(04-23-2011, 01:23 PM)Bill Wrote: Awww that's an awesome picture! Very beautiful Chocolate lab!! She looks like shes ready go right now!!! As far as the photo don't worry, it is awesome! I really do thank you for posting this reply, because there are other people out there that use the method we do but don't really talk to much about it. I have a new term which I call it dog cyclo-walk! Lol! I do have a couple questions about your walky-dog. Does it interfere with your riding control? In your opinion would you mind giving me the goods and bads about it? How strong is it? What is the worse time while cyclo-walking Maggie? How does Maggie feel and respond to the harness and walky dog combination?
Sorry full of questions, just an inquisitive person.
Bill
Bill,
We wanted to include Maggie in our rides. She is 8, in very good health, but maybe 5 - 8 lbs. overweight (she is
big boned for a female, weighs 80 lbs.). Just taking her on a leash is near impossible. She likes to lunge @ strays & cats, etc. So we did a lot of research & found this site,
The Dog Outdoors. I really thought the Tow Leash would be better, but I just couldn't afford it. So we opted for the Walky-Dog. We are all so very glad we did! We also got Maggie's light for her harness & her drinking bottle from the same site. Here is a link for the manufacturers site:
Bice.
As for your questions:
Does it interfere with your riding control?
Not really. It does take just a
little bit of getting used to. It will feel slightly different. All I did was ride around the yard with her a few times then off we went. She is a big girl and only once did I have an issue... she decided to hit the brakes & do her business with no warning. I didn't have the clamp attached tightly enough & the whole thing swiveled around. Oops. But even when she tries to lunge it is very controllable. Just make sure the clamp is good & tight.
How strong is it?
Well, like I said, Maggie is in the 80 lb. range &
very strong. It holds her fine. I dare say I could hang from it - I'm just not feeling quite that adventurous.
What is the worse time while cyclo-walking Maggie?
I guess the worst incident we have really had is when she decided to stop. I see the strays first (usually) & I keep them on the opposite side of the bike from her. That limits her. She did get hit in the head by the pedal once while focusing on another dog, not hard, but a glancing blow. This will probably sound cruel, but, they say pain is a great teacher. She has never done that again.
How does Maggie feel and respond to the harness and walky dog combination?
To start with, if she sees or hears me touch my bike, I
better already be reaching for her harness! She gets so excited & wants to go so badly! Wish I had a camcorder. I don't know if you can see it in the photos, but I modified her harness. The 2 straps that go right behind her legs I wrapped with fleece material for padding. Sometimes she gets so excited to be going she pulls (not to the side - she acts like a motor and has towed the bike). So I added the padding the protect her.
Please feel free to ask as many & any questions. Happy to share. We are all happier & healthier for having purchased this. I have absolutely no disappointments with it. It turned out to be much better than I expected. Check out the Dog Outdoors site. They have lots of good information & video's. And they're really great people, too.
Dominic
[attachment=2253][attachment=2254][attachment=2255][attachment=2256][attachment=2257]