Cycling with your Havanese
by Suzanne Slaney
Cycling with your Havanese can be an enjoyable pastime for you both if a few simple, common sense guidelines are followed. Safety must always be the first priority for you and your Havanese. For yourself, always wear a helmet, make sure your bicycle is well maintained and ride safely following all bicycle rules. Ride on designated bicycle paths where possible and stay away from busy streets.
To keep your Havanese safe and to
prevent injury, be sure he
is secured
properly.
Many carrier styles are available, including handlebar mounted, rear fender
mounts and even small trailers. A front carrier may be less than ideal as a carrier
mounting position as constant movement of the handlebars can make for a
nauseating experience for your Havanese as well as a jerky ride. A rear mounted
carrier is more stable and also helps to protect your Havanese from insects and
flying debris. Our experience has been very positive using a basket in a rear
frame mounted carrier. The basket is similar to grocery store shopping baskets
which is securely attached to the carrier with nylon wire ties. Place a padded mat
in the bottom of the basket to ensure your Havanese will have solid cushioned
footing and a comfortable ride. This may be a quilted mat or any type of
blanket/towel which fits the bottom of the basket.
Your Havanese should wear a well fitted harness with
straps tightened
under the
chest and chin. The harness must be securely attached to the basket. A small
bungee cord run through the harness ring (where you normally hook the leash)
works quite well as a restraint. Small bungee cords (available at most hardware
stores) have a metal hook at each end which allows them to be attached to the
basket. This securely restrains your Havanese; and prevents him from falling (or
jumping) out, while still allowing enough freedom of movement to let him
change positions. Never attach your Havanese to the basket by a collar and leash
as it could put him in a dangerous situation if you stop suddenly or something
catches his attention and he attempts to jump out. Always remove the leash for
safety, otherwise the leash may dangle and get caught in the wheel or catch on a
passing object and cause a serious fall. Safety first!
To keep things fun and stress free, its very important to acclimatise your Havanese to this new mode of travel before setting off on any excursions. The first few rides should be short with plenty of praise and treats. In no time at all, your Havanese will be bounding around in eager anticipation of a ride as soon as you pull out your helmet. While out riding, don't forget to stop periodically to allow your Havanese to "smell the roses". Be sure you have plastic bags on hand to clean up after your pet. You should also carry a water bottle for water breaks for both of you. Occasional treats are always appreciated so don't forget to tuck a few goodies into your pockets before you go. Careful attention to planning and safety will ensure that the experience is enjoyed by all. Safe and Happy cycling . Have Fun !
At the Wentworths' , Ollie and
Gypsy ride in style in
their very own bike trolley. It's actually a pull cart
made for human toddlers but it's built perfectly for the
dogs. While some trolleys have moulded bottoms with
"feet" wells , the floor of this trolley is almost flat. A
non skid rubber mat placed in the bottom before
setting the dogs in gives them the ability to sit up as
they ride, without their front paws slipping away
forward. The trolley also has fasteners meant to
securely buckle toddlers inside. These are perfect to snap the dogs harness to.
This has proven to be an ideal set up for this family!
The Wentworths have also tried a
basket that went on the front handle
bars. The
basket has a wire dome to fasten on top, keeping the dog from jumping out. This
set up sounds OK but actually gets very poor reviews...... " To tell you the truth, I
didn't like it much. It added weight to the front handles, making my steering of the
bike rather awkward. Plus, Ollie was getting jerked side to side a little bit from
my motion in attempts to drive steadily.
On a recent bike hike, the
Quigleys were unable to
use a pull cart so they came up with their own
solution so the dogs could still ride along. They rode
a tandem bicycle with Quincy in a backpack and
Casey in a front sling which appears to have worked
out pretty well. Passers by jokingly referred to them as a "puppymobile".