Dog walking/running connectors that attach doggie-to-bicycle

[ebikemom]

A dog teathered to a bicycle is a disaster waiting to happen!!!! I witnessed a crash in a campground where a gentleman was riding on the road with a dog on a leash held by one hand while on the bike.

Yes, you are absolutely right that riding a bike with a leash in one's hand is quite dangerous.

The whole point of the devices that attach to the bike is to prevent the hand-held-leash problem you described, so that trotting-dog-and-person can enjoy an outing safely.

returns on discount too right now

Thanks for the tip!

 

[Cowlitz]

Ok. I mounted the Springer. If I was any shorter, it would not have fit on the seat post. I also had to put it on the left side due to leg over bike problems. That wouldn't matter on a step through bike. This morning I pushed the bike with dog attached up and down the street. Then we went to a better location and I rode powerless and she trotted along like she'd been doing it for some time. We did a slow mile.

My dog is a strange mixture of various breeds and is small with long legs. She is a runner and can go and go, but she is smaller than the Springer intended. I had to buy some cord to use on the Springer. The one that came with it was not quite long enough. I do like the way you can take the attachment off easily. The spring part fell off once when I stopped. I'm not sure if I have it screwed down enough.

I think it is going to work. Thumbs up after today for it.

 

[ebikemom]

Great first try! I attached my Springer to another part of the bike, not the seatpost--One of the other pieces around the back wheel. I wish I know what parts of bikes are called! That way it was mounted lower, also.

Okay, found a picture of a bike, and added a red arrow to show where I mounted my Springer:

 

[Cowlitz]

I think I will leave it where it is, but that is good to know.

I should also add that my dog is high energy and easily led astray. We saw no SQUIRRELS but did have dogs barking at us and had a couple dogs come up to us. Funny, a lot of people with loose dogs there today and I got a stern warning and threat of a large fine on a orevious day when there were three other people in this big area. Oh well....that's what inspired me to get a springer.

 

[erider_61]

Great first try! I attached my Springer to another part of the bike, not the seatpost--One of the other pieces around the back wheel. I wish I know what parts of bikes are called! That way it was mounted lower, also.

Okay, found a picture of a bike, and added a red arrow to show where I mounted my Springer:
View attachment 31595

That part is called the Seat Stay. This runs from the top of the Seat Tube to the axle of the rear wheel.

Seat Tube: This runs from the seat to the bottom bracket where the crank arms attach.

Top Tube: This runs across the top of the frame

Chain Stays: This tube runs from the bottom bracket to the axle of the rear wheel

Head Tube: This attaches the handle bars to the front fork & wheel.

Down Tube: This runs from the Head Tube to the bottom bracket.

 

[AlanDB]

I truly do wish all of you well who are trying this, as it sounds like a great way to get additional value from your ebiking experience. That said, to me it still looks like an accident waiting to happen for you and/or your dog. I hope you prove me wrong.

 

[Cowlitz]

I truly do wish all of you well who are trying this, as it sounds like a great way to get additional value from your ebiking experience. That said, to me it still looks like an accident waiting to happen for you and/or your dog. I hope you prove me wrong.

This is a whole different feeling than riding holding the leash in your hand. It isn't as jerky feeling. In fact I didn't feel any jerks. I think it has to do with the dog hooked to the part of the bike holding the weight and there would be some physics involved. The dog has more leverage when you hold the leash on the handlebars.

 

[ebikemom]

@AlanDB , this product has been sold for decades. I had one in the mid 1990's and it worked great. The design has not changed. I know it's hard to imagine if you haven't experienced it, and it is a scary thought when you consider all of the folks who have been been hurt by holding their leash in their hand, but it really works! I think it works because the dog is low, and the force of the dog is weighted down by the entire body weight of the human riding the ebike. And, the product shape and design may relate. Also, the dog is on a short lead so cannot get in front of the bike. Anyway, not trying to convince you to use such a product, but, really, it works great. The main risks are to the dog, not to the person. Risks to the dog are if the human goes too fast, or runs the dog too long and harms the pads of the dog's feet. It's important to take it slow and help the dog to adapt. OH, also, you can't leave the dog attached to a bike when you aren't physically holding the bike, because if the dog moves the bike will fall onto the dog and scare the dog badly even if the dog isn't harmed.

