I would like to find a faster/easier way to exercise my dog cause she is most definitely a high energy dog. I have been teaching her to pull with a harness in front of me but my problem is that I can't run NEAR enough or fast enough to suite her (even harder when I have a cold). It is another case of she is doing great and I am just getting in the way... I can't get a bike but skates or a scooter is possible (due to space) but not sure if anyone sees this as a possibility considering the what if's. Has anyone here had their dog pull them on skates or a scooter?

I would have serious misgivings about letting my dog run hard (or run at all) on hard pavement/concrete. Are these fears unfounded for adult dogs?

No I am talking about a med trot. She is still learning as well.
It is just that it is hard for me to run/jog for long periods of time...My hope was to use this only as a teaching tool because she still is learning all commands. So far she really enjoys it but not sure my feelings are the same as I am the "cart" and my wheels are not very oiled.

I'd recommend a bike since they can be easier off road (to avoid joint issues) and are typically easier to come by.....

I do skates with my dog and she really is fine with it. We do a med trot as well (she won't run fast - even though if there is a bird in the back yard...she is gone like lightening ). There has been a time where she really had to use the bathroom and she would stop. I would say to take your dog on a little walk before skating this way she gets everything out

Other than that I think it would be fine. Just take some knee and elbow pads your first time out

Elizabeth...I would only consider skating with a high energy dog if you are a very experienced skater who's paid up on your medical insurance. A high energy runner can run you into a number of dangerous situations.

Ross...should I start a new thread about dogs running on hard surfaces. I have lots of concern there since I do this regularly with my dog and have little choices.

The scooters, in particular the suspended models, can be used off hard surfaces including on trails. a number are specifically designed for dog towing, ie Pawtrekker. A number have powerful disc brakes for easy control of a pulling dog.

safer than bike as when in doubt simply step off or put foot down.

I wouldn't run my dogs extended periods or repetitive outings on hard surfaces.

I presume the brake on roller blade type skates is still the plug on the heel, would need to be fairly skilled to be able to safely manage a dog while roller blading.

A pawtrekker has been on my list for sometime now, for my beauceron and the neighbourhood pack of siberians that she will lead this winter for recreational sledding. $500+- depending on model.

 Quote: Alec Garrison

Elizabeth...I would only consider skating with a high energy dog if you are a very experienced skater who's paid up on your medical insurance. A high energy runner can run you into a number of dangerous situations.

This is true, however I don't feel that she is an out of control high energy dog. I work mostly off leash with her. When on leash she does well too. I suppose I should video tape and post what I am doing to show most effectively... I am just not sure what I can do to make her a longer running time without having to do quite that much myself. (Maybe that is being lazy) :P No, I am sure it is not... Regardless I am open to any suggestions.

I second Alec on NOT skating with a high energy dog unless she knows her sledding commands PAT even under extreme distraction (being charged by another dog). You could seriously injure yourself, especially if you are not a skilled skater yourself.

I also wouldn't run my dog hard on pavement (over 10 mph), but I often run the dogs at my pace (roughly 8-9 mph) on pavement with no issues- but not with the dogs pulling hard. A hard charging pulling dog has both the foot fall force, plus a tiny backward pull on every footfall to add to the friction and gravity forces on the paws and legs.

I think Andrew's pawtrekker scooter is probably the best dog-scooter out there, but maybe a bit pricey for a one-dog beginner, and you'd have to ship it to central America? The Toucan dog scooters are cheaper (about $150 US) but don't have the shocks and aren't as sturdy, especially if you're running more than one dog. Also, keep in mind that in the initial stages of training you should be riding the brakes nearly the whole time, and on a cheaper bike or scooter model you will need to replace the brake components fairly regularly. Pawtrekker scooters hold up better to wear.

Although there is a learning curve to the scooter, in generala they are safer, and biking with a hard charging dog can be very dangerous, and more dangerous for a less experienced rider. One of my friends is still recovering from a bikejoring crash last fall. She ended up tweaking tendons in her knee and with stress fractures in her back. No skijoring for her this winter.

Just be smart and safe. If you had a relatively closed dirt road you could train on I'd feel more comfortable recommending a bike, but on city streets, I'd personally use a scooter. My dog runs about 20 mph average dryland, so a crash can be pretty serious.

Oh, and training a dog to poop while running is very difficult unless the dog is in a large team. So, you need to learn to read your dog's body language (hunched back, shorter stride, tail position out rather than up, head up rather than down and focused ahead) and be ready to stop. Running will often stimulate a dog to poop, even if they've already gone prior to the run.