Dogs and EUC's

[Gazza-usa]

I have a very naive question as I'm a complete noob to this sport.

 

Anyway, here's the question:  Is is safe to be on an EUC with a dog ?  I would assume a leash/lead would be dangerous as a dog can pull and make you go faster.  Any mis-haps with dogs chasing you ?

 

I see some of you guys taking your dogs out so any thoughts.  A dog is likely my next addition to my home.

[Rywokast]

i would say only if youre extremely experienced and your dog is very well trained.. but even then not a good idea.. if your dog is well trained then off leash should be fine on trails and such like you see ian doing in a lot of his videos (speedy feet uk)

[Biped Phil]

Depends on whether it's your seeing-eye dog. 

[Gazza-usa]

3 minutes ago, Biped Phil said:

Depends on whether it's your seeing-eye dog. 

That sounds like a terrific plan !!! NOT !!  ;-)

[atdlzpae]

You'd be surprised.

He obviously does this only as a stunt.

[DanH]

I took my Pomeranian out  few times. The riding was fine when she ran alongside me.  On one occasion, she wanted to go her way and pulled the leash slightly. Luckily I was rolling slowly and I was able to hop off the wheel. Otherwise, I was going to eat dirt.   She had done the same thing when I was on my scooter, but I was able to pull her along just fine.   What I have learned is to be extra cautious when riding with your dog because you can loose your balance with a small force (if your dog decides to chase another dog).  

[Dave1326658]

 https://photos.app.goo.gl/Kn8fhmxjwQpi7BSBA

 

train the dogs one at a time first 

[Cumulus Libre]

Hello, 

I have some  experience and would love to share it..

I have an australian dog, who listens well, over the years (9 years) he always walks with us without the leash on the countryside but even in the city half of the time we leave him walking without leash. So I thought riding my EUC with him would be easy. 

In fact it was, I trained him to stay close while I was riding around 25 km/h, learned him to let him know to slow down, and left and right turns...  

So I started on leash in the garden for a week or two just to get him adapted to the  new commands I was teaching him, on a general walk "close" can be next to you, however on a wheel next to you is not quite ok, since if  you ride ofroadd you easily dodge the branch or rock and you have to swirl over the terrain, so he has to stay really behind (applies for smaller roads on the countryside ) 

After that I went on to the road on a leash to practice, I had three good runs in the first week and I was riding on average 25 km/h for around 5 km's, once offroad I let him of leash with the same commands and once the coast is clear I gave the "It's okay  command", which means he can do what he want as long as he follows

second week, if you run 25km/h you'd think it's fast, but three times we came across a cat, in general he would look at it and leave it but since he is running fast and in high energy state the cat (they always run away)  is a trigger to go after it, he chases it and I had to release, in fact I tried to hold on the second and third attempt, but that's plain stupid, I merely crashed but could hold it together (however I had to let go of the leash again) , I thought riding faster then 30km/h could solve the issue on the following ride, however, for our dog that simply isn't fast enough he just runs harder if he sees a cat.. 

The strange part is that he can run wherever he want on our property, he has acces to the road etc.. cats pass by, he's annoyed but he doesn't chase them, to me it's about his energy level if we are riding together he simply is in a much higher energy state and hence he is triggered much more easily then normally

I stopped riding on a leash with him, it was simply a matter of time before we both would crash, it's too dangerous if you ask me..  so I started riding only offroad with him, he still knows my commands and we have lot's of fun like this together, I can cover distances and he enjoys it.. and occasionally we ride on the public street just to cross or a little while, the commands are still very usable there..

However three weeks ago we had an accident, I was riding on a small trail and my dog was following just behind me, I gave him the command close which means he has to follow close by. I was riding around 20 to 25km/h when my dog was screaming loud in pain, I felt something on my wheel, I looked down and he was trapped with his paw into my EUC (V10f) , somehow his paw got jammed between the tire and the plastic cover (back where the mudguards are but not on the V10f which doesn't need one) , I couldn't really slow down since he was attached to it, I made a split second decision and I jumped of the wheel , no clue if that was a good reaction or not, I didn't hurt myself, I landed on my feet, however my lovely dog was still screaming in pain, I thought to find him with a broken leg or worse, but after investigation I came to the conclusion that he had a few severe cuts but no real other damage, after going to the vet, we started antibiotics after a few days, he was in pain the last two weeks but no he is fine again, 

 

we are riding together again , he hasn't been scared away of the wheel, he runs again as close  as before... 

cheers

CL

 

 

 

[Arbolest]

6 minutes ago, Cumulus Libre said:

Hello, 

I have some  experience and would love to share it..

