Biking with your dog is a great way to get in some great exercise and quality time with your best pal at the same time. However, it’s not just as simple as throwing a harness on them and letting them run alongside you. There’s quite a bit of planning that needs to go into it beforehand if you want it to be both safe for your dog and fun for both of you. But what exactly does that entail? Well, let’s find out.
Why BikejoringWith Your Dog?
If you’ve never heard of bikejoring before, it’s a sport that involves biking while your dog pulls you. It originated in Scandinavia and was used primarily as a way to train sled dogs for the competitive sports of racing, mushing, and skijoring.
Nowadays, this is mostly done as a recreational activity. There are many benefits to biking with your dog, including the fact that it strengthens your bond with them and allows them to use their instincts for pulling or running.
Plus, if you need to vary up your workouts so they don’t get too stale, this can be a great way to mix things up. But before you hop on that bike with your pup and start zooming down the road without any preparation or forethought, there are a few things to consider first.
How To Bike With Your Dog
Bikejoring is a great way to exercise your dog and get in some quality time with them, but it’s not just as simple as throwing a harness on them. There are plenty of different pieces of gear you should invest in before starting this activity.
First off, you need to choose the best bike for your canine partner. The bike needs to be lightweight enough for your dog to tow without any trouble and durable enough to withstand their pulling force. It also needs to have space for a container so that they can carry food and water along their journey.
Next, you need to get them the right kind of Bikejoring equipment. The type of gear you use will vary depending on what type of biking you’ll be doing and your personal preferences–some people prefer jerking (fast running) while others prefer loping (slow trotting).
If you want to jerk, then make sure you get a longer leash or purchase one that is elastic so that they don’t risk getting too far away from you when they jerk forward. Lastly, if your pooch has an active stomach, consider adding some sort of padding or protection beneath their belly strap so that their stomach doesn’t get rubbed raw with all that movement.
How To Choose A Harness For Bikejoring
The first and arguably most important piece of bikejoring equipment is the harness. This is what attaches your dog to the bike so it can safely run alongside you. There are many different styles and types of harnesses on the market, but not all are created equal.
Choosing a good quality harness will make biking with your dog much more enjoyable for both of you. Some things you should consider before buying a harness are:
- The strength and durability of the material
- The padding on the straps
- The size – will it fit both you and your dog?
- The style – do you want a mesh or neoprene harness?
