I am a professional petsitter and I have to proclaim this product as one of the best pet-related items I've used in a long time. It is very well made, simple to use and does what it promises. In just a couple of months, I have used this on about 10-12 different dogs and it works great. In fact I have to credit it for reinvigorating my interests in bicycles again which had waned in several years, but that's a different story.
The dogs that I have run with the Walkydog include a Border Collie, Greyhound, Red Bone Coonhound, 3 Boxers, Jack Russell terrier, Maltese mix, Shih Tzu, Dashund mix, Golden Retriever mix, and some others I cannot recall at the moment. As long as the dog is active and in good health with cooperating weather, than I cannot imagine why anyone would not use this product. You get done faster and the dog is more tired, hence you can get to work sooner or go see a movie that much quicker and maybe avoid furniture chewing from a dog with too much pent-up energy.
I do have to say that for some dogs using this may be challenging. Aggressive dogs or easily distracted dogs (two of the Boxers I take care of are easily distracted) so you may have to consider what time of day you ride to avoid too much foot traffic from other dog walkers like 6pm when everyone comes home and walks their dog at the same time. For the Boxers, I have to also use a regular long 6' leash attached to their collar and hold it in my hand whenever they get distracted and pop it a little whenever they try to go behind me or to the side of me chasing a squirrel/cat/dog.
Because I have this variety of dogs to use with the Walkydog, I have to make this more flexible for the different sizes I will encounter and so I will list the equipment I use in conjunction with the Walkydog and maybe some of these items will help you with your dog.
1) I mount a Trek bike rack to the back of my seat post and than mount the Walkydog to the bike rack rod between the quick release clamp and the actual rack. I found out that while pedaling, the back of my leg was hitting the Walkydog rod under my seatpost even if I angled the rod away. Mounting the Walkydog further back on a bike rack just a few inches works great and the bike rack attachment is almost the same diameter as the seat post so the Walkydog clamp works fine on that too. I didn't get my Trek rack on Amazon, but they have a variety of different brands you can use instead.
2) Because of the different heights of all the dogs, I needed to extend the length of the cord provided by the Walkydog. I found at Hxxx Depot (Amazon also sells this) the Smart Bungee system by Joubert and it is an extreme bargain at just $1.75 for ten pieces that allow the user to attach carabiners or increase the length of the bungee cord by just snapping them together. They provide two 24" bungees, two 12" bungees, and six different connectors. What a concept! I found the best one that worked for me most of the time was one 24" bungee and attach the carabiners to both ends. Attach one end to the Walkydog loop clip. I left the Walkydog length and internal springs pretty much alone. The bungee cord allows elasticity and will not whiplash the dog if you have to stop quickly. I also have to credit this in providing a slingshot effect when I have a fast dog it provides a little boost to my bike when the dog is going so fast that I am not even pedaling! Wee!!! Also the bungee lessens the force that can torque the Walkydog clamp loose. I use this for most of the dogs I run, but with the easily distracted Boxers I use a non-stretch cord to limit their sideways/backwards access.
3) I always use dog seat belt harnesses or chest harnesses on the dogs since I want them to pull with their chest and not their neck. The D-ring on the back of the harness is where I would attach the bungee carabiner mentioned above.
4) On top of the harness I put a safety vest on the dog. I purchased a yellow one on Amazon that works excellent since it loops from under the dog and allows the back to be open for the seatbelt harness D-ring (note to self: remember to review the yellow safety vest since it was the best one I found). The safety vest may sound like overkill, but in this age of driving cellphones and runaway Toyotas I cannot be too careful when it comes to taking care of someone elses dog.
5) I mount the Walkydog so the dog is always on my left. I've discovered that the curbside always have potential injuries waiting to happen like nails, glass, miscellaneous sharp things not good for dog paws.
6) No matter how tight I tighten the clamp, I still have some dogs that can move the bike rack and Walkydog out of alignment. A small piece of bicycle inner tube wrapped several times under the clamp may work out better than the vinyl piece provided with the Walkydog product.
With this setup, I have had a lot of success going on rides with different dogs. Dogs that pull or have lots of energy would be good candidates for this product and it has saved my arm from getting pulled and stressed out. Hope these words have highlighted the product and do not be discouraged if the product does not work out with the dog the first time. Just walk your dog with the bike so it learns not to be afraid of it and than eventually try to ride slowly next to the dog. I have done this successfully with superslow dogs and dogs that want to go back into the future so please do not be discouraged and eventually you both will have fun with it!
