I ran into one of my neighbors, a retired police officer, this morning. He flagged me down to tell me a relative of his was thinking about getting a sidecar and wanted to stop by and discuss it. While we talked I asked him about taking passengers on the bike. While he had no experience dealing with passengers falling off but he said he had investigated a couple of accidents years ago involving dogs jumping out at the wrong time.
In one case, the rider instinctively reached to restrain the dog and lost control of the bike, and in the second case the dog tried to exit at highway speed by actually jumping over the motorcycle's gas tank, causing the rider to lose control.
In each case the riders stated that the dogs had been riding with them for years and had never exhibited any anxiety before. Neither rider could identify any noise or object that would have startled the dog, nor did they see anything the dog might have wanted to chase. My neighbor's question was how others restrain their dogs, as this is what his relative wants a sidecar for?
He doesn't want an enclosed box, as he spends a lot of time in the southwest where he feels it would turn in to an oven. I guess I tend to agree with him on that.
He said the first dog was tethered with a leash long enough for the dog to see over the side of the car. In the commotion, the dog ended up safe, but hanging with his head and front legs in the car and the rest of him hanging over the far side.
In the second case the dog was not restrained. Both dogs were larger breeds, a Collie and a German Shepperd.
Aside from idling home from the bus stop, I've never carried an animal in the car so I told him I'd get some advice here. What say you??
Our dog is small and the wife made a harness with the D ring at the lower chest rather then the back then I took a leash and tied it to the seat frame in the center this allows the dog to look over either side or lay on the floor. He loves it!!
Henry
Several of my customers use a short restraint that is attached to the footrest of the sidecar which allows the dog enough slack to see out of or around the windshield of the car without escaping. That way they can curl up on the floor if they choose or look out. They won't back out of the car.
Others have used a double tether. One from the footrest and the other attached to the luggage rack to further restrain an active pooch.
A few others have had sidecar tops with dog windows large enough for the dog to get his head out to look around but not big enough to escape out of. These are also useful in cold climates for more weather protection.
Lonnie
Baxter my fat dog has a harness with a ādā ring in the front. I got mine from Pets mart. My seat comes out easily and I put in a boat cushion that is lower. The lead that is just long enough for him to look over the side or lay on the floor. But he also has Doggles. If things can hit me in the eyes they can him. He does not love these but will wear them. We have this no Doggles, no ride deal and he loves to go.
Originally written by thekid on 8/31/2006 1:02 PM
Our dog is small and the wife made a harness with the D ring at the lower chest rather then the back then I took a leash and tied it to the seat frame in the center this allows the dog to look over either side or lay on the floor. He loves it!!
Henry
that sounds like a great idea. but attache the leash down inside the SC.
I have used short leashes attached to the inside front of my SC. the dogs [2] can just reach to look over the side around the windshield. But..last summer the smaller one was standing on the seat looking out over the side. amd I made a quick swerve left, and he went flying overboard and was hanging by his neck on the side, I made a quick stop to rescue him.
after that I shortenred the leash. then this summer when I ws parked he got excited and tried to jump out to greet some kids, he jumped up and his body swung around, butt going overboard...again! the harness with the ring on his belly sounds like a great idea. allow him to see out, and still move about in the SC. He wouldnt be able to go overboard with that on keep his lower body inside.
my older one wears the doggles, but the younger pup detests them.... needs more training with them.
Goggles my dog won't wear then but over 30 MPH he doesn't look over the side but through the windshield.
Henry
I ride with Crozb, 60lb Lab/Brittany. He wears a harness that we connect to a short tether attached to the luggage rack. I have experiemented with lengths and have found that shorter is better, allowing only enough for paws forward, or at most, up on the edge of the car. If he had his way, he'd rather be the hood ornament to the sidecar. When we are parked, I will let out the length so he can choose seat, floor, sitting or laying. He also wears light boots, because we are in the desert, and otherwise he burns his feet, and also we do a lot of off road, and he is careless about cactus and burrs. He is an exceptionally well behaved dog (all thanks to my husband!) and generally only cares about other people/strangers if they either have a biscuit, or look like my husband. (loves guys with baseball caps- they MUST be a good guy :> ) Having said that, he will NOT wear the Doggles. He keeps them on until we start moving. Then the wind starts to push on them (we theorize) and he starts to freak out and move around wildly to get them off, even with all his gear on. So, at age 12, we decided this was just not that big of a deal. He also tucks his head back in behind the windshield at about 35 mph.
Btw, he also is a great motorcyle rider. He used to ride with my husband on his dirt bike when we lived in Oregon. We don't do that here, since we wouldn't do that for street riding (too fast/not safe,) and when we are off-road Crozb is in the sidecar. That dog is a natural athlete and has always instinctively leaned correctly with my husband, sits in from of my husband, strattles the bike just like a person! People sure got a kick out seeing that! (man, we're gonna miss that dog when he's gone!!)
-Karla
I have windshield, sliding roof setup for a Velorex for sale if anyone is interested. It came with a Vel I bought earlier this year. I don't have a pet that wants to ride with me so it is up for sale to someone who might be more concerned about pet safety. I will send pics to anyone who wants them.
Somehow, I don't think I'll try any of the Newfies in the hack. Since it does have seatbelts, I have considered a harness for the cocker or Murphy the Mutt.
Originally written by newfiedad on 9/1/2006 8:39 PM
Somehow, I don't think I'll try any of the Newfies in the hack. Since it does have seatbelts, I have considered a harness for the cocker or Murphy the Mutt.
:o)
fred, I dout if your SC is very good for the dogs, unless they can straddle the seat and hang on to the grab rails!
I love that SC!!
I used to work at a store in an apartment complex. I can't tell you how many times people came in to say their bird flew out the open window; "Well! He never did that before!"
Kathleen won't let me take Rosie out unless she's there to maintain a deathgrip. The only way that dog is getting out is if aliens beam us all up.
I have found that Rosie permits her Doggles when I trim the hair on her face/around her eyes. I think maybe the fur goes the wrong way and sticks in her eyes. Also !!! I cleaned the lenses- dog happiness.
We have an 80 pound Bouvier des Flanders, Dana the Pooh Dog, who loves the hack. She normally rides facing backwards looking out the side. She has also learned that the windshield will really keep wind off her eyes. I have not tried the doggles, very expensive if you don't need them. As for tying her in, she is leash broke, and if you put the leash down, she stays there. Much like a horse being rein broke or ground broke. She loves the hack, but there is not enough room (Champion Escort) for her and the wife, so only one gets to go. Looks like a double wide is in our future. Living in south Florida, it is very hot and she needs a lot of water stops, so the water bowel and several bottles of water are needed. But hey, Love that Dog!
uber
I think you're right...mebie I should have passenger who could hold the cocker!!
I got to wondering if a cage would work for small/medium dogs...?
if all else fails you can always duct tape em' to the front of the hack or bring along some x-tra bungies. deer season is coming up. š works 4 me!
