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Dogs love to go everywhere we go and whilst larger dogs will run happily for hours beside a bike, this is not an option for smaller or young dogs. Smaller dogs, except perhaps Jack Russell terriers, don’t have the stamina to do so, nor the ‘leg length’ to keep up with a bike. And young dogs and puppies could get overexcited and over exercise themselves, leading to health problems. Bicycle baskets for dogs are a great solution for these cases, your dog can go everywhere with you and is safe and comfortable at the same time, and some models even double as dog carrier at the same time. Before you now go out and buy the next best bicycle dog basket, here some tips for choosing the right one:
Safety, safety and safety
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No matter how good a bike basket for dogs looks, if it is not safe, it is worth nothing. The first thing you have to check is the allowed weight for a specific model. If your dog is heavier than that, you need to choose a larger model. Next thing is to check how the basket or carrier will be attached to the bike. The more attachment points the basket has, the more stable it will be. Most bike baskets for dogs get attached to the handlebar, which offers only limited supported, especially if your dog is mall, but not tiny. A dog that tends to get restless and exited will also influence the stability of the whole bike, and your biking, for more hints about the advantages and disadvantages of each solution, see next paragraph.
Now to how the dog actually gets ‘seat belted’ (strapped) into the basket. Never buy a dog bike basket that doesn’t come with some sort of straps or ‘seat belts’ for the dog. Even the quietest and best behaved dog can have ‘a moment’ and jump out of the bicycle dog carrier onto a busy road. So make sure that they are always safely confined to the basket and can’t get out on their own. But make equally sure that the straps are easy to adjust and to release, this way putting your dog into its bike dog basket is easier and less of a struggle. And last, but not least, don’t use a collar, only a harness, when your dog gets strapped into its dog bicycle basket! Reason being, if you fall or the dog manages to wiggle itself loose, it will hang from its harness. Uncomfortable, but safe, if you use a collar, it will hang by its neck, suffering injury or worse.
Front or Back Seat?
Bicycle dog carriers can be either attached to the front, on the handlebar, or to the back of the bike (carrier or frame). Frankly, the later has only two advantages in my eyes, one being that the basket or carrier can be secured more easily and stable and the other that these models are normally able to handle dogs that are a bit heavier. But the huge disadvantages are that you a) don’t see what, and how, the dog is doing and b) that, in the unfortunate case you get hit by a car from behind, the dog will get hit first. So, unless you have a real quiet dog, perhaps even a bit elderly, that just curls up in its basket and snoozes the day away, these kind of carrier can not be recommended in my opinion. And even if you have such a good dog, what is about sun and wind? If the dog is in front of you, in its basket, you can check frequently on its well being, if it is behind you, out of sight, you can’t do that easily.
Carrier or Basket?
Carriers are meant to be attached and detached easily, doubling as dog bicycle baskets, as well as a dog bicycle carrier. They allow you to just take the bike dog carrier off, dog and all included and to go for a coffee, or what ever your biking tour had as a goal. A basket is normally firmly attached to the bike and doesn’t double as a carrier. Which solution you choose depends on what you normally do on your bike tours and if you need one of those bike carriers for dogs or if you are happy with a fixed basket.
Nice Extras to Have
When you have narrowed down the list of available models, have also a look at the additional features some offer. Several models come with a rain cover or a sun shade, whilst most will provide some storage space for water and doggie treats. A nice touch to add are always high, night visibility straps, especially if you plan to go for a bike right in the dawn or night.
How to train your dog to ride a bike 
Couldn’t resist that headline But seriously, your dog will need some time to get used to being driven around in one of those dog bike baskets. To make life easier, here a few tips:
- If your dog is very lively, make sure it had some food and playtime before starting the training, this will help to calm it down a bit.
- Put the basket on the floor and encourage your dog to investigate it.
- Never allow it to jump in or out of the basket on its own. It is you who is in charge of that! This way the dog will learn quickly that jumping out of a dog basket for bike is a big NO-NO and will be so much safer to handle when you are on the road.
- After your dog is familiar with the basket, attach it safely to the bike and lift the dog into it. Give it time to get adjusted to the height in the unknown feeling.
- When the dog seems calm and well settled, push the bike for a while, so that it gets used to the movement.
- Now, when all is well, you can for your first joint bike ride Increase the time of such a ride slowly, and in no time you are ready for day trips.
Always remember to keep the training sessions short, so that the dog doesn’t get bored, and to praise it a lot. Praise and treats are the best way to do what is called ‘positive reinforcement’ in dog training and it works a treat, if you forgive the pun
Summary
Dog baskets for bicycles are available in many shapes and forms, make sure you buy one that is the right size for your dog and allows it to be attached, with help of a harness, to the basket. Pay also close attention to how safe the basket is attached to the bike and remember that front models are preferable to back models. Train your dog slowly, with the help of positive reinforcement technique to stay always in its dog basket for bicycle and you will soon be off to day trips with your canine friend. Dog baskets for bikes can be bought either in larger pet stores or online, via Amazon for example.
And remember: Dog + Basket + Bike = Great Fun!
