...the belly tether should then be anchored to the floor of the rig. It doesn't get tangled because because mostly it's slack -- the dog simply steps over it as he's circling around....
One thing we learned early was to incorporate a "swivel" link or snap into the tether to allow the dog to circle around.
Lee
MB5+TW200+CRF250L+GTV300+INT650
XL883R w/Texas Ranger Sidecar
Zuma 50F + Burgman w/Texas Sidecar<Mrs. SwampFox
Lucy has been riding long enough that she will just sit there for short trips. Anything on the highway she gets two tethers, one from each side that clip into rings on each side of her harness. Allows her to sit, stand or lay down but not get out of the car. Any back road stuff she is, like Drone un-tethered. I do like the idea of the belly tether though and may look into it..
Here she is sitting like the queen she is
I agree with the opinions that it really depends on the dog. My first sidecar dog was an Australian Cattle Dog and she rode everywhere with no tether. I knew she would never jump out and felt it was a bit safer if she could get away from the rig in an emergency. My second sidecar dog (also a cattle dog) would jump out of the sidecar at sixty miles an hour if he saw a bird two blocks away. Needles to say, he is always tethered. Just goes to show, YMMV.
I agree with the opinions that it really depends on the dog. My first sidecar dog was an Australian Cattle Dog and she rode everywhere with no tether. I knew she would never jump out and felt it was a bit safer if she could get away from the rig in an emergency. My second sidecar dog (also a cattle dog) would jump out of the sidecar at sixty miles an hour if he saw a bird two blocks away. Needles to say, he is always tethered. Just goes to show, YMMV.
Lawrence, WELCOME to the USCA Sidecar forums, and your first post above was excellent.
If you have any pictures of these Australian Cattle Dog(s) that used to ride in your sidecars, please post them, after you have a couple more posts. It takes at least 3 posts before you can start posting pictures.
Two Million Mile Rider...All 7 Continents
Exploring the World in Comfort
Well my limited sidecar on my BMW experience has shown my guy wanted to drive or at least sit on my lap while I'm riding. He is used to being tethered to the top of his harness when in the car or truck. He can stand on the armrest or go to the back seat to chew on his favorite binkie or look out the side windows. I remember a friend's rare 1968 Triumph GT6 was totaled by a puppy getting under the girlfriend's feet! Fortunately the lady and dog were ok. I'll include a picture of my "Dragon" on the little side board of my land-sailor. I am for a tether, but worry if I capsize the Blokart, or wreck my side rig. It is a personal choice and responsibility. Very glad for this topic.i guess it would depend on if the dog was driving or riding shotgun. 😉
I'm a huge fan of "you do you". 😎 So whatever makes you feel comfortable is what's most important.
FWLIW: I use a quality padded harness with a bottom D-ring. Lead attached to the floor such that the dog can stand, but can't get it's legs outside the body of the sidecar. The only caveat being when on ATV/Jeep trails, where the dog can run ahead of the rig untethered. I've already shown great acts of stupidity in those situations. Better the dog is well ahead so it can laugh at my stupidities.
Years ago my German Shepherd was riding in the back seat of an old convertible Mustang. We were stopped at a light, and he saw something that needed up close personal inspection (probably a cat or squirrel). He was out of the car faster than I could yell "NO!" The next three minutes entailed screaming people, honking horns, much laughter, and a lot of good natured ribbing aimed towards my dumb arse. Thankfully only my feelings got bent (so much for being a "master of my dog"). lol
So now the motto is; "No good deed goes unpunished, and no good dog goes untethered." 🤣
Every once in a while my hyper guy gets a little tangled with the top attachment but usually gets it sorted. If I have an emergency stop, I hope that the harness restraint from the top would cause the least hurt, and prevent smacking into the dashboard or sidecar structure.One thing I'm confused about is why tether to the underside (belly?) of the dog? Wouldn't this cause the dog to get legs tangled with the tether? I would think tethering on the top (back) of the harness would be best to prevent legs getting tangled in the tether/leash?
