I didn't see on the website - does that have some kind of shock absorption for when the dog pulls?
Roading
- Thread starter Dakotazeb
- Start date
bobeyerite
New member
Not exactly, George. I was trying to say, for the intended use which will be about 10 years. Which will bring you to my age. You will by that time, very likely have some minor health problems like I do. Which means you just won't care to ride the bike anymore. For walking and other things will be better for your general health and legs..........Bob
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jnormanh
New member
Four miles per day isn't a lot for a 8 month old dog. In cool weather he could easily do that twice a day. As someone has already said, the danger is overheating him in hot weather. Older dogs will usually quit if they get too hot, but pups may not know better. Carry water and stop if he's panting hard. Forget the bicycle. Do it yourself on foot. That will get you in shape too, and you'll know when to stop.
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blueweim
New member
I certainly would not "road" a pup until it is at least a year old. running at a constant speed for extended time is not good for a growing dog.
That being said I have a friend that has worked his weim up to 25mile mountain bike rides a couple times a week. That dog is fast down hill. You have to try to stay in front of her because she will roost you with rocks. She also knows when to cut the switch backs so it hard to stay in front.
That being said I have a friend that has worked his weim up to 25mile mountain bike rides a couple times a week. That dog is fast down hill. You have to try to stay in front of her because she will roost you with rocks. She also knows when to cut the switch backs so it hard to stay in front.
Dakotazeb
Well-known member
I got Elle back from my trainer on July 4th and he had taken some weight off her and gotten her in pretty good shape. So the first thing I do after getting her back is put her on a leash and hop on my bike. Down the concrete bike path we go and we put on about 4 miles. We get home and her pad are bleeding. Wore the skinoff her front pad in a couple spots. Dumb me, the trainer told me not to take her on hard surface. So since then I have only been running her on grass and in the fields, plus a fair amount of swimming to let her pads heal. Let that be a lesson for the rest of you.
Today I went on the bike again but this time we headed out of town on the gravel roads and I let her run free with no leash. I could not keep up with her. We went 5 miles and she was running as fast and strong at the end as she was at the beginning. I got a heck of a workout myself. I think if I do that 3-4 time a week from now until hunting season she will be in prime condition. Crap, she's in better condition now than most of my dogs have been on opening day.
By the way, I did get the K9 Jogger but have not used it yet. If I keep running her on the country roads I may not need it.
So since then I have only been running her on grass and in the fields, plus a fair amount of swimming to let her pads heal. Let that be a lesson for the rest of you.Today I went on the bike again but this time we headed out of town on the gravel roads and I let her run free with no leash. I could not keep up with her. We went 5 miles and she was running as fast and strong at the end as she was at the beginning. I got a heck of a workout myself. I think if I do that 3-4 time a week from now until hunting season she will be in prime condition. Crap, she's in better condition now than most of my dogs have been on opening day.
By the way, I did get the K9 Jogger but have not used it yet. If I keep running her on the country roads I may not need it.
bobeyerite
New member
That is very nice to hear DZ. Very happy she is in such fine shape. Now the $64 question, Did he help with her retrieving while he had her. I know she does it, but will she now lay the bird in your hand?.........Bob
Dakotazeb
Well-known member
Hey Bob. It really wasn't a retrieving problem as she loves to retrieve, it was a problem of consistantly delivering to hand. A month of training and $600 later I think we have the issue resolved. She has been retrieving everything to hand for me. Birds, dummies and anything else I throw. There have been a couuple of water retrieves that she has dropped just as she is coming out of the water but one quick "fetch" command and she picks it up and come to me. I plan to get a few live birds to shoot over her and make sure she stays on track. If I have any issues the trainer told me to just put the toe hitch cord on her leg and it will take care of it. I'm hoping to get to a couple NSTRA trials yet this fall before the hunting season starts.
