Dog On Bike

**MomOnBike** · 03-10-2005, 01:17 PM

As promised (and as an experiment in attachments):

The long awaited pics of carrying a small dog on a bike.

DH is just taking Monty out on their first ride around the block together last weekend. Our street isn't quite as steep as it seems, the photographer (me) was sick and having issues with verticality.

It doesn't much look like it, but Monty is well fastened down, the harness he's wearing fastens to a wire on the bottom of the basket. He's not much inclined to jump out, though, he likes being a tall dog.

All in all, a resounding (he's a dashchund - he barks) success. Now our romantic bicycle picnics will include a canine chaperone. I can't imagine why I'm pleased.

**nuthatch** · 03-10-2005, 01:37 PM

How cute!!! Is the basket just a basket or is it a special "canine carrier"? If Monty can do it, maybe my dogs can, too! Let us know what happens if Monty sees a squirrel...

They are the arch-enemies of my dogs.

**SadieKate** · 03-10-2005, 01:48 PM

All together now, girls. Awwwwwwwww!

**Trek420** · 03-10-2005, 01:57 PM

awwww, I'd love to take my 50 pound pooch pedaling.

I'd have to harness her in but has anyone found a good solution with a bigger dog? Figure I could use the strength training ;-

)

**LBTC** · 03-10-2005, 02:38 PM

Trek, any 50 lb dog can run beside you!

that said, our border collies are not permitted to MTB with us. they are far too attracted to running things like squirrels (poor thing) and smelly things like swamps and the "sign" of various animals including cow and bear

that is NOT something I wish to clean up again!!

Monty, on the other hand, looks like he's on top of the world! that is adorable!!

awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww

Namaste,
~T~

**snapdragen** · 03-10-2005, 05:05 PM

There was a German Shepherd in a Burley trailer at the Tierra Bella one year.....

Originally Posted by Trek420

awwww, I'd love to take my 50 pound pooch pedaling.

I'd have to harness her in but has anyone found a good solution with a bigger dog? Figure I could use the strength training ;-

)

**Irulan** · 03-10-2005, 05:34 PM

what kind of harness set up?That is very cute. Me thinks it would be dangerous unless it's a really short system...??? I've seen dogs improperly tethered in to pickup trucks where there was just enough slack for the dog to go over and out and then choke to death. ( sorry to be graphic but it really happened)

As for dog and biking... it's a big discussion in certain forums. There are lead systems, dogs trained to heel perferctly on or off a leash, dogs run amok....I've seen perfectly trained trail dogs with a rock solid heel and recall, and dogs that were such a pain that I'll never go out with certain people ever again.. which is ultimately the owner's fault not the dogs.

irulan

**Trek420** · 03-10-2005, 05:58 PM

Irulan sez "That is very cute. Me thinks it would be dangerous unless it's a really short system...???"

wonder if one could put the dog in front? It looks waaaay cute.

"I've seen dogs improperly tethered in to pickup trucks where there was just enough slack for the dog to go over and out and then choke to death. ( sorry to be graphic but it really happened)"

between the tether debacle and debris in the eye of the dog my vote is dogs belong inside the truck in the back seat (most trucks these days seat 4). People say dogs like trucks and riding outside and they *do* look happy but your dog doesn't know better, doesn't know what can happen. Your dog doesn't know Newtons law (body in motion stays in motion) but we do. Also dogs want to be with YOU more than they want to be in the bed of the truck.

I need to train Mae to accept a car harness, clips into the seat belt. She wiggles out now but I could train her to accept it or ..... Sadiekate?

"As for dog and biking... it's a big discussion in certain forums. There are lead systems, dogs trained to heel perferctly on or off a leash, dogs run amok....I've seen perfectly trained trail dogs with a rock solid heel and recall, and dogs that were such a pain that I'll never go out with certain people ever again.. which is ultimately the owner's fault not the dogs."

I know Mae would be in the "run amok" category but the Burley sounds like a nice idea. She's not one to run alongside on a ride.

Off to a leisurely walk with Mae....

Trek

**snapdragen** · 03-10-2005, 07:37 PM

I'd love to take Chloe in a Burley, but she is so hyper, she'd have us in a ditch in no time!

Trek - Mae wants a Burley, and a pair o' doggles

**LBTC** · 03-10-2005, 08:01 PM

awwwwwwwww snapdragen, chloe is boootiful!! Now I can't resist...here's my 'Cuda (the one with the ball) and Diva....enjoying their other favourite sport last summer....

who ain't proud of their four legged kids??

Namaste,
~T~

**MomOnBike** · 03-10-2005, 08:03 PM

In order, more or less:

Just an ordinary wicker basket. Then we made improvements/alterations. It is tied down to the rack securely with cable ties. The wire keeping him in is also attached (underneath the basket) to the rack. We started out with it a bit tight, and the poor little guy couldn't breathe. He's pretty secure; he wouldn't go if he weren't. I'm aware of the dangers.

The harness is one made for securing the dog in a car using a seat belt. It fastens nicely to the bottom of the basket. I think I got it at Petco(?). It actually works better on the bike than in the car.

Squirrels. He's pretty short-sighted, I doubt he'll see 'em. He doesn't chase squirrels or rabbits in the back yard, so I'm not seeing a problem there. The wolf-hounds on the trail though...

We've talked about getting Doggles for Monty. That's up in the air for now.

DH does complain that Monty keeps goosing him, but if that's the worst of it, we can deal.

I had a Doberman once that was trained to the bike. She'd either heal or pull me up hills. We went miles and we both loved it. I don't know that I recommend it for just any dog, though. Vrka was incredibly trainable, and long-legged enough to match speeds with me. (I'm kind of slow.) For normal dogs, I think I'd use a trailer.

**Irulan** · 03-10-2005, 08:28 PM

whew, that sounds secure and I'm glad. I had visions of your little guy getting launched on a tether....

but then I'm a mtb-r and I always think about launching...

my dog is a dork, I'd never take him on the trails. He so much into "you are my friend " mode, and I never had the patience to make him a stellar obiedience dog. (golden ret, what do you expect....

)

irulan

**MomOnBike** · 03-10-2005, 08:41 PM

Irulan,

You're a sensible person and ride a mountain bike. Your concerns are valid. I took no offence.

If we did the MTB thing, Monty wouldn't be invited. Far too much probablity of launching the poor little guy to the top of a tree. We tend to the straight, level and slow. I think we'll all be OK.

Monty is only the second dog I've ever had that I've wanted to take biking with me. The rest, for one reason or another were just not suitable, so they stayed home. It's a personality (dogiality?) thing.

**snapdragen** · 03-10-2005, 09:22 PM

Oops, not Chloe - a professional model dog. This is Chloe, aka the princess....

Originally Posted by LBTC

awwwwwwwww snapdragen, chloe is boootiful!! ~T~

**nuthatch** · 03-11-2005, 02:41 AM

MomonBike, it sounds like Monty is way more sensible and bike-ready than my dogs. My guy, who is a paddler, wants to train them to come along on canoe trips - that sounds like a safer option for them (with little doggie life vests on). Thanks for sharing Monty's adventure!

Thread: Dog On Bike

Thread Tools

Display

Dog On Bike

here we go again...dogs ;-)

Posting Permissions