Quote: Kelly Kovar

Thanks Sandy.... that was helpful. The only problem with that info is I am not intending to do any agility training.. I onoy wanted to know about how much is enough when going to the park and working throwing the ball in prey drive.... no agility training here....

I did like the idea of riding the bicycle with the dog running on the side... that might be an accident ready to happen.

kk

Hi Kelly. You said initially your dog does 30-45 min of running, I'm guessing full blown running. I think several factors need to be considered - temperature of the air, age of the dog, conditioning of the dog, terrain hard, flat or hilly, things like that. Your dog may want to keep going but that's dangerous. I figure one way to think about is how the wolves do it. Of course, take into consideration the incredible condition they're in as wild animals (if game is plentiful), but they will trot and slowly gallop (like a canter) for miles trailing game. It tires out their prey, and when the time is right, they will run, full blown, to the kill. But only at the end do they do the full blown run. I personally think a 30-45 min full blown run is too much. It might even be too much even if the dog is conditioned. My previous GSD would do the intensive run for 10 throws of the ball (at 11 yrs old, and with a kidney condition), then we'd just walk around and cool off for 15 min or so, then throw the ball again another 4 or 5 times. This time would be considerably shortened in the summer here in Phoenix, even when we only went out at dawn. Shortened to about 5 throws, no more. Then just walking and some trotting.

I never figure it's ok to completely tire out a dog, it just doesn't feel right to me, so don't like to do it. If you feel your dog needs more than 5 or 10 minutes of full blown running, walking or trotting is a good alternative.

Yeah, and the bike thing - maybe on a lonely country road and then only in 2 years, otherwise it IS an accident waiting to happen (with my pup). And then only on a leash held by the hand so I can let go if necessary, wouldn't attach him to the bike.

 Quote: Kelly Kovar

I did like the idea of riding the bicycle with the dog running on the side... that might be an accident ready to happen.

kk

I used to do that with my old Malamute X breed and yes it was an accident waiting to happen. More than once I went over the bars of the bike because the dog had to take a quick stop and poop at 15-20 mph.. I got pretty good at watching his anus (not to be gross) when it sorta winked at you you knew that you had to be ready!!

I have a friend that runs a dog sledding ecotourism business in the Temagami wilderness in Northern Ontario that utilizes Canadian Eskimo dogs and when a Dog trys to do 'ahem' his business the other dogs either beat the snot out of offending dog or pull him down the trail, so those dogs learn to poop on the run. BTW that's where I got wise to the wink!

A safer bet would be to use an adult kick scooter and utilize a proper sled/skijor harness with a bungee style tugline. More info will be found here .. http://www.dogscooter.com Fun thing for me is I own one of those Bleauwerk Micro Scooters that I bought for my daughter and she never used and still have my old dog's sled harness and accessories. So I can't wait for spring to try it!

 Quote: Sandy Moore

Yeah, and the bike thing - maybe on a lonely country road and then only in 2 years, otherwise it IS an accident waiting to happen (with my pup). And then only on a leash held by the hand so I can let go if necessary, wouldn't attach him to the bike.

In my experience exercising my old dog this way the hand on the leash while the dog is beside you is a bad idea.

For example a chipmunk runs across the trail. Dogs are fast and the chipmunk makes the dog bolt you have milliseconds to react or you are a crumpled ball in the trees. The loose leash as well has a tendency to get caught up in the bike at the most inoppurtune times. Having the dog beside you at any time is a recipe for disaster too, the centre of gravity is perfect for making you lose control.

You need to have the dog out front (which is potentially dangereous in itself if you meet up with other dogs that may want a piece of your dog, got bite scars to prove it from that encounter :eek But it is neccesary so you can watch your dog and have 2 hands to control the bike. Never never never ever let the dog get beside you or behind especially descending grades keep the line taut no matter the situation. Bring lot's of h20 for both you and the dog.

I'm not saying it can't be done on a bike, as I did exercise my dog like that for years down old fire trails and dirt roads. Some of my most fondest memories off all time where from plunking through the bush in that manner, it is great fun. But you just have to have the right equipment and expectations, it is not as easy as putting a flat collar and leash to have your dog run beside the bike.

I hope my experience from doing it helps,

Have fun be safe!

Thanks Geoff! Nothing like having a "visual" to help cement a thought, in this case the thought that I would have possibly ended up getting really hurt with the leash idea. As a child, my GSD used to pull me down the sidewalk when I had my skates on. Of course I was lower to the ground and didn't fear falling too much and still had my feet under me at all times (so to speak, except for being on skates).

Like the scooter idea and kept the website link for the future (my guy is still a pup). What a great idea, still for me, just using it on a dirt road.

Yeah at least with a scooter you are already on your feet and closer to the ground. Which wouldn't be to far off from being on skates like when you were a kid. FWIW I've seen dog owners use inline skates with Skijor harnesses on sunday bike days on local parkways up here. Hey Cesar Milan does it with 10+ dogs but I'm sure that's just for the camera, now that's a recipe for a concussion!

When the snow is gone here in a couple of months I'm going to try the Scooter for a couple of short people power (me) assisted jaunts around the block with my pup and see how it works.

I use a springer with my dogs. It holds them on the side of the bike. http://www.springerusa.com/ It works well. My GSD is not so into it but I have a Siberian Husky that will do 15 miles with me without even breaking a sweat.

 Quote: Geoff Empey

Yeah at least with a scooter you are already on your feet and closer to the ground. Which wouldn't be to far off from being on skates like when you were a kid. FWIW I've seen dog owners use inline skates with Skijor harnesses on sunday bike days on local parkways up here. Hey Cesar Milan does it with 10+ dogs but I'm sure that's just for the camera, now that's a recipe for a concussion!

When the snow is gone here in a couple of months I'm going to try the Scooter for a couple of short people power (me) assisted jaunts around the block with my pup and see how it works.

Ditto what you said about being on your feet and closer to the ground with the scooter. When you do the scooter work with your dog, post about how it works out. I'm interested in a follow up.

 Quote: Jason Shipley

I use a springer with my dogs. It holds them on the side of the bike. http://www.springerusa.com/ It works well. My GSD is not so into it but I have a Siberian Husky that will do 15 miles with me without even breaking a sweat.

I remember a thread a while back about the springer for bikes, believe you talked about it then. At first I thought it would be great for my pup when he was ready for more serious exercise, but after seeing what he's like, I don't think I could trust him with it for a long time

Doing 15 miles, sounds like a Husky. I'd be breaking a sweat and collapsing long before that

 Quote: Sandy Moore

When you do the scooter work with your dog, post about how it works out. I'm interested in a follow up.

For sure, I know from past experience it will be great.

 Quote: Sandy Moore

 Quote: Jason Shipley

I use a springer with my dogs. It holds them on the side of the bike. http://www.springerusa.com/ It works well. My GSD is not so into it but I have a Siberian Husky that will do 15 miles with me without even breaking a sweat.

I remember a thread a while back about the springer for bikes, believe you talked about it then. At first I thought it would be great for my pup when he was ready for more serious exercise, but after seeing what he's like, I don't think I could trust him with it for a long time

Doing 15 miles, sounds like a Husky. I'd be breaking a sweat and collapsing long before that

My Malamute X would easily do 15 miles but it was like more on average 30-35 miles in reality most days. I had a 3 litre Camelback filled with h20 for myself and 3 - 1.5 lt bottles on the bike for the dog.

Jason with the Springer does the side mount cause any concerns with going at a higher rate of speed? That's the only thing that would scare me about it is not being able to keep an eye on the dog and what is up ahead. How do you fare in that regard?