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Do you feel guilty leaving your dog at home every time you go out to ride your bike? We do! That’s why encourage you to take your best friend with you as you ride across the neighborhood. Letting your dog run alongside your bike is a great activity that gives you and your fur buddy the exercise needed to burn those excess calories, get active, and form emotional bonds. To ride safely with your dog, you need to follow the rules, train your dog, and invest in the right equipment. And nothing is more important than getting the correct dog bike leash to use. We’ve rounded them up for your below.
The Best Dog Bike Leash to Buy this 2021
Walky Dog Bike Leash
The Walky Dog Bike Leash features a patented design that absorbs shock and vibrations to keep your dog comfortable. It also comes with a quick lock and release feature so it’s easy to switch between bikes. Made from premium carbon stainless steel, the Walky Dog Bike Leash is compatible with any bike.
You can install the Walky Dog Bike Leash on your bike in less than 5 minutes. The cord of this bike dog leash is crafted from a military-grade paracord that can pull up to 550 pounds — making the Walky Dog Bike Leash perfect for active medium to large dogs like Labradors, boxers, golden retrievers, and huskies.
Built to last and handle the largest dogs, the Walky Dog Bike Leash is perfect for dog lovers who want to take their furry friends with them on a biking adventure.
What Others Say About the Walky Dog Bike Leash
Your dog will not be disappointed!
I have a golden retriever that’s very hyperactive. She loves to run! I desperately need exercise but I can’t just leave my fur baby at home so I grabbed the Walky Dog Bike Leash. Overall, I’m very happy with its performance. The cord is very strong and it’s safe too. There was a time that my dog stopped abruptly to scratch and I’m surprised that it didn’t knock me off my bike. Awesome purchase!
Unicam Dog Bike Leash
Made from premium materials, the Unicam Dog Bike Leash is designed for all types of bikes. The rod is made from high carbon stainless steel for long-term durability while the handle is covered with silica gel for better grip. This cycling dog leash comes with a detachable elastic that gives your dog more space for jogging or running.
Easy to install, the Unicam Dog Bike Leash comes with a seat clamp that you can loosen and tighten using an Allen key (which is included in the box) in just a few minutes. The guide is 16.5 inches long to keep your dog away from the bike wheels and into safety. The elastic rope has a 30 inches maximum length.
What Others Say About the Unicam Dog Bike Leash
This product meets all my needs
High quality and easy to install, the Unicam Dog Bike Leash meets all my needs. I have a relatively large dog who is quite strong and I’m surprised that this leash can handle him without any issues. I love that the bungee rope is there to prevent him from dragging me off the road. This product works great and I highly recommend it.
Odier Bike Leash
The Odier Bike Leash sports a quick release function that allows you to release the leash from the bike within 1 second and connect it back as fast. The stick is lightweight at only 12 ounces. Crafted from high-quality 305 stainless steel, it’s one of the toughest bike leashes around. Both the stick handlebar and connecting base of this leash is wrapped with grippy rubber.
The Odier Bike Leash is a great choice for fur parents who want to take their dogs to a walk or run with their bikes. This handy tool sports a replaceable elastic leash and an easy to mount system that’s compatible with most standard round seat posts.
What Others Say About the Odier Bike Leash
Awesome dog leash!
This leash is awesome. I have a big golden retriever and I’m glad this product can handle his pulls. The quick-release feature is a godsend! Easy to install, I will never hesitate to recommend this product to my friends.
Bike and Dog Leash
Unlike most bike leashes, the Bike and Dog Leash is installed on the axis of your bike’s rear wheel. Why? Because at this spot, the dog exerts the least amount of lever arm force effectively putting the smallest possible load on the bike. This amazing product is easy to assemble. With no tools needed, you can install the Bike and Dog Leash in just 10 seconds. It’s compatible with all types of bicycles too — big or small.
When not in use, this dog leash folds completely for easy storage. You can even fix it to your bike’s bottle holder if you don’t have one of these saddlebags or handlebar bags. This leash is designed to keep your dog as close to your bike as safely possible so as not to disturb passers-by. The design also makes sure that you will always know which side of your bike your dog is on so you can safely avoid any obstacles on the road. Built from premium materials, you can connect up to 3 dogs with this leash.
What Others Say About the Bike and Dog Leash
Works as advertised!
The Bike and Dog Leash works as advertised. My dog loves walking on the right side of the road which gets me worried all the time. With this product, however, I can just attach it to the left side of my bike and my dog just gladly follows its guide. The best exercise for both of us after a very long time! I love that this leash is installed on the axle of my rear wheel as this lowers the center of gravity and doesn’t affect my bike’s stability as much as other bike dog leashes.
