07/23/2025
Today I've decided to post the answers to some questions I've been asked about what I do. I'll post three related questions and answers today, and answer more FAQs weekly if folks seem interested
Do the dogs p**p on the run, and if so, how -- do they keep running while they do it?
Yes, most of the dogs do p**p during the run, and I've even had days where every dog went twice each! Dogs that do professional sled racing often do p**p while running, but the dogs I work with do not. Which brings up another question I get a lot:
How can you tell if a dog needs to stop while you're running the pack?
So, when it's specifically for bowel or bladder needs, some of it is knowing your dogs - One of my regulars almost always needs to go within the first four blocks and prefers grass or dirt, so I always pull over at one or two likely spots early in the run to give her a chance. And I almost always know at least two spots on a route that dogs will want to sniff and p*e, so I also stop at those spots for them. And I'm constantly checking how the dogs are doing, looking for any signs of fatigue, paying attention to any indications they are about to break any of our rules (like barking at other dogs we pass) etc.
But if a dog wants to stop for any reason, it is apparent almost instantly. They simply hang back in the harness, still jogging along, but making me pull some of their weight as I pedal. Even five pounds of resistance feels like suddenly pedaling up hill, so I always notice immediately, and stop the rig within a few steps. If even one dog is resisting strongly, it is nearly impossible for me to keep the rig moving even if I wanted to, and I have had a couple of times I've had to stop the run soon after starting and take a dog home because for whatever reason they did not want to go on the run that day.
Last question: Do the dogs try to run off with the rig when you aren't on it?
Sometimes one or more dogs will try to move to try to smell something out of reach or follow me when I step away from the rig, but there are several things preventing them from moving the rig much.
Most of the time, if the rig starts moving without me on it, at least one dog will respond to the tug on the harness by pulling the opposite direction, sort of the same way you would automatically lean toward me to stay upright if I put my hand on your chest and started pushing. So that helps
And the rig is pretty heavy even without me on it, I would guess about 150lbs with all its weight on only three small points of contact on the ground. If they try to drag it without the wheels moving, like, to the side, it's pretty difficult to do. A single dog CAN do it, but even for more than one dog (if they manage to agree on a direction) it takes serious effort.
Lastly, whenever I am off the rig (for instance, while taking the water break picture below) I use a spring clamp (also pictured below) to pull the brakes tight. Rather than standard rim brakes most bikes have, the rig has disc brakes similar to a car on the rear wheels, and the spring clamp is the kind used in construction to hold wood and other heavy materials in place, so it is quite strong.
The dogs have occasionally moved the rig a few feet by dragging it without the wheels rolling, but they certainly aren't going to get anywhere quickly, and I am always very close by. And they're never trying to run away anyway, they love running with me, they're usually just trying to get closer to an interesting smell a few feet over.
