7 Tips for Riding with Your Dog
Maybe you know off-road racer Alexey Vermeulen from his recent win at Iceman Cometh. Perhaps you heard about his second place overall in the Life Time Grand Prix Series. But more likely, you really remember him for one reason: In addition to being really, really good at riding bikes, he’s often accompanied on his rides by man’s best friend, his loyal long-haired mini-dachshund, Sir Willie the Wiener.
If you’ve seen him on Instagram or YouTube, you may have been tempted to buy a backpack for your pup and get to pedaling. But before you roll out, Vermeulen has a few pieces of advice for maximizing the happiness watts that come from riding with your very good boy (or girl).
Choose the Right Size Pack
Vermeulen uses the K9 Sport Sack Air 2 for Sir Willie, and while most dog breed measurements are easy to select for, dachshunds definitely can be tricky, since they are long boys. Because of that, Willie sizes up from XS to a Small based on height, and Vermeulen simply tightens the straps to keep him in place. “Don’t just go by breeds, measure your dog if he seems like he’s between sizes,” says Vermeulen. The key is making sure your pup has enough space from neck to tail to fit comfortably in the pack. With K9’s Air 2, you can also get a ‘booster seat’ addition for the bottom if your pup is wider than he is long, or you have a puppy that will grow into his pack, Vermeulen adds. (Note: Riding with your dog really only works if you’re OK with the weight... don’t expect this to work with your German Shepard!)
Create a ‘Loading System’
Dog owners know how tricky it can be to convince a dog to do anything, let alone literally climb into a backpack and stay still long enough to zip up. “I have this fully dialed in now: I put the bag down the ground, opening it all the way. Hold the dog’s belly right under the front paws with your right hand, and use your left to tuck his tail and and back legs into the pack. Put the front paws into the paw holes, and zip up,” says Vermeulen. You may need a lot of treats the first few rides! It’s also important to tighten all the straps: You don’t want your dog to be able to shimmy out. You may want a friend or partner on hand for your first few attempts, especially for putting on and taking off the pack.
Start Small
“When my girlfriend Sophie first got Willie, she started riding with him just because she didn’t have a car,” Vereulen says. “Those would be short rides around town or campus, so he got used to those first. Then, when COVID hit and I had less to do, I would ride with Willie alongside of her while she ran—she’s a pro triathlete—so he got used to riding a little longer, but at a leisurely pace.” From there, it slowly crept up, and now Willie can go for hours-long rides and even pre-ride certain courses with Vermeulen.
Consider the Weather
Vermeulen won’t ride with Willie in temperatures lower than 40 or higher than 80. While he can—and does—douse Willie with cold water on hotter rides and make sure he’s drinking plenty of water, or bundles him into his sleeping bag (made by K9 Sport Sack to fit into the pack) for chillier rides, dogs simply can’t regulate their temperatures as well as people. And the pack itself can get hot in the summer, especially for pups with thick coats.
Pay Attention to Your Dog’s Needs
While Sir Willie has started going on longer excursions, he doesn’t get stuck in the pack the entire time. Anytime Vermeulen stops to pee, Sir Willie also gets a pee-and-sniff break. When Vermeulen drinks, Willie’s water bottle comes out as well. (That’s right, he’s learned to drink from squirts from the bottle, though Vermeulen also makes sure to give him a bowl of water at stops.)
Understand the Risks
While it’s great to see more people riding with their pups, Vermeulen is quick to point out the dangers that come with any ride. “It’s easy to crash on any ride, and I want people to be aware of that,” Vermeulen says. “You need to be paying extra attention to everything when you’re riding with your dog, because you’re entirely responsible for him. He can’t protect himself in that pack.” Starting on rail trails or other easy paths is a good way to get used to riding with your pup in a lower stress situation. You also need to be aware of how your dog reacts to other dogs, especially if you’re riding somewhere where dogs may be offleash. If your dog tends to bark at other dogs or get aggressive, be especially mindful, since you could potentially get charged by an offleash dog who heard what your dog said about its mother.
Make Every Ride Fun
Sir Willie is a huge fan of certain local descents, and often can be seen shifting his position to perch his chin on Vermeulen’s helmet to get a better air flow to his ears. “He knows when we’re going for a ride, and he loves the pack because he knows that when it’s out, it means he’s coming with us,” Vermeulen says. “And it’s important to remember that yeah, it’s fun to post these cute Instagram pictures with your dog, but you have to remember that your dog’s enjoyment and safety have to come first.”
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