anyone ever seen one of these in use?

http://hometown.aol.com/mschue5938/dogpoweredscooter.html

Opinions?

Easy dismount!

Definately a plus in my book. LOL

I don't know about the outrigger idea - you have to buy that plus the scooter and that might be a bit $$$. I think I would go for a good scooter(large wheel type) meant for training dogs and just use my regular harness and line set up. Dog Scooters are getting more popular with urban husky owners and for leader training. In Australia they race dogs on them. I don't have one but would really like to get one for leader training . There have been several discussions on SDC forum debating the merits of different models, brands etc and several outfitters advertising them. It seems like dandy way to exercise one or two dogs, and as mentioned a quick dismount is a nice feature(as is the lack of a top tube like a bike if anyone has ever had a little accident that way!)

Lynn~I was *hoping* you would be online when I posted that link.

are there any links you could share for more info on this? My old SchH 3 dog was a natural for pulling my bike with a sledding harness, very voice responsive but the hooligans I have now are NOT! I don't have much extra time for training as it is, and the control of this rig seemed a good way to get the most conditioning without spending tons of time training. I "sort of" do ski-joring in winter with my 4 year old GSD and she is taking to it well. Haven't tried the bike... falling on snow I can handle, falling off the bike in the street...call me a wimp!! I am getting too old for that! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

here is one with a good pictures
http://www.blackicedogsledding.com/page15.html

no relation to any resident blackicer's present

I think the outrigger idea might kind of be like the one on the Sacco cart - kind of hard to tell without a picture. I think it would give you a little more control. Check on carts on the Black Ice menu - they have a Sacco cart in thier catalog. Now there is something nice you can't fall off of, but more expensive. I would really like one of them, but when I figure out the Cdn exchange.... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />
If you want a cheap ride a minibike minus the engine or a dirt bike stripped down works pretty well and are more stable than a bicycle, but like any dog dragged conveyance, not something you want to ride in shorts and sandals.

http://www.dogscooter.com - lots of scooters
http://www.alaskasparken.com
http://www.harborside.com/~toffssandlynx/index.htm - check out the "sand fox"
http://www.risdonrigs.com/rigs.html - another folding rig, I put the rig links in case you want something with brakes and more stable

thanks Lynn!! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

You know that outrigger looks very restrictive. Just my opinion. wouldn't a spinger be just as good? They are alot cheaper and I think the dog has a little more available movement. I know that the scooter is a very popular way to excersise but I think I like the spinger best. I bought one for my sons bike so that everyone has a chance at taking the pup for a run. I think to I feel safer with the springer. I could just see myself falling off the scooter and being dragged several miles before WHOA! Made an impresion <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Well, I cruised around all those scooter sites enough that I got all fired up and keen and decided to order one. I have a "Torker" coming from dogscooters.com so I should be able to check it out before snow flies. It is pretty inexpensive and I figured it would be a good way to decide if it works for me or if I want to move to a different/bigger/better model. It is also small enough that I don't need a rack and can stick it in the back of the dog truck. I want it for leader training and rehab running for a dog that is recovering from an injury - having the dog running in front makes it easier to observe gait ensures you can keep tension on the line and know that the dog is pulling. Ann, what I found with the Springer is that if you have a dog that is used to really pulling out in front, they didn't really "get it" about pulling beside. I think the Springers are good for conditioning a dog to run/trot but not so good if your interest is in training the dog to really pull. The problem I would forsee with the outrigger thing on the scooter is a pretty spectacular crash if the dog makes a jump for the ditch(or whatever) - if you have a fall you are going to have a pile of scooter/human/dog with possible injuries to all three. With the dog out in front - probably only yourself and the scooter will sustain damage if you have to bail as the length of the towline ensures that the dog won't be hit by the scooter. The outrigger looks like it would be a good idea for a someone who wants to train in an urban area with more traffic/people.
When you get right down to it, most dog powered conveyances have a fairly high probability of helping you remove some skin at some point in their use. I will report back on my new dermabrasion device later....