If your dog is not a fan of boots, there is another option for protecting their pads from the harsh winter elements. Learn about Musher’s Secret all natural paw pad wax. There was a great write-up about it recently in the Pittsburgh Post Gazette. See it here.

We just got another shipment in directly from Canada and have availability in the 60gram and 200gram size cans. Our winters in Texas are not harsh, but I still use Musher’s Secret on Parker’s paws to keep them conditioned and from getting cracked since we bike together often. Order here

As I am writing this it is 105 degrees in Austin Texas. Fun stuff – especially when packing up orders mid-day in our garage! I’m not complaining though – please keep the orders coming My latest way to beat the heat when packing orders is to soak a tank top in cold water. I really need to get a picture or video of the shipping setup we have going right now – I think you would all get a kick out of it. Just know that nothing will keep us from getting your orders out to you the same day they are ordered

Speaking of soaking a tank top in water, let’s talk a little about the Ruff Wear Swamp Cooler™ dog cooling vest for keeping your dog cool in the summer heat. It is obviously a more advanced version of my wet tank top method, but the way it works is similar. It all comes down to a concept called evaporative cooling.

First let me start off by saying that the swamp cooler™ dog cooling vests really work – otherwise I wouldn’t be carrying them. I have to admit, I was a little skeptical at first (it is hard to imagine putting something extra on your dog would really cool them down), but with these temperatures I was willing to try anything for my pups – especially since they both have thick black fur.

So what exactly is evaporative cooling?

Technical definition – Evaporative cooling is a physical phenomenon in which evaporation of a liquid, typically into surrounding air, cools an object or a liquid in contact with it.

Think about when you get out of a pool and the cool feeling when your skin hits the air. This is evaporative cooling. Sweating is another example of evaporative cooling. When sweat evaporates, people cool down. For dogs it is not as easy to cool down because they only sweat through their paw pads. They cool down mostly through panting, but this is a much less efficient way to cool down. We humans have it made compared to dogs, so if you think you are hot just know that your dog is much hotter. This is where the swamp cooler cooling vest comes in. It artificially creates the sensation of sweating for dogs by letting evaporative cooling take its effects on the core of their bodies.

How The Swamp Cooler Dog Cooling Vest Works

The Swamp Cooler cooling vest works just like an “on-dog” cooler. By soaking the vest in cool water, wringing it out, and placing it on your dog, you are helping your dog to “sweat”…allowing evaporative cooling to take place as the cool water is exposed to moving air. The water heats up, vaporizes, and the surrounding air is chilled…noticeably cooling your dog. No more dashing from tree to tree seeking shade. No more hiding when the leash comes out. Your dog can beat the heat more comfortably.

Click the image below to see an illustration:

Drop by The Dog Outdoors and learn more about the Ruff Wear Swamp Cooler dog cooling vest and other products for beating the heat.

P.S. For those of you that are wondering how our dog Parker is doing after his back injury from thinking he was Superman and leaping off a ledge after a squirrel….he is doing much better and is back to his crazy ways

Parker and I during Texas blue bonnet season

Biking can be an extremely enjoyable activity for both dog and owner. We recommend biking for dogs that are at least 20 lbs. Your dog needs to be in good health and it is ideal to get a checkup with your dog’s vet before beginning any serious exercise. Dogs with slight builds will be able to bike for longer distances than heavier or more muscular breeds so keep this in mind when deciding how far to bike your pup. Breeds such as Bulldogs and Pugs that have flat faces are not designed for distance running because they can become overheated very quickly. Biking is not an activity for puppies. Your dog should be at least a year old and a minimum of 20 lbs to start biking. They should be closer to a year and a half before biking long distances.

What Equipment Do I need?

Below are my suggestions based on biking my dog for the past couple of years starting with the essentials:

Essentials:

• A specialty dog bike leash such as the WalkyDog or Bike Tow Leash

Useful:

• If using the WalkyDog, a non-restrictive comfortable dog harness is recommended – preferably with padding. Using a dog harness with the Bike Tow Leash is a personal preference. If using a harness with the Bike Tow Leash, it is important to make sure that it doesn’t allow your dog to get too far forward on the bike. This will make it harder for your dog to determine when you are turning towards him/her.
• Something to bring water along for the ride. It is very important to keep your pet hydrated.
• Paw pad protection. It is important to monitor the wear on your dogs paw pads. They will toughen up over time, but products such as Musher’s Secret can help condition, protect, and toughen your dogs pads in all types of environments.
• Cooling vests for summertime heat. I strap a large thermos with ice water to my bike and take Parker’s cooling vest along for the ride with us.
• A dog bike trailer. A great way to go on extended rides so your dog can rest when tired. Or you can bring your small dog along for a bike ride in complete safety.

