biking with dogs.

[mopinko]

so, in addition to committing to getting more exercise for myself, i have also been watching the dog whisperer, and am committed to walking my 4 dogs more. seems to make sense to do both at once, if possible. DH and i walk them together sometimes. but i have been taking them out riding with me and they are doing pretty well. i can only do 2 at a time. and it seems to require the right 2.
i have 3 terriers and a boxer. the boxer is a skinny pound rescue that really needs the build-up. one of the terriers is 9 and overweight, so these 2 are a good pair. the other 2 terriers are sisters, 4 y.o. and in good shape. one loves this like crazy, and the other is afraid of her shadow, but is warming up.
the boxer is the only one with a strong concept of "heel", but somehow seems unable to apply that to riding, and keeps trying to get around to the wrong side. the others seem to know to stay away from the bike.
they all pretty much acknowledge me as the big dog. we have a long way to go, but we are having fun doing it.
so, how about y'all? anybody ride with dogs? anybody thing i am making a horrible mistake?

[happyslug]

1. Two comments.

If the dog is up to it, go ahead, but watch the Dogs, something they will try to keep up with you when they can't (Mostly do to overheating, dogs overheat quicker then people).

Ever try a dog Carrier? Cyceltote make one that attaches to your bike so when the dog gets overheated to tired you can put him or her it in a pull him along:



http://www.cycletote.com/doggy_tote.html
http://www.cycletote.com/

A further Consideration is HOW are the dogs "Controlled"? i.e. what type of lead on they on? I like the Springer:

http://www.springerusa.com/


Just ideas on bicycles and Dogs. The Sprigner has a direct connect to the bike's seat post then loops DOWNWARD and outward from the bike. As it bottoms at about near the top of your Chain it loops upward AND BECOMES A SPRING (i.e the rest of the Springer is Slid hollow steel Tubing, but this last part is a spring the dog can pull on AND not pull you sideways, the spring gives first). The spring is attached to a piece of plastic that is design that in a severe accident to break, thus minimizeing serious injury to you AND the dog. I find it is a overall good way to ride with a dog.

[mopinko]

2. the cart- no. unless they are gonna pull ME!

this is about burning off the energy of terriers. so....

but, i have heard about the springer, and is seems good. how does it attach? i wouldn't want it if it is a pain to mount and remove. i am looking at getting a new bike soon, so i will look at that at that time.
right now i am taking 2 at a time, on a lead with hooks on both ends, then that is attached to a leash around my waist. these are just looped together, so they have some room to arrange themselves. but, they can't really move me. they occasionally foul up on me, but mostly, once we are moving, they are pretty good.
one of the dogs has invented a whole new whine for when she sees the bike. and my very shy dog is having enough fun to put up with the whole icky idea of leaving the yard.
i know that we might crash some day, but they also are happier to stay and play in the yard when they are home, so.... the experience might even give the boneheaded boxer some idea of what a car is, as in, not something to chase. or it might go the other way. but at least the 2 of us will have some joint interactions, so maybe i will be able to teach her something.

at any rate, we are all enjoying it so far.

[happyslug]

3. The Springer BASE is attached PERMANENTLY on the seat post. or down tube.

The Sprigner comes with inserts so that it can be used on most bicycle's tubes.

The rest of the Springer ATTACHES to the base via a bolt that goes through the springer. This Bolt, does NOT go completely Though the hole for it in the base. The bolt head STOPS the bolt so that only a piece of it is on each side. Then you attach the rest of the Sprigner to the Bolt, and secure the two parts with a locking pin. This permits rapid removal of the Springer when not needed (Through the base stays on the bike).

Picture of the permanent part:


The "bolt" going through the base:


Picture of the base with the "bolt" attached:


Picture of the rest of the springer attaching to the "bolt":


I obtain these Drawing from the Springer web site on how to assemble the Springer:
http://www.springerusa.com/assembly.html


One side note: The Sprigner is shaped so that it clears YOUR feet as you Pedal the Bike (When mounting the Sprigner you have to make sure, which is easy). The Springer starts its U AFTER it has cleared the area where your feet MAY go as you Peddle. You have to make sure you mount the Springer high enough on your bike so your feet are NOT block by it when you Peddle. This is NOT a problem for me for I put the Sprigner in the Seat Post, for I have a LONG seat post. If you do NOT have a long Seat post, then you have to mount it on the Seat Tube, which can lead to the Sprigner Blocking your feet, if mounted to low on the tube (Another reason NOT to mount it on the Seat Tube is you have small dogs, the seat tube may put the Sprigner TO HIGH for small dogs). I have used the Sprigner on Mid-size dogs and it worked (When she wanted to run which is NOT always the case).

[mopinko]

4. i just came back from a ride

boy, were they bad today. they are very timid, and we usually stick to alleys and quiet streets. but i had an errand to run, so we went to a very busy part of the hood. thought they were both gonna have a heart attack.
one thing about having a leash attached to your body is that you can feel them. if they are getting fouled up, you know. the dog whisperer says never let them get ahead of you. which is kind of a drag, since you can see them best there.
i am thinking i am going to get them harnesses. they yank and pull so much at this point. they wont like that too much, tho. have one for the boxer, but haven't tried it yet.
boy, it is time for a beer.

[REACTIVATED IN CT]

5. Harnesses are good

There are no-pull harnesses - I use one on my 20 lb Peke who is a puller. Also on the terriers, you could use a Halti or Gentle Leader to get more control. Not sure if you could get one on the boxer with that smooshed in face they have

[katamaran]

6. Love my Springer for my bike

I run my Border Collie/Aussie mix with the Springer. I had to attach the base on the lower seat tube, so I just scoot my foot forward on the pedal some to keep from clipping it with my heel. Abbey weighs about 50lbs, and unless she begins pulling REALLY hard against me, I barely feel her at all. It took just a few minutes for her to get the idea of it, and now she practically pulls me around the whole neighborhood with almost no effort on my part. I take her to a bike/hiking trail with it sometimes and it works great too. The emergency break-off feature is a plus, especially when she decided last week to go around a tree suddenly. Just keep a little pocketknife to cut the nylon rope's knot off to reattach the coupler as well as a spare coupler.

I tried her on a standard leash, but she tends to decide to pull in front of my wheels or cross sides when she sees something. Plus, I really need two hands to steer when she begins pulling. The Springer was the best $40 I spent in a long time.

[MsRedacted]

7. I have a friend who loves her springer, but she uses it with a halti head collar.

But a no pull harness would work as well.

I tried riding with my dogs. Well, they all seriously outweight the bike (19lbs), and I am sure if they saw a cat could pull it out from under me. Especially if I am clipped in.

But I've thought seriously about getting an old single speed just for them.

[mopinko]

8. just a quick update

we are still riding. i got regular harnasses for everyone and that seems to help with the tangles. i also shortened up the brace i use, so they don't have as much room to criss cross.
i looked at the springer, and a bunch of other similar items, but i like being attached directly. even when they get outside of my field of vision, i can feel them if they are tangled in the leash, or not with me in some way.
the dogs love it. my 2 little terriers are shy, one crazy shy, but they are adjusting. taking them for walks just frustrates them. they need the run, and there are not too many places in the city that they can do that. one of them just squeals when she see the leash or the bike. the other still needs coaxing, but it gets easier with every ride.

so, all in all, i know there is risk involved here. but all of us think it is worth it.

[shenmue]

9. Not me, my dog's too small

I don't think she's up to it. Maybe if I had a retriever, but otherwise no.