biking & urban mushing

  • Dog’s Health & Fitness

  • Equipment

    • Bike Attachments

    • Dry Land Mushing Rig

    • Harnesses

Urban Mushing is a fun dog-powered activity many dogs enjoy. Urban Mushing gives dogs a controlled exercise through various “mushing” type of of activities like scootering, carting, bikejoring, on dry land. Before biking or urban mushing or any other repetitive exercise with your dog take the following into consideration.

Only exercise during the morning and evening hours and/or when it’s cooler temperatures. Dogs cool themselves by panting and can overheat even in mildly warm weather during high intensity or endurance exercises. High humidity also impairs a dog cooling ability which can also contribute to heat stroke.

Before biking, urban mushing or any other running activity with you dog you will need to take these things into consideration to do so safely.

  • · Dog(s) Age

  • · Dog(s) Health & Fitness

  • · Bike Leash Attachment

  • · Harness (Proper Running Harness - do not attach leash to collar)

  • · Surface Dog Will Run On

  • · Temperature

  • · Humidity

  • · Water (Hydration)

Dog(s) Age:

Puppies and young dogs should not do any repetitive high impact, endurance exercises like sustained running until their growth plates have closed. Growth plates generally close between 14-18 months of age. “The larger the breed the later the growth plates close.” “dogs that are spayed or neutered prior to puberty experience delayed closure.”  Overuse and focused stress can damage growth plates resulting in prematurely closing of the growth plate causing a malformation of the leg.[1]   

Dog(s) Health & Fitness

Many dogs are unprepared for intense endurance exercise for even short duration's making them susceptible to injuries. Injuries can go unrecognized for long periods of time. Very important you consider your dog’s fitness and weight prior to exercise. Always start with a vet check to make sure your dog is healthy AND physically capable to participate in the exercise which should include an evaluation your dog’s structure and gait for any weaknesses. Many dogs are willing to do anything we ask and often have a strong desire to participate, but we should be careful we are asking them to do more then their body can comfortably do. Be careful that you are breaking your dog's body down which will result in crippling arthritis as they age. "Your Athletic Dog" is an excellent book/DVD to understand how to condition your dog. The dog’s structure will affect their endurance and susceptibilities to injury. There are more than 25 structural issues that will affect endurance or performance. For guidance on identifying structural issues, Pat Hastings book is a great resource. Structure in Action: The Makings of a Durable Dog To reduce chance of injuries your dog will need recovery time.[2]  

Dogs that have a fulfilling life full of experiences to maintain their mental, physical, and emotional health are less likely to develop the inappropriate behaviors that are the result of boredom, stress, and frustration. Dogs commonly display behaviors out of stress, anxiety, and frustration such as, barking, jumping, spinning, chewing, among others. Boredom and loneliness are sources of excessive stress for both dogs and cats. Long-term stress reduces the immune system's ability to fight disease so it is important that stressors are reduced for our animals. Enriching Your Dog's Life


Bike Attachments

When running a dog on a bike I recommend using a proper harness and a good bike attachment. A good bike attachment will make running your dog safer and prevent the dog from getting in front of the bike. These are the two bike attachments that I like. The Springer Bike Attachment & the Bike Tow Leash.

The Springer Bike Attachment has a heavy-duty steel spring, situated low on the arm to absorb up to 90% of the force of a dog¹s unexpected tugs. It also features a patented safety release that frees your dog instantly, if your dog should happen to run on the wrong side of a lamp post, tree, or mailbox.

The Bike Tow Leash is mounted down below the bike’s center of gravity the so tipping is eliminated making your ride stable. It is made for dogs up to 185 lbs.

SPRINGER BIKE ATTACHMENT

SPRINGER BIKE ATTACHMENT

BIKE TOW LEASH

BIKE TOW LEASH

Biking & Dry Land Mushing

For more experienced riders and dogs the Tug & Tow is a great product for dry land mushing.

The Tug & Tow is a quality self recoiling Bike-Leash. It allows your dog more freedom, and hence more comfort while biking for fun or any dry land mushing event. Tug & Tow’s flat spool provides graduated resistance as the line is pulled out. So your dog gets maximum freedom while giving you better control to bike with your dog. The Tug & Tow comes with a bungee loop to reduce shock. The bike leash rig is set up for one-dog, and the mushing rig is set up for two dogs.

The Tug & Tow is my favorite product for mushing. The self recoiling line prevents you from running over the line and getting it tangled in your wheel. This gives you one less thing to worry about making your mushing so much more enjoyable. This is a great product!

Bike Leash Rig for One Dog

Bike Leash Rig for One Dog

Mushing Rig

Mushing Rig


Harnesses

Urban Trail Harness - Alpine Outfitters

I recommend the custom crafted adjustable Urban Trial harness with the optional left and right side D-Rings for use when biking. Fully padded with premium quality Polartec Polar Fleece and is extremely lightweight, durable, and is machine washable. The Urban Trail Half Harness is perfect for use in a variety of dog activities in addition to biking. Pulling pressure is on dog's chest, not neck and shoulder.

Distance Harness - Howling Dog Alaska

The Distance Harness is fully padded and comfortable for the dog to wear. The slick padding material will allow for the harness to rotate freely around the dog’s body.

For more information on harnesses and proper fitting click here

ALPINE OUTFITTERS - URBAN TRAIL HARNESS

ALPINE OUTFITTERS - URBAN TRAIL HARNESS

PROPER DESIGN

PROPER DESIGN

HOWLING DOG ALASKA - DISTANCE HARNESS

HOWLING DOG ALASKA - DISTANCE HARNESS

Urban Mushing Resources

Dryland Dogs, LLC

Urban Mushing facebook group

Urban Mushing


LASER INFRARED TEMPERATURE GUN

LASER INFRARED TEMPERATURE GUN

Surface

Best to ride on dirt or grass surfaces since these are less harsh then pavement or concrete on your dog.

You may want to consider using Mushers Secret to help protect your dogs paws.

Developed in Canada for use with sledding dogs, it provides tenacious protection even in the most extreme conditions from iceballing and salt and chemicals to hot pavement and sand and sandburn.  Safe and natural. Made from a blend of several food grade waxes, then refined according to special formulations, Mushers Secret is the safe, non-toxic way to protect your dogs paws.

https://twitter.com/NWSSacramento/status/737994993135177728/photo/1?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

NATURAL PAW PROTECTION

NATURAL PAW PROTECTION

Temperature

Dogs cool by panting. When air temperatures are near body temperature (101 to 102.5 degrees Fahrenheit) or higher, dogs cannot cool themselves efficiently.  The ground temperature can be more than 50 degrees hotter than the air temperature. Burns can result at 118 degrees. Exercise during the morning and evening hours when it’s cooler and avoid concrete and especially blacktop or pavement.   


SEA TO SUMMIT X MUG

SEA TO SUMMIT X MUG

Humidity

High humidity also impairs a dog cooling ability which can also contribute to heat stroke.

Water (Hydration)

Take water and keep your dog hydrated.

Dehydration / Overheating (Get Medical Help)

water drops.png

Heavy panting

  • Tongue and mucous membranes bright red

  • Saliva is thick and tenacious

  • Vomits

  • Dry mount

  • Sticky gums

Signs of shock (emergency)

  • Lips and gums pale or gray

  • Collapse

  • Seizures

BOOK & DVD

BOOK & DVD


[1] Chris Zink; Janet B. Van Dyke. Canine Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation  

[2] Chris Zink; Janet B. Van Dyke. Canine Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation  


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