Best Dog Bike Tow Leash
The Best Dog Bike Tow Leash comes with a 5-star safety rating from the American Pet Association. This leash is perfect for big dogs weighing between 10 to 185 pounds. Designed to prevent tangling, tipping, and steering sideways, this dog cycling leash is one of the best products you can order online today.
The Best Dog Bike Tow Leash is compatible with most bikes, mobility scooters, and trikes. You can easily install it on the left side of your bike without any special tools.
What Others Say About the Best Dog Bike Tow Leash
Worth the money!
This bike leash is more expensive than most dog leashes but I’m here to say that it’s worth the cost! I’ve used the Best Dog Bike Tow Leash for a couple of weeks now and so far, I have zero issues about it. It has enough flexibility to allow my dog to its own thing without compromising our safety on the road. Great product!
Springer Hands Free Dog Leash
Biking with your fur buddy has never been this fun and exciting. All thanks to the Springer Hands Free Dog Leash! Designed to keep you safe, this dog leash uses a low-mounted, heavy-duty steel spring that’s rated to absorb up to 90% of your dog’s unexpected tugs and pulls so you can keep your balance and attention on the road. It also keeps your pet from running into your pedals and wheels.
The Springer Hands Free Dog Leash also comes with a quick-release function that instantly frees your dog in case a tree, hydrant, or posts come between you two. This kit comes with 1 metal hook, 3 safety releases, and an 18 inches long leash. This bike dog leash can be installed on most bikes. You can attach the clamp on any side of your bike as well.
What Others Say About the Springer Hands Free Dog Leash
My dog loves it!
I have a Siberian husky who is a nightmare to walk. I took a leap of faith and decided to purchase this product and I’m glad it works 100% all the time. My dog is strong and excitable and the Springer Hands Free Dog Leash can handle her with no issues. This is a great product just make sure there’s at least a 3- to 4-inch vertical bar on your bike where you can attach it!
Fanwer Hands Free Bike Leash
The Fanwer Hands Free Bike Leash features a handle that’s crafted from environment-friendly silicone. The hand sports a sleek design with excellent grip while the rod is made from polished stainless steel. You can install this bike leash on any type of bike.
The handle of the Fanwer Hands Free Bike Leash is 45 cm long while the breakaway leash that comes with it is 55 cm long. The leash can extend to up to 78 cm when stretched — giving your dog more than enough lead to maintain a comfortable pace during your ride.
What Others Say About the Fanwer Hands Free Bike Leash
This leash works great for my dog!
The Fanwer Hands Free Bike Leash works great for my fur baby. It’s strong enough to handle the unexpected pulls of my dog without affecting the quality of my ride. Very easy to install, this bike dog leash is perfect for anyone who wants to take their dog on a quick stroll around the neighborhood. Highly recommended!
The Benefits of Biking with Your Dog
Like humans, dogs need regular exercise to live healthy, long, and happy lives. And they love going for walks! Below are some of the awesome benefits of biking with your dog:
1. Burn excess calories
Yes, dogs can get obese too. One of the best ways to combat obesity is to burn more calories than what’s being consumed. Regular exercise, like biking with your dog, can help burn off those excess calories — keeping you and your pooch at a healthy weight level.
2. Walking is good for your dog’s urinary and digestive health
Dogs who pee and poop on the schedule are happy! Taking your dog on routine walks can help establish a schedule to relieve themselves — preventing constipation and bladder infections which are usually caused by urine sitting in the bladder for long periods.
3. Walking is good for your dog’s mental health
Like you, dogs get bored too! A bored dog is usually destructive and gets irritated easily. One of the best ways to help avoid this is by taking your dog on a bike ride with you. Watching other animals, seeing other people, interacting with other pets, discovering new trails, and sniffing the ground and grass provides great mental stimuli to keep your fur baby engaged and mentally healthy. Biking with your dog also helps release all the energy he has been storing all day — allowing your pet to sleep better at night.
4. It’s good for the joints
One of the common problems experienced by dogs is immobility. Like us, dogs need consistent movements to keep their joints healthy and strong. And this is truer as they grow older. Joints can get stiff when immobile for long periods. Avoid this!
5. Create an emotional bond between you and your dog
Your dog loves you more than anything in this world. So, don’t be surprised if from time to time, he will crave your attention. Biking or walking with your dog is a great way to offer your undivided attention to your best friend. This activity deepens your connection with each other and helps avoid unruly and mischievous behaviors.
