Is this safe for her?

[BirdieGirl]

I've got a 11 month old golden retriever puppy, and I plan on training her in agility when she's at least 20 months old. Lately I've been taking her biking with me in the afternoons, we go only about a mile or so, sometimes two, and she loves it. But is it safe to do that with her while her bones and joints are still developing? that's why I won't start her training yet, because the jumping is just too hard on her joints, but do you think that the jogging and running will hurt her at all?

[GSDNewbie]

reasonable speed biking that is comfortable for her in that distance is fine but remember the pavement and walks get hot this time of year too

[sheplovr]

I have a bike hookup also, but my dogs are older honey, so be careful not to over due on hard surface. Start like one half mile, one mile, one and half mile to two mile. Work up slowly and carefully when u see her tireing stop and rest till she gets fitted up condition wise to the distance. I had one of my dogs doing ten miles, one of my pups in search n rescue is done 12 miles now as it is doing live bodies or live people hunts. So, do not rush any training and be careful, keep a close eye on the dog as that is your job to know when to stop or slow down and rest, take water along but not to gulp also. If u work up to whatever your goals are you will know when the dog is ready and has achieved this mark. It is so great to set goals in all phases of training or in life in general and work to achieve those or what do we have otherwise to work for.? If u need further help pm me anytime honey

[Deb's Tiny Dogs]

What happens if while you're biking, you fall off for some reason (hit a rut, rock, etc,) - what would happen to the dog? Is there some kind of automatic safety release or something?

[BassetWonders]

I would never ride a bike with my dog so close. Anything could happen, and how would you protect yourself and your baby? It could just be me, but myself, i would not take the chance, but i have seen others do it, and they seem to enjoy it.

[GSDNewbie]

it is extremely safe there are attachments for your bike that quick release for your dogs safty and swivel if the bike falls over dog is not harmed. It is actually a requirement to excersize this way for the AD <endurence test at the beginning of schutzhund> as the test is beside a bicycle for 12 miles. I have done this for years and never once had an incident my dogs are well trained under voice commands and i incorporate this to the bike as well they know when we are speeding up slowing down turning and move well with the bike in every way I also know without a doubt should my dogs be detached from the bike in an accident they will not leave my side no matter what.

[BabyElephant]

Perhaps the dog simply runs along side without being attached to the bike?

The only thing I would say is that dogs will keep going and going for your sake - they won't tell you when they've had enough, it is up to you to manage that. But I think from what you're saying the distance you're covering is fine.

[Deb's Tiny Dogs]

Originally Posted by GSDNewbie

it is extremely safe there are attachments for your bike that quick release for your dogs safty and swivel if the bike falls over dog is not harmed. It is actually a requirement to excersize this way for the AD <endurence test at the beginning of schutzhund> as the test is beside a bicycle for 12 miles. I have done this for years and never once had an incident my dogs are well trained under voice commands and i incorporate this to the bike as well they know when we are speeding up slowing down turning and move well with the bike in every way I also know without a doubt should my dogs be detached from the bike in an accident they will not leave my side no matter what.

Wow - your dogs are trained way better than mine if they know "biking commands"! If I tried this with Cali or Bogey and something happened, even if they quick released, they'd turn on their backs, pretend to play dead and then look up at me and say, "I told you so!"

In other words, I think mine are too lazy!

[GSDNewbie]

lol mine looks at you at the end of the run and says huh? come on that was pathetic lets go again lol im the one that rolls over and plays dead!

[Deb's Tiny Dogs]

Originally Posted by GSDNewbie

lol mine looks at you at the end of the run and says huh? come on that was pathetic lets go again lol im the one that rolls over and plays dead!