Riding with my dog running beside me - Cycling Mob: Road Cycling, Mountain Biking and More

11-27-2004, 03:01 PM

The dog I had prior to my black lab (a little mutt) used to follow me
when I rode my bike and pull at my pant legs and get in front of the
bike, under the bike, in the wheels...it was ridiculous. Today I was
riding my bike around our property. Its a very big yard for suburbia.
My Labrador Retriver ran right along side of me in perfect harmony
with the bike. I never imagined a dog would do that. She knew when I
was going to turn, she stayed right at my side, and I was amazed.
When I turned a corner I fell over and on my ass and she quickly got
out of the way. I have seen dogs ride next to their owners on
bikes...but I thought it was something they were trained to do. My lab
just started running along side of me and never once misinterpreted
where I was going or which way I was turning. I was wondering if
certain dogs have a natural instinct because they run with the pack.
She ran with me as if she were keeping up with the pack and
maintaining her own space. My other dog never did that. My whole
family was amazed. Does it have something to do with big dogs who run
with the pack? I wish I could take her out when I ride in the park,
but we have leash laws. I doubt if I could hold a leash and ride. Plus
if the dog sees a squirrel I will be road kill. Do any of you ride
with Fido beside you?

11-27-2004, 03:41 PM

[Only registered and activated users can see links. ] (Maggie) wrote:

> Do any of you ride
>with Fido beside you?

A couple words of warning - from just today's ride at South Mountain
Park... One dog (medium size terrier mix) stood sideways in the trail
as I approached it - I came to a complete stop before it decided to
move out of my way. I didn't really care since I wasn't trying to set
a land speed record at that point (waiting for a slower rider anyway),
but there are places where that would get the dog and possibly the
rider hurt badly on those trails.

A second rider stopped and asked if I had seen his dog (that
apparently got tired of running WITH him and took off some other
direction). The guy was from Utah, and from what I saw when I drove
past them on the way home, he hadn't yet found his dog.

So... I would STRONGLY recommend against taking your dog onto the
trails unless it's been VERY well-trained, and is not a danger to
other riders or to its own well-being.

Mark Hickey
Habanero Cycles
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]
Home of the $695 ti frame

11-27-2004, 03:41 PM

[Only registered and activated users can see links. ] (Maggie) wrote:

> Do any of you ride
>with Fido beside you?

A couple words of warning - from just today's ride at South Mountain
Park... One dog (medium size terrier mix) stood sideways in the trail
as I approached it - I came to a complete stop before it decided to
move out of my way. I didn't really care since I wasn't trying to set
a land speed record at that point (waiting for a slower rider anyway),
but there are places where that would get the dog and possibly the
rider hurt badly on those trails.

A second rider stopped and asked if I had seen his dog (that
apparently got tired of running WITH him and took off some other
direction). The guy was from Utah, and from what I saw when I drove
past them on the way home, he hadn't yet found his dog.

So... I would STRONGLY recommend against taking your dog onto the
trails unless it's been VERY well-trained, and is not a danger to
other riders or to its own well-being.

Mark Hickey
Habanero Cycles
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]
Home of the $695 ti frame

11-27-2004, 03:41 PM

[Only registered and activated users can see links. ] (Maggie) wrote:

> Do any of you ride
>with Fido beside you?

A couple words of warning - from just today's ride at South Mountain
Park... One dog (medium size terrier mix) stood sideways in the trail
as I approached it - I came to a complete stop before it decided to
move out of my way. I didn't really care since I wasn't trying to set
a land speed record at that point (waiting for a slower rider anyway),
but there are places where that would get the dog and possibly the
rider hurt badly on those trails.

A second rider stopped and asked if I had seen his dog (that
apparently got tired of running WITH him and took off some other
direction). The guy was from Utah, and from what I saw when I drove
past them on the way home, he hadn't yet found his dog.

So... I would STRONGLY recommend against taking your dog onto the
trails unless it's been VERY well-trained, and is not a danger to
other riders or to its own well-being.

