How to Teach Your Dog to Run next to Your Bicycle

Taking your dog with you on bicycle rides is a lot of fun and can be a great way to provide exercise for both of you.

Before you start the exercise, decide on what side of the bicycle you want your dog to run. I like Apollo on the right side of the bicycle. This way he is out of traffic when I ride down the road. A lot of people like the dog on the left side of the bicycle, because this is the side they walk their dogs in a heel position. Either side is fine, just remain consistent.
Choose an area that is safe to practice. It is best to have no traffic and little distractions. I started in our driveway and at a nearby park. 

Here are 3 easy steps to get your dog used to running next to your bicycle.

1. Walk between your dog and the bicycle:

Start by walking your dog on a loose leash next to you and push your bicycle at the same time. This helps the dog get used to being near the bicycle, while you provide him with the comfort and security. Walk slowly at first, in a straight line. As the dog gets used to this, make turns and increase speed.

2. Walk the dog next to the bicycle:

The next step is to walk the dog next to the bicycle, with you on the opposite side. This teaches the dog to be comfortable right next to the bike. Make sure he walks calmly and on a loose leash. Keep the leash short, so the dog stays to the side of the bicycle. You do not want your dog to get in front of or behind the bike. Control the length of the leash to ensure that he stays on the side.
To teach your dog to keep an eye on the bike and turn with you, start weaving back and forth while walking and eventually start making turns with the bike. Make sure he is comfortable with turning both ways before you proceed to the next step.

3. Ride your bicycle with the dog next to you:

Now get onto the bike and ride at a slow speed with the dog right next to you. Again, ensure that the dog remains to the side of the bike and does not get in front or behind it. The leash must be loose, do not allow your dog to pull, as this is both dangerous to you and him. A strong pulling dog can cause you to fall off the bicycle and pulling on the leash can damage your dog's airways. 
Ride slowly at first and make weaving patterns and turns in the controlled area. Give your dog time to get accustomed to running next to the bicycle before you take him out into areas with traffic or distractions. Running next to the bike is a great way to provide exercise, but start out slowly. Keep your training sessions short and make sure you have water for your dog.

Don't take your dog into heavy traffic until you have conditioned him properly.

 Continue to practice in areas that are away from traffic until you are comfortable your dog is properly trained. 
Any size dog can enjoy running next to the bike for exercise, but if you like biking and go on long rides, you may consider having a dog trailer or a basket, depending on your dog's size. This will give you the opportunity to have your dog with you on long bike rides. 
Thank you for stopping by, until next time: Keep Your Paws on the Road! 

Alternative Natural Herbal Supplements to Treat Pain and Inflammation in Your Dog

My sweet dog Jaeger is getting older. He is 12 now and has had some arthritis and joint pain. I have been giving him glucosamine and chondroitin supplements over the past years to help with these.

More recently, Jaeger was showing signs of increased pain and discomfort and I took him to the vet. The vet confirmed that Jaeger had arthritis and prescribed Carprofen, a non steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAIDs).  After just two days on this medication, I could tell Jaeger was not doing well. He became increasingly depressed, would hide in corners, and did not want to eat at all. I called the vet and he recommended we take Jaeger off the medication and see if the symptoms where caused by it or by the pain. Within a day of being off the medication, Jaeger became more alert and started to eat again. The vet suggested we try a different kind of medication, this time Meloxicam. Jaeger seemed to do better on the new medication. He was eating and drinking normally and had regular body functions. However, within being on the medication for 2 weeks, I noticed he was having difficulty walking. He seemed dazed and had a hard time getting up.  He would wobble and could hardly assume the position to do his business. At times, he would walk someplace and then just stand there, as though he did not know what to do.
I decided to take Jaeger off the medication and within a few days, he was back to normal. Now it was clear to me that I had to find alternatives to NSAID medications for him. I began to research natural supplements and reached out on several online groups to see what others were doing for their dogs.

Alternative natural herbal supplements to treat pain and inflammation in dogs

Here are 4 alternative natural herbal supplements I have found. The most important aspect of these 4 is that they have no severe side effects. As with any new supplement, it is important to start with small quantities and to gradually increase the dose. Make sure you follow the dosage based on your dog's weight.

1. Turmeric and Curcumin

Turmeric is a spice made from the turmeric plant and is the most widely used herb for arthritis and joint pain. It has been used in India for centuries to treat many ailments and has been studied in both humans and animals. It is an anti-inflammatory and also enhances circulation in the body. In addition, turmeric also benefits liver functions.
Curcumin is the chemical found in turmeric, that is the reason for the anti-inflammatory properties. When you look for supplements, the names turmeric and curcumin are often used interchangeably.

2. Fish or Krill Oil

Fish oils are used for their high omega-3 content. They contain EPA and DHA, two essential fatty acids. Many people with arthritis take fish oil supplements.  EPA is the ingredient that is the anti-inflammatory agent in fish oil. If you, like me, are concerned about the mercury, Krill oil may be a better option for your dog. Krill are a small shrimplike planktonic crusacean and are said to contain much less mercury. Their oil is equally high in the EPA and DHA.

3. Boswellia

 Boswellia is also known as Franincense. It is a resin extract from a tree bark.  Research has shown that boswellic aids a normal inflammatory response by blocking enzymes that then inhibit the synthesis of leukotrienes. It has also been shown to support healthy cartilage in the joints.
For more information on this amazing supplement and details about the Swiss research on it's effects on dogs, go to Springtime Inc: about-boswellia

4. CBD Tinctures

CBD stands for cannabidiol and is a compound found in hemp. CBD is a cannabis compound that has significant medical benefits, but does not make people or animals feel “stoned.” Scientific and clinical research shows CBD as an alternative treatment for a wide range of conditions, including arthritis and chronic pain. To find out more about this amazing supplement online, go to Axis Hemp Company.  The owner of Axis Hemp Company says: " CBD is a great source for aiding dogs with arthritis, we have seen the benefits for many pets after adding it as a supplement."

Precautions 

There are a lot of other natural supplements out there and I am still continuing to research them. As with any anti-inflammatory agent, remember that they prolong time it takes for the blood to clot, so if you give them to your pet, be sure to tell your veterinarian. If your dog is undergoing surgery, it is important to stop use of any anti-inflammatory treatment at least 5 days prior to the surgery! 

Disclaimer Statement:

This article includes information regarding supplements for dogs with arthritis or joint pain. I am not a veterinarian, nor do I claim to have any special knowledge of any of these products. I have used these supplements for my dog with positive results. I am not being paid, nor did I receive any free or discounted products to include them in my blog.