{"id":185860,"date":"2021-08-27T12:39:44","date_gmt":"2021-08-27T12:39:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.welovecycling.com\/wide\/?p=185860"},"modified":"2021-08-27T12:39:44","modified_gmt":"2021-08-27T12:39:44","slug":"the-ultimate-guide-to-biking-with-your-dog","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.welovecycling.com\/wide\/2021\/08\/27\/the-ultimate-guide-to-biking-with-your-dog\/","title":{"rendered":"The Ultimate Guide to Biking with Your Dog\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"

If you love cycling and have recently acquired a canine companion\u2014or the other way around\u2014you may find yourself searching for guidance as to how you can bring the two together. Riding a bike with your dog can be a great pleasure but you must be able to do so safely and in a way that maximises the enjoyment of all involved. Depending on the bike and furry friend you\u2019re dealing with, riding a bicycle with a dog usually means one of two things: your dog is either riding in a bike trailer or basket or your dog is running alongside your bike.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

For smaller dogs, breeds with lower stamina or those with health issues\u2014it is best to opt for a bike trailer or basket (more on that below). If strenuous exercise is not a concern, though, riding a bike is an excellent form of exercise for your dog<\/a> and can also help to address any energy surpluses that may manifest in less desirable behaviours. Whatever the case may be, let\u2019s go over a few of the things you need to be aware of before trying to ride a bike with your dog.<\/p>\n

\"Cycling<\/a>
Not every dog loves cycling as much as you do.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Determine if you\u2019ve got a runner or a passenger\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Before you get your heart set on having your pup run alongside you as you pedal, you must confirm they are up to the task. Be mindful of the fact that some dogs, including short-nosed breeds, dogs who are overweight or those who have health issues, are not built for runs. As explained by Haylee Bergeland<\/a>, Daily Paws\u2019 pet health and behaviour editor, \u201cNot all breeds are meant for biking! Dogs that are brachycephalic (like bulldogs) have a hard time breathing normally, so rigorous exercise like biking is not a good idea.\u201d She also says that, \u201clarge, heavy dogs and older dogs will not enjoy biking as it is too rough on their joints. Dogs with thick, heavy coats may also find it too uncomfortable.\u201d<\/p>\n

Of course, some dogs do love going on longer runs. To stay on the safe side, though, it is best to check with your vet before starting your pooch on any kind of new exercise regimen.<\/p>\n

Take baby steps to get your dog comfortable around a bicycle<\/strong><\/h2>\n

As more cyclists have endeavoured to get their dogs involved in their hobby, there are now special bike attachments designed for dogs to run alongside their humans. But before you get started, though, you need to confirm that your dog is comfortable<\/a> around a bike, can remain calm, and will be able to follow your instructions. From the sound a bike makes to the way it moves, there are plenty of things about your beloved steed that can give a dog reason for pause (pun intended)\u2014so take it slow.<\/p>\n

Begin by simply putting the dog next to the bike to get her used to the sounds and movements before going for a ride together. You can also use treats during the stage to create positive association and reinforcement with your bicycle. Then, as your dog comes to associate the bike with good things, you can work on developing the level of comfort and confidence they will need to run alongside you. Keep in mind that this process may take time, though, so patience is key.<\/p>\n

\"Biking<\/a>
Is your dog a runner or a passenger? \u00a9 Profimedia<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Set realistic targets and work up to longer outings<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Unless you\u2019ve already got a vigorous running routine established with your dog, you\u2019ll need to work on building stamina before your dog can accompany you on longer jaunts. When starting out, your dog\u2019s muscles and paw pads are not used to running in this way\u2014running consistently alongside a bike (even if you\u2019re going pretty slow) is a lot different than playing for hours in the yard. The hard surfaces that make cycling a breeze can be hard on or even dangerous for your dog. Start with 5-10 minute outings and work your way up slowly.<\/p>\n

Invest in a good leash\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\n

These days, it is easy to find specialised dog leashes for biking. They attach to your bicycle\u2019s seat post or rear axle and are ideal for running dogs that require leashing due to traffic or temperament. Leashes such as the Bike Tow Leash<\/a> and Walky Dog Plus leash<\/a> will help protect your dog from pedals, wheels and traffic. The specially designed coiled springs will also act as shock absorbers in the event of an unexpected tug.<\/p>\n

