 Barked: Mon Feb 6, '12 4:00pm PST |
 | |  | | I own one and LOVE it. It's the only thing that allows me to keep up with my two 50lb terrier mixes. It's sturdy, well made and the bungee like effect of the leash allows give if/when my dog lunges for a squirrel or when we pass another dog. I'm not sure how tall my dogs are but I had to remove two of the springs to give them more leash. You can also attach a Carabiner Bungee Cord which you can get at Home Depot or Lowes (they come in different lengths) in order to lengthen the leash more if need be.
The learning curve for both dog and human is pretty small. In fact, I tried to get my terriers used to it by walking them along side my bike with the WalkyDog and they were so excited to go that I felt it safer to just get on the bike, say a little prayer and head off. I'm not quite sure how dogs get accustomed so quickly to the Walkydog but I'm guessing, the bike, in essence, becomes a part of you so they see it as an extension of you.
Because the attachment is below my seat and my center of gravity, even at a slow jog with them, if they pull, I barely feel it. And it only takes them one or two tugs to realize, they can't really go where they want if they pull so they stop pulling. I even tried it with my friends Bloodhound and never felt dangerously off balance even at a gallop. I also have found that they are over the moon being able to run at their speed with me keeping up that they don't even really care about the squirrel that is running up the tree. They've eventually learned that when the bike comes out, it's for work/exercise and not for time to stop and smell the roses or squat on a bush (make sure they've peed and pooped before you head out).
In addition, while you're on it, you can train them by voice to speed up, slow down, pay attention, get closer, on by, etc. etc and your ride becomes more and more enjoyable.
However, I don't advise anyone just learning to ride a bike or anyone not completely comfortable on a bike to use it. But if you're a steady, aware, bike rider, this is the best tool you and your dog can have.
I like it MUCH better than the Springer because the Springer has a quick release in case your dog goes around a telephone pole and you go around the other side. What I say to that is 1) you should be more aware than to let that happen and 2) I'd prefer NOT to lose my dog on a street should the attachment spring loose. 3) If it's made to release automatically in those situations, how does it tell the difference between a telephone pole and a strong pulling dog?
With that said, when reading the reviews of the WalkyDog before I purchased it, I noticed there was a small portion of people who said the WalkyDog pulled off of the bike so I attach a regular six foot leash around my waist like a belt and hook it up to my dogs harness for the "just in case" incident. Though it's never happened to me. |  |  | |  |
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I just sent in my order for the Walky Dog bike attachment and also ordered a harness for Lenny to wear while he's with me on the bike (plenty of padding and fit that is comfortable for running).
