subject: Walkydog - The Safe Way To Bike With Your Dog [print this page] I had a new mountain bike last Christmas, I hadnt had a bike for over 8 years but they say you never forget how to ride a bike! Where I live there are so many great hiking routes to bike off the road. The first time I went off on my bike, my westie dog Dougs watched with interest through the patio windows and I looked back at him observing me cycling off and felt troubled, so after a quick cycle ride to the post box, I took Dougs out for an extra long walk to spoil him.
I knew it wasn't safe to bike with your dog with a lead in your hand or just wrapped around the handle bars and there was no way I could let him run loose beside me either. I saw a man biking with his dog's leash attached to the rear saddle backpack - so dangerous, he couldn't even see his dog! My husband often came with me on foot and jogged alongside me with Dougie on his lead whilst I rode my bike.
A few weeks later online, I read an article about WalkyDog - a hands-free bicycle leash that attaches to your bike and lets you safely bike with your dog. So, I ordered one and 3 days later I received my WalkyDog. After reading the instructions carefully, I attached the Walkydog to my new mountain bike (which was very simple), and had a little go at riding the bike with the Walky Dog attachment first, to make sure it was positioned properly for me, which was fine. I saw Dougie watching me and put my head round the kitchen door and called "Walky Dog Boy"! That was it, he was up for this and out we went to the bike which he sniffed around with interest. I attached the WalkyDog and extension leash (he needs the cord extended, being a little dog) and off we went gradually down our own long drive for a training session. Dougie took to it really well, just trotting along nicely beside me as I cycled slowly at first. Dougie just glanced back up at me now and then with his big brown eyes and best doggie smile!
We've used the Walkydog several times a week for eight months now and usually do about a mile, then stop for both of us to have a water break and I remove the Walkydog bike attachment and use it as a normal lead and we amble back home, with me pushing the bike, so Dougs can sniff and lift his leg on every third bush! Walkydog wears him out just right and we both get some fun exercise.
