How to get my dog used to my bike

[ann_w]

Hi! I just bought a bike today after doing a lot of research about modern bikes. I'm 50 and haven't ridden a bike in 35 years - the last bike I had was a 10 speed.

Because I just want a bike for commuting 6 miles to work (eventually) and running errands, I ended up buying a 2012 Woman's Trek Allant. I'm not really sure how many gears it has. 7 on one side and 3 on the other? (May I digress for a moment to say "Hurrah!" for shifting gears? It's much easier than I remember it being. I enjoyed my test run - shaky as I was after such a long absence. Now if I only understood what I was doing.)

I've lost 85 pounds this year just by changing my diet a bit and by walking my little 15 lb dachshund mix every day, but I've hit a nasty set-point that I hope cycling will help me get over. I'd like to eventually let my dog run along side me (I'm very close to a neighborhood that gets virtually no traffic - I could even use the sidewalk if need be.) Does anyone have any advice for me to help him not be afraid of the bike? I'm going to keep it in the house after I pick it up on Monday.

I'm hoping to get a dog trailer later this spring so that I can take him to the dog park. Does anyone else do that? How does your dog react to the dog trailer?

[beccaB]

I'd be careful about having a dog that small run alongside the bike. But then, if you can go very slow and be able to pay attention to the dog, it might be ok. I live in a place where folks would just as easily run me down in their cars, so I don't take my dog with me on my bike. We have a trailer,but I haven't tried to get him acclimated to it. It wouldn't do much for exercise for him, but he is a herding breed with very high energy. Have you ever heard of dog scootering? There is a company that makes a push scooter with big enough wheels to go over all sorts of terrain, and the dog runs out front on a leash with a bungee in it attached to the front of the scooter.

[goldfinch]

I'm hoping to get a dog trailer later this spring so that I can take him to the dog park. Does anyone else do that? How does your dog react to the dog trailer?

I bought a cheap used kids trailer for my bike, put a firm pillow in the bottom, and I take my elderly dachshund for rides. She seems to have mixed feelings about it. She loves getting in but sometimes she makes odd little noises as we ride. So, I think she is a bit anxious. She hasn't had that many rides yet and I am starting her out slow. I go a block or two, give her a treat, and go some more.

Good luck!

And congratulations on the weight loss!

[ann_w]

Yeah, I'm not wedded to the idea of having him run beside me (his size does give me pause on that notion - I may have to rethink it), but I sure would love to be able to take him to the fenced dog park so he could get a good run in! A friend of mine has a dog trailer she's willing to lend me, so this spring I'll give it a try.

It won't be for a few months in either case - I don't know what I'm doing on a bike and need lots of practice first. I still need to figure out how the gears work! I pick up my bike tomorrow (I left it with them so they could put a back rack on and put on a basket in front), so hopefully the weather won't be as horrible as predicted and I can practice some. Otoh I live in Portland, Oregon so I should be used to the rain by now.

[Anelia]

Hi, I don't have a dog and I don't know how it would be to ride with a dog but you can google "Bikejoring". I saw it and it looks interesting. But maybe first you have to master your bike skills without the dog. It's for your safety not to shake and be stable on the road.
Good luck!

[Dogmama]

Unless you're really slow, your dachsie won't be able to keep up. If you watch dogs running & playing, they'll go really fast, then stop & repeat. Not many breeds (herding breeds excepted) are made for running non-stop. Some sporting breeds seem to enjoy it - but in every case, I'd watch the surface they're running on (soft is better) and be mindful of skeletal issues.

Regarding a trailer, I'd spend lots of time with him in it & NOT hooked up to your bike. Put treats, his blanket & toys in it - make it a good thing. When he is comfortable with it, I'd manually move it just a little & see how he reacts. Patience is good. I'd hope that when he's finally hooked up, you'd have a restraining harness so he can't jump out.

[sarahkonamojo]

Good replies. Rethink the dog running beside you. Dangerous for you and the dog. Depending on how your dog likes to be handled (or not) you might consider a basket, also handy for errands.
In my case, I walk the dogs to the park and ride my bikes elsewhere without them...
S