Netdewt

I have a chocolate lab, 8 months old. She is a 50 pound ball of energy, and not good about listening yet. My town enforces leash laws, or so I hear. Is there really a way to bike with her? I think she'd just pull me over...

cyclist2000

I tried this with a couple of dogs. the first was a chow and it pulled me everywhere. The second was a 45 lb mutt that didn't listen sometimes, I had the leash on my hand and it pulled me perpendicular to the direction of the bike and I fell off the bike, landed on my palms, I fractured the radial head of my elbow. So it really isn't a good idea with a big dog.

dogontour

I bike with three dogs. Bear is 45 lbs and he bikes alone always. Tucker is 70 lbs and Jasmine is 55 lbs. They have biked seperate and together. If done right then it can be a lot of fun and safe. However, I wouldn't want to try it with a dog that can't listen to directions. You need to train him to listen to you while you walk and run, train him things like slow/easy, stop, wait, go, left & right. Once you feel confident in his listening/obeying skills then you can start on the bike but know that he won't realize at first that slow means the same thing when you're on the bike as it does when you're on foot. Just go through the same steps with the commands that you did on foot and he'll catch on fast that they mean the same thing and he should be ready to ride. It does take some time (maybe a few weeks, maybe a few months depending on dog/owner team) but it is worth it to wait until he's trained because you'll be less likely to hurt you or your dog.

They make things called Walkydog and Springers. There are others too but I can't think of the names off the top of my head. They are designed to hold the leash and have bungee lines in them to cushion the pulling. But whenever you run a dog with a bike you really need to use a good harness, not a collar. For my dogs, I have a bungee line that I attach them to (and a coupler line for when Jasmine and Tucker riun together). The bungee line is attached to the steering tube (not the handlebars). It's out in front because my dogs are trained to pull the bike but if your dog isn't trained to pull then you will want to consider using one of the types of devices I mentioned.

You said your dog is 8 months. You shouldn't run a puppy until they're full grown, especially if you don't know how prone he is to hip displaysia. They can run while they're playing but to have them run along side you for a longer period of time is too much for their growing joints.

These rides really should be for your dog's enjoyment, not yours. So you go at his pace, don't push him. Dogs need lots of water so bring along plenty for him. If you notice he's panting too hard or is forming foam then he needs a break in the shade. A good rule to follow is the 120 rule. If the temperature (in Ferinheit) and the humidity add up to 120 then it is too hot to run your dog. You can still take him out for a leisurely walk but running will be too hard on him.

Biking with my dogs is one of my favorite activities, and my dogs' favorite activities too so I love seeing other people giving it a try. But please keep you and your dog safe and you'll get to enjoy it for a long time.

Tiff

JazNine

Other than playing fetch with a tennis ball, in my experience a walk-and-roll is the best way to tire out a young labrador retriever. A tired lab puppy can be a wonderful thing. The pace does not have to be fast. I use a mountain bike and a leash, one hand for the bike, one hand for the dog. The dog sets the pace as much as possible. You'll figure out pretty quickly whether this is a good idea for you. Not everyone can control a dog while riding a bicycle. If you feel uncomfortable I'd stay away from it ... and wear a helmet.

billyymc

I've ridden with my dog on our relatively quiet neighborhood streets. I dont' really like doing it, but occasionally will do it if she needs some quick intense exercise. She's a 2 y.o. weimaraner, and fast as hll. She is generally pretty good next to the bike, but so fast that she constantly wants to go faster -- so when she hears me change gears, she changes gears. I only do this late a night with this dog, but I've done it with previous dogs who were more trotters...this one is a flat out sprinter.

My preference is MTB with her though. Try to do it at off times so as to minimize inconvenience to other trail users. I'll even take her at night...just put some lights on the bike and my helmet, and clip a blinky onto her collar.

If you want to ride with your dog next to your bike while holding a leash, practice at slow speed, making circles and turns...so she/he can get used to what's going on. And don't do it in a busy area...just a bad idea.

Dan The Man

I ride with my mutt Chico who is now 60 lbs. He is not a perfectly trained angel by any means, but it works fine mostly because I am good at controlling a bike and have done it with him for a year now. My dad who is much less experienced on a bike tried to ride with him and fell over and got hurt when Chico tugged to the side, so I think it depends a lot on the rider. If you feel comfortable moving at low speed, and balancing you can probably handle a dog.

I leash him to the seat post and he runs alongside, usually slightly behind me. Most of the time the leash is slack. If he needs to go to the bathroom or sees another dog or something he might pull towards the side. If he wants to go faster, then I go faster. So he is never much ahead of my pedals. He always stays on the right side.

The only two major catastrophes that can happen is 1) dog goes into either wheel. OW! or 2) dog cross wrong side of telephone pole or sign post OW. If you are worried about either of these, keep very slow, and use your voice. Chico seems to have a natural instinct to avoid both of these. We never really did any particular training.

