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I just got a springer and a bicycle and have started working 'Vator a little bit with the bike.

How fast and how long is appropriate to start out? This is as much about conditioning me as him. I 40ish and NOT fit, 'Vator is nearly 18mos and is pretty fit but I am looking to build muscle and endurance. We are currently riding on an old railroad bed that is graded, level and maintained for bike and jogging traffic. Today we did a 3.5 mile trip at 7MPH he was winded but still had plenty of willingness to GO. That seemed like a good work out for him, we finished up two hours ago and he's already shoving his stuffie in my lap to play. I'm worried about asking too much of him but I would like to wear him out some.

well just like a marathon runner...it will build the long muscles. Every other day i'd switch the routine up and do short explosive trainings as well...like chasing balls up steep inclines. at 18 months i would really limit how much you do because he's not fully developed yet. He definitely will need many rest days!!

http://www.siriusdog.com/ausdauerprufung-ad.htm

one note: if you intend to take an AD with him he will eventually have to learn to bike on a collar and loose leash instead of the harness and springer with a harness

I've seen several ADs done with the Springer. The dogs weren't using harnesses. The line from the Springer is attached to the collar.

really? back when I was starting getting Bea ready (for the AD we never ended up entering) all the new England people (german style training types) told me I could NOT use the springer or a harness

Personally I don't see why not. It is far safer then having the dog pulling on a collar while trotting that long, that fast (and my dogs help ME get up the hills LOL) I will mention I have a horse quick release snap between springer and harness in case of an accident

But anyhow I was told under no circumstance could I use anything but a leash and collar-- here in New England anyway (I will say that was 5 years ago though)

It may have been more about the harness vs. collar than the Springer. But, we've kinda veered away from the original question.

Thanks for the advice Tommy. I was afraid I might work him too much and I would have. I wanted to bike him daily but I will stick to two or maybe three days a week. I have some great slopes to fetch on, is there an incline that works best or a grade that is just too demanding?

Great link, Diane! I think this will be invaluable to us.

Marlene, I have been using the Springer and a flat buckle collar with the crappy plastic clip that came with it. It would break away with the slightest tug. So far, the Swamp Puppy is very steady beside me, he doesn't veer, weeble or wander but I haven't worked him enough for him to get tired. Where he might weave or lag. He is very up and excited for forward motion and stays right along with me. I used my daughter's bike the other night (no springer) and he was a little confused about the position and once forged ahead and weaved into the front tire as he dropped back into correct position. I think the Springer is FAR safer than just a leash. The dog is kept in the proper position and at the proper distance from the bike.

I am loving this so much that I bought a new bike, it should be here by Thursday. No more crappy WalMart bicycle! I put it out on the lawn this morning with a FREE sign on it.

http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-us/bikes/model/revel.2.w/7509/44145/?ref=nf

The hill would depend obviously on soil compactness. Here in GA we have a lot of red clay and hard compact...so due to this im able to run mine a little more than say sand would be....

I never bike my dogs two days in a row....usually i'll bike my dogs to an area where they are building a new neighborhood and run my dogs up the plats for the lots...then bike back....and that dog is done for two days....

You have to give a day off so muscles have a chance to recoup and build...

I used to mountain bike race so i've got a Specialized M4 FS....i bought it back in 2001 and its still one of the best bikes you can get unless you want to go carbon...Giant makes an excellent bike!! Don't worry about the cost you pay...you will get every penny worth and if not...they hold their value so well that you could sell it 3 years later and not lose much!

i just put my dogs on a leash....fursaver with the dead ring....and my dogs just run beside me no problem....idea is when you start out to keep the dog moving forward....dont give them too many decisions...

Get rid of the plastic safety thingy. I've never used a Springer, but have heard other people say that's the first thing they do. They make it so the dog doesn't figure out there's a way to break away from the bike. Personally, I bike my dogs with a leash and prong collar. I don't have to keep them going but rather slow them down. By the time I do the AD, I don't have any problem using a fur saver (except a little pulling at the beginning).

I've also exercised my dogs while I'm on rollerblades. I use a prong collar with a flexi-lead. The flexi gives you reaction time if your dog stops to pee or something.

Remember your dog will be required to run on the right side of the bike. Also the link for the AD conditioning works very well. If your dog is is good shape there is nothing wrong with starting him now. I ran mine before Gus was 22 months old.

Yep, no reason to worry about conditioning an 18mos old dog. I ran Froli's AD at 19mos, and obviously conditioned her (on pavement) before that.

Totally agree about getting rid of the plastic thing, they're essentially a "see the bunny, away I go" device. The link is a good outline. Essentially, you can set it up as short runs on M and W, long run on Fri and then 2 days recovery after a long run. That's how I used to do my runs when I was running half-marathons, works out well.

I got my new bike! It's fantastic! Giant Revel W2, it has finger touch gearshift & smooth transitions, great shocks and pretty feminine paint job <Laff>. I haven't put the Springer on it yet so I had 'Vator with leash and collar, it was an adjustment but I will continue to change it up with that type of training as I can see the benefit being flexible with positioning. I had been (incorrectly) working him on the left side of the bike and switched him to the right, another adjustment that I think stressed him out a tad bit but he was chugging along in proper position after a mile. He only tried to cross in front of me twice to return to the heel position so I fed him a new command for the new position, "bike". He's already got it down pretty well even on lead away from the bike. We biked 4.6 miles in just under 40 minutes. I'll throw the ball uphill for him tomorrow as he was pretty fatigued today, not only after playing all day with his GSD buddy and biking, but I think as much from being tossed a new position as anything. Stressing his baby brain makes him sleepy. I gave him an extra big (3.5#) package of chicken quarters for his evening meal. He's a sleepy dog now. I'll get to surf the forums tonight without a rope bone being tossed at me every 40 seconds.