A springer success story....

[Glacier]

I hauled my bike out of storage this weekend. Today was Deuce's first run with the Springer attachment. The trails are covered with snow still, slushy,slippery,going to break my ankle kind of snow, but the main road through my subdivision is clear and dry. So after the fun of getting Deuce through the yard and out of the gates--he's not fond of some of the others--we were off. He learned fairly quickly where to run, that he couldn't go sideways or get in front of the bike. Things were going along nicely, heading down a big hill, when a COYOTE runs right in front of us! What are the odds that in the middle of the afternoon, while taking one of my most prey driven, chase orientated dogs for his first bike ride a coyote will decide to cross the road as we come down a hill????

The success part--the springer gave me enough control that I could stop Deuce from pulling the bike over, not let him get in front of the wheel and actually stop while going downhill! No injuries, no dog running off into the bush after the coyote. After a couple minutes, we were able to safely continue down the road with no problems! If we'd been on a flat section, I could have kept going without stopping, but we were reaching insane speeds heading down that hill!

I can just barely control Deuce on a leash. Walking him is not fun. The usual tricks(halti ect) haven't worked at all. He was born to pull and he is unbelieveably powerful! He has good recall, but he's unpredictable with other dogs so I can't let him off-leash unless we are way out in the boonies. A tired Deuce is a very good dog so I try to keep him tired as much as possible. The Springer will be a great help over the warmer months until he can start training again. That thing was the best 100 bucks I ever spent.

[captain]

Tamara,
That is fantastic!!! So glad you got off the bike before you were pulled off into the wild blue yonder.

- sorry, I have a mental picture of a person on a bike, being pulled every which way by a dog ..............

[Cinder & Smoke]

I hauled my bike out of storage this weekend.

a COYOTE runs right in front of us!

we were reaching insane speeds heading down that hill!

Any BRAKES on that bike??

And what are YOU wearing for Protective Gear ?
* Helmet onna Head ??
* Motorcycle LEATHERS onna bod ?
* GLOVES onna hand-pawz ??

Glad this Tail has a Happie Ending!

[Ginger's Mom]

Sounds like a scary yet exhilarating adventure. Yay for the springer, and good boy Deuce.

[joycenalex]

and a cell phone to call for help if needs be too....
great story, i can just feel the wind in my face as you take an unexpected turn....

[anna_66]

Sounds like it really could have been a bad ending...so glad to hear that everything worked out and neither one of you were hurt. Otherwise the ride sounds pretty exciting! Glad to hear you've found a way for Deuce to get out and get some exercise

[Glacier]

Any BRAKES on that bike??

And what are YOU wearing for Protective Gear ?
* Helmet onna Head ??
* Motorcycle LEATHERS onna bod ?
* GLOVES onna hand-pawz ??

Glad this Tail has a Happie Ending!

Oh, yes I have brakes, brand new brake pads even! And a helmut and gloves. No leathers though. I have a cell phone, but service up here is not terribly reliable. Since I got the Springer crashes have been greatly reduced. I have multiple scars from when I used to take Kayleigh and just hold on to a leash--not a practice I would recommend!

[Cinder & Smoke]

... crashes have been greatly reduced.

I have multiple scars ...

Sounds like someone was a Slow Learner!

Maybe you should have stuck with the 4-Wheeler -
greater mass & stability = harder to *flip* by a over-eager Husky!

If you don't like the idea of Full Leathers - maybe add in-line skater knee & elbow pads.
And take Tumbling Lessons - knowing HOW to fall helps a lot!

[shihtzulover850]

Sounds like someone was a Slow Learner!

Maybe you should have stuck with the 4-Wheeler -
greater mass & stability = harder to *flip* by a over-eager Husky!

If you don't like the idea of Full Leathers - maybe add in-line skater knee & elbow pads.
And take Tumbling Lessons - knowing HOW to fall helps a lot!

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!!! WHAT IS A SPRINGER?

[Glacier]

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!!! WHAT IS A SPRINGER?

It's an attachment for bikes. Allows you to ride safely with a dog attached. www.springerusa.com

Phred--I'm kinda clumsy. Falling is something I excel at!

[Cinder & Smoke]

Phred -- I'm kinda clumsy.
Falling is something I excel at!

OUWCH!

That *hurts* to even think about!

I'll bet you'd look *cute* in Leathers!!

[cali]

lol thats a good thing to know! I have no issue at all riding with Happy and Misty as they are trained for bikeriding(I tie the leash around the handlebar) I have never even came close to a crash riding with 2 dogs and a million distactions, so I springer wont be of any help to me, however I have been looking into one for my friends golden, he is 100lbs of pure power, he does not get much exersize because he is a pain in the @ss to take out, everything and I mean EVERYTHING distracts him, he absolutly MUST mark absolutly everything, MUST visit and jump on everyone within sight, must hump every dog in sight, and chase every cat..I have been working with him since he was a pup, with no success, 5 years old and no training methods have even made the slightest dent, so since my friend and I bikeride a lot, and I alwasy take my girls along for the exersize, then perhaps a springer might help with Dakota so he could come and get exersize too.

[finn's mom]

So, in a situation like that, do you have to do much except just ride? I mean, I guess I'm just asking what you had to do to keep control over him while the coyote was there. Because I want to get one for Finn, and, hearing this story really makes me think it will be a good investment. I just was curious if you had to lean a lot or do anything yourself to keep Deuce in the right place, or if the Springer itself basically does "all the work."

[Glacier]

So, in a situation like that, do you have to do much except just ride? I mean, I guess I'm just asking what you had to do to keep control over him while the coyote was there. Because I want to get one for Finn, and, hearing this story really makes me think it will be a good investment. I just was curious if you had to lean a lot or do anything yourself to keep Deuce in the right place, or if the Springer itself basically does "all the work."

Nope, usually I can just keep peddling and get the dog by whatever is distracting them. The springer absorbs most of their energy, especially if they try to go sideways, so you can usually just keep riding normally. I've gotten Kayleigh past squirrels, other dogs, grouse, ect without incident. If we'd been on a flat section this time, I probably could have done the same thing. Since we were going downhill and gaining speed, I just stopped and waited until Deuce could focus again. I woudn't have been able to stop safely if he'd been on a regular leash. He'd have made us crash for sure at the very least and I'd have probably lost him in the process!

I bypass the safety release that comes with the springer. I use a cable neckline instead, same one that hooks my leaders together on the sled team. With the dogs I take on it, I'd rather take a fall than loose them cuz the release broke. I've fallen once with it and it was fairly minor, no injury or scar inducing crashes since the springer. I also threw out the harness that came with. I use a tracking harness instead. Much easier to put on. I'd highly recommend one.

[cyber-sibes]

That must have been pretty exhiliarating! Deuce looks like he's a very strong dog, that's pretty amazing that he didn't drag you off after the coyote too! Maybe you should write this one up for the Springer company as a testimonial! You know, kind of like the gorilla that can't destroy the luggage? maybe you'll end up in ads!