Mark Hickey
Habanero Cycles
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]
Home of the $695 ti frame

11-27-2004, 03:41 PM

[Only registered and activated users can see links. ] (Maggie) wrote:

> Do any of you ride
>with Fido beside you?

A couple words of warning - from just today's ride at South Mountain
Park... One dog (medium size terrier mix) stood sideways in the trail
as I approached it - I came to a complete stop before it decided to
move out of my way. I didn't really care since I wasn't trying to set
a land speed record at that point (waiting for a slower rider anyway),
but there are places where that would get the dog and possibly the
rider hurt badly on those trails.

A second rider stopped and asked if I had seen his dog (that
apparently got tired of running WITH him and took off some other
direction). The guy was from Utah, and from what I saw when I drove
past them on the way home, he hadn't yet found his dog.

So... I would STRONGLY recommend against taking your dog onto the
trails unless it's been VERY well-trained, and is not a danger to
other riders or to its own well-being.

Mark Hickey
Habanero Cycles
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]
Home of the $695 ti frame

11-27-2004, 03:44 PM

Maggie wrote:
|| The dog I had prior to my black lab (a little mutt) used to follow me
|| when I rode my bike and pull at my pant legs and get in front of the
|| bike, under the bike, in the wheels...it was ridiculous. Today I was
|| riding my bike around our property. Its a very big yard for suburbia.
|| My Labrador Retriver ran right along side of me in perfect harmony
|| with the bike. I never imagined a dog would do that. She knew when I
|| was going to turn, she stayed right at my side, and I was amazed.
|| When I turned a corner I fell over and on my ass and she quickly got
|| out of the way. I have seen dogs ride next to their owners on
|| bikes...but I thought it was something they were trained to do. My
|| lab just started running along side of me and never once
|| misinterpreted where I was going or which way I was turning. I was
|| wondering if certain dogs have a natural instinct because they run
|| with the pack. She ran with me as if she were keeping up with the
|| pack and maintaining her own space. My other dog never did that.
|| My whole family was amazed. Does it have something to do with big
|| dogs who run with the pack? I wish I could take her out when I ride
|| in the park, but we have leash laws. I doubt if I could hold a leash
|| and ride. Plus if the dog sees a squirrel I will be road kill. Do
|| any of you ride with Fido beside you?

That trait is probaby why they make excellent guide dogs for the blind. And
as they need plenty of exercise, it is no wonder he was willing to run along
beside you. I suggest you continue this activity. You can always get a
retractable leash and let it go if the dog runs off (haven't tried this
myself, though)

11-27-2004, 03:44 PM

Maggie wrote:
|| The dog I had prior to my black lab (a little mutt) used to follow me
|| when I rode my bike and pull at my pant legs and get in front of the
|| bike, under the bike, in the wheels...it was ridiculous. Today I was
|| riding my bike around our property. Its a very big yard for suburbia.
|| My Labrador Retriver ran right along side of me in perfect harmony
|| with the bike. I never imagined a dog would do that. She knew when I
|| was going to turn, she stayed right at my side, and I was amazed.
|| When I turned a corner I fell over and on my ass and she quickly got
|| out of the way. I have seen dogs ride next to their owners on
|| bikes...but I thought it was something they were trained to do. My
|| lab just started running along side of me and never once
|| misinterpreted where I was going or which way I was turning. I was
|| wondering if certain dogs have a natural instinct because they run
|| with the pack. She ran with me as if she were keeping up with the
|| pack and maintaining her own space. My other dog never did that.
|| My whole family was amazed. Does it have something to do with big
|| dogs who run with the pack? I wish I could take her out when I ride
|| in the park, but we have leash laws. I doubt if I could hold a leash
|| and ride. Plus if the dog sees a squirrel I will be road kill. Do
|| any of you ride with Fido beside you?

