Safety First: Biking Etiquette and Precautions

You notice a bicycle at the store and want to ride it, but without leaving your dog at home. Can your favorite furry friend can be included in this “wheeley” fun activity? Yes, with some preparation and special considerations. Let’s discuss: Should my dog bike with me? This answer varies by each individual dog. Owners must realistically consider their dog’s physical and mental abilities before attempting to bike with them, for the safety of their dog and their personal safety. Consider the following: Training. Your dog will not be ready to go on a serious ride the first day you get your bike; dogs must be trained to run alongside a bicycle successfully. A dog who has little to no training will be more likely to cause an accident.  Mentality. Some dogs are naturally timid, or are nervous as a result of a traumatic past. While some dogs may be trained to get used to things, other dogs will never like certain things. Do not force your dog to bike with you, as if they are scared, they ...

Do you long for your canine companion each time you go on a solo bike ride? If yes, you must have surely considered taking your dog along to enjoy your trips together! However, we are pretty sure that the next thought that comes to your mind each time you think about it is whether they will be safe or comfortable.  Is it safe to bike with pets? Yes, definitely  – if you do it right. Here is a quick guide and a few dog biking tips to help you bike with your dog safely so that you never have to leave your buddy behind. Let’s dive right in! Which dog breeds are best for riding? It’s obviously extremely important to check if your dog is even suitable for riding in the pet bike basket. Make sure that your dog’s size and weight is within the basket's defined capacity.  In general, small and medium-size dogs with weight under 11 kg are perfect for riding in pet baskets. Riding with a large and heavy dog in the basket may cause damage to the basket and will make it difficult to ...

First things first. Why should anyone be concerned whether someone has actually trained the dog to trot or run alongside a bike? Because it can be dangerous, not only for you and your dog, but for others as well. All kinds of accidents can occur, some more milder than others, but when people start really getting hurt, it’s time to review exactly how we look at this activity and what we do to ensure the safest conditions. And this would be entirely pointless if it wasn’t also acknowledged the exercise benefits for dogs! Believe it, I know, I bike my own. However, keep in mind, biking dogs is not for everyone and every dog. It’s wise to check with a veterinarian who can assess whether biking would be beneficial and your dog is physically healthy. Why train Since biking dogs can be dangerous it’s wise to train dogs using specific verbal signals enabling you, the human part of the equation to manage the dog’s behavior and avoid accidents and injuries. When first training my last Doberman...

 As we dog owners know, life is better with your dog, especially when it comes to outdoor activities. And that goes for mountain biking too. If you like to get on a bike and ride the trails, your dog doesn't have to stay home — they can run along with you! Of course, adding a mountain bike into the mix makes hitting the trails with your dog a little more complicated. That's why we talked to Erica Aarons, Rex Specs' Senior Digital Marketing Manager and dog mom to Maya, about her tips for mountain biking with dogs . Aarons has been mountain biking with her pup for over two years and has compiled her top tips for how to take your dog with you on your mountain biking adventure. Training a Mountain Biking Trail Dog "Training your dog to mountain bike with you really starts with basic obedience," says Aarons. Your dog needs to have good recall, know how to heel, sit, and have other basic obedience down. Once your dog is rock solid on the basics, you can start to train t...

Going for a walk can be one of the most exciting parts of a dog’s day, but some pups just need to feel the wind in their fur. A bicycle ride is a fun way to spend time with your pooch outside, get some exercise, and fulfill your dog’s need for speed. But it’s important to stay safe. In addition to following basic biking safety guidelines and obeying the rules of the road, there are some additional safety measures you’ll need to take when you bring your dog along on a bike ride. When the Fur Flies: Jetting With Pets Here’s what you should do to stay safe while biking with your dog. Make Sure Your Dog Can Handle This A man stops to give his dog a drink of water from a hydrations system, while on a mountain bike ride. (Picture Credit: Getty Images) If you want your pooch to trot along next to you while you ride your bike, there are a lot of things you need to do before you even set foot outside. First, take a look at your dog. If they’re prone to breathing problems, which are especially c...

