3 Tips for the first time biking with your dog

Biking with your dog can be a great way to enjoy and explore the outdoors while getting in a good workout.

However, we must recommend always checking with your veterinarian before implementing a new exercise routine for your dog. Before hitting the trails though there are a couple of key things to remember:

What to remember about going biking with your dog:

1. Training is key. Before ever going close to the bike you should make sure your pup is able to walk, jog, and run on a loose leash and will reliably listen to voice commands. This will eventually allow you to use a hands free leash and still modify your dogs behavior and movements while riding. Important commands to have nailed down include: come, stop, watch me, a way to signify turning, and a way to signify an increase or decrease of speed.
2. Start slow. Don’t start out on day one with a 3 mile bike ride, instead help set yourself and your pup up for success by helping acclimate them with running along a bicycle. A great way to start is walking the bicycle between your legs and walking the dog alongside; this can help your pup get used to navigating next to a bike and focusing on commands without having to worry about staying balanced on the bike or incorporating higher speeds. Work your way up to actually being on the bike and increasing speeds.
3. Enjoy the ride. Once you are through the training period, biking together can be a great bonding and exercise activity. Both you and your dog should be having fun. If your pup is afraid of the bicycle, if they are constantly lagging behind, not fit enough, or just not enjoying it, running alongside may not be for them. Fear not, there are still options to bring your pup along for the ride.

For dogs that can’t run alongside a bike, such as a senior pup, brachycephalic dog breeds, and some smaller breeds consider using a basket or attaching a bike trailer. This allows your dog to join the ride but without the strain of having to keep up with a bike. Make sure to practice the stay command before opting for one of these to reduce the chance of your dog trying to make a great escape.

With warmer weather here, having an activity like biking with your dog is a great way to stay in shape, explore new areas, and spend time with your favorite four legged friend. Just make sure to remember these tips before you head out for the first time.