What is the opinion of taking a dog while riding the trails? I have never seen a dog on the trails however I ride alone because I can't seem to find anyone whom have the "want to" to ride the trails. I have a 8 month old border collie and considered taking her out this morning with me. I did not take her! I generally do not see anyone, however it is the thought of IF I saw someone what would they think and how would the dog act. She is not agressive.

i have taken my 8 mo old lab mix out a few times! she LOVES IT! she follows close behind the entire time and does not stop untill i do! if i pass other riders she just sticks with me.

also just to throw it it. She loves to swim right next to me when i kayak also lol. she just swims right behind the boat and doesnt stop until we are at the end!

i have two friends who take their dogs on rides, and i've seen a bunch of others. as long as the dog isn't getting in the way of other riders or in any way interfering with other riders, then you should take the dog with you and let the dog have some fun. nothing wrong with dogs on the trail. just don't let them poop on the trail.

Post a pic of your Border Collie... I have 2... they are amazing dogs...!!!!

I hate dogs. I hate dogs on trails even worse. They get all in your spokes and mess the wheels up.

I hate no man. But I do strongly dislike grouchy gay old men who speak ill of dogs. That is all I have to say about that.

Dude you're like some sot of stalker....creeper is more like it. Do you know anything about brakes???? No? Then go away.

You are right. I know nothing about brakes. I never use them. It is my understanding that brakes are used to slow you down. I never slow down. Brakes are for girls and gay old roadies. Which one are you 66?

I use dogs on the trail to slow me down......you need to keep up.

...awesome fun if you can trust your dog.

However your dog must be cool enough to ditch the leash.

...forget about any type of leash, I broke two fingers.

Wow...I can hurt myself without help. I can't imagine holding a leash while I'm riding.

holding a leash while riding really dosent sound good at all lol.. thats a death trap waiting to happen, the pooch goes left on the tree you go right, both of you go BOOM

Dog maybe, Leash NO! That situtation could end up very painful like Johnny Law stated. As far as crapping on the trail, I would not know how to stop her and the 2nd thought cattle, deer and coyotes do enough crapping on the trail I do not know why it would hurt if a dog crapped in the trail. Yes, I have crashed and burned in a big pile of excrement (big word for sh**).

I bring my cocker spaniel on solo rides. She's great off the leash, doesn't crap on the trail and will keep up for an hour to ninety minutes before getting tired (albeit at a slower pace than normal). She runs right behind me so I put a small bear-bell on her collar so I know that she's still close. When we meet hikers or other riders on the trail, I cede the way and she'll stay with me without running after anyone else.

I don't bring her with me if I go out with other human beings. She gets a little distracted and those rides are often a quicker pace.

Some of the trails I ride are quite close to new subdivisions. Nearly every ride I'm on I'll pass someone either hiking or riding with a dog.

Here in WNC you see them alot! I think it is great if you have dogs that will stick with you. My two four legged pups would get side tracked onto game and I wiould never see them again!

Good trail dogs on the trail are awesome. Bad trail dogs on the trail suck and are dangerous. Was that too simple???

In my experience, most would be cool with it but some would disapprove.

That's your responsibility.

My boxer (my avatar is her the day after I got her) has no idea how to pace herself. If we go for a run she goes full bore and can then barely finish. I tried and tried and tried to get her to slow down but it never really worked. I would love to take her on the trails but I know better. That's a disaster waiting to happen.

There is a solid rider in my neck of the woods/desert who rides with his Jack Russell Terrier. The terrier just tears it up. I never saw a dog run so hard for so long.

The runners out here take dogs quite a bit. Some are not well behaved and cause some problems, CRYPT is right, make sure your dog will "follow your commands" when out on the trail.

IMHO a leash equals injury while riding a bike.

I take my Boxer out often - the normal loop is about 10 miles with 1600" of climbing - no sweat, she does great. About 2 weeks ago I took her out on an 18 miler with nearly 4000" vertical - and she was slowing way down the last 4-5 miles. No leash - and she stays right with me. I try to only take her when i know there are going to be few people around - not because she will wander or chase, but she seems to make people nervous because of her looks.

I still say trail dogs suck!!!!

true, i never really thought of it like that. When outside, enjoying Creation, on a bike, who cares if the dog poops on the trail, HECK! i may start pulling my pants down and crapping on the trail!

Not to turn this into a thread about dogsheet but in the same sense that pick up after your dog when walking it in a park or down the street, it takes two seconds to flip it five feet off the trail. You still don't have to cart it around with you but no one is going to ride through it or step in it.

them are some cute sucky trail dogs.

You should probably look into your local leash laws before trying anything.