Bicycling with dog on a springer? Need onwer's advice

[inktomei]

Hi all,

As the weather is getting warmer here, I would like to start bicycling with my 2 1/2 year old Siberian Husky/GSD mix.

I'm thinking of buying a device called "springer". Any springer owners here can give me some input on that? I've heard varying opinions but would like some input from actual owners here. Thanks!!

[Malamum]

I have the springer but haven't used it properly yet. I bought it about 6 months ago but my dog wasn't yet old enough to do any serious running and now that he is I have to wait for our summer to finish so it's cool enough to go.

We have done a few tiny runs with it (just in a car park to practice) and it seems really good. I can't wait to get out and be able to use is properly -maybe another month or so.... still too bloody hot here :roll:

[Queen Bitch]

Even though I don't have one now, I too have thougth about getting one of these when I get my next dog. I think the really important thing is to make sure you have control of your dog before even using it. Does your dog walk nicely on a leash or is it "out of control"? If it is out of control, I would NOT recommend it, it would be dangerous for both of you. If I remember correctly, the Springer does release if it gets tangled. I wouldn't want to risk my "wild" dog getting loose and running into traffic. I'd start off by making sure that my dog had perfect control on the leash as well as off. I would not use it if my dog was a puller, even though the spring is supposed to absorb the shock. I would also get the dog desensitized to the bike and the device itself. Both of those things can be kind of scary since they aren't normal stuff.

But yeah, if you have control over your dog, I'd say at least give it a try. I'm going to.

[inktomei]

Thanks Malamum and Hillside for the reply. My dog Klondike walks very nicely on a leash; we run with him several times a week and he also does that very well.

What I was afraid of when bicycling with him is that he might get too close to the bike and get hurt, or sees a rabbit(or other strong distraction) and suddenly jerks the leash, and so that brings me to the springer.

Thanks to you guys for the advice!!
:D

[gooeydog]

Here's another variation, the K9Cruiser: http://www.adogsbestfriend.com/template_page.cfm?id=12

I've heard good things about them, including several meduim/large breed owners who said it was as easy as stated to keep the dog from pulling them to go after another animal.