Rick, Thanks! Has anyone else had any success with these?

Thanks Rick, that's it. Sorry for not getting back sooner to previous questions. With my bike I could only place it on one side, so I only run one dog at a time. I may try it with both dogs this spring (but if they both go after a rabbit, I may in for the ride of my life). Either way, it's good exercise for me to.

Sandy

I use this one and like it.
Bike your dog

Thanks Steve! I think I would like yours much better and it looks much easier to put on. I will have to order a couple, that way I can put one dog on each side of the bike.

Sandy

 Quote: Angela Burrell

Natalya - Do you run with Oscar every day? If not, what do you do with him on the off days? From the RRs I've met, their temperaments/personalities seem to be similar to Catahoulas.

Usually, Oscar and I run 5-6 days a week. Since I'd be out there every day anyway, I just take him along and we accomplish 2 things at once. On days when we don't run (sometimes the weather is awful for running, or I'm giving him a break) we either do a long neighborhood walk (about an hour), working on OB throughout, OR, I confess, we can usually find a few neighborhood dogs to play with. Oscar has made fast friends with a number of really great dogs who frequent our local people parks, so we'll just do a long walk and see if any of our friends are out as well.

*I do not go to designated 'dog parks' and will not let Oscar greet and play with just any dog who we meet in the people park - only those he knows and I allow, and obviously all play is closely monitored. Playing with a single good buddy does give him a chance to really run like a madman and wrestle though, so that gets him tired out.

I like the idea of biking with a dog, but honestly, I don't think I'd ever trust Oscar not to bolt if he saw a wild critter, and the combo of a leash not attached to my hand, and the precariousness of being on 2 wheels would just prove ruinous for me, I'm certain ... I think we'll just stick to running.

Good luck Angela!

~Natalya

Natalya, I know what you mean about the dog bolting while you're on your bike. I tried biking with my dog last year and it was a bit tricky. I know those springer deals help impact the shock if your dog tries to bolt, and also with the attachment being in the rear, it's much more stable. I'm looking to buy one as well. And if Steve can ride with is big Rottie, it's reassuring it works pretty good.

Angela, another thing I thought of that's a different type of exercise is a spring pole. My dog loves hers and it gives her a good work out as well. I know Diane Jessup has some other stuff she uses to exercise her energetic Pits. It's called a Jenni. I don't know how hard it is to make that thing, but the springpole is easy to make.

It takes awhile for the dog to learn the ropes about biking. Buster, who I would consider as much trouble as any bigger dog (hes very strong, loves to run and PULL!) but I held the leash in one hand and used my arm to take any sudden sideways movement from the dog (I used a prong collar at first since he'll pull me way too fast and I wont be able to stop or turn). but he caught on after awhile and now I usually tie his leash to the body of the bike, but I would tie him to anything if I was biking in neighborhoods.

Another option, that I'm going to do with my GSD Murphy, is scootering. Give this site a look: http://www.dogscooter.com

Luck!
-J

Steve, the only thing that concerns me about the one you have is how they mount it on the seatpost. The other products talk about the need to keep the attatchment near the rear dropouts to keep the forces from your dog lower. I can attest from touring on my bike that you want most of the weight as low as possible with regards to the center of balance. When weight (or I presume forces from the dog) is higher up, it increases the negatve effects on steering dramatically.

Have you had any problems with this?

As a note, it looks like the clamp is superior on your type, Steve. I wonder if you could clamp it on the frame below the seatpost. That would bring the forces down quite a bit. I am pretty sure most bikes would have enough space to do this. Of course, I ride recumbent, so I have to invent new ways to attach things all the time!