Top <\/strong>carriers<\/strong> for your pooch<\/strong><\/h2>\n

If you\u2019ve decided that the best way to enjoy cycling together is to carry your dog, then you must find a basket or carrier that is comfortable and appropriate for the kind of riding you\u2019ll be doing.<\/p>\n

Some of our top picks include:<\/p>\n

Back of the bike: Trixie <\/a>Foldable Dog Bike Trailer<\/a><\/strong><\/h2>\n

\"Trixie<\/a><\/p>\n

Water-resistant and reinforced with a steel frame, this dog carrier<\/a> for bikes hitches to the back of your frame so your pup can ride in comfort. It also features a safety strap, reflectors, and flag for added security and folds up for easy storage post-ride.<\/p>\n

Front of the bike: Snoozer Buddy Bike Basket<\/a><\/strong><\/h2>\n

Durable, comfortable, and indisputably cute\u2014this dog carrier for bikes<\/a> comes in three colours and has extra pockets for you and your dog\u2019s belongings. It has a removable pad and chin rest \u2014plus a weather cover for those days when the elements speak up unexpectedly.<\/p>\n

A wearable option: K9 Sport <\/a>Sack Dog Carrier<\/a><\/strong><\/h2>\n

\"Dog<\/a><\/p>\n

Ideal if you\u2019d also like to do some hiking with your dog in tow, these backpacks come in four sizes<\/a>\u2014with the largest size holding dogs up to 35 pounds. Your pup\u2019s head and front paws are visible and unencumbered while their lower half is tucked safely inside, sitting on a rest pad. Zippered vents, a collar hook-up, and a chest strap provide extra comfort and security.<\/p>\n

The final word on biking with your dog<\/strong><\/h2>\n

If your canine pal is up to running, it is critical that you keep a close eye on them while you do so\u2014both while you\u2019re out and about and once you get home. Be mindful that dogs simply don\u2019t have the same kind of stamina as humans do and that you should avoid taking your dog out when it\u2019s too hot, you\u2019re planning to do a challenging route or you want to tackle a rough trail. The ride should be a slow and easy one, with plenty of opportunities for breaks. Check-in with your dog often to make sure they are enjoying the activity and are not getting too tired. Once you can visibly or audibly tell that your pup is tired, it\u2019s time to call it a day.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

If you love cycling and have recently acquired a canine companion\u2014or the other way around\u2014you may find yourself searching for […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":99,"featured_media":185863,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[334],"tags":[5619,1612,5620],"global-categories":[3366],"class_list":["post-185860","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-socialising-and-culture","tag-biking-with-a-dog","tag-cycling-with-a-dog","tag-daily-paw","global-categories-cycling"],"yoast_head":"\nThe Ultimate Guide to Biking with Your Dog\u00a0 - \u0160koda We Love Cycling<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"If you love cycling and have recently acquired a canine companion\u2014or the other way around\u2014you may find yourself searching for guidance as to how you can\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.welovecycling.com\/wide\/2021\/08\/27\/the-ultimate-guide-to-biking-with-your-dog\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"The Ultimate Guide to Biking with Your Dog\u00a0\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"If you love cycling and have recently acquired a canine companion\u2014or the other way around\u2014you may find yourself searching for guidance as to how you can\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.welovecycling.com\/wide\/2021\/08\/27\/the-ultimate-guide-to-biking-with-your-dog\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"\u0160koda We Love Cycling\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2021-08-27T12:39:44+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/d2p6e6u75xmxt8.cloudfront.net\/2\/2021\/08\/Cycling-with-a-dog-profimedia-0623005230-CVR.webp\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"900\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"600\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/webp\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"tereza\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:title\" content=\"The Ultimate Guide to Biking with Your Dog\u00a0\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Megan Flottorp\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"6\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.welovecycling.com\/wide\/2021\/08\/27\/the-ultimate-guide-to-biking-with-your-dog\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.welovecycling.com\/wide\/2021\/08\/27\/the-ultimate-guide-to-biking-with-your-dog\/\",\"name\":\"The Ultimate Guide to Biking with Your Dog\u00a0 - 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