Last Updated on June 14, 2023 by Georgie Smith
You see it all the time, a person riding their bike with their dog running along beside them getting their exercise. It turns out, that is not the safest way you and your dog should be getting either of yours exercise time together. However, getting one of the best bike baskets for dogs may be your best bet.
Dogs can quickly become injured while running alongside their owners while riding a bike if they are on a lease. It would not take much for a dog to get distracted and get their leash tangled up in the spokes with both owners and dog getting seriously hurt. If the dog is large, it can also pull the owner over causing the owner the get hurt.
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If you have seen the latest hot trend of a bike rider carrying their small dog in baskets attached to their bike, you will understand why the dogs and the owner can ride and safely enjoy themselves.
Putting your pup in a basket not only keeps your dog safe but it gives you the freedom to take an enjoyable bike ride and so can your dog. Dogs that ride in baskets are generally small to medium-sized breed dogs.
Training your pooch to ride along in a basket takes very little time but once you get the technique down the both of you can ride along enjoying a long and fun bike ride together.
Defining the Tasks
It is not a complicated ordeal to train your dog to ride in a bike basket. However, it will take time and patient of both parties part. Most likely, if you want your dog to ride on your bike with you, then you probably have a tiny, small, or smaller-medium sized dog to ride with your pup in a basket.
First things first, you need to build up trust and confidence with your dog. That is very important as you are placing him in a basket for the first time, which the sensation may not be something she is accustomed to and will be scary at first.
You must also go slow with the training of your dog so he can grow accustomed to not just free sitting in a basket but also there is the lack of control he will feel as well. Your dog is going to feel out-of-control because he is in a basket and cannot jump out of it.
One other thing you should do is go slow on your bike for the first few times and have some patience. The last thing you want to do is take her on a bumpy ride for the first few times of riding in a basket. Plan your riding and training sessions so that it will grow to be an exciting event for the both of you together.
Getting You and Your Pup Started
To be able to put your pup in the basket you are going to need a bike and a basket, right? You want to be sure to pick a basket that will be appropriate for your dog. First, you want to check the height of your pup, as she sits in the basket to make sure she is not too tall to prevent her from leaping out.
Be sure to check the comfort level as well before you purchase a basket. Many dogs dislike the basket weave texture, or how the wicker plastic feels under their paws. To fix this issue, you can place a blanket, small pillow, or a towel inside to make her more comfortable.
Be sure to adjust for this when picking out the basket. Be sure to keep her favorite treats handy to reward her for doing such a great job.
You and Your Pups Daily Ride Routine:
- Time to get her ready for a ride. Introduce her to the idea of being in the basket by carrying her around the house, yard, for a walk, or someplace to let her get accustomed to being in a basket. You ladies can use a small dog carrier or dog purse. Look for an item that has an open top and not confined so she will remember being in the open air.
- Now to get her introduced to a bike basket. Place her inside the basket and stand next to her. Hold onto her and pet her to keep her calm. You can talk to her about staying in the basket and offer treats when she If she is overly excited, and you feel she is going to jump out, there are harnesses made with a leash that will hold him in the basket so that he does not jump out.
- Walk your bike before you take it and the dog for a ride. Walk the bike around with her sitting in the basket so that she can see there is nothing to be afraid of with the movement of the bike. Continue to pet her and let her know all is safe and ok. You will be her reassurance through this step.
- Start off slow to let her get used to the basket. Take a slow ride for a short distance, your driveway per se. Start this ride off on a level road instead of up and down hills that may scare her a little too much. Save the thrill rides for when she learns to love riding in the basket.
- You can introduce distance to your dog once you have her used to riding the bike and in a basket. Slowly increase your range a little each day but still make it on a smooth and level road.
- Bumps will not be so scary once your pup is a bit more comfortable with her bike ride. You can up the challenge by finding small bumps to ride over so she can feel what that feels like and knows what to expect. Next, break her in with word association like “bump” when you are about to hit a few With doing this, she will not be as scared of hitting bumps in her basket on your bike.
- Practice and continue practicing riding with her in the basket. Make sure to talk to her and let her know she is safe that you are there and reward her with her favorite treats during the ride and when the ride is over.
How to Choose the Right Basket for your Dog
Buy the right size basket:
Be sure when you do purchase a basket that you buy one that is the right size for your dog. You may need to weigh and measure your pooch before you buy her a basket so that you know how well she will fit inside and how comfortable she will be.
You do not want a basket that is too big because that will offer her room to move around and you do not want one too small because that will make the ride too scary and uncomfortable.
Materials to Consider:
The materials of the basket that you buy for your bike and your dog should be comfortable for her. You should also keep in mind what material you choose should make her feel safe will be something like wicker or plastic.
Comfort If you go on long rides:
If you are planning any long rides on your bike consider your pup and her happiness. She may very well want to lay down and cuddle up to a blanket. If you can, line the basket with a blanket or pillow your dog may want to lay on and snuggle inside the basket.
If her basket is big enough, line it with a blanket or pillow to stay out of the wind and stay warm. She may even want to nap comfortably, so keep these things in mind when you are sizing her basket. You do not want to increase the height of the basket she cannot sit safety without falling out. So measuring is a necessity.
