bike jogger

Border.C. · 06-07-2007, 06:44 PM

Hey everyone,
I was wonder if anyone has heard of the "Springer Bicycle Jogger".It's a device that hooks up to your bike so the dog can run next to you with you having complete control of him/her.If you have, what do you think of it? Border.C

SunSiberians · 06-07-2007, 08:16 PM

I think the best thing to try out is to see how your dog reacts to a bike first. Bring your bike in the house or your dog to the bike and see it move around. If she/he is terrified, then she/he needs to get accustomed to the bike. The bike jogger is great, but since it keeps the dog so close to the bicycle, it's not the best for dogs that are afraid of the bike and they will constantly be trying to run away.

Dogstar · 06-07-2007, 09:59 PM

It's okay. It works alright as a shock absorber, although I went through a LOT of the little breakaway plastic things for a while. The dogs I'ev used it with were already used to the bike, and for us, a bikejoring type setup just works better.

SunSiberians · 06-07-2007, 11:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dogstar

It's okay. It works alright as a shock absorber, although I went through a LOT of the little breakaway plastic things for a while. The dogs I'ev used it with were already used to the bike, and for us, a bikejoring type setup just works better.

Yeah, I perfer bikejoring too over this set up. But it's all a matter of individual preference and the dog.

Dogstar · 06-07-2007, 11:47 PM

Definately! For me, I use it with both medium sized (Wings, a 40 pound collie- Mal is just now approaching old enough to start running with the bike on short hops) and small (well, short- 35 pound corgi) dogs. Both already know (knew) how to heel and weren't pullers, but it just was difficult to keep track of the corgi, in particular- he was too short to see out of my peripheral vision.

Curbside Prophet · 06-07-2007, 11:59 PM

"Skijor Now, your source for skijoring, canicross and bikejoring equipment and information"

SunSiberians · 06-13-2007, 09:32 PM

I just wanted to bring this back to add some thing.

My aunt just got the Springer bike jogger and I must admitt I was really impressed. The dog is actually not run as close to the bike as I thought, but close enough that the rider still has controll. Her dog bolted once in response to a rabbit - but her bike didn't show any reaction! Quite impressive. I think this is great for dogs that don't like to run out front - or for owners who don't feel comfortable with their dog out front - or who don't have the time training them to run out front.
So, I guess I'm changing my previous impression - to I think this is the best dog bike jogger out there.

Shalva · 06-13-2007, 11:04 PM

just remember that regardless of how it works.... you shouldn't be doing any kind of roadwork, running or significant excercise with your dog until he/she is at least 18 mos. old (I don't know how old your dog is.... just wanted to add that in here) the pounding on the road is damaging to hips and joints of growing and immature pups.
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SunSiberians · 06-13-2007, 11:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shalva

just remember that regardless of how it works.... you shouldn't be doing any kind of roadwork, running or significant excercise with your dog until he/she is at least 18 mos. old (I don't know how old your dog is.... just wanted to add that in here) the pounding on the road is damaging to hips and joints of growing and immature pups.
s

Yes, yes, most definately! And dogs, no matter how old - aren't born "in shape," and like humans require exercise starting out slow and increasing as time goes on.

Dogstar · 06-14-2007, 12:21 AM

I like it but I really think bikejoring is easier (dog out in front in a harness) for a lot of dogs to learn, and wears them out faster. It's also easier to train, as they CAN pull, as long as they keep going straight forward, but I find it easier for most dogs to learn to stay on a path and run past distractions than to run 'at heel' without pulling at ALL. (And the position the springer is in means if they pull? The breakaway band breaks or the bike gets pulled off balance.)

Additionally, if you run mostly on soft surfaces you CAN start them earlier- just no strenuous stuff. Mal (11 months) has already been introduced to the bike, although he's not being allowed to pull yet (using a soft bungie and only going up and down a soccer field to teach him to keep the line taut.

chewbecca · 06-14-2007, 06:56 AM

Ella LOVES LOVES LOVES to bike ride. In fact, here she is bike riding

I've thought about using a springer with her because for me, she'll pull me off the bike if she sees another dog. When my fiancee takes her, she couldn't careless about other dogs.
She pulled me off the bike once to go sniff a hound dog (of some kind) that was behind a fence. This was before her dog aggression had turned completely on, though. So, she was just curious.

The Springer is kind of expensive, isn't it?

Shalva · 06-14-2007, 08:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dogstar

Additionally, if you run mostly on soft surfaces you CAN start them earlier- just no strenuous stuff. Mal (11 months) has already been introduced to the bike, although he's not being allowed to pull yet (using a soft bungie and only going up and down a soccer field to teach him to keep the line taut.

I would never ever ever start a puppy on any formal exercise prior to 18 mos. not ever and if I found out a puppy person was doing so it would void their health guarantee.... that is just looking for trouble because a person can't wait an extra couple months to do what is best for their dog and insure they won't have hip and join problems.... while it may be ok for smaller dogs or short legged dogs... many larger dogs are still have alot of growth to do at 18 mos. of age.... it is one of the reason that the AKC does not allow agility competition until the pups are older, to avoid the jumping.

its jsut not a good idea.... and remember your audience... what is a soft surface.... a dirt road.... its still repetetive motion and its still to hard on growing joints..... and its still a road... where else would you ride a bike.
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