I have an australian dog, who listens well, over the years (9 years) he always walks with us without the leash on the countryside but even in the city half of the time we leave him walking without leash. So I thought riding my EUC with him would be easy. 

In fact it was, I trained him to stay close while I was riding around 25 km/h, learned him to let him know to slow down, and left and right turns...  

So I started on leash in the garden for a week or two just to get him adapted to the  new commands I was teaching him, on a general walk "close" can be next to you, however on a wheel next to you is not quite ok, since if  you ride ofroadd you easily dodge the branch or rock and you have to swirl over the terrain, so he has to stay really behind (applies for smaller roads on the countryside ) 

After that I went on to the road on a leash to practice, I had three good runs in the first week and I was riding on average 25 km/h for around 5 km's, once offroad I let him of leash with the same commands and once the coast is clear I gave the "It's okay  command", which means he can do what he want as long as he follows

second week, if you run 25km/h you'd think it's fast, but three times we came across a cat, in general he would look at it and leave it but since he is running fast and in high energy state the cat (they always run away)  is a trigger to go after it, he chases it and I had to release, in fact I tried to hold on the second and third attempt, but that's plain stupid, I merely crashed but could hold it together (however I had to let go of the leash again) , I thought riding faster then 30km/h could solve the issue on the following ride, however, for our dog that simply isn't fast enough he just runs harder if he sees a cat.. 

The strange part is that he can run wherever he want on our property, he has acces to the road etc.. cats pass by, he's annoyed but he doesn't chase them, to me it's about his energy level if we are riding together he simply is in a much higher energy state and hence he is triggered much more easily then normally

I stopped riding on a leash with him, it was simply a matter of time before we both would crash, it's too dangerous if you ask me..  so I started riding only offroad with him, he still knows my commands and we have lot's of fun like this together, I can cover distances and he enjoys it.. and occasionally we ride on the public street just to cross or a little while, the commands are still very usable there..

However three weeks ago we had an accident, I was riding on a small trail and my dog was following just behind me, I gave him the command close which means he has to follow close by. I was riding around 20 to 25km/h when my dog was screaming loud in pain, I felt something on my wheel, I looked down and he was trapped with his paw into my EUC (V10f) , somehow his paw got jammed between the tire and the plastic cover (back where the mudguards are but not on the V10f which doesn't need one) , I couldn't really slow down since he was attached to it, I made a split second decision and I jumped of the wheel , no clue if that was a good reaction or not, I didn't hurt myself, I landed on my feet, however my lovely dog was still screaming in pain, I thought to find him with a broken leg or worse, but after investigation I came to the conclusion that he had a few severe cuts but no real other damage, after going to the vet, we started antibiotics after a few days, he was in pain the last two weeks but no he is fine again, 

 

we are riding together again , he hasn't been scared away of the wheel, he runs again as close  as before... 

cheers

CL

 

 

 

I'm glad he's ok! This is what really terrifies me about riding near any animal that may come just a little too close... I'm not worried about them chasing or biting me, I just don't want them to get hurt!

[Gazza-usa]

On 8/25/2019 at 3:08 AM, Arbolest said:

I'm glad he's ok! This is what really terrifies me about riding near any animal that may come just a little too close... I'm not worried about them chasing or biting me, I just don't want them to get hurt!

Damn!  Glad he is OK.  can you get some covers that go to the ground just so he can't get his paws caught ?  Maybe some  mud-flaps that angle outwards so they can't flip and get caught in the wheel and launch you.

 

I discovered that most dogs around me are pretty mellow but then you get the small aggressive yippy chihuahua who goes mental when they suddenly realise you're moving faster than them!!  All the dogs by me have to be on a leash so I just laugh.  I do slow down near them but soon as I pass I throttle on to make sure they can't run out to get to me !!  The bigger dogs seem to be thinking, hey, what's that, oh never mind I'll carry on with whatever!!!

