Dog Community

best way to bike with a dog

Posted : 11/24/2007 10:16:50 AM

My 12 yr old niece who is EXTREMELY petite wants to bike with her westie. She does it sometimes now just holding the leash but I thought for Christmas I would get her one of those bike attachements.

Anyone use them?

Is there a best one?

thanks

Jewlieee

Posted : 11/24/2007 10:30:13 AM

I have heard that the Springer version is the best although I have not used any of them so that's just based on rumor.

Pwca

Posted : 11/24/2007 1:06:55 PM

I've used a springer, and I liked it pretty well, but I think bikejoring is definately more fun, easier, and safer if you've got a dog who would not come back if he/she got loose. Unfortunately, it's got a bit more of a learning curve, so YMMV. Depending on your niece's age, I'd either get her the springer or a bikejoring setup (xback harness fitted for their dog, bungee tugline, and "Dogs Love To Run";) and help her get started.

cairnterriers

Posted : 11/24/2007 2:03:32 PM

I'm 13 and I like to bike with my Cairn Terrier sometimes. I just use a leash but I would also be interested in getting a bike attachment as well. I've heard those springer things are nice, but I think it's detachable, which is a problem because when Riley gets loose, he doesn't come back.

badrap

Posted : 11/24/2007 5:03:53 PM

I bike with my dogs every morning now, and we use only a leash and a flat buckle collar. I think the most important thing is this: For safety, you MUST have a reliable "WAIT" command. It has happened to me a few times where I've needed to stop suddenly for traffic or road hazards, and I can't imagine how bad that would be with a running dog who won't "wait" reliably. I also think that "right" and "left" or however you choose to deliver the command is important. Also, I keep my dogs no more than 2 feet away from me at all times and I try to read when there might be an unexpected bathroom break- I have fallen hard a few times when my dogs forgot to issue am "wait" command to ME... LOL...

I would like to try an attachment as well, simply because I assume that they might be safer, but I do feel more in control of the dog with the leash in my hand. I think that strong "wait" commands would be DOUBLY important with attachments...... just from the perspective of someone who's taken quite a few bad spills.