On the other hand, if you make a trip into the countryside, your dog will love it. He will especially enjoy the fact that his master goes faster on the bike and suddenly is able to keep up. Nevertheless, you should temper his excitement because while trying to please you, your dog could overrate his strengths and fall behind after some time. Don’t forget to always carry enough water for your doggie to keep him hydrated. Avoid hard surfaces, especially hot tarmac. Be wary of letting your pooch run on harder surfaces after he’s had a swim, as the softened paws can get hurt easily. Always check your dog’s paws after running.
Don’t start cycling with your dog until his musculoskeletal development is complete, which takes at least a year and a half. If your dog’s breed tends to have joint problems, as is the case with retrievers, you should think twice about cycling with him. Either way, your dog should be able to walk beside you, or beside your bike in this case, if you want to take him for a ride.
When you’re cycling on a roadway, it’s better to swap the lead for a body harness, which will be much more comfortable for both you and your dog. Your pup should not tug at the cord and stretch it; he should run alongside the bike. If you want to prevent your dog from pulling away, the best thing you can use is a special attachment called springer, which keeps the dog at a length from the bike. Once you get into open space, you’ll please your dog best if you let him run free.
Never overstrain your dog and always adjust the speed and distance to his needs, not yours. If you have sporting ambitions, you should leave your dog at home and save a lot of trouble for both of you. Anyway, dog biking is always fun on a bun, as is evident from this video.
What’s on your dog’s mind during your ride?
(As confirmed by ten out of nine dogs)
Are we there yet? Are we? Now?
Why are we going so slowly?
Why are we going so fast?
Look, a cat!
Look, a dog!
Look, a bird!
Look, a puddle! (Why didn’t we stop for a drink?)
Oh, that hard road again!
My ear is itching. Can I scratch now?
Look, there’s a stick!
Look, there’s something! (But maybe it was just an impression…)
When will you give me something to eat?
Oh, smell all the new scents!
Can I sniff this? No? And that? Why not?
Why are we stopping again?
Are we carrying any food at all?
Look, a couch! (Can I rip it to pieces?)
Man, I haven’t peed for two minutes!
Are we there yet?
Why didn’t we take a swim in that river?
Wow, dustbins! (Maybe there were some plastic bags with spoilt food in them!)
Look, a bitch! I need to get to her!!! Now!!! Right now!!!
Why is my master lying on the ground? Look, he’s screaming. Why is he screaming? Have I done anything wrong? I’d better stare at the ground. That always works. He’ll get over it. Oh, man…
