 Question about Biking with Dogs
#237407 - 04/24/2009 07:51 PM |
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Hi there, I was curious about the age of when you can bike with your dog. Reesee is 10 1/2, almost 11 months. I read elsewhere that at 6-12 months you can begin to bike very lightly with them and at 12+ it depends on your dogs stamina how long you can go. Just wondering if it was true.
We live on the edge of town and I recently took Reesee out on my bike and allowed her to trot at a slow pace next to me in the grass and not on the road itself. It's a country road with a good, grassy shoulder. She seemed to enjoy it very much. I only took her..maybe not even half a mile out, round trip, she was spunky enough to want to fetch in the backyard when we got home.
The reason I did this is because she's currently in heat and with the constant battle of aggressive, in-your-face offleash dogs I encounter almost every walk I am double afraid to walk her in town and walks just don't seem to tucker her out like they used to. Is this bad for her?
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Re: Question about Biking with Dogs
[Re: Heather Perring ]
#237414 - 04/24/2009 10:04 PM |
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I wouldn't over do it with running her. At least not until she's full grown and her bones and joints are developed. Running may seem the easiest way to poop out any dog that is a ball of energy all day long, but in the long run it can cause damage to joints (hip dysplasia).
Having her trot at a slower pace, like you said you have done, is good. I'd keep doing what you're doing and once she's 18mo+ then you can rev it up more. Until then, if you can go a few times a day (riding bike with her trotting at slow pace) then she'll get tired and you won't have to worry about long term hip and joint damage.
Keleah |
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Re: Question about Biking with Dogs
[Re: Keleah Stull ]
#237427 - 04/25/2009 12:31 AM |
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As far as I know, biking a healthy dog will not cause any sort of joint damage. Exercise causes joint damage is said over and over and I have never seen any actual sort of data that points to this either and of all the dogs that I know that exercise hard from an early age,including mine, none have ever had any joint problems. That said, a dog that already has hip or elbow dysplasia can be harmed by excessive exercise.
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Re: Question about Biking with Dogs
[Re: Heather Perring ]
#237433 - 04/25/2009 09:32 AM |
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This is a good overview (IMO) of how to what to avoid (too much too fast) until the growth plates are closed, which can be 5 to 15 months, depending on breed and size, and how to gradually increase endurance, muscle mass, and strength of ligaments, etc., without causing damage from too much too soon.
http://www.dogsincanada.com/easy-does-it-puppies-and-exercise
Bicycling, of course, does not allow the pup to set the pace, so it's probably good to learn how the body adjusts to endurance exercise first.
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Re: Question about Biking with Dogs
[Re: Connie Sutherland ]
#237459 - 04/25/2009 05:32 PM |
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Again, this article has no data and is just one person's opinion.
I can't even begin to imagine how anyone with a high energy dog can meet their exercise requirements without running or biking them. Obviously, you would want to build up speed and distance slowly and then keep an eye on the dog so you don't overdo it.
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Re: Question about Biking with Dogs
[Re: Elaine Matthys ]
#237460 - 04/25/2009 05:49 PM |
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.... Obviously, you would want to build up speed and distance slowly and then keep an eye on the dog so you don't overdo it.
Yes, good point. I think that was pretty much what that vet was saying, and explaining why gradual was important. 
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Re: Question about Biking with Dogs
[Re: Connie Sutherland ]
#237470 - 04/25/2009 07:25 PM |
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do these harnesses connected to bike work for roadwork ? how about safety for rider and dog
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Re: Question about Biking with Dogs
[Re: thomas gullickso ]
#237472 - 04/25/2009 08:00 PM |
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Thanks for the info everyone. I'll be trying to get her out like this once a day or so plus walks. I can't believe how well she took it and by the third time I pulled the bike out she is getting excited upon seeing it. I'll just keep the runs short with her in the grass and at a leisurely pace.
I'm also glad to see a half tuckered out dog when we get back. Instead of getting into things like the nosy thing she is she decides to lay next to me.
I'd like to know what others use to bike with their dogs. I've seen a few things out there, and the Walkydog things seems neat, but I am afraid if something scares her and she bolts I will go down with her. So far I just have her leash and wrap it lightly enough around my wrist to be able to quick release if that ever happens instead of pulling me over and having a nasty accident.
She is perfect on the leash though and doesn't pull at all, she watches me and stays right level with my legs so I don't know how well that'd work with a dog that loves to pull.
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Re: Question about Biking with Dogs
[Re: Elaine Matthys ]
#237476 - 04/25/2009 11:33 PM |
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Again, this article has no data and is just one person's opinion.
I can't even begin to imagine how anyone with a high energy dog can meet their exercise requirements without running or biking them. Obviously, you would want to build up speed and distance slowly and then keep an eye on the dog so you don't overdo it.
To give the author some credit, its not just some person, but a vet.
That said, everyone talks about the growth plates closing and what-not, but has anyone read any journal articles about it? Is there a pubmed for vet papers?
While I respect the opinions of those qualified to make medical statements, I like to do my own fact checking. Unfortunately, my university does not have a subscription to any veterinary publications.
Are there any books on this subject that those knowledgeable would recommend?
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Re: Question about Biking with Dogs
[Re: Heather Perring ]
#237477 - 04/26/2009 12:38 AM |
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I'd like to know what others use to bike with their dogs. I've seen a few things out there, and the Walkydog things seems neat, but I am afraid if something scares her and she bolts I will go down with her. I've only used the Walkydog with my small dog, so have no experience with a dog of any weight on it.
Still, you have to take into account your weight and momentum. Its going to take a greater force to alter your course. Not saying that your dog couldn't tip you over, but it is really going to need a full head of steam to do it.
There is also an attachment for this product to mount lower on the back axle instead of up high on the seat post. This will lower the center of gravity and make it even harder for you to be tipped over.
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