Bike-Joring 101: Getting Started with Your Dog

Bike-joring—the exhilarating sport of having your dog pull you on a bicycle—offers an incredible way to exercise high-energy dogs while enjoying the outdoors together. This canine sport combines the thrill of mountain biking with your dog’s natural pulling instinct, creating a bonding experience that tires out even the most energetic breeds. But before you clip your pup to your handlebars, there’s essential training and preparation you need to ensure safety for both of you.

What Is Bike-Joring?

Bike-joring originated from skijoring (being pulled on skis) and has gained popularity among dog owners looking for intensive exercise options. Your dog wears a properly fitted harness attached to your bike via a specialized towing system, and they pull you along trails, paths, or quiet roads.

This isn’t just letting your dog run alongside your bike—it’s a coordinated activity where your dog provides forward momentum while you maintain steering and braking control. Done correctly, it’s an amazing outlet for working breeds, sled dog types, and any medium to large dog with good joint health and lots of energy.

Is Your Dog Ready for Bike-Joring?

Not every dog is suited for bike-joring. Here’s what to consider:

Age and development: Dogs should be fully grown with closed growth plates—typically 12-18 months depending on breed. Puppies and adolescents shouldn’t do intensive pulling sports as this can damage developing joints.

Physical health: Your dog needs a clean bill of health from your vet. Hip dysplasia, arthritis, heart conditions, or respiratory issues make bike-joring unsafe. Brachycephalic breeds generally aren’t good candidates due to breathing limitations.

Size and strength: While technically any dog over 30-35 pounds can bike-jor, larger dogs (50+ pounds) are more effective. Your dog needs enough size and strength to comfortably pull both their own weight plus provide forward momentum.

Temperament: Your dog should have solid basic obedience, especially directional commands and reliable recall. High prey drive dogs might need extra training to avoid chasing wildlife. Reactive dogs may not be safe candidates until their reactivity is addressed.

Essential Equipment for Safe Bike-Joring

Proper equipment isn’t optional—it’s critical for safety. Use a proper pulling harness, bike attachment system, bungee-style towline, and wear a helmet. Invest in a well-fitted x-back harness or similar pulling harness that distributes force across your dog’s chest and shoulders.

Training Progression: Start Slow and Build

At The Sharp K9, we use a systematic approach to bike-joring training that prioritizes safety and proper technique. Dogs need to understand directional commands like Hike, Gee, Haw, Whoa, and On By before any bike work begins.

Safety Considerations and Trail Etiquette

Weather awareness: Dogs overheat easily. Avoid bike-joring when temperatures exceed 70 degrees F. Early morning or evening rides are best in warm weather. Always bring water for your dog.

Surface selection: Start on dirt trails or smooth paths. Avoid pavement when possible as it’s harder on joints and paw pads.

Wildlife and distractions: Scout your routes beforehand. Areas with minimal wildlife and few other trail users are best while training.

Building a Lifelong Sport

Bike-joring can provide years of enjoyment and exercise for you and your dog. Start with short sessions, build gradually, and prioritize safety over speed or distance. A well-trained bike-joring dog is a joy to ride with—they’re focused, fit, and genuinely love their job.

At The Sharp K9, we offer specialized training for dog sports including bike-joring, canicross, and other pulling activities. Our trainers can help you build the foundation commands, troubleshoot training challenges, and ensure both you and your dog are ready for safe adventures together.

Ready to hit the trails with your dog? Contact The Sharp K9 for personalized bike-joring training. We’ll help you and your dog master this exciting sport safely and effectively.