Useful Tips on How to Bike Safely with Your Dog
Dogs love to run. But don’t expect them to run alongside your bike perfectly on the first try. Chances are, you’ll encounter some hiccups now and then. In this section, we are going to talk about how you can bike safely with your dog so you and your fur baby can have some quality time together.
Things to remember before biking with your dog:
If you and your dog are just getting started, we strongly recommend that you get in touch with your local vet first. Get the best advice regarding your dog’s age, weight, the thickness of coat, and breed before beginning a running program. The last thing you want is to get your pup injured on the road.
With that out of the way, here are four tips on how to bike with your dog:
1. Know your dog
Not all dogs are created equal. Some are more energetic and outgoing than others. Even if your puppy looks healthy, visit the vet before starting an exercise routine with him. Make sure that your dog has no underlying health conditions or previous injuries that may worsen with running. Also, keep in mind the following:
- Older logs don’t run as fast as younger dogs
- Dogs with shorter legs can’t run as fast as big dogs
Before committing yourself to an exercise regimen, make sure to test your dog’s ability first on short bike rides. Pay attention to how she reacts during and after the ride.
2. Give your dog time to adjust
Dogs don’t learn how to run alongside a bike overnight. So, start easy. If they have not been around a bike in the past, expect to spend the next couple of days helping your dog get acquainted. If this is the case, start by walking the bike along with your dog. Do short rides. Because your dog is still learning and adapting, don’t expect him to run for long distances yet.
As your dog learns the ropes, bike a bit faster while paying close attention to your dog’s reactions. If he appears tired, stop right away. Training a dog to run alongside your bike can take some time. Don’t worry, with some patience he will eventually get it!
Before biking with your dog, make sure that he is totally under control. If he’s all over the place even on a normal walk, don’t bike with him. Spend more time on training until you are confident that both of you can bike safely on the road.
3. Don’t damage your dog’s paws
Do you know that dogs’ paw pads are tougher than your feet? They are! But they’re not immune to rough terrain and asphalt. So, make sure that you only ride with your dog on dirt or grass trails. If you need to ride on pavement, make sure you spend some time toughening your dog’s paw pads. Mixing pavement and grass or dirt terrain is a good idea too. Lastly, you can invest in dog boots which help protects your pups’ paws. Just remember that not all dogs love it. If your fur baby is fine with it, consider yourself lucky!
Lastly, don’t forget to check your dog’s paws for cuts, stones, and other debris after your ride.
4. Don’t forget to bring snacks and water
When you are out on the road with your dog, keep in mind that he gets hungry, tired, and thirsty faster than you. So, don’t forget to add stops to your exercise program. Bring your dog some snacks to munch on and water to keep himself hydrated throughout the ride. No storage spaces? Make sure you buy one of these bike bags!
5. Make sure you have the right equipment
Don’t go out with your dog if you don’t have the right equipment with you as that is an accident waiting to happen. Make sure you use the right equipment when biking with your dog. Such as:
- a bike dog leash – the right type of dog leash is the one that attaches to the rear axle or seat post of your bike. Never attach the leash on your handlebars as your dog’s sudden pull can throw you off balance.
- A harness – collars can be dangerous because they can cause neck injuries to your dog.
- Reflective gear and lights – if your dog can carry or wear reflective gear, the better. If not, at least invest in some reflectors and bike lights to make you and your dog more visible on the road.
- A first aid kit for both you and your dog.
- Extra water bottles.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it illegal to ride a bike with your dog on a leash?
We get asked this question oftentimes. So, let’s clear that up. It’s not illegal to bike with your dog alongside you. However, you can be charged with careless driving if the dog distracted you or caused you to do something that led to an accident.
How do you bike a dog on a leash?
The key here is a gradual introduction. If your dog has not been around a bike before, its initial tendency is to be afraid. Introduce your dog to your bike — first by keeping your bike stationary. Once your dog is comfortable with your bike, take him on short trips. You may start by just walking your bike and then gradually increasing your speed as your dog gains experience. Training your dog to run alongside your bike can take days to weeks. Don’t rush it. Be patient and let your dog figure it out step by step. Eventually, he’ll get it.
Is it safe to bike with my dog?
To be honest, only you can answer this question because only you know the experience, general disposition, temperament, health, and activity level of your dog. As long as you follow the rules, train your dog beforehand, and use the right equipment, biking with your dog is generally considered safe.
What is bikejoring?
Bikejoring is a type of outdoor activity where you attach your dog to a towline and let him pull and run ahead of you. It’s akin to canicross where a team of harnessed dogs pulls a human — who is the driver — on a bike. With canicross, the dogs are trained to respond to voice commands directing them where to turn and when to slow down, stop, or run.
Happy biking
