Too many people overcomplicate the process of training a puppy to ride in a Sixthreezero basket for their bicycle. While there is no getting around the nervousness a dog has when being placed in a bicycle basket for the first time, with patience and repetition, your pup will be riding with you in no time. In fact, before long, your dog will be excited to get in the basket and go for a spin.
Tips To Training Your Energetic Puppy
Preparation is key when learning how to ride a bike with a dog in a basket, especially with an energetic puppy. Puppies are easily distracted and love attention. Therefore, if you want your training to succeed, it is crucial to find a quiet place to begin your training, preferably somewhere around your home — try your back or front yard, avoid busy, dark parks or trails.
In the beginning, your puppy might get the urge to jump out of the basket, either out of excitement or fear. You want to make sure you keep your dog safe by securing a basket lead; this leash is long enough for the animal to remain comfortable in the basket, but it does not provide enough of a lead for it to jump or fall out of the basket.
As you are trying to keep your dog calm and focused, you need to do the same. Dogs often mimic their owner’s temperament, meaning if you are scared and nervous, your dog is too. You want the riding experience to be as relaxing as possible, so don’t be afraid to take frequent breaks during the initial stages of training to play and burn off some of that nervous energy.
Getting Your Puppy To Stay in a Bike Basket
While you might have purchased the cutest bike accessories basket, it won’t be enough to motivate your dog to stay initially. Your dog’s first instinct is likely going to be to escape, which is why the basket leash is vital to training. In some cases, you might even need two basket leashes secured to each side of the basket.
You want to ease your puppy into training. Don’t attach leashes, hop on the back of your bike, and take off to the park. You need to take baby steps, starting close to home. Secure your dog inside the basket and walk the bike a few feet. Continue training over several days, going a bit further each time, giving the animal praise and encouragement along the way. The best advice is to treat riding in the bike basket as normal behavior.
After spending time walking your bike, try riding it, slowly making trips longer and faster. Experiment over different terrains, seeing where your pup needs more training. The progress from walking your bike to riding normally should be spread out over several weeks, giving your puppy plenty of time to acclimate to the new position.
Riding with a puppy in a bike basket is one way to create a stronger bond between you and your pet. Contact a local bike shop if you would like some more advice about training your animals for riding in bike baskets or about some of the products you might need.
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