Bikes, harnesses and roadwork

[iriskai]

Because title =/= creative.

I'm wanting to do some roadwork with the Whippets this year and am starting from square 1. I need a bike, I want to get harnesses.. Not entirely sure where to start. What do you like? How far do you go? What sort of equipment? I've done some reading but want actually go with it now that the weather is getting nicer.

I found these fleece harnesses I really like, and I think they'd be good for thin skinned skinnies, but they're in the UK. Anyone have experience with the Walkeez brand Clean Run sells?

 

[krissy]

No direct experience. The only roadwork we do is jogging. Bikes are hard on my knees.

Whatever you end up doing, your harness should be non-restrictive for the front limbs, allowing full range of motion. Any of the "Y" harnesses are good, like the Walkeez. You don't want something like the Julius K9 with a strap across the chest and shoulder.

 

[ruffiangirl]

I use a walkie dog and a comfortflex, BUT the 1 inch comfortflex does not restrict Gage's movement strictly because of his size, I don't think I would use it for diesel. I thinking would probably look into the hurtta y harness for biking with him.

 

[Julee]

I use a comfortflex right now for both dogs. I really prefer my Webmaster from Ruffwear, for this purpose, but I just sold mine. My dogs don't pull, which I think it's important if you use a comfortflex.

 

[xpaeanx]

I use a comfortflex right now for both dogs. I really prefer my Webmaster from Ruffwear, for this purpose, but I just sold mine. My dogs don't pull, which I think it's important if you use a comfortflex.

why did you sell your webmaster?

I have a walky-dog too. It's a nifty tool, but there's too much car traffic around here. I didn't feel comfortable with the whole combo on the road and I don't have many other places to bike.

I'm looking into getting the Hurtta Y-harness, I have a comfortflex and its a nice quick harness to put throw on, but if it gets pulled on it becomes all funky-shaped and puts pressure right at the base of the dog's neck.

 

[iriskai]

No direct experience. The only roadwork we do is jogging. Bikes are hard on my knees.

Whatever you end up doing, your harness should be non-restrictive for the front limbs, allowing full range of motion. Any of the "Y" harnesses are good, like the Walkeez. You don't want something like the Julius K9 with a strap across the chest and shoulder.

I need to jog as well.. for my own benefit, but I feel like everyone would benefit a little more if I could actually keep a pace. Plus, I hate running. Unrelated, but I thought cycling was less stress on knees?

I use a walkie dog and a comfortflex, BUT the 1 inch comfortflex does not restrict Gage's movement strictly because of his size, I don't think I would use it for diesel. I thinking would probably look into the hurtta y harness for biking with him.

Do you like the Hurtta over the Walkeez?

I use a comfortflex right now for both dogs. I really prefer my Webmaster from Ruffwear, for this purpose, but I just sold mine. My dogs don't pull, which I think it's important if you use a comfortflex.

I know a number of Whippet people online that use Webmasters for the extra belly strap! Less of a chance for a skinny dog to slip out. Are they bulky? My two aren't pullers so I've never really looked in to harnesses.

I have a walky-dog too. It's a nifty tool, but there's too much car traffic around here. I didn't feel comfortable with the whole combo on the road and I don't have many other places to bike.

I'm looking into getting the Hurtta Y-harness, I have a comfortflex and its a nice quick harness to put throw on, but if it gets pulled on it becomes all funky-shaped and puts pressure right at the base of the dog's neck.

I'm hesitant to attach anything to a bike. I don't know if I like the idea of not having control. Question for you, too. Hurrta over Walkeez?

 

[xpaeanx]

I can't really answer that. I don't have any personal expierence with the walkeez brand. But, I own other Hurtta things and they're very clearly quality which is why I am looking at their harness.

And as a side note, the webmaster is seriously awesome... But I feel its also a bit overkill in most situations. I use it while hiking because I've had to pick the dog up/maneuver them where the harness was going to be weight bearing, for regular exercise applications I prefer less on my dog(but that could just be me).

 

[iriskai]

Good to know! I'm really just in the market for a reliable piece of equipment that my dogs will be comfortable in, which I think is why I'm looking at fleecy paddy things. Hurtta are neoprene, yes?

Any Whippet person I've talked to that loves their Webmaster loves it because it's near impossible for oddly shaped dogs to get out of. I think overkill for my guys, since they have no tendencies of backing out of anything.

