Cycling with your dog, is it possible? How to ride a bike with your dog? Where to cycle with your dog? What equipment should you use to ride a bike with your dog?

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The weather is nice and you want to enjoy the day with your pooch? Don't fancy a simple ride? Don't feel like throwing his ball at him fifty times in a row? Do you want change? Ride a bike together!

 

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Bike? Dog? Is it well compatible?

Cyclists who have already had their calf pinched on their bike are not uncommon… Before mounting your “little queen”, make sure that your dog is not allergic to cycling. If in the presence of a bicycle, he barks, rushes at it, tries to bite the front tire to prevent you from moving forward or grab your pants… that's a typical case of a serious allergy! Where is she from? It is very likely that your dog has not been around a bike from an early age. It is very important, in the phase of socialization to the world around him, to quickly put him in contact with a bicycle. It will prevent allergies! Before leaving for miles, you will have to make sure that your dog likes bicycles.

Why ride a bike with your dog?

This is an opportunity to combine outing and sport for both of you. You can share your passion for cycling with your pooch. Sporty dogs who need to exercise will love running alongside you. The less sporty can also accompany you during your outing. It will be all the more sporty for you 😉 I tell you everything, a little later in this article.

It is also the possibility of doing a few more kilometers. Be careful, for your dog, running alongside you for several kilometers requires a minimum of training! If the latter is not used to it, plan the first short outings and drive at a slow pace. As you train, you can increase the distance or pace, if your dog enjoys cycling.

Cycling with your free dog

The easiest way to ride a bike with your dog is to let him run free alongside you. This means riding a bike in a safe place, without the risk of crossing a car, for example, and that your dog has a great recall and obeys your commands.

Musher often accompanies me on the loose. She's a hell of a foodie: she never misses a nasty thing lying around on the way. Not easy to intervene from my bike. By the time I turn around, pedal, get off the bike trying to put it down as little wildly as possible, the spitting thing is often already swallowed! I taught him to always stay to my left at my height, like when walking on a leash. So if we pass a car, I go to the left of the road and am therefore between it and the car. It's more secure. It also allows you to avoid accidents because if your dog passes in front of your bike, you have to have very good reflexes to brake in time and not hit him (very very dangerous and traumatic for him). During an emergency braking of this kind, also be careful not to make the “sun” above your bike. Musher also learned to stop, left, right and for you. Basic orders that allow us to share a good time together (which she learned thanks to cani-cross).

Cycling with your dog attached

Are you biking in a place with a little traffic or passers-by? There is a very simple solution to keep your dog safe: the 30° pull-up bar and its line. Behind this somewhat strange name hides a clever tool that allows you to connect your dog to the bike. No need to wrap the leash around your wrist; at the slightest deviation from your dog, it is guaranteed to fall! (and I know the case well, trust me) The kit keeps your dog on the left (or right depending on your choice) side of your bike. This is a rigid attachment bar attached to which a short leash is attached. Thus attached, your dog will not be able to pass behind your bike or in front, it avoids falls or accidents. Your dog must be equipped with a harness. Impossible to tie him by his collar. If your dog pulls, if he deviates from his trajectory, if he stops suddenly, the collar could come off and seriously injure him.

I have not tested this 30° pull-up bar and its line with Musher. This accessory is perfect for dogs who love to tow. Which is not the case with Musher! Your dog will not be well positioned to run and he risks being injured. - mountain bike with him. The attachment system is at the front of the bike. It is studied for. If your dog is like Musher, favor the pet ego kit. In general, it attaches very easily to the bike. During a test with Musher, I placed it under my saddle, in 4 turns of the 12 key it was installed. For those who don't have a toolbox, it can be complicated because there is no tool provided in the kit. In the box there are 4 screws, the fixing bar on which is connected a short adjustable leash and a piece of rubber to ensure a better grip between the bar and the seatpost. I fixed the bar perpendicular to my bike but it bothered me; my left leg was rubbing on it. So I angled it slightly towards the back of the bike. I opted for a first outing on tracks between the vines… The idea was mediocre. I didn't anticipate the Bike + Kit + Musher; we were quite wide and therefore we needed wide paths. Musher does not tow so this kit played its role perfectly. She couldn't eat spit stuff the whole ride... wink

