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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to think it's cruel to cycle with your dog

77 replies

gandalf456 · 13/08/2020 11:19

I see a lot of people going out for a cycle with their dog alongside them.

I don't like to see it as they can't go at their own pace or stop if they need to and I also think it's a bit dangerous. The dog could fall and hurt itself or cause an accident.

What do you think?

OP posts:
alphabetsoup1980 · 13/08/2020 16:51

Definitely cruel!

Angelina82 · 13/08/2020 17:21

As long as it’s a cool enough day it seems a great way to exercise an energetic dog to me. I would like to think the cyclist would be stopping off at a field or something to let the dog have a good old mooch though.

Carouselfish · 13/08/2020 17:22

Not supposed to be good for their hearts to go at a continuous pace.

squanderedcore · 13/08/2020 17:23

Depends if it's a dalmatian or a pug surely?

karmasic · 13/08/2020 18:01

I don't cycle much with my dog, as I like to give my dog a variety of different walks/terrains.
She loves coming for a cycle as we can cover more ground (this is off-road off-lead so I'm not going fast) and she can have a real good run, which she loves.
If she stops for an extended sniff I will stop and wait for she, she knows this, but she prefers to keep a little head of me - and when she's getting tired this way she can control the pace by blocking my path! Grin

chinesechopsticks · 13/08/2020 18:01

Our dog goes absolutely crazy when she sees us getting the bikes out. She LOVES it. We stop for breaks for her but she doesn't want to stop she wants to keep going!

AnnaMariaDreams · 13/08/2020 18:03

I saw someone driving with their dog running by the car on a lead last week in rural Somerset.
WTF?

JoeCalFuckingZaghe · 14/08/2020 08:32

@mrsjoyfulprizeforraffiawork

I really hate seeing this. Time and time again I've been walking my dog and someone passes on a bicycle in the road with dog running ATTACHED TO THEM BY LEAD - NOT FREE RUNNING, who looks at my dog and would obviously love to stop and greet and then disappears fast into the distance, looking longingly behind at us. I see less of it lately, thank goodness. One poor dog that we used to see every day like this we later met in the forest once and he was having such a happy time - no bicycle, running off lead (after a deer) - I hope the owners noticed his happy mood.
You hate seeing this put a dog chasing a deer is acceptable and even a happy, joyous thing to you? Jesus fucking Christ.
ballsdeep · 14/08/2020 08:34

@makingmammaries

Yes, most dogs have difficulty turning the pedals.
Grin
JPduck · 14/08/2020 08:39

Did it all the time with my Labrador when she was younger. Now she's 9 with creakier bones we don't.
As an owner you need to judge your dogs ability, make a mistake and there'll probably be a hefty vet bill!

BubblyBarbara · 14/08/2020 08:42

She wouldn't speak to me for at least half an hour when I got back home.

You had a talking dog? Was it called Waffle?

BikeRunSki · 14/08/2020 08:44

My DM’s lab can outrun me and my DBro’s collies can outbike me! All dogs in question quite happy to do so too.

Ihaventgottimeforthis · 14/08/2020 08:48

You don't just strap your dog on and cycle though, it takes quite a lot of training (for your own safety as well as the dog's) so they understand that bike time is running, not a sniff walk.
Same with canicross - you need the dog to not dash off in the woods.
It's like working dogs, guide dogs etc - the dogs know what is expected and have a fantastic time.

MotherWol · 14/08/2020 08:58

OP, you know some dogs were bred to keep up with horses, pull sleds etc? Not all dogs are the potter round a park type.

JellyfishandShells · 14/08/2020 09:13

I see this fairly often - quiet side roads, on way to very big park where dogs can be let off. Never really considered it either way but saw how it can go wrong the other day whiist on my own bike ride , when another cyclists dog , on lead, suddenly crossed behind ( squirrel) and the rider completely lost her balance and came off very awkwardly and hard.

hotchipontheshoulder · 14/08/2020 09:19

3 dogs all run behind my DH on a downhill mountain bike track very fast and absolutely love it. Then sleep the rest of the day! Result

livelyredjellybean · 14/08/2020 09:20

Depends on many things - dog’s breed/age/energy and fitness levels, pace of the bike, surface the dog is running on, temperature etc. Also depends if going out with the bike is the only exercise the dog will be getting that day. Having time to sniff and investigate their surroundings is as important as physical stimulation.

chromis · 14/08/2020 09:28

I take my large breed dog running, he loves it only time he gets to go at a decent pace in his mind. If he sees me in my running leggings rather than dog walk trousers he gets super excited. (Run off lead at 6am in a local deserted wood so no-one else inconvenienced Wink ).

CigarsofthePharoahs · 14/08/2020 09:58

Well if you're the idiot who does this at the same time I'm walking my children to school please understand that cycling with a dog on an extendable lead is a very bad idea. Seems to regularly get tangled up with children, adults, lamp posts and especially buggies.
Dog likes to greet and sniff as many people as possible but ends up causing a massive trip hazard.

mrsjoyfulprizeforraffiawork · 14/08/2020 10:53

You hate seeing this put a dog chasing a deer is acceptable and even a happy, joyous thing to you?
Obviously, the dog enjoying being free to walk at its own pace off lead in the forest and do what it wants to do (follow scents, meet other dogs - the stuff of life for dogs, in my opinion) was what what was a happy sight. I don't like to see dogs chasing deer but it happens from time to time in the forest we all walk our dogs in (there is a muntjac deer about every 40 yards). It is inevitable that dogs will pick up their scent or spot them in the distance occasionally and most of us are aware of this and get them back on lead to avoid it. The deer are very fast and are out of sight in seconds - the dogs give up the chase after a very short distance. Likewise squirrels. Wish I hadn't posted anything - I must keep reminding myself that there is a cohort of angry people on MN, who take one's differing opinion on any subject very personally and seem unable to debate things in a calm manner. I'm done.

LioneIRichTea · 14/08/2020 10:56

3 dogs all run behind my DH on a downhill mountain bike track very fast and absolutely love it. Then sleep the rest of the day! Result

I think theres no issue with this it’s the ones who have their dogs on leads dragging them along with no awareness to if they’re tired. It’s the, they’re running they must like it, that is selfish. Imagine you were tied to a car, of course you’d run alongside or get dragged. Dogs can’t say stop I’m knackered Sad

aquashiv · 14/08/2020 11:02

Wouldn't do it with mine. They'd stop and I'd go flying. Very strong and stubborn.
The ones I see don't seem to be stressed by it

nothingcanhurtmewithmyeyesshut · 14/08/2020 11:03

Cruel to me more like. Only way I can keep up with him sometimes

ImRealHonest · 14/08/2020 11:09

My boy Dalmatian would have loved it. He could run for hours - they were initially bred to run alongside carriages, so definitely built for it.

My lab? Not a chance. He lolloped around like a giant yellow buffoon.

Don’t see the problem if it’s the right kind of dog (both in breed and temperament) they’ve done their business beforehand so no sudden stops, and in a safe area and on a long enough lead to not be under the wheels.

EveryDayIsADuvetDay · 14/08/2020 11:16

wot, like this?

AIBU to think it's cruel to cycle with your dog