One of the coolest things that social media platforms like Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok have shown in the last few years are owners riding bikes with their dogs. “Trail dogs” as they’re called have swept the internet by storm! And what’s not to love about them? They’re cute, speedy, and impressive when it comes to following their owners down the trail.
If you’ve seen these videos and thought to yourself “hey, I could see me and my dog doing that too!” you’ve come to the right place. We’ll go over a few of the most important things you need to know in order to safely go biking with your dog. Let’s get started!
Start with the Basics
The amazing thing about watching these hiking trail dogs online is that they seem to have an almost telekinetic link with their owners. They weave in and out of trees, hurdle jumps, and shred berms all while staying right alongside their owner regardless of how fast they’re going.
A big reason for why these dogs perform so well is that their owners have gone through the process of teaching basic commands to their dogs. Obedience is key when riding with your dog because no matter what you encounter on the trail, you have to know that your dog is going to instantly listen and obey your commands.
Not only is this courteous to do, but it’s also a matter of safety. If there’s a wild animal like a snake, moose, or bear on the trail, you need to know that your dog will immediately recall to you when you call it. If you’re coming to an intersection with busy traffic, you need to have the confidence in your dog that it’s not going to just bolt off into traffic.
Build your basic obedience commands with your dog early and often. Seek to train with them in commands like sit, stay, and heel at least 2 to 3 times a day. The key is to keep the training sessions short and fun so that you keep your dog’s full attention through each session, and they also associate training with fun.
In the initial phases of training, try to eliminate distractions as much as possible. This means finding a space in your home where there are limited stimulations around so you can get your dog’s full attention.
As they improve in their response time to your commands, begin taking them into higher distraction areas like outside, at the dog park, and ultimately on the trails.
Add in the Bike
Once you and your dog have the basics down, it’s time to start adding in your bike. Again, start off with short rides that are close to home to keep the training sessions short.
A great drill to begin with is to have your dog walk next to you as you walk with your bike in your driveway. Walk the bike in a large figure 8 pattern with your dog walking beside you. This will help it begin to associate the bike as an extension of you so as you ride your bike, there’s not much difference between you walking with your dog and you riding with your dog. It’ll also help it to learn how to move around the bike as you make turns. That way, it’ll learn quickly to stay out of the way of your front wheel!
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After you have the walking figure 8’s down, hop on your bike and do the same drill as you ride your bike. Scale this drill up by finding a large empty parking lot and make large, sweeping figure 8’s with your dog. Make sure to reverse them as well so that your dog learns to stay next to you while avoiding the front wheel and not just learning the pattern you’re doing!
As your dog masters the figure 8’s be sure to mix in some slowing and stopping drills in the middle of them. This will train your dog to pay attention to what you’re doing on the bike rather than to just follow the figure 8 pattern.
Finally, move your training out to the trails! Try to go when the trail isn’t being used at peak times to help your dog follow along and practice all of the skills it has learned with as few distractions as possible. Keep your initial rides short and slowly extend them with each time you go out.
Once you and your dog are confident in each other’s abilities on the trail, step up your game by taking them down one of your favorite trails and have fun out there!
Gear to Bring
Biking with your dog means that you’re going to need to carry some extra gear that you don’t typically have on hand when you bike without them. It’s important to keep your dog healthy and safe throughout your ride, so be sure to have the following stuffed in your pack to keep your new favorite riding partner in top condition!
- Extra water
Your dog is going to need plenty of water to stay hydrated throughout your ride. Keep an extra water bottle just for them in your pack.
- Collapsible dog bowl
Keeping a collapsible bowl in your pack will ensure that each drop of water gets to where it needs to be. It’s a lot easier (and safer) than trying to waterfall water into your dog’s mouth.
- Dog booties
While it’s up to you and your dog on whether they wear booties throughout your ride, it’s a good idea to carry some booties to protect their feet, especially when it’s hot outside and you want to prevent them from burning their paws on hot surfaces.
- Leash
Having a leash in your pack will ensure that you’re able to quickly gain control over your dog if an emergency situation happens. Whether you encounter a dangerous animal or you need to keep your dog from getting into something you want it to avoid, having a leash at the ready is important to stay safe throughout your ride.
Final Thoughts
Riding with your dog can be an enjoyable experience for both of you when you follow the right steps to ride responsibly. Ensuring that your dog has a good recall down, feels comfortable around bikes, and has the proper protective equipment will keep both of you on the trail for the long haul! Take baby steps at first and know that the foundations you are laying with your dog in the beginning will pay off in dividends later on down the road. Let us know how it goes by dropping a comment below!
