21. 10. 2021
Did you know that you don't have to go scootering alone? In addition to your friends, your dog can accompany you. What accompaniment... it can even pull you! Mushers, people who practice dogsledding, which traces its roots deep into the past to the inhabitants of the snowy Nordic territories, commonly use a scooter as a summer version of a dog sled. Incidentally, summer musher races are also run on scooters. You don't have to be a racer to let your dog pull a scooter. Almost any dog can learn to pull, it just takes a bit of patience. And if he doesn't learn to pull, you can still take him for a walk on a leash and he'll run alongside you.
A scooter, of course. Choose the scooter according to the terrain you want to ride in. Dogs always prefer soft surfaces, but that doesn't mean you can't take them on tarmac. So you can use any machine, it depends on your preference.
If you have a strong dog, you will appreciate good brakes, ideally hydraulic disc brakes. Stopping a running hound is not exactly easy.
You will also need a leash to harness the dog to a special harness. There are a number of leashes and harnesses on the market from different manufacturers. Some leashes come with shock absorbers, some come with forks, if you want to harness two dogs. There are also lightweight racing leashes - in short, to suit everyone's taste.
In any case, do not attach the leash to the scooter handlebars, but directly to the head tube. Why? If your dog yanks on the leash attached to the handlebars, you will inevitably go in his direction, which can backfire.
What is not necessary, but advisable for all beginners? The so-called antennae. This is a spring-loaded adapter that you attach most often to the neck of the scooter frame and thread the leash through it. This prevents the leash from getting into the scooter wheel or anywhere it shouldn't go. Fixed or articulated antennae are available to allow your dog to run not only in front of you, but also beside you.