No Pull Devices & Running with Bike

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thepetmom
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No Pull Devices & Running with Bike

Post by thepetmom »

The only way I can get my Lab/Greyhound mix exercised fully is to run her on my bike and she loves hitting the trails near us and running. I do not want her to pull me on the bike which means I have to ride quickly. However, I still need a device that will encourage her to NOT PULL. I have gone through just about every thing out there that I know of. I had her on a no pull head halti which she just about choked herself on and I believe did damage to her throat. The sound that came from her breathing was down right scary. Next and most recently I use the no pull halti harness. This is slightly better but because on part of the harness hooks to her regular collar (I'm guessing to keep harness in place) when she runs the regular collar pulls too but not nearly like the halti head did. Also, the harness does rub on her arm pit. I have two socks sewed on the harness but it still rubs.

Is there anything out there that will be comfortable for her and keep her from pulling. Maybe it is just her and her breed. If she doesn't get a 5-10 mile run daily she will drive the household crazy and get very mischief.
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Noobs
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Re: No Pull Devices & Running with Bike

Post by Noobs »

Do you do anything to tire out her MIND? That will help some of your issues of her having energy to burn.

As to the no-pull harness.... honestly I would say before you can train her not to pull on your bike, you will have to train her not to pull when you walk. Tools don't keep a dog from pulling (unless you use painful ones, which we won't advocate); training does. Use a walkeez harness and teach her using this method:

viewtopic.php?f=20&t=858

If you train this way for several 10-20 minute sessions a day she will get tired mentally, which will help her not be so wired at home.
emmabeth
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Re: No Pull Devices & Running with Bike

Post by emmabeth »

An alternative look at this is, does she enjoy pulling?

Whilst I agree that some mental exercise is likely necessary, otherwise you will just be creating a fitter and fitter dog who needs more and more exercise the fitter she gets, if she LIKES pulling...

Get her an xback harness and a fitting for your bike that puts her up in front where she is supposed to pull!

Its pretty easy, with work, to teach a dog when they are to pull and when they are not, so it wouldn't make pulling when on teh lead normally any worse and may give her a good outlet for exercise that she needs in a way thats easier for you. X back racing harnesses are designed for pulling so shouldnt cause breathing or rubbing problems, and having a dog pull a bike means you do still have steering and brakes (though I have to admit, I wouldn;'t be brave enough!).
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Mattie
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Re: No Pull Devices & Running with Bike

Post by Mattie »

As you have found out there is not such gadget that will stop a dog from pulling, the only way you can do that is to train them not to pull, I suspect every one of us on here has had a dog that pulls. 10 minutes training not to pull before you ride your bite will help, it also helps tire dogs out because it uses their brain as well.

The harness that Noobs has suggested works well and doesn't rub the dogs, I had one for my Greyhound.

Even if you teach her to pull, she really needs to be able to walk on a loose lead as well.
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Noobs
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Re: No Pull Devices & Running with Bike

Post by Noobs »

Here are a couple of links to the Walkeez harness.

http://www.releashme.com/
http://www.cleanrun.com/index.cfm?fusea ... ct_id=1699

What Emma is talking about - I was going to suggest that, but the thought is actually really intimidating to me! I wouldn't have the courage to do it either! But if you want more information, here are a couple of sites where you can browse around and see if this is something you might be interested in doing.

http://k9carting.com/ (If your dog has a slight build from being part greyhound this may not be for her.)
http://www.dogscooter.com/HowToTrainSulky.htm
http://www.dogplay.com/Activities/harness.html


And just for funsies...HOW CRAZY DOES THIS LOOK! http://www.dogpoweredscooter.com/ :lol:


Again, it would be beneficial to teach her not to pull on the leash on walks anyway regardless of how you want to handle the biking part. So good luck to you. I love taking my dog out on the bike. We used to do it a lot more when he was about two years old - he's 3 now and a bit of a couch potato! :lol:
thepetmom
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Re: No Pull Devices & Running with Bike

Post by thepetmom »

Thank you all for your input. She does very well on leash while walking, providing that we are not with other dogs. She is very competitive. Her non-pull harness works very well for that and if no other dogs are around a plain collar is o.k.

It was said the she is becoming more and more fit which is true. I am not brave enough to have her out in front of me on the bike. Too many fussy and furry things to chase. Actually, chasing in a straight line isn't the problem it's the turn and run to the tree for the squirrel or bunny that is the challenge.

Today I shortened the leash a great deal to keep her closer to me and it worked a bit better. I think I will simply have to keep eyes wide open and let her run a bit to get it out of her system.

Thanks for all your suggestions. I will keep you posted on what I work out in the next coming days/weeks.
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Noobs
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Re: No Pull Devices & Running with Bike

Post by Noobs »

I don't believe I ever asked... are you holding the leash while on the bike or do you have a device attached to your bike?

I have one of these for my bike:

http://k9bikejogger.com/

There is a bungee cord-type rope that attaches to the harness so that if the dog lunges (as Murphy would do for squirrels) the bungee cord would absorb the shock and I'd be able to keep myself steady. That said, this should definitely be on a harness and not a collar. You should also be at least 40 lbs heavier than the dog. There are safety rules on the site if you're interested in getting one.
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