Getting Started

Some dogs take to this type of exercise right away and others need to be acclimated a little more slowly. The best way to start is to attach your dog to the bicycle and just walk alongside your bike on the opposite side of your dog. You want them to understand that this is no different than taking a normal walk. Once they have going straight down, practice turning left and right and then u-turn to either side. If your dog is nervous being close to the bike you may want to extend the cord some to give them a little more space. You could also add a leash extension or create your own custom length line if using the WalkyDog. Once your dog seems confident, hop on your bike and ride slowly at first practicing the same maneuvers. It is best to begin in an area with few distractions so that your dog will focus on you. It is best to bike at a trotting pace, just make sure you never go beyond your dog’s pace. If your dog gets nervous and freezes up DO NOT attempt to keep pulling them along. Immediately stop and start walking next to the bike again.

How Far To Ride

You cannot just start biking miles on your first time out. You need to gradually increase your dog’s stamina. According to canine expert Christine Zink, D.V.M., Ph.D, you should gradually increase the distance you travel by 5 to 10 percent every four to six exercise sessions. She recommends that once you reach a distance of 2 miles, you should limit biking to every other day providing a day of rest for rejuvenation of the muscles. Extremely fit dogs can run a maximum of 10 miles per day if the sessions are broken up (less if riding on pavement, which can be tough on the skeletal system). Personally I even feel that 10 miles is too far. In the summer months this is much too far in one setting. Parker and I usually ride 2 to 3 miles everyday or every other day. Obviously, be sure to stop to rest occasionally and always monitor your dog for signs that nature is calling. Also monitor your dog’s pads for cuts or scrapes. Consider using a good paw pad wax or even protective booties if riding on rough terrain often.

Dealing With Summer Heat

During the summertime when temperatures spike, it is very important to only bike your dog during cooler parts of the day and for shorter distances. If biking on pavement be sure to check the temperature of the pavement before biking. Make sure to bring water along for the ride and take frequent breaks. Consider bringing along a dog bike trailer to give your dog a rest on the way home. You may even consider looking into a dog cooling vest. Keep an eye out for signs of heat exhaustion such as if your dog’s tongue becomes very wide and curls up at the end.

Want more help deciding?

We have answers to all your questions about biking with your dog and if it is the right activity for you and your pup/s. Browse through our dog bike leash buyer’s guide and if you can’t find an answer to your question, email us and we will promptly get you the detailed answer you are looking for.

I’m always trying to explain to people how much stability our dog bike leashes give the rider. Usually the first thing people say when I tell them the business I am in is: “You sell what?! That would never work for my dog. He/She would pull me over instantly”. The thing about the 2 dog bike leash models we sell is that they are designed with the laws of physics in mind to give the rider the most control possible while also making the ride safe for your dog. It is hard to understand this until you actually get on the bike and try it. That is why I try my best to convey this through the many videos on my website. My dog Parker is an extremely strong 75 lb Lab mix and I try to push the limits constantly with him – testing every scenario I can think of to see how well the WalkyDog and Bike Tow Leash perform.

75 lbs is one thing, but what about the largest breed on the planet – the Great Dane…. When my friend Ross first suggested we give it a try, I have to admit that even I was a little hesitant. Ross has a 170 to 180 pound Great Dane named Diesel. This dog is huge! One day he was running full out and broke a 6 inch diameter fence post off clean at the base like it was a toothpick. So anyway, I decided to give biking Diesel a try today. I figured that if I felt comfortable biking him, then there wasn’t a dog out there that couldn’t use our leashes. As you can see in the video, Diesel is actually as big as the bike so I knew that the WalkyDog wouldn’t be the best option because it wouldn’t be able to clear his back. So I decided to try the Bike Tow Leash. The Bike Tow leash does a little better job absorbing the pulls of extremely powerful dogs anyway so it was going to be my best option.

No offense Ross, but Diesel is not the best walker. He was lunging like crazy when we were taking him outside to hook up to the bike. It was all I could do to hang on. Luckily I was using my trusty EzyDog Cujo bungee leash. At this point I was really starting to have second thoughts, but once we attached him to the bike he started to calm down a bit – probably because it was so new to him. I walked next to the bike with him to get him used to the idea and then hopped on and we were off. The video above is the very first run and he did amazing. Even better was that I felt in total control during the whole ride. Ross was so surprised to see how well Diesel did and the amount of control I had, that he decided to try it out himself – sporting his stylish Newberry Automotive shirt and all. So in the end I spared myself a trip to the ER and got some great video instead. I am positive this would have never worked just trying to hold on to a normal leash. This definitely drove home for me that we are carrying the absolute best gear on the market for biking your dog. Hopefully Diesel will continue to be a guest star for The Dog Outdoors in the future. Okay – I’m done rambling now.

Benefits of a hands free dog leash:

• Great for moms with a stroller
• Keep hands in pockets when it is cold
• Text message or talk on the phone
• Excellent control and less stress on hands and arms

Other functions of the Vario 6 hands free dog leash

• 6 ft leash
• 3 ft leash
• Short, medium or long temporary tether
• Double dog walker