Pet dogs along for the ride!

[KrissKross]

Does anyone else take their pet dog along with them on their bicycle travels?

We will be travelling soon (motorhome) across Europe and want to take our dog into city centres etc with us behind the bikes.

Just researching at the moment for best solutions or ideas, or if this is a nuts idea what our options are!

Thanks

[frisbee]

I saw a dog riding along in the front of a cargo bike, he was loving it.

[Watchman]

Absolutely. Well, not mine but we went out with our friends and their Alsatian who part-time rode in the trailer. She likes to get out and run a bit but obviously can't keep up with the bikes for long, so she jumps in when she's had enough. She then yelps over and over and over until she is allowed out again. It's very funny, especially when we encounter people who obviously expect to see a child riding in the trailer, and their faces turn from "Ah" to "Oh".

We're likely to buy a dog this year. We'll get a trailer too. I enjoyed towing my daughter when she was little but now the person in our "herd" to keep up with is my son, he can pull the trailer.

My daughter and my friends' dog:

[MarshPhantom]

There used to be a chap ride around Blackheath daily for ages with a dog just balanced on his back rack.

[williredale]

I did the Great Weston Ride this summer and there was a bloke with his dog in a trailer.
Photo stolen from Facebook but this was at the top of Burrington Combe which was where I overtook him.

Edited by williredale on Wednesday 14th September 21:54

[KrissKross]

Fantastic, I am not mad.

At the other end we also started discussing a harness to allow the dog to pull.

[tr7v8]

Quite common in the Netherlands, especially in the cities.

[AutoClouseau]

Use a Doggyride for Pomapoo and Westie, They love to go as fast as possible, sometimes run where places let them, but all in all, has helped us do more miles on the bikes and us all enjoy the outdoors.

Edited by AutoClouseau on Wednesday 14th September 22:16

[Craikeybaby]

I always enjoy seeing the trail dogs when I'm at Cannock Chase, every time I'm there I see dogs, usually collies, running behind their owners on the trails.

[TwistingMyMelon]

I often take my dogs out on short rides:





Some great fields and gravel tracks round my way

My terrier doesn't last too long, his little legs get burnt out and he gives up after a a bit, I normally just take them round a local field and then lap him a few times!

My collie loves the bike, there is a long flat gravel and tarmac paths near me, I have a rolling road race with him, I cruise along at about 10-15 mph with him along side, then go 3,2,1 GO!! He knows on the countdown that im queuing up a race and on Go he sprints off. I never realised how quick the bugger is , Im pretty handy at sprinting, but I just cant beat him, using strava/ GPS I can see I hit 30mph and it was still neck and neck, even at 30, he had more to give!!!

I nearly stacked it the other day racing him into a corner, he made it, I under steered into the hedge!

Only downside of collies is that they work/exercise themselves to collapse, they wont stop until their legs collapse on them!

Would try longer rides, but run out of options where I live and I dont have space in car for bikes and dogs

[jesta1865]

my dog used to sulk if i didn't take her out when i went for a ride, she never used to sit in a trailer she would run along beside me.

she was the dog equivalent of a triathlete crossed with a sprinter as i struggled to keep up with her sometimes (off road, never on it) if i stopped for a rest she would yelp and bark till i got back on. mad as a box of frogs.

sadly no longer with us.

[TwistingMyMelon]

jesta1865 said:

my dog used to sulk if i didn't take her out when i went for a ride, she never used to sit in a trailer she would run along beside me.

she was the dog equivalent of a triathlete crossed with a sprinter as i struggled to keep up with her sometimes (off road, never on it) if i stopped for a rest she would yelp and bark till i got back on. mad as a box of frogs.

sadly no longer with us.

HAha bless, sounds good time, my daughter goes mad when she is in the trailer and I stop, whe wants me to carry on!

[Kell]

Clearly it depends on the size and breed of dog. But if you have a hound (think Dalmation especially, but also Weimaraner, Doberman etc) then they were bred specifically for this.

Dalmations were carriage dogs and used to run alongside horse and carriages for protection.

They'd have no bother keeping up with you on your bike and when they need to be tethered you could use one of these:

Clicky Piccy:

[Gruffy]

Probably worth sticking to the small jumps only if you're using one of those though.

[Kell]

As opposed to launching off the big jumps with a dog in a trailer?

[Gruffy]

I was thinking more about the leash thing you posted

[daddy cool]

My locals trails (not me though - i dont have a dog and im rubbish compared to this guy) - awesome vid of a guy with his Vizsla:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mBOOHjIO1ac
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5uslwIp48Bw

[r-kid]

Mine are out front hauling, interesting when they approach technical downhills at full pelt

[Watchman]

r-kid said:

Mine are out front hauling, interesting when they approach technical downhills at full pelt

How does that work then? Do you hold onto the rope end with your hands or leave it attached to the bars? I'd have thought the latter would have you off.

Bloody awesome however you manage it..!!

Bet you feel like Ben Hur.

[r-kid]

Watchman said:

How does that work then? Do you hold onto the rope end with your hands or leave it attached to the bars? I'd have thought the latter would have you off.

Bloody awesome however you manage it..!!

Bet you feel like Ben Hur.

It stays attached to the bars, I'd never see them again if it wasn't. I had to do a few practice runs along the canal and get them trained on mushing commands before I started tackling proper offroad rides with them.

You can get an attachment which holds the rope up out of the way of the front tyre, but I've only once had it drop into it & that was because I wasn't paying attention.

never thought of it like Ben Hur, but yes it is kinda like that