Advice needed - was this a really bad idea not to be repeated?

[ChocDee]

Hi!
Yesterday I used my bike for the first time to give the dogs exercise. It was brilliant fun and both dogs seemed to really, really enjoy it. Especially the youngster high energy appenzeller/ ozzy shepherd mix( no surprises there!).

I made sure that I rode slowly sticking to the grassy paths as much as possible through the fields , ie most of the way. I stopped frequently and gave them plenty of water .

I would really like to do it again but DH is not keen for me to take the 5 year old dog out with the bike as her legs are very short and her arse rather big!

She looked happy throughout and sometimes even over took me but obviously with her unfortunate build she had to work a lot harder than the youngster daddy long legs kind of dog! And no one can ever call her a high energy dog...

So was it a terrible idea? Is she too old for such adventures?

What would you do? I would feel awful if you think that I may have done damage to my Ginger Goddess and I would never do it again...

[D0oinMeCleanin]

No one is quite sure how old my dog is, but he estimated to be between 4 and 4.5. He loves going out with my bike. He gets very excited when he sees me touch his harness because that means he is either going for a run or going out with the bike and he can pull to his little hearts content. We start off fairly fast (faster than I could cycle alone) and once he slows down I take over peddling and we gently cycle home.

He started off doing 15 - 20 minute runs and has built upto around 45 minutes. Sometimes we will cycle for an hour but I keep the pace on the longer runs so he doesn't over stretch himself.

He is just a wee terrier.

The key is to have a proper bike lead to prevent injury and a nice padded harness specifically for pulling so the dog doesn't have it's breathing restricted when he's pulling and to start off slowly and build up from there.

[ChocDee]

Ok, that sound marvelous! As I said before I went very slowly throughout but obviously they still had to run, I guess we were out for about an hour but stopping frequently for time out so they could potter around. They were both off lead (tried on lead for about 5 meters and promptly fell off the bike, but that bit is a SECRET!).

Now, next question! What kind of surface do you ride on? I was a bit worried about the Tarmac and held my breath during the short bit of fine gravel. I checked all heir paws once I got home and they looked good. I preferred the idea of running on the grassy paths as I imagined it would spare their joints so i stuck to them as much as possible Am I just being overly paranoid here?

[D0oinMeCleanin]

I stick to cycle paths, so tarmac or gravel. But mine are used to walking on pavements.

[ChocDee]

Thank you do much for your answers! Let's hope that I continue to get positive advice as it really was tremendous fun!

[pimmsgalore]

I got a walkydog attachment on my bike and my lab collie cross loves going out on the bike now. We cycle up the road of our very quiet estate then out onto the fields where I can let him off. We go out for a good hour but if I need to fit in a quick mummy needs to go out walk then we can do our normal 45 min walk in 20 mins and he is shattered afterwards and then well behaved when left. Haven't tried him with the DCs cycling as well yet as have a picture in my head of 4DCs, bikes, dog all in a heap and me not knowing which to pick up first

[toboldlygo]

I know dogs racing competitively into their teen years so I really wouldn't worry about a healthy five year old dog! :)

If they are off lead I wouldn't worry too much about the surface, they won't do themselves any damage, it's only a concern if you've got the dogs harnessed and pulling as obviously the forces are very different and they can end up pounding on a hard surface, plus you are enforcing a pace, an off-lead dog will monitor themselves.

[ChocDee]

Yay!! That sounds like a resounding YES then! Thank you so very much people! I will definitely do it again then.

[pimmsgalore]

I just braved it and finally took dog out with all 4DCs they all loved it, much happiness was had, lots of getting stuck in muddy puddles and falling off which caused hysterical laughter and now have one very tired pooch lying on sofa with 4 very tired DCs lying on top of him

Tell your DH that it wasn't silly and that you all loved it and get out again :)

[ChocDee]

Thank you pimms! I will most definitely do exactly that. Glad you had a good time too!

[feckingnora]

Be careful! I take my two lab/springer X out for runs on the bike and one of mine is ball mad and he saw an abandoned ball on the grass to the right of me, he was runnig on the left. He just stopped! so my handle bars were yanked side ways and i went flying over the top! cut all my hands and knee and almost killed the dopey bugger
so now he runs with a ball already in his mouth!

[diddl]

I think if they were off lead it´s easier to tell how they are doing as they can set the pace.

My dog loves it-runs slightly ahead-when not stopped sniffing/weeing!

What type of dog is the older one?

Short legs/big arse don´t necessarily mean they can´t manage exercise!
I manage