Netdewt

Wow, yes. Ours is bonkers until she gets some exercise. We have a small city lot, so we spend a lot of time at the park, but I have to go just before dark so that the park is empty. Otherwise she barks at and/or greets people and I get yelled at for not having a leash on her.

How long of a leash would you use? 6'?

tonkatruckjk

Have been looking for some of the same suggestions - with two high-energy GSP's, I can walk them for 2 hours straight with no effect whatsoever.

Yesterday, I placed my order for the Walky Dog leash system, as I've tried riding with each separately, with near-devastating results. I'm fine on a bike by myself, 2 hands on the handlebars, but trying to manage the leash and make corrections - either to stay closer or speed up/slow down, etc, is a daunting task for me. I'll let you know how it goes with the Walky Dog once it arrives - seems to be fairly simple, and should help get them some exercise that's paced more for their speed.

Velo Dog

What Dogontour said. If the dog won't listen, you're courting disaster--and I mean REALLY listen, all the time.
I live near the tahoe national forest and rode mountain bikes there for several years in the '80s,, before the sport got popular and the trails filled up--I often rode a full day, 30 to 50 miles, seeing only a few cyclists or sometimes none at all. I took my (then-) dog often, and she'd roam a little but usually stay close enough to call her in and go home.
As I got older and feebler I switched to mainly road cycling, and I've tried to introduce three different dogs to the sport. I haven't spent the time training them that they need, and it hasn't worked at all well. If I wanted to start from scratch, I'd probably get the dog to walk on a loose leash first, then go find a big lawn and try having him stay near the bike (loose leash. LOOSE leash). If he got that really well, then maybe onto the street.
Full disclosure: I've been trying to get my Brittany spaniel to walk on a loose leash for three years, and she still only sort of gets it.
Also, +1 to the reminder that they need lots of water. If it's not available on the trails or at fountains, you have to carry it. We have a few streams in the mountains and a river downtown, and I make sure the dogs have a chance to get a drink (and get wet, if possible) a couple of times an hour.

Dan The Man

Chico definitely does not listen every time. But I just treat walking him with a bike like walking him on foot, (he is not perfect at that either) the only difference is that he is attached to my seat post, and the both of us can go much faster. He doesn't pull me over because I can control my bike well. Sometimes he wants to pull and sniff other dogs or plants, but I can just lean in the other direction, the same way I might pull if we were walking and he wanted to go play with the neighbours dog. If he wants to run fast, I will ride fast with him. If he wants to go slow, we ride slow. He always stays on the right, because that's where the sidewalk and the smells are. He doesn't like traffic, so we stay mostly on residential streets. He has enough instinctive sense not to walk into the bicycle. And he seems to have learned which side of signposts to go on without any special training. It's really not rocket science. Or a high risk activity.

Krys

I tried taking my 100lb mastiff/boxer mix and she knocked me off my bike within the first 10 minutes. I wouldn't recommend it with a big dog.

tonkatruckjk

Ok - verdict is in - have been on 5 rides with 2 dogs leashed up using the walky dog... (https://www.thedogoutdoors.com)

Amazing. My dogs are pooped! I'm getting exercise, they're getting exercise, and they have no chance of pulling me off the bike.

Full Disclosure - I'm a real big guy, just started riding for fitness, and realized that it would be great to take the dogs with. I don't ride exceptionally fast, nor exceptionally long. I take lots of water with me (3L camelback + 40oz in bottles) for the relatively short trips I take. In 30 minutes, I can accomplish more exercise with the dogs than what was possible in over 2hrs just walking them.

The ONLY thing that I had a problem with was the way the WD mounts to the bike - via a clamp around the saddle post, it's been a challenge to get it tight enough (my dogs often like to pull). I've had the clamps turn the post on me (tightened the post clamp).

Once that was done, great times with the dogs. I will warn, however - if you plan to ride with your dog(s) - realize that you're a much wider vehicle now than you were before. With the two dogs (one on each side), I'm about the width of a quad, so it's not feasible to ride anywhere than at the local park, and then - only with a STRONG awareness of your surroundings and others using the space...

If anyone has any quesitons, please let me know - more than happy to field them.

AdelaaR

I bike with my dog all the time.
It is the only way to get him some real exercise.
In Belgium, however, it is prohibited to bike with a dog on a leash ... ANY leash ... even the ones specificaly designed for biking with dogs.
So I just bike with my dog running free besides me
It does however take a lot of practice from both the rider and the dog and requires you to be a good leader and to make your dog listen & follow well, ofcourse.
This is however not a forum about raising and training dogs, so I won't get into that in detail

Frank Altomari

I use the Walkydog with our 30 pound Cocker Spaniel/Poodle mix. It attaches to the seat post, and has worked very well. I live in Florida, so we only ride after sundown. He is good for six miles three times a week. His pads initially cracked after the first week, but after a week off, his pads hardened, and he has no problems. He loves going for runs...