Make Her Feel Secure:
For security purpose, you may want to buy her a harness, tether, or leash that will attach to the basket so that your pup cannot jump and harm herself. Even well-trained dogs will panic and jump so keep this little tip in mind. If your dog is riding in your car, you may want to consider a seatbelt to keep your dog safe while traveling.
Off-bike Adventures:
While you are off your bike, you should introduce the material and the basket that you plan to use with it. That includes and tether to keep your dog staying still in the basket while you have it off the bike. Have her sit in the basket, tether her, and sit down with her while you both are still inside your house.
You should talk to her about what you expect as for as a ride goes. Moreover, one more reminder-treats work wonders.
Attach the Basket:
While attaching the basket to your bike, get your pup excited about going for a bike ride and being inside the basket. Walk around the bike before you get on helping her to get used to sitting in the basket that she has already been in except now it is on top of the bike while you are moving it slowly.
Increase the Time:
Now that you are getting her used to being in the basket you can increase the distance while decreasing distractions she may find while riding in the basket. You also want to decrease any hazards such as hills and bumps along your path.
Rewards Go a Long Way
Be sure to reward her every time she successfully goes on a bike ride. You may want to reward her with treats as she is learning about the basket as well.
It is Time to Ride
It is time to put the pup in the basket while keeping her safety first in mind. That will keep her from having a spur-of-the-moment urge to leap from the basket. You very well may consider a tether on each side of the pup’s collar or harness to ensure his safety if he decides to jump from one side to the other.
Basket walk the dog as you push the handlebars of the bike and walk your dog forward with you next to her to remind her she is safe. That will aid in helping your dog get accustomed to the bike movement without you being on it.
Your pup will be able to see you are walking beside him letting him know he is safe. Once he is comfortable with having the tether holding her in the basket, just stroll back to the bike and climb on your bike. Do this very slowly as you travel on a flat surface. Be cautious about hills and bumps.
How to Train Your Large Dog to Use a Bike Trailer
Bike trailers are a big help to dog owners who have a pooch too big for a front basket. These are becoming extremely popular with dog owners. Using a bike trailer to ride is an excellent way to pal around with your large dog while riding your bike.
Not only is it fun, but it also keeps you both safe. Large dog owners find bike trailers to be the perfect answer for transporting dogs that are either aging or injured, especially over long distances.
Some of its Outstanding Benefits Include:
When the area is all grass, is wet or muddy, a bike trailer is perfect. Not many car owners want to put a dirty dog in their back seat, so a bike trailer is perfect.
Bike trailers design is of durable materials which you can quickly clean and wash. The floor pad is simple to wipe down with a sponge. Because of how simple it is to clean a bike trailer, large dog owners are enjoying their use.
The dog trailer is especially good for large dog owners because of how unsafe it is to ride your bike with your large dog on a leash. With a bike trailer, any size pet will fit. It is never safe to connect your dog to your bike while riding.
Attaching your large dog to your bike may cause a fatal accident, or your dog could get spooked by a loud noise and cause you both to be hurt.
The outcome of what could happen if you attached your dog to your bike by a leash is a perfect reason to use a bike trailer when transporting a big, large, small, and medium-sized dog.
The following are the Top Six Carriers for your Dog While you Ride Your Bike
| Picture | Product Name | Features |
|---|---|---|
 |
Petsfit Dog Baskets | – For Dogs Up to 10lbs – Removable & washable – Easy to install |
 |
Pet-Pilot Dog Bike Basket Carrier | – Cooling Air Flow – Very Comfortable – Strength, Stability, Multiple Colors |
 |
Snoozer Pet Rider Rear Bicycle Seat | – For Dogs ups to 24-pounds – Removable & washable – 1- Year limited warranty |
 |
PetAll Pet Dog Bicycle Carrier | – Easy Quick Install – Fit for most of bike – For Pet Up to 11L |
 |
Snoozer Sporty Bike Basket | – Removable inner pad – Easy storage – Durable |
 |
Traveling K9 Pet-Pilot | – Sturdy Design – Safety – Installs in 5 easy steps |
Petsfit Dog Baskets/Pet Carrier for Bicycle with Big Side Pockets and Soft Pad
This Green and Grey Petsfit Dog Baskets/Pet Carrier for Bicycle pet basket designed from Oxford cloth is perfect for taking your small dog for a ride. Its dimensions as 15.8 x12.8 x 9.1 inches, with all the material perfectly designed not to cause harm to your pet. It is stable due to its reinforced frame and includes an elastic mesh cover to have the ability to zip your pet inside.
There are mesh pockets that will hold treats and water bottles. The carrier comes with built-in adjustable straps that make installation a breeze for almost any vehicle. It easily converts to a carrier from a bike basket without further assembly. There is plenty of ventilation for your pet, and you can remove it from the bike and carry it on your shoulders thanks to its padded straps.