 

I do know that my MSX gives out a pretty annoying sound at around 8KHz. My microphone picks it up so it must seem really loud to dogs!!

[Cumulus Libre]

5 hours ago, Gazza-usa said:

I discovered that most dogs around me are pretty mellow but then you get the small aggressive yippy chihuahua who goes mental when they suddenly realise you're moving faster than them!!

Lol

it's definately not always the bigger dog that is the problem, the problem in general are smaller dogs that think they are bigger then a shoe size 7... 

The most dogs that me and my dog get attacked from are the famous chihuahua's and Jack Russels, most of the time their bosses think they have to be carried and are basically not really fed up the right way.. leaving the dog think that he's the centre of the universe, and hence totally unprepared , they often lack the normal skills for being a dog, or to socialise with other dogs.. 

[iEatRice]

I own a German shepherd(75lbs) and an Alaskan Malamute(100lbs), both are relatively large dogs. I have no problem walking, or wheeling them with my EUC. You'll find it is surprisingly stable when you pull the dog and they will get tired and slow down in 1 mile. 

[Elliott Reitz]

On 8/16/2019 at 8:26 PM, Gazza-usa said:

I have a very naive question as I'm a complete noob to this sport.

Anyway, here's the question:  Is is safe to be on an EUC with a dog ?  I would assume a leash/lead would be dangerous as a dog can pull and make you go faster.  Any mis-haps with dogs chasing you ?

I see some of you guys taking your dogs out so any thoughts.  A dog is likely my next addition to my home.

I've been running dogs with electrified bikes since 2009, hoverboards 2018,  and now EUC since Feb 2019. 

I find it safe.  Leash training the dog is important.  And you can't allow them to just pull. 

Equipment:  Bungee cord around your waist, leash tucks under it (so that the dog can pull free of you). 

Dog position:  Even or behind the wheel, not in front. 

Riding:  As I got better at riding, my dog learned to trust me.  He's the Siberian Husky.  GF's dog is the cockapoo.  Both do 5 to 10 miles most days using my 9-bot-e+.  They can run faster than that wheel (the e+ will do 10 mph), though 10 mph is quick enough with the dog(s).  At MSX speed as fast as they are, they get tired of it too quickly.  So part of it is negotiating a pace they enjoy. 

Mileage:  the e+ has 650 miles on it, at an average speed of 5 mph, 130 rides an average of 5 miles each, within 180 days. 

 

Edited September 2, 2019 by Elliott Reitz
+Mileage

[Cumulus Libre]

3 hours ago, iEatRice said:

You'll find it is surprisingly stable when you pull the dog and they will get tired and slow down in 1 mile. 

I am happy this works for you , but mine doesn't show any fatigue after 5 miles, he still has the grinta to go faster then my EUC is limited ( I limit mine at 35 km/h) so I really need to do many more miles before he is tired, having said that not all dogs are equal to mine, meaning that he likes to chase cats that run off.. I know dogs that couldn't care less, if you have one like that then that will be nicer to ride an EUC with them.

 

2 hours ago, Elliott Reitz said:

Dog position:  Even or behind the wheel, not in front. 

Riding:  As I got better at riding, my dog learned to trust me.  He's the Siberian Husky.  GF's dog is the cockapoo.  Both do 5 to 10 miles most days using my 9-bot-e+.  They can run faster than that wheel (the e+ will do 10 mph), though 10 mph is quick enough with the dog(s).  At MSX speed as fast as they are, they get tired of it too quickly.  So part of it is negotiating a pace they enjoy. 

Awesome video of you and your dogs, they seem to like it a lot, and have a lot of fun... this works for you guys !! 

However I have to say on average I ride double the speed your doing, but what I do notice is that you have big sidewalks where you let them out, for us it's on the road Uphere with cars close to us or offroad, I wouldn't be able to ride like you the dogs are to close on your left, If you have to swirl to the left in higher speeds (carve) to avoid an obstacle or pothole or whatever you come across the dogs are in the way, I do understand that it works for you and it's awesome but the speed your riding is half the one my dog likes to run and that I normally cruise at.. and surely I could slow down, but for some reason it never crossed my mind  

cheers 

CL

[Elliott Reitz]

6 hours ago, Cumulus Libre said:

I am happy this works for you , but mine doesn't show any fatigue after 5 miles, he still has the grinta to go faster then my EUC is limited ( I limit mine at 35 km/h) so I really need to do many more miles before he is tired, having said that not all dogs are equal to mine, meaning that he likes to chase cats that run off.. I know dogs that couldn't care less, if you have one like that then that will be nicer to ride an EUC with them.