Riding a bike with a running dog as a companion can be done safely. If you put in the time for training, invest in the proper equipment, and follow some safety rules, the activity can be fun and safe for you both. Equipment for the cyclist You’ll need some basic bicycling equipment:     A bike that’s suitable for the terrain where you plan to ride (hybrid bikes are ideal for mainly paved roads, dirt roads, well-mowed fields, and smooth bike trails; mountain bikes are best dirt trails with rougher terrain)     Well-fitting helmet     A water bottle or two (your dog may need more water than you!)     A spare tube or tire repair kit and a tire pump     ID, money (or a credit card), and a cell phone Beware the “Bike Monster” Silhouetted Cyclist And Dog Trying to hold onto your dog’s leash, or tying it to your bike’s handlebars, is a sure way to crash your bike and potentially hurt and scare your dog. Letting go of your dog’s leash may save y...

Good preparation and correct equipment is vital to ensure safety while biking with your dog . Together with Viktor and Linn Beate Sinding-Larsen, World champions in bikejoring we made a to-do list. Equipment I an addition to your dog having to have the correct harness and equipment for bikejoring your equipment should also be fitting for this activity. -Before each trip you should check that your equipment is in good condition. When biking with dogs, there are some additional details to pay attention to. This is important in order to avoid injuries, says Viktor. Pay special attention to the paws. With the high speed of bikejoring, there is a higher risk of the dogs paws wearing out faster. Therefore, you should always have dog booties when out biking. The bungee and the attachment points also have a high potential of injury if they break. You should always check if there are any tears or wear on them. Bike Handlebar: This part of the bike has the biggest potential to injure both you an...

If your dog is ready to run marathons, another option to consider might be bicycling with your dog. The greater speed of a bicycle gives dogs the chance to really let loose without requiring an equal effort from a human companion, which makes trotting, sprinting, and even running alongside a bicycle an ideal choice for medium to large breeds that have a lot of energy and endurance. On the other hand, there are a few more hazards involved between four paws, two wheels, and a leash; read on to learn more about considerations for safer cycling with your dog. Health Just like humans are advised to consult with a physician before beginning a new exercise regimen, so too should your dog get a vet check-up to ensure they’re appropriately healthy to join you on your cycling adventures. They should be free of issues with their bones and joints and with good, strong lungs and hearts. Younger puppies whose bones aren’t through growing and older dogs with arthritis can ride along instead, in a b...

 Have you ever taken your dog with you on a bike ride? Maybe you haven’t because you’re worried that your dog can’t keep up with you or that her leash will get caught in the wheels. But, there are ways to include your dog safely. Here are a few basic safety tips for biking with a dog.    Getting Your Dog Ready for Exercise If you think your dog actually has the energy and stamina to trot alongside you as you bike, great! This is a perfect way to get exercise. But even if your dog appears to be in the best of health, you should have your veterinarian check her over before starting a new exercise routine, like jogging—which is essentially what this is. You will want to be sure that your dog isn’t too old or young for sustained workouts and that she doesn’t have any underlying health conditions that could be worsened by strenuous exercise. If your dog is overweight, jogging is usually not the best way to begin a new routine. You should first start your dog on a regular walki...

  If your dogs are like mine, there’s no end to their reserves of energy. Morning runs, puzzle feeders, squirrel chases in the backyard, a seemingly endless in-house wrestling match that tends to peak right in the middle of my Zoom meetings, and another mile of walks each night do nothing to curb their energy. These two could run all day and I still don’t think they’d feel sufficiently worn out. I love them so much it hurts. Literally—my legs are so tired from all these walks. Despite my best efforts at incorporating regular enrichment opportunities that help work their mind and their bodies, my slow-moving biped ways just can’t keep up with the amount of sheer exercise they crave. So what’s a dog mama to do?! Both of my hounds are former shelter pups who likely missed out on socialization opportunities during puppyhood, so doggy daycare and romps at the dog park are wrought with frustration and fear for all of us. And while they’re both hound dogs who were bred to chase critters a...

  Bike riding is a great way to enjoy the outdoors with your dog. Here’s how to safely enjoy biking with your dog. Dogs Running Alongside Bikes Having your dog running alongside your bike can be a very fun activity but it’s also high impact—especially when you’re biking on concrete. Before you try it, consult with your veterinarian to confirm if your dog is in the right physical condition to do it safely. They should also assess to see if your dog is able to keep up with a bicycle. Most small-to-medium dogs cannot keep up with a bike because of their shorter legs. Because of this, it is best to allow only healthy, large dogs to run alongside your bike. Once you have the all-clear, it’s best to use a biking leash that attaches directly to your bike. This will help keep your dog away from the wheels and means you don’t have to focus on holding the leash while steering the bicycle. When you start biking with your dog, begin very slowly with very short distances and slow speeds. Attach...