How To Ride Your Bike With Your Dog

As summer approaches, we dog lovers are looking for more ways to incorporate our favorite four-legged friends into fun outdoor activities. We’ve all taken our dogs swimming and hiking with us, but what about bike rides? Can you ride a bike with your dog?

Yes, you can! Biking with dogs is a fun activity that gives your dog a great workout while allowing you to get some use out of your favorite bicycle. We have all the tips and tricks you need to know in order to help your dog be the best biking companion a dog and bicycle lover could ask for.

We’ll be going over everything you need to know, including:

• How to tell if biking is good for your dog
• How to keep your dog safe while biking
• What to do if your dog can’t run beside you

Is Biking Good For My Dog?

Biking makes for great physical exercise for everyone, but before you leash up your dog, you need to consider their activity levels, breed, temperament, and spatial awareness. A tiny Chihuahua is not going to have a good time trotting to keep up with a fast bike and neither will an old dog who would rather go on a leisurely stroll around the park. Active dogs who love running, like German Shepherds and Border Collies, are more likely to enjoying biking.

However, the activity levels of your dog mean nothing if they are prone to straying away from the leash or running into traffic. If you are to bike with your dog, you need to make sure that they won’t crash into your bike wheels or threaten to topple you over. If you’re worried that your dog will knock you over while you’re on the bike, you should first go through to help them get used to staying by your side.

Overall, if you have an active, well-trained dog, then biking would be a great activity to share between you and your dog. Otherwise, you should consider an alternative means of enjoying the great outdoors together.

How Do I Keep My Dog Safe While Biking?

If you have never ridden your bike with your dog before, then this might seem like a huge safety risk for both you and your canine friend. However, there are a few measures you can take to ensure that both of you can enjoy a good bike ride without getting hurt.

First, make sure you have the proper equipment for your dog. While a normal leash can work fine, many dog owners invest in leashes made specifically for biking. These leashes attach to the bike itself, meaning that you won’t have to hold the leash or loop it over your arm.

While specialty leashes are not necessary, having a harness is. Veterinarians recommend switching out your dog’s collar for a full body harness when using your bike, as the collar can choke them. A harness will evenly distribute any force, creating a painless and less-risky experience for your pet.

Before you commit to going on long rides with your dog, it’s best to take them through a trial run first. Go on a few short laps around your neighborhood, taking it slow until your dog gets used to walking beside the bike.

Once you are sure that your dog is comfortable around the bike and won’t run into it, you can go on a long bike ride. Make sure that your dog is well-hydrated before, during, and after the venture. During the ride, make sure that you pay attention to how your dog is doing. If they are lagging behind to the point where they are being dragged by the bike, slow down. Always check in with your dog to make sure they are having as much fun as you are.

What If My Dog Can’t Run Beside Me?

If your dog isn’t able to run beside your bike, then there are a few alternative methods you can look into.

If you are looking for a fun way to take your dog on adventures with you, then you can invest in a basket or an attachable wagon your dog can ride in. There are many that are made specifically for pets, and as long as your dog is strapped, they’re perfectly safe. And who knows! Maybe your corgi will enjoy feeling the wind between their ears from the basket on your bike as much as they do from the windows in your car.

But if you’re looking for a way to get your dog more exercise throughout the day, you might want to stick to taking them on walks. If you can’t take them on multiple walks throughout the day, then you can invest in a pet door. Pet doors are great options for every busy family and can even be installed into and basement windows.

If you follow these tips, you’re bound to have a fun adventure with your dog and your bike. (And if you decide to get a dog door for your furry friend instead, make sure you check out how to properly for the right door flap size) .