Anyone bike with their Siberian Husky?

[LoveMySiberian]

I'm really interested in starting biking with Taz. Not necessarily bike mushing (as he's older and I don't want to overexert him with pulling.. but he still loves to run!), but with one of those attachments you put on the side of your bike. Anyone use that? If so, I have the following questions:

1) What type of harness would be appropriate for this? I know X-back is used for mushing, and he won't really be pulling, so would a regular harness work?

2) Taz likes to mark anything and everything. I'm thinking of taking him for a quick walk everytime prior to biking with him to get it all out of his system. I'm not sure it will work, because he marks everything in his path. Any tips?

3) Taz has a high prey drive, and if he sees a squirrel, he will try and go after it. I read the bike attachment will help avoid an accident with that, is this true? I don't want either of us to get hurt if he decides he wants to go on a hunting excursion.

That's all I can think of for now, but I'm sure other questions will arise! Thanks in advance!

Edit: Come to think of it, these questions can go for anyone who bikes with their dog! But I definetly would like input from other Husky owners about it, but anyone is welcome to answer!

[Ashlie]

I have biked Ra.
It took him once of accidentally running in front (because he used to like to cut me off on the walk) but he fast learned that that front wheel can be quite a nuisance when he gets too close. I've been very careful at introducing him to the my beach cruiser, and he LOVES it. He can run at top speed alongside me, and after a whiel you'll notice when it's time for you to slow down. Ra usually gives me a look like, oh my god mom, can we slow down?

*LOL*

Safety is a must when you mix dogs and bikes, but it can be a very rewarding experience for both of you. I don't use a special attachment, Ra usually wears his martingale and a regular leash on my handle bar, but whatever works best for you.

I hope you enjoy it!

[Glacier]

I use a Springer attachment and an x-back harness. I bypass the safety release on the Springer. I'd rather take a fall than have to try and catch a runaway husky!

I have highly prey driven, dog aggressive malamute. I run Kayleigh on the springer. She's knocked me off the bike once, going down a sandy hill. Otherwise, never had a problem. I can get her by loose dogs, squirrels, ect without bloodshed.

I also have a male siberian who thinks the universe is his territory. Generally, if I just keep pedalling, Bandit can't stop to mark. Once we both get tired, I let him stop a bit to mark.

This past summer, I had my most unpredictable, prey driven, no manners dog out on the Springer when a coyote ran in front of us. It wasn't easy, but I did manage to stop the bike and maintain control over Deuce until the coyote was gone. (Deuce was essentially feral when I got him. The manners are coming!)

I love my springer, best 100 bucks I ever spent. Keeps the dogs and me sane in warmer weather!

[apache2]

I run my sibe bitch with my bike & a springer device at the side of the bike, i use a tracking harness with padding at the front & between legs, advisable to use a PADDED TRACKING HARNESS instead of a x-back one if running a dog next to your bike. we put a metal clip on the end of the tug line & took off the silly plastic one, this won't hold a siberian safely.

[Dogsareme]

I run with my Malamute/Pitbull Cross.

She loves to smell and pulls me off walks sometimes to smell stuff, but when we are biking she doesn't do that or try to chase her squirels and cats. Seems like she's pretty content with running and just keeping going. She really enjoys it and we pretty much have come up with our own system of reading each other. When she gets tired she will gradually slow so I notice and slow down a bit, when she needs to go to the bathroom she swirves to the side and back near the bike to let me know.
It goes really well and we both enjoy it

[BlackCloud]

I just started biking with my 8mo old husky. so far hes doing pretty good IMO, only had to run up his back legs once to get him to pay attention to where im at. im trying to teach him his rights and lefts right now. Ive been using a 20ft retractable leash on him, and its working out pretty well. it lets me lead him out further in front of me when we are moving faster, and lock him up and slow us down when needed. its also come in handy when he felt the need to stop dead in his tracks and leave a present. the 20ft gave me more then enough room to realize why he was stopping and come to a stop myself

[PitPawz]

I used to run with my white Sibe foster. She was definetly a strong one! She was almost nine when I got her as a foster, and although it took her longer to get the hang of it than it would have with a young one; she learned to love it and loved running alongside such a fast thing.

When I lived in the city, I biked with all four of my dogs that I had at the time at once, but then got into rollerblading and definetly prefered that over biking; although rollerblading may be tougher with a stubborn breed like a Husky.

On your first few times, I would attach him normally with the harness and everything as well as have him on a leash and collar, just in case, and just the first few times until he gets the hang of the whole thing.