Thanks for all the great suggestions. Just bought the book, "dogs ride" written by 2 people from the "Sit, Stay, Ride video. Very good book, and we found we're doing a lot of things right. Our dog is getting used to the sidecar and I think beginning to see it as "her place". Taking it slowly, Tomorrow will go out on the real road for a short ride. Will see how she does. Keep you posted!
99Savage - 2/10/2016 8:57 PM
This guy has traveled a big hunk of the US with his dog. Not all of his experiences worked out well and not all of his dogs took to it.
That was my boy. I lost him to lymphoma last November after 55,000 miles of shared adventure. We got over 1000 cards, letters, emails and PMs after his passing. He was truly loved by many! The most touching tributes came from people who had been using Barley as an example of how to face their own cancers with courage and dignity. All dogs bring gifts to the relationship if you keep your heart open. Barley brought more than most and made it very clear he would be royally ed off at me if I didn't regift his love to another dog. He taught me so much...
Right now my world is locked up in ice and snow, but come spring Tulliver will start riding with me in earnest. (So far he's just done a few rides no more than 100 miles.) He's not as curious about the world as Barley was, but wants to me with me so does okay. Our new pup - Pandemonium - will be born around St Patrick's Day and come to us in mid-May. Coming from master hunter lines on both sides, I suspect he will have courage and curiosity in spades. Those qualities coupled with a highly developed prey drive made Barley so much fun to travel with. Hopefully his training as both a service dog and a sidecar dog will be completed in less than two years so we can get out there and continue the legacy.
A couple of general pointers for those just starting out:
1. Every ride should include a fun break for the dog.
2. Treats and praise are critical to forming that bond you'll need on the road.
3. Nothing bad should ever happen in the hack: no scolding, no punishment, nothing but fun and love and joy.
Pete
Pete,
Those three pointers say it all in a nutshell!! Very well stated. So sorry for your loss of Barley. When Archie died after all the years he'd been my sidecar sidekick and all the adventures we'd had together, I was devastated. I thought there'd never be another like him. And that was mostly right. There will never, ever be another Archie. But after several months I found Henry in the same shelter I'd found Archie. He was unique in his own ways and was learning to ride but didn't take to the sidecar as naturally as Archie had. His thrill in life was chasing coyotes and cars. Dang it. Chasing cars was his downfall. I couldn't undo what was done. I didn't wait that time. Back to make the round of shelters. Thought it would take several trips but on that first round, there was Petey looking out through the kennel knowing I was there to rescue him. This riding season will be the 5th for him and he absolutely loves to ride in the sidecar. His favorite way to go. The adventure continues. Here's hoping your adventure with continue with another canine companion!!
Thanks, Tom. Losing a dog is never easy. Losing one that you have so completely bonded to, a soul dog, is devastating. I promise each pup that enters my world a life of joy, love and adventure. I also promise to never compare them to those who came before, that I will accept the gifts they bring as special things, and not rank them. It's going to be difficult starting over with Tully and then with Pandemonium, as neither will have Barley's experience. But I'll keep an open mind and watch for signs that my training approach isn't working on this particular dog...and adjust myself accordingly.
BTW to the OP, removing the Hannigan seat is not a big deal. If you have a second person to hold the head of the bolts it's easier, but you can also use the side of the tub to hold the upper wrench in place while you remove the nut underneath the tub. Two of the bolts go through the frame so you definitely want to put those back. The other pair of holes I just plugged with a rubber grommet. Without the seat he could stretch out for naps and when sitting up he was lower (and safer). It also gives you access to the rear bulkhead which let me attach water and fuel cans just in case.
I'm not sure what sort of riding you do, or how far you go, but in my case living in Northern Vermont where most of the roads are unpaved, and taking a 5-9000 mile summer trip every year I found that a memory foam mattress gave Barley a lot better protection from road vibration. In the photo I posted earlier you can also see the tonneau cover I had customized for him. He was a hunter, and that smaller zippered hatch kept him centered in the hack so he couldn't get his paws on the edge for a closer look at an animal we passed. It was also supposed to provide some rain and sun protection, but it never worked out that way. The rain would pool in the center and the zipper was not waterproof, and the sun got so hot inside despite the light color that I ended up getting the Hannigan ragtop. That turned out to be a great buy, as it was absolutely waterproof and gave him some much needed shade out west.
