costs.
http://www.skydancekennels.com/images/2 ... ng800a.jpg...
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- gonehuntin'
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Re: roading your dog w/bicycle
Any good bike shop handles recumbent bikes. They're around a grand.Joe Amatulli wrote:Okay I missunderstood what a Springer is, I don't see how you can do any more than 2 dogs, maybe. What I want to know was where can you get the funny looking tricycle and about what it costs.
http://www.skydancekennels.com/images/2 ... ng800a.jpg...
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Re: roading your dog w/bicycle
decent recumbents are around 2 grand
currently two shorthairs, four english pointers, one Brittany, one SPRINGER a chihuahua and a min pin lol
Re: roading your dog w/bicycle
I used to road my off bike all the time. The only downside I have to roading off bike is that I only feel confortable roading one dog at a time. When you have a few dogs it would eat up quite a bit of time.
I would go to the park down the road where they kept the grass cut (this prevent the dog's pad for getting chewed up by the concrete). I put the dog in a roading harness and attach a 10" check cord that would have a knot in the end of it (for easier holding). I would cut the dog lose, holding the check cord in one hand and applying the break with the other - making sure the entire time that there was tension in the check cord and that the dog was always pulling. If something happened I would just let the check cord go. I found that if you looped the check cord 3/4 around the handle bar, it would take less strenght to hold the dog but you could still let go if you needed to. If I had a dog that was in shape, I would never pedel, they would always be pulling me and l would have the break on (buy yourself extra break pads!). Dogs that I was building up I would adjust the break pressure or pedel so that they didn't get burned out too quickly but always made sure that they were pulling to some degree.
If you want a safer option and one that you can feel comfortable roading multiple dogs from, find an old riding lawnmower. Strip the engine out of it. Install a break if it doesn't have one, and attach your dogs to the front like you would sled dogs, Hit the whistle and ride around the park in style!
I would go to the park down the road where they kept the grass cut (this prevent the dog's pad for getting chewed up by the concrete). I put the dog in a roading harness and attach a 10" check cord that would have a knot in the end of it (for easier holding). I would cut the dog lose, holding the check cord in one hand and applying the break with the other - making sure the entire time that there was tension in the check cord and that the dog was always pulling. If something happened I would just let the check cord go. I found that if you looped the check cord 3/4 around the handle bar, it would take less strenght to hold the dog but you could still let go if you needed to. If I had a dog that was in shape, I would never pedel, they would always be pulling me and l would have the break on (buy yourself extra break pads!). Dogs that I was building up I would adjust the break pressure or pedel so that they didn't get burned out too quickly but always made sure that they were pulling to some degree.
If you want a safer option and one that you can feel comfortable roading multiple dogs from, find an old riding lawnmower. Strip the engine out of it. Install a break if it doesn't have one, and attach your dogs to the front like you would sled dogs, Hit the whistle and ride around the park in style!
Re: roading your dog w/bicycle
I have one of those Springer gadgets, I got it from Foster and Smith. I liked it well enough, but.... once one of my Wirehairs lunged toward another dog and the spring sprang her back at me, and one of her paws went into my spokes on the tire and we almost had a wreck. I haven't used it since. That was quite a few years ago, with a Wirehair that had a really strong prey drive, and although she was pretty obedient, her adrenaline was up with running and ... Wham! :roll: I had visions of bringing her home with a broken leg, so I haven't used it since.
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Re: roading your dog w/bicycle
Wrong again gonehuntin.... I believe that cardio is just as important as resistance training. My point was that for this type of exercise I want the dog "pulling" and not pacing himself next to me. For cardio, I prefer swimming, free running and treadmill work.Beware though! I differ from Yawl on this. You don't want to just build muscle on a dog. That's great for young dogs, but once they muscle out, then go for sprints and endurance. Ever see a muscle bound Marathoner, or any other runner?
Re: roading your dog w/bicycle
Well after watching your videos you might need to step it up a little "fatty" how do you exercise your dogs?For cardio, I prefer swimming, free running and treadmill work.
currently two shorthairs, four english pointers, one Brittany, one SPRINGER a chihuahua and a min pin lol
Re: roading your dog w/bicycle
Yeah well, I can lose weight. You'll always be ugly!
Re: roading your dog w/bicycle
Jeez, that explains why your dog kind of reminds me of the Russian in Rocky IVYawallac wrote: For cardio, I prefer swimming, free running and treadmill work.
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- gonehuntin'
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Re: roading your dog w/bicycle
Then why didn't ya say so??? Sheesh. Pointer guys. :roll:Yawallac wrote: Wrong again gonehuntin.... I believe that cardio is just as important as resistance training. My point was that for this type of exercise I want the dog "pulling" and not pacing himself next to me. For cardio, I prefer swimming, free running and treadmill work.
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- mossanimal
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Re: roading your dog w/bicycle
Well, on this note.. I'm signing off. Thanks again for the info!
Re: roading your dog w/bicycle
Yawallac wrote:Yeah well, I can lose weight. You'll always be ugly!
Yeah but I dont have any mirrors so suffer
currently two shorthairs, four english pointers, one Brittany, one SPRINGER a chihuahua and a min pin lol
Re: roading your dog w/bicycle
do you really need one of those springer things?? i just put the end of my dogs leash around the seat pole of the bike and go. they figure it out pretty fast. i use a harness on him instead of just attaching to the collar, though. after a while he even figured out what gee and haw meant.
Re: roading your dog w/bicycle
Hubby says he likes the attachment cause he knows the dogs can't get under the tires or in front of the bike. He also uses the harness on them when biking. Kristi
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