Cycling with your dog in a basket

I'll tell you right now, it's only suitable for small dogs! No question of putting Musher in the basket in front of the bike… So I tested the dog basket with a “small” dog. My friend Noémie currently has a landseer litter of 2 months. 10 pupies too cute! I boarded Neiko and off to the adventure. There are two types of dog baskets: the one that is fixed in back and the one we fix on handlebars.

The basket is in kit form but it is easy to assemble; just slide the 5 rigid boards into the compartments provided and form a kind of box. I admit that I had to ask my man for a hand to insert the last plate because she resisted me. The bottom plate is reinforced with a softer layer for the comfort of the dog. Then you have to fix the basket on the bike. Again, it's super simple. In 2 turns of the screwdriver it's settled. Small flat, the support is pressed on the frame of the bike, below the handlebars. Given its positioning, it stretched my brake cable slightly and exerted pressure. It hardened my bike outing a bit 🙂 It's good for the calves. It surely depends on the bike... To prevent the basket from jumping at each hole or bump, there are 2 clips that allow it to be strapped to the handlebars. When the ride is over, all you have to do is remove the basket, the support will remain in place for the next ones! Super practical.

At the bottom of the basket, there is an adjustable strap that allows the dog's collar to be attached. This prevents the dog from being tempted to run away from the basket. It is very useful at least for the first walks because your dog is at a height, it may seem unstable to him, he may not be very reassured and have a bad reflex, that of jumping!… On the practical side, there are plenty pockets all around the basket. Something to store the leash, the purse, the waste bags... Be careful not to put too much on because it can quickly unbalance you! The maximum weight accepted in the basket is 7 kilos! The first meters, I was not very stable on the bike and when Neiko changed places in the basket, it was the same. But we get used to it quickly! Note that 7 extra pounds to drag on the bike, that's the calves!  

The dog basket is ideal for growing puppies who cannot go for long walks. Ideal for old little dogs who can't keep up with you anymore, so you can share a fun activity together. And of course ideal for all small non-sporting dogs!

For big dogs, there is also a “basket” to take them on a bike ride. I hope to have the opportunity to test soon a dog trailer to tell you more and Musher too. On to the next episode...

Little info on Neiko: it is a landseer. In the following photos, I added photos of his mom and his brothers and sister. Inna, the mom, is a rescue buddy of Musher. They train together.

Dog on Skype Emoticons 1.2 Tips from Musher and Sophie: – “You don't know which material to choose? Do not panic ! Our comparison lists the top 5 best dog bike baskets and trailers ! "

For a successful bike ride

Cycling is good, but you need to prepare a minimum… Remember to take a bowl and water for your dog. Be careful, if he runs a lot, give him small sips even if he is very thirsty. Large dogs are prone to stomach upset. A large amount of water ingested before, during or just after a big effort can have serious consequences. Your dog has the right to drink and needs to drink but not three liters if he has made an intense effort! Also pay attention to the floors of your course: running on bitumen, it heats the pads quickly! Go of course with your first aid kit and a bike repair kit… 😉 Also remember to take equipment in case of breakdown on the bike side..

And if you prefer to keep your feet on the ground, there are many sports to discover: Cani-cross or cani-trail – running with your dog, Try aquatic hiking with your dog!…I'm sure one of them suits you! In France we are lucky to have very diversified territories, offering many possibilities to flourish with your dog! From the massif of Jura, passing by the beaches of Brittany or the banks of the Bourget lake, these are just as many beautiful destinations to discover for holidays with your dog! 

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