Awesome video of you and your dogs, they seem to like it a lot, and have a lot of fun... this works for you guys !! 

However I have to say on average I ride double the speed your doing, but what I do notice is that you have big sidewalks where you let them out, for us it's on the road Uphere with cars close to us or offroad, I wouldn't be able to ride like you the dogs are to close on your left, If you have to swirl to the left in higher speeds (carve) to avoid an obstacle or pothole or whatever you come across the dogs are in the way, I do understand that it works for you and it's awesome but the speed your riding is half the one my dog likes to run and that I normally cruise at.. and surely I could slow down, but for some reason it never crossed my mind  

cheers 

CL

My Siberian Husky is capable of 25 mph sustained.  But the warmer it is the slower he wants to go... mid summer that's 5 mph for 5 miles.  

My GF's Cockapoo has gone over 20 mph for about 1/4 mile (on my MSX).  Both dogs together have run with me to tilt-back (about 13 mph) on the e+ (usually on grass).

More vids:  These are 10 months ago per YT, November 2018. That was within my month riding EUC.  The 1st vid features the most speed with Loki in this series.  It ends with me dropping the wheel and the selfie stick.  2nd vid picking it up and succeeding with  jump on.  By the 3rd vid, my dog was actively pace-setting and cautious of wheel proximity.  It took much longer to figure out how best to handle a leash (bungee to quick-release/hold a leash).

 

[Elliott Reitz]

Here's one where the dogs are pushing closer to max-speed of the e+ (about 10 mph in this one), through a fence opening, down/up slopes.    (more recently, with better confidence)

 

[Cumulus Libre]

11 minutes ago, Elliott Reitz said:

Here's one where the dogs are pushing closer to max-speed of the e+ (about 10 mph in this one), through a fence opening, down/up slopes.    (more recently, with better confidence)

 

seems like you guys have a lot of fun and are in tune with each other, nice ! I love it !

 

[Elliott Reitz]

On 9/2/2019 at 12:53 PM, Cumulus Libre said:

seems like you guys have a lot of fun and are in tune with each other, nice ! I love it !

Thanks.  Its cool you have a dog that wants to run. Be encouraged, you can do it! 

Of these 2 dogs (recent vids above), the Cockapoo is the one who wants to go over 20 mph constantly.  Whenever I take him out with the MSX I only get about 1/4 to 1/2 mile with him at that speed, then he just wants trot-mode (e+ speeds).  Also, my Husky gets excited whenever he sees a dog in a distance...  he easily can exceed e+ speeds and even go about as fast as I've ever gone on my MSX.  Anyway, handling that all seems to be as much about dog-leash-voice training as it is about riding skills.  I still haven't challenged my Husky's top speed via the MSX (the internet says he can do 28 mph). 

Simple quipment: 

1. Prong Collar:  or at least a choke.  The point is no constant dog-pull allowed. A dog-stop to poop is usually allowed. Otherwise, use hard-jerk-pull only to bring dog back to expected side-position.  Even drag a pooping-dog by its leash off a road with car comming (happened once).  You'll learn to align weight then pull all you need (my dog is 43 lbs).

2. Bungee cord for a waist-band:  Allows the leash to pull out if a dog stops faster than you can.

3. Long'ish leash:  My dogs don't like to pull a leash around with them.  They tend to stop and wait for me to come back.  I had previously tried one of those variable leash-reals.  It was ok but occupied 1 hand constantly.  So the Bungee/Leash combo is best I've found.

 

Edited September 4, 2019 by Elliott Reitz
+vid

[nikkis]

well if you dont know well your dog then it might be not good idea!