Great info. So sorry to hear about Barley!!Just finished reading your blog. Really enjoyed it! I can share your loss. We lost our 18 yr. old cockapoo last yr. Still haven't completely gotten over her loss. Anybody who says they don't morn the loss of a dog has never really been loved by one! They exist to love! Glad to hear that his legacy will continue. In the final analysis that's all each of us has to give. In most cases that's a lot! Ride on, ride safe, and know that Barley is always with you!
Just wanted to update and thank everyone for your suggestions. Very pleased to report that Daisy and I just finished our 1st 75 mi. trip together with the sidecar. Travel back roads and super slabs! She behaves very well, tolerates Doggles while bike is in motion. We do create a minor bit of traffic congestion as people slow to get a look. Gas stops have been an adventure. Between questions, curiosity seekers, and picture takers it has been fun. Does give people a different perspective on "bikers"!
Good on Daisy! Those early rides when it seems to come together are really special! Sort of a "By jove it's going to work!" moment.
Things are progressing well with Tulliver. He's had several half day rides, and the day after tomorrow we head to the BMW rally in Hamburg NY, about 500 miles away. An easy day trip for me, but one I'll break into a couple of days filled with stops at exciting lakes and streams, treats at ice cream stands, stuff to keep Tulliver happy and looking forward to the next ride. I'm a tad anxious about how he'll do, but Barley's spirit will be with me letting me know which ideas work and which of them have a high suckage factor.
The first litter of golden pups was lost in a tragic accident that crippled the breeder's sister and nearly killed her niece. The 4 year old niece just got out of her full body cast today, a couple months after breaking her neck. Raise a beer to the EMTs who cut her out of the wreckage without causing any damage to her unprotected spinal cord! The next litter of pups was born three years to the day Barley and I set out from Vermont to the Pacific on his longest single ride, a three week 9000 mile adventure that had us completely bonded part way through. We'll most likely keep the name Pandemonium for this little guy.
Meet the future long distance sidecar dog: Sunshine Golden's Pint o' Pandemonium!
Glenfiddich - 7/11/2016 9:45 PM
... Raise a beer to the EMTs.... Meet the future long distance sidecar dog: Sunshine Golden's Pint o' Pandemonium!....
Hi Pandemonium!!
And here's to safe travels for Peter & Tulliver. May the shade be on you.
NCGL: Good work getting Daisy to tolerate the Doggles while in motion. Maddie quickly learned to push 'em up on her forehead 'bout the time I shift to 3rd gear.
Lee
MB5+TW200+CRF250L+GTV300+INT650
XL883R w/Texas Ranger Sidecar
Zuma 50F + Burgman w/Texas Sidecar<Mrs. SwampFox
Daisy has done so well! we just completed a 180 mi. trip on all kinds of roads. She is now starting to figure out ways to make herself more comfortable! Likes to look out through the shield when on back roads at lower speeds. at highway speeds she hunkers down below the dashboard. Smart dog. Still wearing the Doggles and wants them off immediately. Looking forward to many fun rides with her as she gets better at riding and understands that she gets to go places she couldn't go before. One step at a time!
Just got back from the BMW Rally. It was Tulliver's first thousand mile multiple day adventure. He did phenomenally well. Very proud of my big red dog!
This is one of the reasons I want to get a side car, so I've been following this thread with some interest. Some very good tips. My 2 yr. old yellow lab is just too big to fit in a passenger seat carrier on my Venture. I found the book mentioned in an earlier post - Dogs Ride ~ on Amazon (where you can find everything) -
https://www.amazon.com/Dogs-Ride-Motorcycle-Sidecar-Riding/dp/1502388618/ref=cm_wl_huc_item
Once I get a rig - this will be purchased right after the harness. Thanks for the good advice here.
The book has a lot of great tips, suggestions and practical "how tos". We found going easy at 1st, with lots of praise is really important. Nothing bad should happen in the sidecar! Especially early on. The 1st trips were for ice cream so she associated sidecar trips and "good stuff"! I also make sure to tell her how good she is doing at every opportunity even while we're riding down the superslabs! The only correction I make with Daisy is if she tries to take the Doggles off while the sidecar is in motion. That's a simple "unt a" repeated several times. I try to lower them as soon as possible after we stop for any length of time. The harness we use is a Kong and it seems to work very well. They are available at Pet Smart locally. I just ordered a top for the sidecar from Hannigan more to protect her from rain and hot sun. Be ready for longer gas stops due to picture takers and curious people! Daisy loves the attention! Good luck with your new venture it's worth every minute you invest in it.