 

[xpaeanx]

Yes, the Hurtta Y harness is neoprene padded.

And yeah, I don't want to knock the webmaster at all--it's an awesome piece of equipment... Just too much for me when it comes to daily activities.

 

[Julee]

Sold it because moving is expensive I'll rebuy when I'm home.

I've used Webmasters on my clients Whippet boys while biking, they worked super well.

 

[iriskai]

I need to get more exact measurements.. but I think Ezra's neck is almost 15" and his chest is 25.5", Mimi is roughly 13.5"/23.5". Which makes sizing anything fun. Though with the Y neck, how important is the actual neck measurement?

Hurtta Sizes
Size 24: Chest 21-24" Neck 17"
Size 28: Chest 24-28" Neck 19"

Walkeez Fleece Sizes - no neck measurements given
Size 2: 15" to 22" girth
Size 3: 17" to 24" girth
Size 4: 19" to 26" girth

 

[Julee]

Not important, they'll be fine!

 

[xpaeanx]

Looking at the picture it doesn't look like it would be too much of a problem.

Where are buying from? Maybe purchase one from a store like REI so you can easily return it if you decide against it?

 

[iriskai]

Looking at CleanRun at the moment, but I don't have any sort of allegiance. Heck, I don't even have the BIKE yet. I'm shopping next weekend, because.. whippet racing this weekend!


BTW, thank you all for the help.


As far as starting, I don't think either of my two will have an issue with the bike itself. They're used to strollers, cars, crates, dollies and all sorts of other crazy things that only show up at dog shows. We're also used to walking 3 miles, but that's different from jogging/gaiting. I'm planning on installing a hitch on my Fit and taking them to the nearby park so they can trot in the grass as opposed to asphalt... any thoughts there?

 

[RBark]

Are you planning to hold the leash? If so , be really careful. It's not easy to do. It's much easier to get a bike attachment.

 

[Psyfalcon]

No direct experience. The only roadwork we do is jogging. Bikes are hard on my knees.

Whatever you end up doing, your harness should be non-restrictive for the front limbs, allowing full range of motion. Any of the "Y" harnesses are good, like the Walkeez. You don't want something like the Julius K9 with a strap across the chest and shoulder.

Usually if that happens the seat is too low. On rare occasions, it can be too high. If you wanted to, and you can jog, I'm sure someone could set up a bike for you.

 

[krissy]

I need to jog as well.. for my own benefit, but I feel like everyone would benefit a little more if I could actually keep a pace. Plus, I hate running. Unrelated, but I thought cycling was less stress on knees?

Yes, less impact, but my knee caps don't track perfectly and when I bike my legs have to totally straighten at the bottom of each cycle or they start to lock up which is super uncomfortable. It's not safe for me to bike with my seat so high that my legs totally straighten so I don't bike much.

 

[Torch]

I personally don't care for harnesses while biking. I like a wide collar and utilize loose leash walking. I really don't like encouraging a dog to pull alongside a bike, too easy to get hurt.

I also prefer to hold the leash, rather than attach it to the bike. I've been a cyclist for many years, though, so it may be unusual for others.

I'm starting roadwork with my 10 month old Amstaff. He's been exposed to the bike in the house extensively (I keep my road bike on a wind trainer during the winter and ride indoors), so now I've started walking him alongside it while I push the bike. He's much too young to start him riding with me, but I've decided to take the time to lay a good foundation and teach him good bike manners.

 

[Julee]

I also hold the leash, I hate anything that attaches the dog to the bike... If the dog spooks at something and darts, hello traumatized. Teaching them to keep the lead loose works much better.

 

[Linds]

I also hold the leash, I hate anything that attaches the dog to the bike... If the dog spooks at something and darts, hello traumatized. Teaching them to keep the lead loose works much better.

Same here, bike attachments scare me to death. I need to be able to release my dog or keep ahold of my dog depending on the situation (both have come up and could have ended much worse if I hadn't been able to let go/hold on). But, that's just me, lots of people use them and love them.

I like a wide collar (that I trust 100% not to break or unhook) (and prong when teaching manners, I don't mess around with shenanigans when biking) with biking when they aren't ahead of you pulling. The harness sits oddly when mine are running next to me.