How to Train Your Dog to Ride in a Bike Basket

Introduce your dog to the idea of being in a basket by carrying him around in a basket. You can also use a dog purse or tiny dog carrier. Try to pick something that has an open top like your bike basket so the dog isn’t confined and will remember the feeling of an open basket.

To introduce your dog to a bike basket, place him inside the basket and stand next to him. Hold on to him and pet him, keep him calm, and talk to him about the basket. If your dog is overly excited and you fear him jumping out, you can harness him with a leash holding him into the basket so he doesn't jump out.

Before you take your dog for a bike ride, walk the bike around with the dog sitting in the basket so he can get used to the movement of the bike. Keep petting him and talking to him so he knows he is okay and safe.

As your dog gets used to the bike basket, go for a slow bike ride down a short distance, such as your driveway. You may want to make this on level ground rather than riding a hill that may scare your dog.

After introducing your dog to riding the bike with you, increase your distance a little bit, but at this point, to try to keep the riding smooth and level.

Once your dog is more comfortable with his bike ride, increase the challenge by finding a small bump or two to ride across so he can feel bumps and know what to expect. At this point, you can introduce a command such as 'bump' so he knows every time he hears that word the feeling he will expect of riding over a bump in the basket on your bike.

Continue practicing with your dog in the basket. Be sure to talk to your dog so he understands he is safe and give him rewards in the form of treats every so often and certainly when your bike ride is over.

Be sure you are purchasing a basket which is the right size for your dog. You may need to measure and weigh your dog before you purchase your basket so you know how well he will fit inside and how comfortable he will be. You don't want to basket that is too big, giving him too much room to move around. And you don't want to basket that is too small, making his ride scary and uncomfortable.

Consider the materials the baskets are made of when you purchase your bike basket for your dog. You should also know what your dog may like and how safe tiny paws will be in something like plastic or wicker.

If you go on long rides, your dog may want to lay down and snuggle inside the basket. If you line the basket with a pillow or a blanket for him to stay warm and out of the wind or to nap comfortably, be sure to include that in the sizing of the basket. You don't want to increase the height of your dog to the point where he cannot sit in the basket safely without falling out.

Purchase a leash, harness, or tether to attach to the basket so your dog is unable to jump out of your basket. Even a well-trained dog can panic and jump out. Make sure your dog is tethered inside the basket. Consider this a seatbelt keeping your dog safe in a moving vehicle.

Introduce your basket and materials you plan to use with it, including the tether to keep your dog inside the basket while it is off your bike. Have your dog sit in his basket, tether him, and sit down with him while still inside your home. Talk to him about the basket and what your expectations are as you go for a ride.

When you attach the basket to your bike, talk to your dog and get him excited about being inside and going for a bike ride. Before you get on your bike, walk the bike around so your dog can get used to sitting in the basket he's already comfortable in while on top of the bike while it's moving.

Start out with slow and short, gentle rides. These first few rides shouldn't have any bumps in the road, hills, or high speeds.

As your dog gets used to riding in the basket, increase your distance and increase the distractions your dog will find on the road while you are moving along, as well as increase the hazards like bumps and hills in your path.

Be sure to reward your dog every time you successfully go on a bike ride. You may want to reward him with treats when you are introducing the basket to him as well.

Keeping your dog's safety in mind, place him inside your bike basket.

Connect a leash to your dog's collar or harness and attach that to your bike basket. This will keep your dog from jumping out of the basket. You may consider having a tether on each side of your dog's collar or harness to be sure he's not able to jump to one side but not the other.

Pushing the handlebars of your bike, walk next to your dog, moving the bike forward. This will help your dog get used to the movement of a bike without you being on the bike. Your dog will also be able to see you walking beside him.

Once your dog is used to being tethered in the basket and walking slowly with the bike it is time to climb onto your bike. Very slowly, travel on a flat surface.

Introduce your dog to small bumps and little hills as he gets used to riding in the bike basket. Keep your road hazards and challenges to a minimum for the first several rides until your dog is used to riding and is not showing any signs of fear.

Continue to practice riding your bike with your dog in his basket as often as you can for short rides until he gets used to it. You can even use the same phrase each time you decide to go for a ride to get your dog excited about riding in his basket on your bike.

Be sure to reward your dog after every trip in the bike basket.