[Elliott Reitz]

So this seemed worth sharing here.  I had my Siberian Husky and GF's Cockapoo with me when we saw this huge fox!  I first spotted him across the parking lot of the school and after circling to turn on the camera followed him out of the park and passed this house to come face to face with him.  My dogs were in "hunt mode" with me, following my soft commands to "turn", "heel", "slower",  "stop"...  I even got to zoom in on him at the end.  He wasn't quite as large as my 45 lbs 25" husky, but way taller than the 25 lbs, 16" Cockapoo, so I'm my best estimate was the fox was 35 lbs and 22". 

 

[Elliott Reitz]

Discovered some nice trails on my MSX tonight with Loki and Teddy!

 

https://youtu.be/ebOAyGmeEUY

 

 

Edited September 5, 2019 by Elliott Reitz
fix links

[Cumulus Libre]

On 9/2/2019 at 7:41 PM, Elliott Reitz said:

Anyway, handling that all seems to be as much about dog-leash-voice training as it is about riding skills.  I still haven't challenged my Husky's top speed via the MSX (the internet says he can do 28 mph). 

Hey Elliott, 

maybe you should make a tutorial video on how you learned your dogs to ride with you I think quite some people would be able to learn from them..., I remember having seen in some of your videos that you learned them voice commands and they listen.

I have quite some footage when I learned my dog some commands and learn him to walk behind me on the EUC.. I should put something together and post it too  but I gave up somewhere last year with riding on a leash with my dog, after three cat incidents in a 2km ride, as seen in one my stories here, now we only go offroad and hence no need for a leash, he still listens though

You have done a great job ! A lot of people can learn from it ! 

ciao

CL

 

[Elliott Reitz]

15 hours ago, Cumulus Libre said:

Hey Elliott, 

maybe you should make a tutorial video on how you learned your dogs to ride with you I think quite some people would be able to learn from them..., I remember having seen in some of your videos that you learned them voice commands and they listen.

I have quite some footage when I learned my dog some commands and learn him to walk behind me on the EUC.. I should put something together and post it too  but I gave up somewhere last year with riding on a leash with my dog, after three cat incidents in a 2km ride, as seen in one my stories here, now we only go offroad and hence no need for a leash, he still listens though

You have done a great job ! A lot of people can learn from it ! 

ciao

CL

Thanks CL.  IDK, I can outline some and share my experience / story tell more here.  I just took these 2 vids after putting a better tire on my MSX (posted The Tyre Tire Thread).

Some key concepts:

1. Safety 1st:  Don't let a dog run/dart in front (of anything wheel, bike, scooter, etc).

2. Teach the dog what you want.  The  vocal reward for good is obvious.  What many don't seem to get for leash training is a sort of  "crewel to be kind" with correction... for example, if a dog pulls constant it will choke itself.  A strong correction yank (not a pull) gets the dog 1. position corrected, 2. attention on you, and informs what's wanted.   So with the dog's attention on you and corrected give vocal command with the positive vocal feedback too. 

3. Each dog is an individual.  It helps to consider their POV.  In these vids we had already traveled about 6 miles.  When I opened up more speed on the grass, Loki (my husky) became more playful with Teddy... fun is worth stopping to enjoy!  Regarding their run-along individuality:

 - Loki is very weary of anything that makes noise or moves including the wheel.  His preferred position is behind and leash-length.  He doesn't like to pull and the hotter it gets the slower he wants to go (down to 3 or 4 like human walking speed).  Though slow with too long of a leash he will want to stop for every good smell.   When approached by other dogs, he's amazing ... not attacking but powerful jaws high-jump measured dominating response to a few attacks. 

 - Teddy doesn't care about anything accept what's next.  He will run in front of me if he's not kept on a short leash.  And he has no fear of the wheel (or anything else). 

 

Edited September 7, 2019 by Elliott Reitz

[Cumulus Libre]

oh man that second clip is awesome and brings a smile to my face

Loki is indeed very playful

but more importantly you all look very happy and all big smiles on your faces , awesome !

My australian shepherd is today 9 years old ! I should make a clip/video to celebrate this.. let me think about that  

 

[Elliott Reitz]

I got to ride some trails today with the dogs at my father's place.  We did about 5 miles of trails, and I got the dogs up to 20 mph going around the pond.  These are the 4 vids that were worth uploading (out of a dozen or so):