For more information and how you can order yours, click here:
Buy On Amazon
Pet-Pilot Dog Bike Basket Carrier | Nine color options for your bicycle
This Pet-Pilot Dog Bike Basket Carrier’s innovative designs of a steel mount and frame made in the USA give your pet all she needs for comfort and enjoyment. With this basket comes stability, strength, and multiple colors with each basket. Its “Best in Class” capacity for weight is just the tip of the iceberg for features you get when you buy this product.
With the sturdy, steel mount and frame, along with the five-color option, it is no wonder why this Pet Pilot product hit the scene hard in 2017 with raving reviews. You and your new basket for your small dog will be a hit as you both ride and enjoy the outdoors together.
A few of its features are:
- Its 14” x 9” and 8.5” deep and offers plenty of room
- Steel frame handlebar mount with rubber bushings
- Cooling airflow thanks to its front mesh air vent
- Six inserts of colors allow you to customize to the color you want for that day.
- For your leash, cell phone, and keys, there is a side mesh pockets made perfectly for these items.
- Side mesh water bottle holder
The Pet-Pilot is designed to handle more weight on your bike rack, without causing the rider to sway than any other front bicycle dog carrier on the market today.
For more information and how you can order yours, click here:
Buy On Amazon
Snoozer Pet Rider Rear Bicycle Seat, Black
Here is another Pet Rider bike seat, the Snoozer Pet Rider Rear Bicycle Seat offers your pup a comfortable ride as she has the best seat in the house. The Pet Rider comes with high-visibility reflective tape that aids in your pet’s safety during your bike travels.
It is machine washable black fleece and quilt. There are security straps to the rear carrier and frame. The added strap offers security as it straps your pet to the harness. The size is 19” x 16” x 10” on the outside with the inside being 15” by 12”. Suggested for pets, not over 24-pounds.
The Pet Rider is a rear bike rack (not included) carrier with a foam form with plywood and a reinforced base. The cover is removable and can be machine washed but will require a little disassembly and removal of straps to get this done.
Buy On Amazon
PetAll Pet Dog Bicycle Carrier Bike Basket Bag
PetAll Pet Dog Bicycle Carrier Bike Basket Bag- Foldable Detachable front basket Pet Dog Travel Bicycle Basket. This pet basket is a unique design for your pet to go on outdoor traveling with you. It is perfect for small to medium pets, and you can use it for multi-purpose such as a bag to carry items to and fro.
It is easy and fast to set up and detaches from the system so that you can get the job done quickly. The design material is washable and durable to help keep it clean and last long-term. The foldable detachable design is perfect for space-saving.
It is perfect for a dog that weighs up to 11 lbs and comes with an additional side and zipped inside pockets with storage ability. Heavy-duty waterproof fabric with an Aluminum support frame makes the basket sturdy for the long haul.
Buy On Amazon
Snoozer Sporty Bike Basket
Here is another product from Snoozer that is in a league of its own. The Snoozer Sporty Bike Basket comes with an inner pad and chin rest to help make for a comfortable ride. For easy storage, the basket flattens so that it is never in the way.
The Snoozer has multiple storage pockets and an inner leash clip with a rain cover tucked away inside each pocket. The design of durable micro-fiber comes clean easily. With the buckles spaced 10” apart and 1” thick, be sure to check your bicycle to ensure it will accommodate the handlebars.
For more information and ways to order yours today, click here:
Buy On Amazon
Traveling K9 Pet-Pilot “Max” Dog Large Bike Basket Carrier
The Traveling K9 Pet Pilot “Max” Dog, Large Bike Basket Carrier, is made from cooling air flow-through front mesh air vents for days when your pup wants to curl up and enjoy the ride. Its outside measurements are 16” x 13.5” with an outside height of 9.5”. It has a padded floor that measures 13” x 10.5,” but it is always best to measure your pet sitting to check her comfort level.
With a steel mount, if your pooch fits comfortably- the steel mount will have no trouble supporting her weight. For safety, it comes with a 2-point, safety leash that attaches to your pup’s harness.
Its sturdy design helps with riding you and your pooch around safely with no swaying better than most baskets on the market today.
For more information and how to order yours today, click here:
Buy On Amazon
FAQs:
Q: What if I use an extra-long leash, would it be ok then to let my dog run beside me on my bike?
A: No. the same reason applies here. What if something were to scare your dog and make it yank you into a car and get you both hurt or killed?
Q: Are all baskets one size fits all?
A: No. You need to see how snug it is once you let your dog sit and stand in the basket.
Q: What if my dog is terrified of the basket?
A: Work with her on many levels and if she is still afraid it may be best to let her stay home while you enjoy your bike time.
Wrapping This Up
Going riding on your bike in the great outdoors is refreshing, fun, and healthy. It can be even more fun if you can take your favorite little companion along in her bike basket where she is safe and happy while enjoying the outdoors with you.
In this review, you have six different options for choosing one so that you both can have fun outdoors. Be sure to measure both your dog and the basket you want for her. You want one that fits her height as well as her weight so that you both are not in danger.
Thank you for reading my article, and I do hope you picked up a few tips from the information I have provided. While you are here, please leave me a comment to let me know your thoughts and if you have any input or questions.
Also, if you would, could you please share this on your social media outlets so others can learn as well? Thanx for your time, Malissa.
