It’s important to prepare ahead if you’re planning to bring your dog on your next ride, given the recent explosion in the popularity of mountain biking. Consider these tips:

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Don’t leash your dog to your bike.

It is dangerous not only for the rider but also for the dog. Your dog may dart at a squirrel, or you may jerk him down a rock roll he didn’t see coming up. Bikes have a lot of moving parts, making tethers a serious safety hazard.

Make Sure Your Pup’s Recall Is Reliable

Before heading out on a bike ride with your dog, make sure that your recall is solid, as with any activity where your dog will be off-leash. When you’re on two wheels, everything speeds up, so you’ll need to be even more proactive about calling your dog back to you when you encounter other trail users.

Position yourself and your dog and practice at a low speed

Would you like your dog to trot in front of you so you can see them? Are you leading the way behind you? If you’re on a wider trail or road, how about to your side? Practice at low speed to get your dog used to your bike so you can decide what works best for you.

Make sure you choose the right terrain and speed

High-speed, high-impact activities can be fun for you and your dog, but they can be devastating for their joints. If you want to protect your dog’s joints, take him riding on cross-country singletrack or forest road double tracks and keep the mileage to a fraction of what he is capable of. In his old age, you want him to be healthy, happy, and adventurous.

Make sure you have enough water and cooling gear

Cycling is a much faster-paced activity than walking, hiking, or running with your dog, so they may tire more quickly. To regulate their body temperature, pack more water than normal and consider using cooling gear.

Do not take your dog on a ride in extreme temperatures.

A furry, running dog will struggle to stay cool on hot days, but it also applies on cold and icy days. It is generally best to take your dog for a ride on a cool day.

Make sure the area where you plan to ride allows off-leash dogs.

Some places do not allow dogs at all, leashed or not. If you’re wondering if a particular mountain bike trail allows dogs, be sure to research the trail first.

Try to avoid riding on crowded trails.

There is still the possibility of conflict even though your dog will be under strict voice control. Owners of dogs off leash often say, “it’s okay, he’s friendly,” whenever their dog approaches another person or pet. However, what if that person is allergic to dogs or even just afraid of them? What if your unleashed dog approaches a leashed pet that isn’t friendly? No matter how sweet your dog is, chances are not everyone on the trail will be stoked to see your dog running wild, so avoid places where there are many other trail users.

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Your dog should wear a collar with a tag that includes your contact information.

If your pet spends a lot of time running in the woods, microchipping him or her is also a good idea since collars can get lost.

Make sure your dog’s poop is cleaned up.

There may be different rules and regulations depending on where you ride, but if your dog craps on the trail, you need to pick it up. There is nothing worse than picking dog poop out of your tires.

Mountain biking with your dog can be a lot of fun if the conditions are right. Follow these tips and precautions to ensure a safe ride for you, your dog, and other trail users.

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