A bike leash is a leash attached to a bicycle. This kind of leash is usually used for dogs that can run at high speeds. Bike leashes can be a great way of exercising dogs that need to run longer than most humans can. On the downside, a bike leash can push a dog too far by making it run faster or longer than what is healthy. In addition, some bike leashes do not absorb shock well, which can cause injury to both the dog and rider.
Some pros of having a bike leash are being able to go at a pace the dog prefers and not getting tired as easily. Bike leashes are available for dogs of all sizes, from toy breeds to German shepherds. Choosing a bike leash can be difficult, however, because they differ from one another so much. A pet owner should seek advice from his or her veterinarian when attempting to purchase and use a new leash. Talking to a professional can help a person shed new insight on the best leash to go with.
Before exercising a dog using a bike leash, the dog must first know how to walk well on a normal leash. Otherwise the dog might pull, stop suddenly, or not walk at all because it is not used to a leash, let alone a leash attached to a bicycle. Even if a dog is properly leash trained, it might take a few bicycle walks before it is completely comfortable with walking next to its owner on wheels. Patience and positive reinforcement are key to teaching a dog a new trick.
While a bike leash has many upsides, all dogs reach a certain point where they should not run any longer. Just like humans, dogs need to stop and breathe, often called panting down. If it takes a long while for a dog to pant down, which is returning to normal breathing, the dog was probably running too hard. In addition, when running young dogs, running too fast too long can stunt their growth. Dog owners must also consider the type of terrain their dogs run on, because some terrain that is fine for bikes might injure the dog’s paw pads.
Normal dog leashes usually cannot be turned into a bike leash. A good bike leash for dogs can absorb shock so as not to injure the dog or knock over the bike should the dog suddenly stop. Tying a normal leash to a bike is not recommended due to safety concerns.