Cani-rolling or roller-skating with your dog
Are you looking for a new activity to share with your dog? If you like to exercise together, I have what you need! Test roller skating with your dog. What is this W'ouf activity? It's roller skating towed by your dog; cani-roller. He will love frolicking by your side.
My rollerblading experience is limited to beautiful falls so I would never dare to do it in cani-roller mode. I don't think I'll make it out alive… ahaha! I preferred to interview two experts in the field. Discover the cani-roller through the experience of two amazing duos: Ludivine accompanied by Rantanplan and Alexandra with her beautiful Onyx. They give you their secrets for rollerblading with your dog.
What is rollerblading with your dog? How to get started? What equipment do dogs need… They tell you everything!
Hang on to follow our riders!
Rollerblading with your dog
There are two ways to rollerblade with your dog: either you put on your rollerblades or roller skates and your dog runs free at your side or either like in canicross, the dog is connected to you with a harness and an elastic lanyard and it pulls you. For this second practice, you will have understood, you must have an excellent mastery of rollerblading!! Otherwise beware of the dangers...
Alexandra is not an expert in skating: she has a decent level. Before going rollerblading with her dog, she opted for cani cross. Thus, she taught her dog some basic commands such as the right, left and especially the STOP and familiarized him with the equipment and the traction. His dog has acquired some stamina and power. Then little by little, Alexandra began to make her dog aware of rollerblading. At first, they did micro-sessions, then gradually, seeing that her dog was enjoying their outings, she lengthened their outings. Now they are real cani-roller fans!
Ludivine skated in a skate park for 10 years. She participated in several roller skating events in Rennes. A real passion! One fine day in February, she wanted to involve her dog in her favorite sport. That day, she had put on street rollerblades (rollers for practicing in a skate park). Might as well tell you that she had anvils instead of feet aha! His dog is a real sportsman: cani-rando, cani-racket, cani-vtt, cani cross, cani-canoe… They practice everything together! Suddenly, during their first cani-roller outing, they directly started with 5 kms. His dog had enough stamina and power to do this type of outing. Alexandra will always remember how excited her dog was on that first outing. They felt free and in harmony, happy to “eat” bitumen.
Tips for rollerblading with your dog
There are two important steps before you start cani-rolling:
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Knowing how to skate on your own and, preferably, knowing how to do it well. You must know how to control speed, master braking techniques, avoid dangers...
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Teach your dog basic commands such as stop, left, right, forward and slow down. In addition, for this type of activity your dog must be well socialized.
During their cani-roller outings, Alexandra talks a lot to her dog. She warns him when they have to cross or change lanes, when they have to stop or wait. She also encourages him a lot. This strengthens their bond!
If your dog has never done any pulling sport, there is little chance that it reacts like Rantanplan and Onyx and that it clicks the first time. Towing can be learned. It is possible that while towing, seeing you on wheels can scare him a little. He may be afraid that you will fall on him. In short, you will therefore have to show him what you expect of him. It will definitely take several sessions before you and your dog are having fun together. As with any activity, it takes time to adapt and learn. Do not underestimate this time and do not skip the steps! And if you feel your dog isn't craving, limping or behaving differently than usual: listen to him! and watch out for your teammate… You may need to postpone the session to another day…
Our riders recommend starting with short sessions. Depending on the type of dog, his health, his level of endurance, his physical condition, and if he is already used to traction sports… you will have to go little by little. There is no question of disgusting your dog with sessions that are far too hard for him. If you have never run and you are forced to run 10 km the first time you start it, you will surely suffer, have aches and want to throw your sneakers out the window... that's the guaranteed failure. Progressiveness and listening are the key words.
The cani-roller is practiced rather on asphalt so pay attention to the pads of your dog. It is a terrain that can be very abrasive. Regularly check the condition of its pads after each ride. There are skates adapted to practice on the road: the RTT, all-terrain skates. In town or on the roads, the practice of cani-rolling requires good control and real concentration. You can quickly pick up speed and you have to anticipate changes of direction, obstacles and, in town, be extremely vigilant to traffic otherwise beware of accidents. You need to be able to ride safely and keep your dog safe. Besides, consider slipping a first aid kit in your bag in case of small sores.
Before your sessions, warm up your joints well and go gradually. At the slightest pain, do not force. Remember to keep your back straight, while bending your legs. Ludivine always starts her sessions with a few minutes of freedom for her dog. He discovers his playing territory with a few pee/poo sniffs and a little warm-up that includes a few ball throws, for example. And then they go quietly and goooooo: they pick up speed!
Alexandra also points out that we must not forget that we must wait until the end of the dog's growth to start towing, in other words: 1 year to 1 year and a half. As with all traction sports!
The equipment needed for cani-rolling
To go rollerblading with your dog, you need the same equipment as for all other traction sports, namely:
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Un pulling harness for your dog which adapts well to its morphology. He must not block her shoulders. If you need advice on choosing your pulling harness, read or re-read the article: “The top 10 traction sports to share with your dog”. Our expert Matthieu Morin shares his secrets with you!
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Our two experts practice the cani-roller attached to their dog through a harness or an belt. It is also possible to practice without a harness. This allows to have leash it in hand and to be able to release his dog in case of danger.
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A tow line or cushioned leash about 2m. In order not to put your dog and you in danger, it is preferable to move away from your dog a little.
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A reserve of water to hydrate you during your breaks.
Of course, you will need: fitness/speed skates with large wheels, a helmet and knee, hand and elbow protection for your safety.
The anecdotes of our duos
I now leave the floor to our riders of the day. Girls it's up to you 🙂
Alexandra : “Thank you Sophie! To end on a high note, here is a funny little anecdote. When my darling accompanies us running, during our cani-roller outings, I no longer exist. My dog only has eyes for him and starts to accelerate like never before if he is too far ahead! And there I no longer have to press on my legs at all, just to let myself slide.
Ludivine : “My best memory with my dog? There are so many ! But the most striking thing for me is the expression on his face when I step up to him downhill. He is so crunchy! I have no bad memories with him on rollerblades. Sometimes there are motorists who won't slow down and my dog cowers into me in fear...while I really make sure to get to the side. But I only remember the best! It's just pure happiness!”
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Hmmm… It still seems like a Wow Good activity to share with your dog! I hope this article has made you want to go rollerblading with your dog. But you will understand caution!
Thanks again to Alexandra, Ludivine and their dogs for this informative article 🙂 Follow their adventures on their respective instagram accounts: @bouclettesetfossettes et @mybreizheyes
Pssssst: do you want to try new activities with your dog? Take a look at these articles: “Go cani-scooting with your dog"; "Cani-skate or dog skating with your dog"And"Go fatbiking or bikejoring with your dog”. Lots of other articles are waiting for you on the Mag' of EmmèneTonChien.com ! Stay connected and listen and listen!
In the meantime, for more info, holiday advice and dog-friendly tips, follow EmmèneTonChien.com on our facebook page et our instagram account : )