Some years ago I tried to teach one of my border collies to run on a sled team. She would run a few steps and then lie down and be dragged. I needed to train her to run by herself first before I risked her life on the team. I put her next to me on a bike with a device called a Springer. I could ride hands on the handlebars while she stayed beside the bike. I could go slowly when she got nervous and even stop and encourage her when she would lie down. Before long, she was happily running beside me. She became one of my most reliable sled dogs.
There are several products on the market now that allow you to take your dog with you when you ride your bike. It’s a great way to exercise both you and your dog.
Bike Attachments for Your Dog
by Ragtimelil
Have you wanted to take your dog for a run while you ride your bicycle? Holding a leash can be very dangerous for you and the dog. Here are some products for a safe ride.
Let's Go Pet Walker
for medium/ large dog
This attachment is the least expensive but has very conflicting reviews. It seems the major problem was with the clamp slipping. This seems to be the major issue with most of these bike attachments that clamp to the seat post like this one does. Several people thought it worked great, but a few had problems attaching it snugly. This one is a bargain with the low price but be sure you attach it firmly to prevent slippage.
It’s made of aluminum alloy and comes in different sizes for different sized dogs.
Petego Walky Dog Hands-Free Bicycle Leash
The next in line as far as price goes is the Petego Walky Dog Hands-Free Bicycle Leash.
It attaches to the down tube of the bicycle and has a quick release so it’s easily removed. It also has a shock absorber system but one reviewer said the tube will always slip with a strong dog unless you put a pad of inner tubing under the clamp. One person said they used this model with a powerful pulling dog and the clamp actually failed and came off.
It does have good reviews on Amazon and I would certainly try it out especially with a smaller dog or one that didn’t pull too terribly hard. They also make an attachment to adjust it for a shorter dog.
Walky Dog
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| Petego Walky Dog Hands-Free Bicycle Leash Only $59.99 |
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| Walky Dog Low Rider Attachment Only $21.65 |
Bike Balance Dog Jogger Kt
This attachment is different from the ones above and has the best reviews. It seems the only problem was that the instructions for assembly were not very clear and took a while to set up. Once up, everyone seemed to think it was a safe and fun way to exercise their dog.
It has a unique configuration that actually attaches to the rear axle and the seat post almost like a rear carrier. It is made of durable Tig welded 6061 aluminum
Bike Balance
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| Bike Balance Dog Jogger Kit Only $89.99 |
Springer
The Springer Model was the one I have had personal experience with. It has very mixed reviews and I had to agree with most of them. It has a very substantial spring bar to absorb shock but the clip to hold the dog is a weak plastic thing that is supposed to be a safety “break away” feature. Unfortunately, it’s not strong enough to hold the average dog. I had to replace it with a metal clip. My old model came with a thin harness that I wouldn’t trust on the road. I was training on a rural farm road so there was no traffic. It’s heavier and bulkier that the Walky and takes more work to attach. Some reviews had trouble getting it to fit on their bikes.
Other people have had great results with the Springer and I’m one of them. I exercised my dogs safely and trained my dog to run happily.
Springer
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| Springer Bicycle Jogger |
Bike Tow Leash Dog Bicycle Attachment
This attachment is the most expensive and works differently from the others. It attached to the rear wheel tubes and can’t slip. It also is a longer arm that keeps the dog further from the bike. It is reported to attach easily to most bikes without the use of tools and clips out of the way when not it use.
It was designed by an entrepreneur Mike Leon, who is experienced in both dog behavior and engineering
Bike Tow
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| Bike Tow Leash Dog Bicycle Attachment - Red Only $186.0 |
These devices make exercising a dog with a bicycle much safer for both rider and dog. There are some considerations, however. I recommend using a harness, instead a collar for any of these attachments. Keep the dog away from traffic by keeping him on the inside toward the curb. Take the dog out for short runs until you and the dog learn how to navigate safely.
Be sure your dog is in good physical shape and don’t overdo the run until he gets in condition. Dogs can overheat quickly so don’t run in really hot weather. Stop and rest if he looks tired. You can pedal much further than he can run in the same amount of time.Carry water and a bowl on longer rides and you might even want to carry dog booties in case of a foot injury. Remember your dog is running barefoot so watch for hot pavement and rocks. A dirt road is preferable since pounding pavement can be hard on a dog’s joints. Have fun.
Updated: 10/03/2012, Ragtimelil
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Attach comments here
Thanks. I need one of these myself!
This article is a great idea, Lana! I think it could be useful to a lot of people.
Thank you! I've done a lot of biking and sledding with dogs. They love it!
Perfect, I love both dogs and bikes. great accessories, thanks for delivering such fun and useful products. :)K
Thank you.
Fascinating...