That trait is probaby why they make excellent guide dogs for the blind. And
as they need plenty of exercise, it is no wonder he was willing to run along
beside you. I suggest you continue this activity. You can always get a
retractable leash and let it go if the dog runs off (haven't tried this
myself, though)

11-27-2004, 03:44 PM

Maggie wrote:
|| The dog I had prior to my black lab (a little mutt) used to follow me
|| when I rode my bike and pull at my pant legs and get in front of the
|| bike, under the bike, in the wheels...it was ridiculous. Today I was
|| riding my bike around our property. Its a very big yard for suburbia.
|| My Labrador Retriver ran right along side of me in perfect harmony
|| with the bike. I never imagined a dog would do that. She knew when I
|| was going to turn, she stayed right at my side, and I was amazed.
|| When I turned a corner I fell over and on my ass and she quickly got
|| out of the way. I have seen dogs ride next to their owners on
|| bikes...but I thought it was something they were trained to do. My
|| lab just started running along side of me and never once
|| misinterpreted where I was going or which way I was turning. I was
|| wondering if certain dogs have a natural instinct because they run
|| with the pack. She ran with me as if she were keeping up with the
|| pack and maintaining her own space. My other dog never did that.
|| My whole family was amazed. Does it have something to do with big
|| dogs who run with the pack? I wish I could take her out when I ride
|| in the park, but we have leash laws. I doubt if I could hold a leash
|| and ride. Plus if the dog sees a squirrel I will be road kill. Do
|| any of you ride with Fido beside you?

That trait is probaby why they make excellent guide dogs for the blind. And
as they need plenty of exercise, it is no wonder he was willing to run along
beside you. I suggest you continue this activity. You can always get a
retractable leash and let it go if the dog runs off (haven't tried this
myself, though)

11-27-2004, 03:44 PM

Maggie wrote:
|| The dog I had prior to my black lab (a little mutt) used to follow me
|| when I rode my bike and pull at my pant legs and get in front of the
|| bike, under the bike, in the wheels...it was ridiculous. Today I was
|| riding my bike around our property. Its a very big yard for suburbia.
|| My Labrador Retriver ran right along side of me in perfect harmony
|| with the bike. I never imagined a dog would do that. She knew when I
|| was going to turn, she stayed right at my side, and I was amazed.
|| When I turned a corner I fell over and on my ass and she quickly got
|| out of the way. I have seen dogs ride next to their owners on
|| bikes...but I thought it was something they were trained to do. My
|| lab just started running along side of me and never once
|| misinterpreted where I was going or which way I was turning. I was
|| wondering if certain dogs have a natural instinct because they run
|| with the pack. She ran with me as if she were keeping up with the
|| pack and maintaining her own space. My other dog never did that.
|| My whole family was amazed. Does it have something to do with big
|| dogs who run with the pack? I wish I could take her out when I ride
|| in the park, but we have leash laws. I doubt if I could hold a leash
|| and ride. Plus if the dog sees a squirrel I will be road kill. Do
|| any of you ride with Fido beside you?

That trait is probaby why they make excellent guide dogs for the blind. And
as they need plenty of exercise, it is no wonder he was willing to run along
beside you. I suggest you continue this activity. You can always get a
retractable leash and let it go if the dog runs off (haven't tried this
myself, though)

11-27-2004, 04:49 PM

"Maggie" wrote: (clip) I doubt if I could hold a leash and ride. Plus if the
dog sees a squirrel I will be road kill. (clip)
^^^^^^^^^^^^^
I wanted to post this anyway, and you have given me a perfect lead-in.
Several days ago I rode up behind another cyclist, who was riding with a big
dog on a leash. I was riding a little faster than she was, so I passed her.
Then I heard her scream, and by the time I looked back, she was rolling on
the pavement. Evidently her dog decided to keep up with me, and the tension
on the leash pulled her over. She was not hurt, because she knew how to
ride, and she knew how to fall. However, what is worrisome is there was a
car coming behind us, also. Fortunately he saw it unfolding, and stayed
back.