4 legged friends

[jcm44]

I just moved to MN earlier this month and I was wondering what the policy is for riding with a dog. I use to ride in Indiana and as long as the dog was trained to stay with the rider, no minded. But I have found the TC to not be very dog friendly, so I was wondering if others ride with their dogs.

[gopherhockey]

I know there are others that ride with dogs that will answer your post as well.

I do know that most places I know of that are mountain bike trails still require a leash on your pet regardless of how trained it might be. (Lebanon for sure requires a leash)

Personally I have seen some very well trained dogs that do stay beside the rider and don't have any personal problems with that. I do, however, very much dislike people who generally unleash their pet and let it roam free. Most people I have observed don't have much control over their dogs. (these are hikers though from my experience)

As an example, I was at Terrace a while back heading to the parking lot when I passed this hiker along the way - about 2 seconds later this HUGE dog jups out at me barking.. I almost fell off my bike. It chased me all the way to the lot (with the hiker not even caring - the dog was probably harmless and the owner knew it, but I sure didn't) and then as I reached my car it turned its attention to this poor very young girl on her bike - it scared her half to death. (doubt she had a very good biking experience that day).

People like that shouldn't be allowed to have pets... I understand the need to let them roam, but only where allowed. Hopefully someone will better answer this question for you.

Once again, however, I have never seen a rider/dog combo that caused any issues like I just mentioned... although in a busy park I could see it being a problem not so much for the owner, but for those of us that don't know for sure if the dog is really under control and won't just dart out in the way.

For your benefit, I wish there were more areas in town that would allow dogs to roam free. If people then used those, there would be less issues elsewhere I'm sure.

[martini]

I've ridden at Leb with my dog before, and he was leashed, I just wasn't holding it... Chaco is very well behaved around other riders, other than the fact that he gets VERY vocal. The dog just gets super excited and can't contain himself. Kinda funny actually. If you do ride with your dog, I'd justdo it on less poular times. There are other users out there who just aren't comforntable around dogs no matter what. I don't wanna ruin thier day by having them fraeakin' out about my harmless dog. Like John said, it may be harmless, but does the other person know this? Do they know teh behaviors of dogs like we do? Probly not. I've taken Chaco to the Farm, The river bottoms, Leb, Battle Creek, Mt Kato and seven mile park. Its absolutely wonderful to ride with him. He sticks right by my side, barking enthusiasm every now and then. It truely is awesome. Though, if I ride in a group, I need to lead, cause Chaco NEEDS be in the front like you wouldn't belive!

[jcm44]

I understand what you're saying. And its too bad that people like that hiker give other owners a bad rep. My dog is only a medium sized dog, but to people that either don't know him or don't like dogs, he can be intimidating. So, I keep him on a leash when possible. It just makes riding kind of dangerous if we are attached, so I let him run beside me. I use to just try to ride during the slow hours, just to avoid people. But now that I work full time, its a little tough. I guess he'll have to settle for the morning jog.

[jcm44]

Originally posted by martini
Though, if I ride in a group, I need to lead, cause Chaco NEEDS be in the front like you wouldn't belive!

Ha ha, Hank (my dog) is the same way. He just gets tired and I have to yell "Trail!" then he moves to the side. But I am like you, I'd rather leave Hank at home and then no one gets in trouble (including Hank). A couple of times he has caught up with other riders and scared the crap out of them. Not because he is big and scary, but because he is small and brown. So they don't usually see him until he is on top of them. But he is generally scared of bikes and tends to stay about 5 feet away (he just can't figure the machine out).

[nigel]

Man, I feel so bad for my dog when I take him to trails.....he's been to all the major bike trails (hiking paths of course) and I think he's the only dog on a leash!!! Poor thing still tends to wander after 12 years. hehe He saw his first deer at Lebanon a few years ago and got plain ole scared outta his fur, dang whimp

[Tim Wegner]

The rules at Lebanon Hills are: All dogs MUST BE LEASHED! The leash must also be attached to the owners body. The leash is to be no longer than 6 feet.

Do I like dogs--Yup Do I like dog dodo on the trail that is not picked up by the dog owners Nope! Are all dogs well controlled by their owners---Nope. Not the dogs fault owners fault.

Are their places that dogs are allowed off leash--Yup. Ramsey county has an area--Dakota county is developing one and may even be open already. Minneapolis has one, there is one in Burnsville.

Dogs on the bike trail no problem. Dogs on the trail without a leash--problem. You are breaking the law and subject to a fine if caught. May even be open to a lawsuit if a biker gets hurt trying to avoid the dog on the trail.

Tim

[Dr. Guitar]

Try the dog park on the south end of Minnehaha Park (Minneapolis). No one really leashes their dog down there, and the trail is so so. It really isn't a place for good biking. Your dog is likely to make a few friends down there too. Just mind the dog do do rules.

[jcm44]

Originally posted by Tim Wegner
The rules at Lebanon Hills are: All dogs MUST BE LEASHED! The leash must also be attached to the owners body. The leash is to be no longer than 6 feet.

Do I like dogs--Yup Do I like dog dodo on the trail that is not picked up by the dog owners Nope! Are all dogs well controlled by their owners---Nope. Not the dogs fault owners fault.

Are their places that dogs are allowed off leash--Yup. Ramsey county has an area--Dakota county is developing one and may even be open already. Minneapolis has one, there is one in Burnsville.

Dogs on the bike trail no problem. Dogs on the trail without a leash--problem. You are breaking the law and subject to a fine if caught. May even be open to a lawsuit if a biker gets hurt trying to avoid the dog on the trail.

Tim

Relax Tim, I read the rules today, so I won't bring my dog for a ride. Dog parks are okay, but riding with my dog is more fun. At any rate, he is learning that me filling the camelbak is no longer a good sign for him. As I said before, its a shame careless owners ruin it for the rest of us.

[tmac]

Originally posted by Tim Wegner

Do I like dogs--Yup Do I like dog dodo on the trail that is not picked up by the dog owners Nope! Are all dogs well controlled by their owners---Nope. Not the dogs fault owners fault.

Tim

How come horse owners don't have to pick up after their pets?!?

[SickBoy]

Originally posted by tmac
How come horse owners don't have to pick up after their pets?!?

No sh.... er... crap. :D

[Dr. Guitar]

I still recomend Minnehaha park. There are some ok bike trails there for you, and plenty of space for your dog to run. You're right down on the river for your dog's swimming fun. Plus the two of you may cross paths with some females of your respective species.

Keep in mind, I do not mean Minnehaha falls. South of there, same park.