RAGBRAI XLI Countdown – July 21-27, 2013
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questions about dogs?
(62 posts)
(37 voices)
Started 11 months, 2 weeks ago ago by easymac
Latest reply from mlwalk 11 months, 1 week ago ago
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easymac -
Anyone have experience bringing a dog over thirty lbs. in a trailer? I am attempting this for the first time this year. My plan is to ride early if it’s too hot in the afternoon. Stop and drink water often. I plan on letting the dog run on leash while I ride for maybe a mile or two in the morning if there aren’t many riders on the road. I have much experience doing this and have never had a problem. He is well trained and needs to run daily. If anything I can go off route on my own to let him run with me. Is there any advice from someone who has brought a larger dog?
Posted 11 months, 2 weeks ago ago
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Scott, a legend in his own mind -
The road will be too busy with a gazillion other riders when you start. Running with the dog with be not good, find other time and places.
30 lbs that will shift whenever the dog wants can be a challenge.
Does the dog have shade while riding?
Is the dog acclimatized to the hot humid weather?
With those thoughts, go enjoy your dog while riding RAGBRAI.
Posted 11 months, 2 weeks ago ago
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easymac -
I have done ragbrai before and I know how many riders there are. The trailer is enclosed and vented so there is shade and air. I will not take him out when the road is busy. Safety of myself and animal is my priority. The trailer with gear and dog is about 90lbs and stable so I am not worried about shifting weight. I am mostly worried about temperature, water and the unexpected. With those thoughts, do you have any advice or experience?
Posted 11 months, 2 weeks ago ago
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“Bicycle Bill” -
Would you take your dog to a baseball game? Would you expect to be permitted to bring your dog into a restaurant? Would you ask to be able to bring your dog to a wedding? Would you ask to be allowed to bring your dog into a movie?
I didn’t think so. I realize people like their dogs, cats, and tweety birds, and I’m OK with that. But keep in mind that there is going to be something like 15k strange (i.e., new people) on this ride so far as your dog is concerned, and crowds of that size can be stressful to an animal, canine as well as human. My take on the matter is that bringing a dog, especially a middle-sized breed like this one, amongst a gathering like RAGBRAI is a problem waiting to occur.
-”BB”-
Posted 11 months, 2 weeks ago ago
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easymac -
On second thought, I won’t run him on route. I can map out gravel roads along route that I can take for a few miles. I already realize I won’t be able to do some normal ragbrai things like restaurants, movies, baseball games but to me ragbrai is a week long camping trip on a bicycle. Do you take your dog camping? The girlfriend and I decided we didn’t want to do the kennel thing and I will ride at more her pace when pulling trailer. ragbrai is what you want to make it….
Posted 11 months, 2 weeks ago ago
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iceman -
I think you are being unfair/mean to the dog and inconsiderate to the remaining riders.
Posted 11 months, 2 weeks ago ago
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John L -
Oh no….hate to bah humbug this…first dog parks now dog mayhem at Ragbrai. Leave Rover home (like I will, I have 3 dogs and 2 cats)(yes they are well trained on a leash) and enjoy the people. There are ALWAYS too many people for Rover to create madness. At one stop last year I stopped on the wrong side of the road, it took me 2 minutes just to cross due to bike traffic?!?!
Posted 11 months, 2 weeks ago ago
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John L -
Ok, Ok I read a little bit more. Good point on camping. It seems like a ton of trouble AND the off route run (and poop) sounds better. Maybe it will work. Your focus will be on that Fido rather than kurbs, beer, and the like.
Posted 11 months, 2 weeks ago ago
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lgriffin -
I personally don’t think bringing a dog of any size along on a bike ride with close to 20,000 people every day is a good idea. But it sounds to me like you made up your mind before posting and just wanted approval from others. Good luck.
Posted 11 months, 2 weeks ago ago
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10usstring -
Have you thought about tieing up with a team or a charter that will take your dog on the support vehicle?
Posted 11 months, 2 weeks ago ago
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Michrider -
Princess Amanda could bring Norman and pull him in a trailer???????
Posted 11 months, 2 weeks ago ago
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rjking222 -
How well does the dog handle heat. Some days I don’t handle it the best. Last week in Iowa was extremely warm.
Posted 11 months, 2 weeks ago ago
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KittySlayer -
lgriffin: I personally don’t think bringing a dog of any size along on a bike ride with close to 20,000 people every day is a good idea. But it sounds to me like you made up your mind before posting and just wanted approval from others. Good luck.
I think you hit the nail on the head, he has already decided. Personally I think if he really thought about the dog and not about himself he would make arrangements for the dog not to attend RAGBRAI. Spending hours each day in a trailer in the hot sun cannot be enjoyable for a dog.
No matter how well acclimated to people the volume of people would seem to be stressful for a dog. Even in the overnight and pass through towns there is not vacant patch of grass for the dog to just romp around and stretch his legs.
This not a camping trip, it is a bike ride with a bunch of people sleeping in tents.
But as String noted, you have already made up your mind so be sure to take care of your dog.
Posted 11 months, 2 weeks ago ago
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kicks9 -
Like others have said sounds like you made up your mind. If he is a friendly dog, I will run around with him. When you hit some of those hills, hook him up to the front and let him pull you. Teach him how much you are working when you have to pull him all day. Of course I am kidding. I would have some plans in place in case 1, you cant ride some of those hills with an extra 90lbs, 2 it gets too hot for your dog in there.
Kicks9
Posted 11 months, 2 weeks ago ago
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