 

[Cowlitz]

And that last bit is why no pictures of the Demon Dog attached to the bike. She was dog trotting a little bit ahead of the spring right at my side. She's been out enough (not attached) with me biking that she does know not to crowd the bike. That bit of familiarity helps a lot.

 

[Dewey]

Adult size kick scooters can be used, I read they started out as something to keep Alaskan sled dogs in shape during summer months, looks super fun for the dogs. I’ve only seen adult kick scooters in real life in Amish country where they’re popular, but some of these models include fat tires or a trike.
https://dogpoweredscooter.com
&
https://www.kickbikeus.com/dog-mushing/

 

[Cowlitz]

Here's an update on the Springer.

I went to a state park in Idaho last week. It was full of ground squirrels that continuously taunted dogs. I was a bit apprehensive, but I hooked up the Demon Dog, who was going crazy about the rodents, and took off. I found out that the Demon is more worried about the bike than chasing rodents. She has to concentrate hard to be in the right place and speed so ignores all other distractions. We hit the high speed of 5mph and our longest distance was 4 miles. I do have some interesting "moves" when getting on and off with the dog towing attachment. But I'm about to take her out here in town soon and I think it'll go well.

The Demon dog is a 23 pound leggy mutt. She can run and run and run.....just so you know.

 

[Saratoga Dave]

My friend in Myrtle Beach last Wednesday got a nice object lesson in all this when the dog ran across the front of the bike and the leash caught the wheel. None of this fancy stuff would have done a thing for him. Initial diagnosis a broken collarbone, got a call back from the hospital when a review of the x ray revealed floating shards... surgery coming up on Thursday.

 

[Cowlitz]

The Springer is set up so the dog can't run in front of the bike. The dog's attached (by harness) to a very short rope, which is attached to a breakaway plastic thing which is attached to the springy pole. I just got back from dog biking. I am having a flare up of foot pain and an antsy dog has to be exercised every day.

 

[ebikemom]

I witnessed a crash in a campground where a gentleman was riding on the road with a dog on a leash held by one hand while on the bike

YES, do not ride holding a leash. The Springer and other such devices are completely different. Of course, using such a thing or not is each person's choice.

 

[ebikemom]

None of this fancy stuff would have done a thing for him

Actually, the dog can't run in front of the bike using these devices that attach the dog to the seatpost area or other rear portion of the bike, on a short lead. They are anchored by the weight of the rider, and the devices generally flex to prevent jolting the rider. I've only used the Springer, but there are other devices on the market as well.

 

[DDBB]

We use this one for our 55 lb. afghan hound and have had no problems https://www.amazon.com/Walky-Dog-Ex...hment+for+dog&qid=1556669435&s=gateway&sr=8-3.. The dog can't possibly get in front of the bike and there is a bungie cord that absorbs any initial pull if he darts off after something. He seems to know the "rules" but I admit I've been nervous when we've seen other animals/ squirrels.. I got him up to 30mph once going downhill.. Afghan hounds are basically greyhounds with a lot of hair and are some of the fastest runners in the dog world

 

[Cowlitz]

We use this one for our 55 lb. afghan hound and have had no problems https://www.amazon.com/Walky-Dog-Ex...hment+for+dog&qid=1556669435&s=gateway&sr=8-3.. The dog can't possibly get in front of the bike and there is a bungie cord that absorbs any initial pull if he darts off after something. He seems to know the "rules" but I admit I've been nervous when we've seen other animals/ squirrels.. I got him up to 30mph once going downhill.. Afghan hounds are basically greyhounds with a lot of hair and are some of the fastest runners in the dog world

Wow! We keep it at dog trot speed which is almost too slow for me.

 

[DDBB]

Yeah well I didn't tell my wife about the high speed run but our dog LOVED it. The biggest problem was trying to get him to break his stride and slow down after the party was over, he wanted to keep going. Looking back on it, it wasn't the smartest thing to do and I haven't done it since as I don't want him to think every time out with the bike is a license to run full speed. P.S the Haibike disc brakes are very good

 

[tomjasz]

A pal got a concussion and $12, 000 in dental work running his well trained dog along side. There are some really cool mushing kick scooters designed for dogs.

 

[DDBB]

Again, running a dog alongside any bike with a leash in your hand is unsafe. I have found the walky dog attachment improves safety greatly but there are still risks so it's a personal decision