Dog + Bike question

[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.