bobeyerite
New member
I knew she loves to "go get em". I was asking about bringing them to hand, which you answered. That dropping them after getting out of water is something all the Brits I have ever seen do. Sounds like she will be making a good NSTRA/Hunting dog with a little more experience..............Bob
c_d
New member
Go with the bikeshop version. They can offer you service, make sure the bike is tuned as needed, etc... IF anything, your bike will be BUILT safely. Who knows what the hell you'll get from the big box store. I've seen wheels put on incorrectly, forks backwards, etc.. granted I've worked in bike shops back in school, and love to ride, so I'm biased. but safety, longevity, and service are reasons I'd recommend the shop.
c_d
New member
Question on duration for you fellas. I've taken the pup out today and yesterday with the bike. 15 minute sessions, at a quick trot. how many times a week? 3-4? more? heard to start at 15 minute sessions for a week or two, then build up. same as you would for yourself.
We went out for training last weekend and she was cooked after about 45 minutes. We need to build up that stamina!
We went out for training last weekend and she was cooked after about 45 minutes. We need to build up that stamina!
c_d
New member
lol, yeah, after I hit that send I realized it was a while back. 359 is a bit differ than 159 for sure. Glad to hear it's working out. I'll put my foot back in my mouth now.. carry on.. .
Dakotazeb
Well-known member
No problem. Roading with the bike has worked great. From my house it's a little less than a mile to the edge of town and the gravel roads. When I leave the house I have Elle on a long rope and she pulls me 15 mph to the gravel. I then unhook her and off we go. I have a couple different routes. One 7 - 7.5 miles and the other about 9.5 miles. Those distances are total from my house. She runs hard the whole way, probably 12-15 mph. She's in the ditches, out in the fields and down the road. Difficult for me to keep up. But also good exercise for the both of us.
Natty Bumpo
Member
2X
I shopped pretty hard when I bot a new hybrid bike this spring, primarily to road my pups. There are three "pro" bike shops in TC, and they were all competative. Feature for feature, the name brands were head and shoulders over the big box brands. I knew nothing about the newer bikes and they all took time to explain stuff that was important. Free 30 day tune-up which is important and they can fix anything that needs tobe. Target or Walmart aint gonna.
I'm in better shape and the pups are too, as we start the season.
NB
c_d
New member
We're in an urban neighborhood, so not a ton of safe places to ride with the pup. But there is a stretch that we can do without seeing a car which is good. I do an out and back for now which is fine. curious how many times per week is enough? too much?
She was SO worn out from our last training day that I KNOW I need to build her endurance up before the season.
She was SO worn out from our last training day that I KNOW I need to build her endurance up before the season.
Labman
New member
Hey guys...... I've been trying to get my lab in better shape, she is going to be 8 years old in February. I know she isn't ready for hunting opening weekend in SD but I'm trying to get her going. She has a big heart, and I'm very careful with exercise and hunting her in SD, especially on warmer days. Anyway, just wanted to join in on the conversation here. I think the bike thing looks pretty good. I try to limit my dogs running on pavement, not that good on their joints. I have a nice park within minutes of me, I take her there and she usually works herself in shape, and there are pheasants over there but she hasn't been getting out in the tall grass as much over there lately. I haven't been hearing much cackling over there either recently.
Natty Bumpo
Member
Many people on this forum have good places to road a dog from a bike. It sounds like George has great setup. But some of us live in suburbia or exurbia. I road mine using a bike leash called the WalkyDog. Hitch the dog into a good roading harness, attach the spring loaded bike leash and go. The dogs pull really hard at the start of the run and we go for 45-60 min each, every day its not raining, at dawn. Watch the dog and when they start to run out of gas slow down and stop. Mine run along side the road on the gravel or grass. Take along plenty of water for both you and the pup. I started this program in July.
It has made a real difference in both the dogs conditioning and mine. I know some pros road their FT string 3-4X per week.
NB
c_d
New member
all we really have around here is pavement. when I say urban, I mean urban concrete jungle. There are some trails and whatnot we can get to in the hills, but not flat that I can ride with her. hmm. sounds like I'm s.o.l. will have to figure something out somehow. there's a gym in our building. maybe that treadmill could do the trick...