We received the Walky Dog two days ago, and I couldn't resist testing it out right away. I attached the leash to his collar and walked my bike out of the driveway. We tested out making some turns while we walked on our quiet street. I was still walking at this point so I could see how it all worked. My dog is significantly smaller than the German Shepherd in the product photo, and the leash was pulling on his next. I felt like I was strangling the little guy. Then my husband saw in the directions that you can remove two springs from it in order to accommodate smaller dogs. We did that, and we were off again. The leash didn't pull on him this time... but he pulled on the leash. I could tell that he was anxious to go faster so, with trepidation, I got on the bike and started pedaling. He trotted alongside me, happy as could be. When I began to pedal faster, he kept up easily and started pulling me like a sled dog. At no point did he bump me, even as we were turning corners. Somehow, the Walky Dog keeps him just the right distance away.
I will warn you that it's definitely not as easy as riding without a dog strapped to your bike. I can feel him pulling me, and I have to really hold onto the handlebars to steer against his pulling. At one point, he saw a cat, and I thought for sure he was going to pull me off the street. Neighbor kid couldn't help but laugh, even though he tried to hide it.
We went around the block. When we got home, I let him off the leash, and he did a happy little race around the yard before coming back to me, ready for another go. He really loved it. So I attached him again and we went a little farther. Yesterday day two of owning this product we went about a mile. Every time we reached a stop sign, I paused to see if my dog was still happy. His tail was wagging, his ears were cocked, and he was very alert. When I let him off the leash, he again raced around the yard, very eager and happy. Not at all traumatized. This is going to be a great product for helping him exercise and take the edge off his high-energy.
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The WalkyDog is solid and looks like it's made of top quality materials to last a lifetime. Installation to the bottom of the seat post of my mountain bike was quick and easy. If the bar is too far forward the back of your leg will hit it, so be sure to try the mounted WalkyDog before using it with your dog. Attaching and detaching the pole from the clamp is faster and easier than th company literature claims. It just takes an instant.
My dog, Rusty, is a lean and athletic 60 lb 2 1/2 yr. old mixed breed. He is normally skittish and high strung, and he is born to run. At my age (67), I can't really run him, hence the WalkyDog and my bicycle. Initial hook up of the dog is easy. First attach the snap to the dog's collar*, and then attach the pole to the clamp on the bike. Rusty took to the WalkyDog immediately the first time with no pulling or anxiety except on first hook up. As soon as we started moving, he and I settled into a steady 10 mph or so pace on a beautiful canyon bottom dirt road. Rusty maintained a steady trot that looked effortless. Our first use was about 6 miles. He now handles up to 10 miles with no stress, and gets excited when I get the bike out.
Rusty hasn't pulled hard to the side yet, but the pulling he has done really has little effect on the stability of my mountain bike. I don't think even a very large dog would present a safety problem with this unless he lunged hard and unexpectedly, like at another dog.
I paid about $50.00 for mine, and feel it was a bargain. The $30 that Amazon is charging is a steal. I'm seriously considering buying another one or two to give away as gifts.
* Another reviewer's suggestion to use a harness is a good idea, especially the kind with the snap ring in front under the dog's chest. I'd be concerned that the dog could pull out of a regular collar (impossible with a martingale), or hurt his neck with a choke collar if you were to fall. With a harness with the snap ring on the dog's back, I'd be concerned that a big strong dog could pull with enough force to cause a fall.
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My 9 month old male lab does not like it and jerks the other way. The bracket moves, so the "stick" rotates further back. The dog ends up behind the bike or even at the other side. It is a shame because I do need to exercise him. I am honestly disappointed.
Edit....
After some adjustment (removing the plastic protection wrapper and tightening the bracket with a tool with better grip) the rotating issue is solved. The dog got used to it and we enjoy the product. There is another technical problem but I have contacted the supplier with that question. I will update the review after I hear back from the seller.
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Works great. I have one on both sides of my bike. Really helps to drain energy from my dogs 1st thing in the morning.
If you have a strong puller make sure you really tighten down the allen screws on the clamp. Check the screws periodically because Ive found they can loosen up some over time.
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Works great! I just wish it was refillable. Exactly as described. Great deterrent for excessive barking and other habits you may want to correct. Humane and non-painful. Perfect! At the local dog boutique a 50 mg size of same thing costs $8 plus tax (7%) so this was a bargain! Thank you!!
