Burn Your Fat & Your Pooches Energy

If you have a rambunctious pooch that needs to lose some excess energy, then you should consider biking with him. You ride the bike, while he runs beside you. It’s great for you, since you don’t have to be in tiptop fitness to ride a bike; and it’s great for your dog, since he’ll get the extra exercise that he needs. So, if you are up for it, then it’s time to start bicycle training. It may take some time, so don’t expect the bike to instantly replace your daily routine.

You may think training your pet to run beside you seems a little excessive, but bicycling with your pet requires more than just running. You will be starting, turning, speeding up, slowing down, and stopping on the bike. Your pet needs to be able to understand verbal commands, so he doesn’t get dragged down the pavement when you make a turn. You also need to have extra control over your pooch, since you may be in a high-traffic area. Before you start any type of training, make sure you have the necessary equipment. This includes a leash made especially for bicycling!

It’s a good idea to start with letting your pooch get familiar with the bicycle. Have your pet on a leash (since he will be on a leash while you are biking), and give him a chance to sniff things out. If he is not afraid of the bike, then take it along on a short walk with your pet. Don’t ride it just yet! Instead, walk the bike with one hand (or have a friend walk the bike), while you hold onto your pet’s leash with the other hand. Your pooch may be apprehensive of the sounds that the bicycle makes, but by the end of your walk he should be accustomed to the foreign object. Continue to take the bike on your walks as you begin the command training.

Now, it’s time to teach your pooch how to listen to you. As with any training, always reward your pet for a job well done! As you take your walks with the bike, practice general commands. HINT: This training is much easier if your dog already has a basic understanding of commands. Try not to talk too much; remember that your pet relies on your tone of voice and body language for communication, so constant jabbering means nothing to your pooch. On the most basic level, you should teach your pet to "stop" and "go." Then, you should start teaching "left" and "right" or whatever commands you prefer. Remember that the dog will be attached to the bicycle; he will be relying on your voice commands, since he won’t be looking straight at you.

Slowly progress the training to where you are actually on the bike. It’s a good idea to start in your yard or your driveway until your pet gets the hang of things. Give your dog plenty of time to get accustomed to the feel of the bicycle leash while practicing the starting, turning, and stopping commands. Let your pet set the pace of the training; you’ll know when it is safe for you to start the exercise routine. But, before you hit that busy highway, consider loading up the car and traveling to a less busy street.

Even though your pet may be okay with the bicycle at this point, don’t assume that he’s okay with the exercise. Like humans, pooches need to be properly conditioned before they can run marathons, so don’t overdo it. Give your pet time to get his body and his paws in shape! If he’s used to walking on grass, then the pavement may hurt his paws; so you should keep a watchful eye on his health. Also, keep him off the pavement during the hottest part of the day. Not only will the pavement burn his paws, but the heat will put him at risk for a heat stroke or dehydration.

Bicycling with your pooch can be a great way to exercise, but the training does take a little time. Once you have the right equipment, then you should start by getting your pet familiar with the bicycle. Once he’s comfortable with the bike, then use your daily walks as a chance to teach new commands. Remember that your pet may be out of shape, so take time to condition him to where he can run beside your bike.

This article was provided by Discount-Pet-Mall an online pet supply shop featuring dog carriers and dog crates.