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Riding a bike is one of the most relaxing forms of exercise, but on the right course, it can be physically taxing as well. If biking is something you enjoy, and you also have a furry family member, you might want to mesh the two so you can enjoy an activity with your dog. It might sound tricky, and even dangerous, to have your dog with you on a bike ride, but there are plenty of tips and tricks you can consider to ensure you both have a great time.
Look at the Size of Your Dog
Biking is typically a fast sport, so if your dog is going to run alongside you, it should be a larger dog with plenty of speed. A small, energetic dog might do fine for a few yards, but it will get tired quickly and those little legs won't carry the pup where you are headed. If you have a small dog, you can either attach a small basket to the front of your bike, such as the Pet-Pilot Bike Basket , or you can pull a pet trailer, such as the Houndabout Dog Bicycle Trailer by PetSafe . Both options are safe and both options are enjoyed by dogs around the nation. If you have a large dog, running alongside you might be just what it needs to get all that energy out, though trailers do come in various sizes for different sizes of dogs.
Carefully Introduce Your Dog to a Bike
Don't expect to just hop on a bike and have your dog be comfortable with the idea from the get-go. It takes time for dogs to get used to bikes. Introduce the bike to your dog by walking alongside the bike on your next walk. If the dog is scared of those spinning wheels, stop and let your pup sniff and explore it. Push it slowly and see how your dog reacts. If it gets jumpy, just keep making small movements until your dog realizes nothing awful is going to happen. For small dogs, play with the basket while the bike is stationary so it becomes a fun and recognizable place.
Once your dog is used to having a bike around, it's time to take it to the road. Bike very slowly at first so your dog can see how safe the situation is. You can speed up on your next walk and speed up more on the next. Eventually, your dog won't think twice about going for a bike ride.
Keep Your Dog Cool and Hydrated
You probably don't want to go on your bike ride at the hottest time of the day. Instead, shoot for early morning hours, though after the sun has peaked so you have plenty of visibility. You can also head out on a ride about an hour before sundown so you have that visibility, but not the extreme heat. Remember that your dog has a heavy fur coat so getting that much exercise out in the heat is going to be hard for your furry friend.
It's also important that you keep your dog hydrated while out on a bike ride. Attach a second bottle of water to your bike and grab a collapsible water bowl, such as the Guardian Gear Bend-a-Bowl . Depending on the size of your bowl, it might fit in your pocket, but it will for sure fit in a small cinch sack or backpack. Even if you're not thirsty, pay attention to cues from your dog, as well as the amount of time that has passed since your pup's last drink, and take plenty of water breaks.
Let Your Dog Set the Pace
You should never set the pace for your dog because it can't yell at you to slow down and you may not know when the dog simply can't take another step. It would be awful if your dog collapsed while you're on a bike ride and had nobody to help. To avoid this, let your dog set the pace for the ride. It's possible you could ride faster than the pace your dog sets, but when you take old Fido with you, it becomes all about him. Watch the dog's gait and movement to get an idea of whether it needs a break or is running too fast.
Check Your Dog's Health When You Stop
Any time you stop for your dog to get a drink, you should do a quick health check. First, take a look at your dog's paw pads. You're probably biking on one of two surfaces: asphalt or dirt. Both of these are hard on a dog's paw pads. If you need to, purchase dog shoes so the asphalt, rocks and heat don't beat up your dog's paws too bad. You should never make your dog run on asphalt or cement that is particularly hot, either. To test this, take your own shoes off and stand on the surface with bare feet. Is it too hot to stand? Then it's too hot for your dog, too.
Next, how heavy is your dog breathing? Just like you, there will be an elevation in breathing rate, but your dog shouldn't be gasping for breath. If it is, then it's time to take a break and slow down. If the dog seems to be having a particularly hard time breathing, you might need to call someone to pick it up, and you might also need to take a trip to the vet.
Have a Great Ride!
Now that you have some tips and tricks up your sleeve, you can have a great bike ride with your dog. Whether Fluffy is small and will sit in a basket or Fido is large and will run alongside you, there are certain measures that must be taken in order for both of you to have fun. Start today by getting the products you need to keep your dog safe.
