[nagdu] guide dogs and bike/tandem?

[Garry and Joy Relton]

Tami,

Jogging, when I did it with my other guides worked fine. Basically,
depending on your pace, the behavior of your dog and the area, is just a
very fast walk. If your dog stays in control and you pick up you feet it
works well. I'm not in a place where I can walk at this point, but I
wouldn't do it with a dog who was easily distracted. For the most part, I
found that the dogs I did it with loved it and they didn't have time to be
distracted. I realize that the dog you were jogging with doesn't't earn it's
living as a guide. But, it's worth thinking about, if you are interested in
jogging at all. I just wish that I had a captain for my tandem. My husbands
knees just kill him with the repetitive motion so we're probably going to
sell ours. 

-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
Of Tamara Smith-Kinney
Sent: Thursday, June 25, 2009 3:58 PM
To: 'NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users'
Subject: Re: [nagdu] guide dogs and bike/tandem?


Ioana,

Daisy's dad and I have been talking about getting a tandem since last
winter...  But we bought a house instead, so the biking is put off for
awhile yet.  When we talk about taking Mitzi along, I'm pretty sure DD's
hair stands on end.  /lol/  Mine does a little bit, too, since when she's on
leash for a walk, she likes to dart about to sniff.  This would not be good
on a bike!  /grin/

My thinking is that I will try jogging with her first -- on nice soft turf
like the park's soccer field or the like.  The idea there is that when I
fall on my face, I won't hurt much more than my pride.  /grin/  Even so, I
manage about ten jogging strides before I'm exhausted, then realize that I
wasn't breathing while I jogged because I was scared about falling.

That cart thing you mentioned would be perfect for Daisy!  She's only got
three legs, so pacing a bike on leash would be hard for her.  Or not.  She
certainly runs like the wind when she gets a chance.  /smile/

Good luck, and let us all know how it goes!

Tami Smith-Kinney

-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
Of Ioana Gandrabur
Sent: Thursday, June 25, 2009 11:59 AM
To: NFBnet NAGDU Mailing List
Subject: [nagdu] guide dogs and bike/tandem?

Hi everyone,

My husband and I have just bought a tandem and are happy to explore this new
outdoors activity. Just get a bad feeling about having to leave the dog
behind at home for this. I will of course make sure to walk with him before
and/or after the bike ride. I was wondering however if any of you have
explored other options: I have heard about dogs running next to the bike as
a workout. Of course I suppose this has to be done on short distances to
make sure you're not overtiring the dog. also I have heard of a kind of
trailer made especially for large dogs that you can attach to the bike. this
could give us the option to take him on short rides from a place to an other
and leave the car behind more often. Like I said I am just exploring and
will not do any of this unless I am positive that it is safe for the little
guy.

Any thoughts on this theme are greatly appreciated as always.

Have a great summer all of you!

Ioana


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