AdelaaR

Yeah their pads aren't made for asfalt, sadly enough, but it gets better after a while as you say.
I try to let him run on the grassy side of the road as much as possible though.

Exocet 98

Hey Pinocchio, try using your spell check!! LOL!!

AndrewP

Sometimes it is the dog that has the owner on a leash. 60 years ago they didnt have leah laws in UK, and when we went out with our Lab he would sometimes run next to my mother holding the hem of her skirt in his mouth.
I have seen the Walky Dog mounted on the chainstay pointed down, so if the dog pulled sideways there was very little tendency to pull the bike over. With it at the back of the bike it has zero effect on the steering

AdelaaR

The day you speak 5 languages, like me, is the day I will start paying attention to what you have to say about how I express myself.
"asfalt" is with an "F" in dutch, hence the easy mistake.
And yet again with this last post of yours you have done nothing to contribute to the subject at hand but instead have used up forum space to try and insult me.
You have been doing this for a while now, haven't you?
Perhaps the time has come for you to reflect upon yourself and consciously ask yourself why you are doing this.

marmot

I take my youngest, most energetic dog for a run on my bike every day. It's the highlight of his day, and a pleasant outing for me, too. I just use a four-foot leash, wrapped a couple of times around my hand, and I keep both hands on the bars unless I need to tug on the leash to get his attention or take a couple more wraps to reel him in when meeting other traffic on the trail. Axel -- a Catahoula-shepherd mix -- weighs about 70 pounds and is no obedience genius. But he took to the bike naturally, never pulls and has never given me an an anxious moment. Just out for a walk, he can be a bit of a jerk with other dogs. But trotting beside the bike, he's a perfect gentleman, ignoring other dogs -- even when challenged -- and whatever deer, geese, squirrels, chipmunks and groundhogs that pop up along the trail. I can't offer much advice, because for some reason Axel didn't need much instruction to become a great bike dog. I don't know whether it would go quite so well with a regular collar or a chest harness. I use a head collar on Axel -- the kind that loops around the muzzle. That discourages pulling and immediately transmits a tug if he gets distracted and turns his head. I let him dictate the speed, stop regularly to let him rest (he's working a lot harder than I am), and carry a squirt bottle to get some water into him, since he doesn't like to drink along the trail. Where I live there are tons of quiet streets, parks, bikeways and MUPs where other users are rare, so we stay away from traffic most of the time.

AdelaaR

Great to hear there's other people riding with their dogs, marmot

slorollin

My biking companion is a 75 lb. yellow lab named Gracie. She's 8 now and we've been doing this since she was about a year old. We tried a few different methods and took a few spills early on and maybe learned some things the hard way. Before attempting this I recommend that your dog be familiar with the leash and be able to "heel" reasonably well. Once you get her going her "follow the pack" instinct will kick in and she will amaze you at how fast she'll pick up the nuances and love doing it. I use a 6 foot leash and hold it LOOSLEY in my right hand with Gracie always on my right to keep her away from traffic as much as possible. You hold loosely so that you can let go in a pinch and don't ever attach the leash to your bike or wrap it around your arm. A large dog can pull even the strongest rider down if they catch you by surprise. At every intersection I tell her where we're going; I.E.: "Going straight, going left girl", etc. She's picked all this stuff up and now even knows how to u-turn. Unleashed dogs are our biggest hazard. They sometimes chase and get in the way. Usually they stop when you reach the edge of their perceived territory, but sometimes they don't. Most of the dogs in my neighborhood know us now. Dogs that used to go crazy at our approach don't even run to end of their yard anymore.
As a fellow Lab owner I understand what you're going through at this stage in her life. It is important to sap that energy every day before it becomes, ahem, misdirected. This a fun way to do it but it's not without hazards. It was fun to watch Gracie grow into it.
This is something that both my dog and I look forward to everyday. A few weeks back as we traveled through the neighborhood a kid yelled, "Hey mister! Y'all got the smartest dog in the world!"
Gracie held her head high that day!

slowandsteady

In general bad idea. Here is some math for ya.

1 medium sized dog+6 foot leash on left + me on bike + 1 squirrel on right = blood + 1 elbow -skin + 1 tacoed front wheel X 1 dog with a tire track + 1 laughing squirrel/long walk home

slorollin

Sorry about your mishap. I've taken a couple of falls over the years and may fall again. To me the payoff justifies the risk. Gracie trots right on past those distractions. Cats, gophers, rabbits, deer, squirrels, she'll run by them. She gets into a zone and at that moment her mission in life is to follow me. Dogs that come at us pose our biggest challenge.

marmot

Depends on the dog. I've encountered dozens of squirrels, chipmunks, groundhogs, deer, geese, cats, dogs and frogs -- often suddenly and at close range -- without the hint of a problem from my dog. Your results may vary...

slowandsteady

Well, I was walking a brittany/springer spaniel mix. Flushing game is what they were bred to do. I suppose it depends on your dog. Just realize that flipping over is a distinct possibility.