Cycling with your dog – never in hot weather: Traildogs – dogs that are allowed to chase bicycles

​A loyal companion: Cycling with your dog – 7 top tips

1. ​Early socialisation from puppyhood onwards
2. ​Wait and see how they grow: only really get going once they’re a year old
3. ​Take weight and breed into account
4. ​Keeping an eye on the route length and the weather
5. ​Avoid the heat: don’t exercise when it’s over 20 degrees
6. ​Practising lead handling and key commands
7. ​One-to-one training delivers the best results

The Road to Becoming a Traildog

Dogs love to accompany their owners and would prefer to go everywhere with them – including on bike rides. What looks like fun actually requires months of training and a sense of responsibility. Dog owners should get their four-legged friends used to the bike from puppyhood, but should only let them run alongside properly once they are one year old. For the first six months, it is advisable to simply push the bike alongside whilst out for a walk. Later on, you can cycle at walking pace, but only for a few minutes at a time.

Joints need time to grow

Dogs should only be taken on trails once they are fully grown. Most breeds stop growing at one year of age. Before then, the strain can cause damage to their joints, tendons and ligaments. You should start with short trails close to home, gradually increasing the distances. Just like humans, animals need to build up their stamina and strength gradually. Pushing them too hard at the start can lead to long-term problems.

Not every breed is suitable

Weight and breed play a crucial role. Dogs weighing up to around 25 kilograms are particularly well suited. Dogs weighing over 35 kilograms are definitely not recommended for cycling – the strain on their joints would be too great in the long term. If anything, small, lively Jack Russell Terriers are a better choice; they can easily keep up on the trail. Herding dogs such as Australian Shepherds or Border Collies make particularly loyal trail companions. They have been bred as working dogs for generations and are used to covering long distances.

And even though people keep saying that herding dogs don’t hunt – they do! It’s said that herding a flock is just another form of hunting, carried out alongside humans and without killing the prey. Encounters with fleeing wildlife These also present extremely strong stimuli for herding dogs, which can tempt them to seek out, follow and chase game. Training as a trail dog, however, is an ideal way to redirect the dog’s attention away from the forest and towards its owner. The reward: a loyal trail companion who is always there for you.

Maximum distances and weather conditions

It is not possible to set a standard distance. As well as kilometres and altitude, the weather plays a major role. In hot weather, dogs tire quickly. On walks, you should ensure that your dog takes plenty of breaks and drinks plenty of water. Experienced dog owners report maximum distances of up to 40 kilometres – a distance that cannot be repeated every day. In winter, dogs tire much more quickly in deep snow. Road salt is hard on their paws.

Heat as the greatest danger

Dogs do not like the heat. They feel most comfortable at temperatures below 20 degrees. In hot weather, you should definitely avoid exercising with your dog. Dogs regulate their body temperature mainly by panting and, unlike humans, cannot cool themselves down by sweating. The exertion involved in mountain biking can quickly lead to overheating.

Important to know: A dog’s normal body temperature is around 38.5 to 39 degrees. At 40 degrees, the situation is already dangerous; at 41, it is critical; and at 42, it is life-threatening. This is a very narrow window, which can be crossed more quickly than you might think. You must therefore always have plenty of water to hand, and regular stops for water should be planned in. If you keep a close eye on your dog and take frequent breaks to Cool down helps prevent health problems.

Leash handling and training

Well-trained dogs are usually allowed to run off the lead on trails. In town, they should be kept on a Leash should be used, but held only loosely in the right hand. In an emergency, it can be let go so that the rider is not thrown off balance. Experts advise against using special lead holders designed for bikes.

On trails, well-trained dogs focus entirely on their task – it’s all down to training. Important commands include, for example, ‘left’, ‘right’ and ‘stop running’ for situations where the dog has picked up speed.

Channelling anticipation effectively

Some dogs bark loudly and seem as though they want to bite the front wheel when they set off. This is excitement – they can’t wait to get going. Many dogs display this behaviour at the start. With sled dogs, barking when being put on a lead is normal. It’s important to note: you should only set off once the dog has calmed down. Otherwise, this rather undesirable behaviour will get worse.

One-to-one training instead of group rides

Experts recommend always cycling with your dog on your own. If there are several cyclists involved, it usually ends in chaos. The dog then becomes overwhelmed. Important: A trail dog must have a good sense of hearing and be able to follow you even without a lead. After a settling-in period, adult dogs can cover the same distance as an average fit person – even on a bike. However, the pace should be moderate. If you take regular breaks, your four-legged friend will be a loyal and fit sporting companion.

Conclusion​

Mountain biking with a dog requires careful preparation and a sense of responsibility. Dogs should only be taken on rides once they are at least one year old, when they have finished growing. It is best to cycle alone with your dog. Gradually getting the dog used to the physical exertion is crucial for its health.

Herding dogs such as Australian Shepherds or Border Collies are particularly well suited to this sport, whilst dogs weighing over 35 kilograms are unsuitable. Maximum distances are around 40 kilometres, although the weather and temperature remain decisive factors. Particular caution is required in hot weather – in such conditions, you should generally avoid exercising with your dog.