If you prefer riding a bike instead of walking on your feet with your pooch, then you should follow some safety tips.
You may have two choices to go biking with your pooch – a sensible and secure approach or a speedy and enjoyable one. The former option is often less risky, as your dog trots beside you while you ride the bike. Pedaling at a moderate pace can help your dog keep up with your cycling with little effort.
In contrast, the latter option, commonly known as bikejoring, caters to adventurous pups and owners. For bikejoring, your pupper should wear a specially designed harness attached to your bike with an exclusive leash, creating an experience similar to dog sledging but on wheels.
Whatever you choose, note that active pets can be vulnerable to accidental injuries and medical emergencies, which is why you should consider being equipped with pet insurance. The best pet insurance covers a puppy’s testing, treatments, and medications up to the benefit limit during challenging times of health, which is why you must contemplate purchasing a policy.
Meanwhile, read this article to learn safety tips to follow while cycling with your poochie.
1.Assess yourself
Can you ride a bike with confidence and comfort? Can you quickly stop and assess the trail ahead to avoid potential dangers and ensure safety, including scanning for critters like rabbits and squirrels and other potential distractions?
2.Assess your dog
Is your pooch physically fit and capable of handling cycling? Ensure your pet pupper is at least twelve-months old and the vet has given a medical clearance before engaging in the running exercise alongside your bike.
Injured, short-muzzled, and overweight/obese dogs should opt for less strenuous activities rather than cycling. Also, it’s crucial not to subject your pet pupper to undue stress while cycling. Know that canine fur babies are often eager to please their owners and may push themselves beyond safe limits to catch up with them, which can be detrimental to their health and well-being.
3.Training your dog
Establishing a communication system between you is essential before attempting cycling with your dog. Also, reinforce and improve your dog’s basic obedience skills before hitting the road to ensure a smooth and safe biking experience.
Focus on training your dog to efficiently respond to the “Sit cue and practice a lot to help it improve concentration and speed control during running. For a delightful experience, your puppy should know to heel without pulling while cycling. Another critical aspect of training includes teaching your canine to respond to “Left” and “Right” cues so it will know when to anticipate a turn during the biking journey.
Yanking back and forth during a walk may mean your furry baby isn’t quite prepared for a run while you cycle. Prioritize working on impulse control and establishing a reliable “Leave it” command to avoid dangerous health situations.
Take the plunge once your pupper seems all set to cycle with you. Nevertheless, consider being equipped with the best pet insurance so your active pet is covered for broader-ranging health conditions with minor economic hassle. Contemplate purchasing pet insurance so that getting medical assistance need not be financially overwhelming during challenging health circumstances.
