Cyclist with a dog can be seen everywhere. This kind of outdoor activities requires more skills than just a walk with your dog on a leash, but it requires less time to prepare than agility and frisbee dog. You need to learn a little more about the features of your four-legged companion’s behaviour to master cycling with your dog. Then this type of rest will become pleasant and safe for you.
With a bicycle, you can improve not only your fitness, but also your dog’s health. You need nothing except a bicycle, you can ride a bike any time at an appropriate place. Those who are already engaged in some sports with a dog can easily teach it to run next to the bicycle for four or five lessons.
Husky in a Harness is Ready for Cycling
Risk factors
You should check your pet’s shape before cycling with it.
Before you start to train, you must ensure that its cardiovascular and locomotive systems are in order, and your dog does not suffer from obesity or epilepsy. This kind of activity can be harmful for dogs with short snout, heavy bones or great weight, and also with very thick and long hair, which makes it difficult to aerate and cool the body. In addition, if your dog has a tendency to rush to strangers and animals, it is necessary to pre-exercise it and get rid of such habits. In general, if some illnesses and disabilities were found, in any case, you should have it checked by a veterinarian, who will determine the suitability of this sport and whether your dog is allowed to run for the bike. The greatest dangers for dogs during cycling are heart attacks, dehydration and paws injuring.
Place for training
Choose right location and time for cycling with your dog. Take into account the weather, temperature and air humidity. Also, pay attention to the type of soil on which the dog will have to run. In summer the best time for training is a cool morning or evening. Choose a route with a long bike path where there is no obstacles, and few passers-by and other cyclists can be seen. The best surface for training is grass, humus, gravel or asphalt. Avoid sand or cement paths.
Reliable Equipment is Guarantee of Successful Training
Preparation
Select the route you will cycle with your pet, and check it all over without the dog. Note any place of potential hazard. Remember, where there are bumps or sharp turns, where you will need to reduce speed to a minimum. Think out an alternative route in case you have to leave the bike path for some reason. When you know the track well, it is easy to cope with unexpected situations that require a change of route. In order to avoid unwanted accidents on the track, try to shield your dog with your bike when a moving object appears suddenly.
Training
The dog must be taught gradually to any trainings, it concerns cycling with your dog as well. Start in a quiet familiar to your dog environment. Teach it to your bike, as long as your pet learns to follow it quietly. In the beginning do not require strict accuracy of your dog. Give it to explore the bicycle, to feel with a bike confidently, and then gradually move on to more complex exercises. It is necessary to ensure that the dog’s muzzle is at the level of the front fork of the bike during cycling. Encourage your dog for the right position to achieve it. At first, adjust to the movement speed of your dog. In time your furry friend will learn to run with the speed of your cycling.
Tie a dog leash to a bicycle seat, not to handlebars!
The length of the leash must allow your dog to move freely. For some dogs it is easier to run on a long leash, while others prefer to go closely. One and a half meters leash is suitable for the majority of medium-sized dogs. First training sessions should be short - 10-15 minutes. If you see that the dog can easily cope with the task, you can gradually increase the time period.
Voice commands
Verbal communication is the most effective means during cycling with your dog. Your hands are busy driving and eyes must watch the road. Often praise the dog by your voice. Your dog can be trained to change the speed and direction on the command, like in agility. It also uses peripheral vision excellently. The command must be given in two or three seconds before the time your dog has to perform it. Use the clear commands, such as "Come on" (if you need, for example, to speed up), or "E-e-easy" (if you want to slow down). Also, your dog must learn such commands as "right", "left" and others.
Doggy is Tied to a Bike Seat
Watching a dog
Learn to recognize the signs of your dog’s tiredness. You should watch it breathing and determine what it should be during training. If breathing becomes difficult, the dog is behind the bike, and its tongue hangs down, there are the signs that your pet is at the limit of its strength and activity should be stopped immediately.
Intensity
Time of training and speed of the dog for bicycle are chosen individually. Check out what are your dog's physical abilities. Throw a ball or a toy to it for 10 minutes. Then, walk it for about five minutes on a leash, and then take a 10-minute jog. If your dog will easily cope with the load, then you can safely begin to cycling with it. It is better to start with easy exercises than overload the dog that can even lead to injury. If the air temperature is high, the time and intensity of your workouts should be reduced. Take small frequent breaks, offer your dog some fresh water. The best variant, if the greater part of the training session your pet will trot or move with a rapid step. Never force your dog to run at a gallop, if it is tied to a leash or moves on hard soil.
Increase progress of your dog gradually as in any sport. The time of training session can be increased for a minute, if the dog is good at this activity. Also, you can increase its speed gradually. But do not do both simultaneously. Set realistic goals and solve them consecutively. It is better to start training in the cold season. In this case the dog will gain the necessary physical shape and be able to adapt easily to the summer weather. It is also necessary to revise the dog's diet, if you train your dog regularly and intensively,
Variegate training with exercises to make it more fun for your pet. For example, teach your dog to move for a bike in a path of eight, spiral or wave.
Take care of reliable dog training equipment before cycling, such as a nylon dog leash and a dog harness.