Dog + Bike question

[aly]

We just rescued another German Shepherd Dog. She was SUPPOSED to be a foster, but... well you know how that goes. She is very good a little bit of the time, and absolutely insane a lot of the time. She's about 10 months old and full of energy. So, I've started riding my beater/cruiser with her on a springer attachment. Right now, we only do a couple of miles.

I was wondering if anyone else uses one of these and how far you generally go (and in what sort of weather). I'm in SoCal, so we'll avoid riding when temps get too high. Anyone have any experience or advice?

Oh, and here are some pics of the new girl!!

[jesvetmed]

Aly: From the dog's body's point of view: the length you are doing is probably good -- a little longer would be ok, but with her age, I'd be leery to do more than 3-4 miles several times a week. The hips are still developing, etc. But exercise is key... keep her weight in control now as she is growing, and you will minimize her potential for joint disease as much as you can (the rest is all genetics). Once her bones are older (ie, she's 12-15 mos old) you can build up the running distances for her. Keep the pace fairly easy for her (ie, she's not at a "run", just a jog).

She is adorable -- that is how they get you to keep them! Congrats on the new member of the family! HAVE FUN!!!
Jes

[sbctwin]

No advice, Aly, but oh what cuties!!!!

[farrellcollie]

I tried using both the springer and the bicycle dog leash (same principle - different mechanism) with one of my rescue dogs - but he was still too strong and once took the bike with him after a squirrel and left me behind in a heap. I then rollerbladed him around the park letting him set the pace - it is about 4 miles - he loved it. He is now 13 and doesn't go very far anymore but he loved both (rollerblading with a halti was just safer for me). We have several people who bike with their dogs around the park and they all seem to love it. 4- 5 miles was about his limit in the summer - in the winter we sometimes went around twice.

[sundial]

We just rescued another German Shepherd Dog. She was SUPPOSED to be a foster, but... well you know how that goes.

Aly, congratulations on your new girl. What a sweetheart! And I noticed your cute kitty in the background that probably keeps everyone in check.

As for your new workout partner, I would suggest that you take her on shorter rides on pavement to reduce the stress to her developing joints (gsds fully mature at about 1 1/2 to 2 years of age) and longer workouts on grassy/hardpacked trails. Go at a pace that she can comfortably hold without breaking into a run. A nice steady flying trot is a good pace. Also, build up slowly because her pads may be tender from the pavement. I like to give my girls a little rest day in between the rides and we play frisbee and tennis ball.

Your biggest challenge with your dog will to keep her focused on you so you don't end up kissing pavement if a squirrel should show up on the scene. Keep praising her and calling her attention during your ride. Hopefully she'll enjoy it as much as mine.

[aly]

Thanks for the advice (and compliments). I'm glad you all told me to keep her at a jog. I was feeling bad because I wasn't going fast enough to get her to run. I was a little nervous that she would take me down if I went to fast. It looks like it was better that we've kept at a jog. We ride around a little residential loop nearby and people seem to find us pretty amusing.

We're going out now- she has already destroyed several toys this morning and needs to calm down a little!

[rocknrollgirl]

Her ears are silly, do the other pets tease her?

[nancy sv]

No suggestions here either - but she's adorable!! There's just something about the dogs that get me every time.

[fastdogs]

I use both a springer and a walkydog- I prefer the springer, especially if there's squirrels around. I usually work two at a time, hooked to a coupler. The distance you are going is probably fine for now, it's even better if you can do it on packed dirt or gravel rather than pavement. My riding is mostly pavement, so I only go 2-3 miles- both my dogs are 6 and have some chronic injuries, so we go slow and I don't push them. If they see a squirrel or deer I just come to a stop- I've never had them come close to pulling me over with the springer, but with the walkydog I have to brace myself and stop to get both feet on the ground.
vickie

[sundial]

We're going out now- she has already destroyed several toys this morning and needs to calm down a little!

Does she have a Kong stuffed with cheese, peanut butter or little treats? Kongs can keep a dog preoccupied for hours.

Aly, elk has a page about biking with your dog. Here's the link: http://www.squidoo.com/dogandcycle

[Andrea]

You could always try a treadmill as well

[Tuckervill]

Okay, so we were in Petsmart yesterday...and we saw canned stuff to squirt inside a Kong. My son, who has always been a fan of squirtable Easy Cheese, said, "Look Easy Cheese for dogs!" And it was, except it was EIGHT BUCKS!

Why wouldn't you just by a dollar-forty-nine can of Easy Cheese?

...things that make me go hmmmm....

Karen

[sundial]

Okay, so we were in Petsmart yesterday...

You have a Petsmart?? Lucky duck!

[aly]

We're doing pretty well on the bike. I'm still nervous, but she's good most of the time. I just have to be very alert. I'm planning to get a pair of cheap rollerblades and try that as well. I think it'll be a good time. It takes so much to wear her out, it gets hard sometimes. My boyfriend and I are almost always exhausted nowadays. I knew there was a reason we always stuck to the older dogs! However, we also know that she will be an amazing girl once she gets through her teenage stage.

We also recently started using Kong toys with her. They work really well, but she's just too darned smart. She has figured out that she can just throw them to the ground really hard and make the stuff inside come out. It's funny to watch (and often messy), but doesn't keep her going too long because it actually works so well. We use the regular Kong and the treat ball. We also have a football shaped thing we can put treats in.

Next week, we're hoping to try herding. I'm very, very excited about that! Now, I'm heading over to read Elk's thread... Thanks again, everyone!

[Beane]

Okay, so we were in Petsmart yesterday...and we saw canned stuff to squirt inside a Kong. My son, who has always been a fan of squirtable Easy Cheese, said, "Look Easy Cheese for dogs!" And it was, except it was EIGHT BUCKS!

Why wouldn't you just by a dollar-forty-nine can of Easy Cheese?

...things that make me go hmmmm....

Karen

Peanut butter works well too. Throw some kibble in PB in a Kong and they're good for hours (or if they're Labbies, 15 mins or so...). Extra challenging is frozen PB and kibble.