How to Train Your Dog to Ride in a Bike Trailer

Hello Abigail, Is he barking due to excitement about riding, fear of the movement and trailer, or because of the things he sees on the ride? If he is excited, then work on calming exercises while in the stationary trailer, like a long Place command in the trailer while it is stationary, a Quiet command, and having him lie down and stay while he rides. If he is barking because he feels nervous and is protesting the movement, then continue working on getting him used to riding but also teach him the Quiet command and practice Quiet in the trailer while it is moving; to do this, have someone slowly move the bike with the trailer attached, with pup sitting in the trailer, while another person walks beside the trailer and tells him Quiet and rewards him for getting quiet and for staying quiet. Start by rewarding him more frequently, then space treats out more as he improves and will stay quiet for longer. Once he understands how to get quiet when you say Quiet, then only reward him if he stays quiet for a few second or a few minutes - length of time depending on where in the training process you are - so that he will learn to stay quiet while riding not just bark, then pause. If he is barking because of things he sees on the ride, then work on exposing him to those things on walks and public outings more. Your goal should be for him to find the new things pleasant, but boring because he is around them so much that he gets used to them - For example, the first time you ever went on a rollercoaster you were probably really excited, but if you rode that rollercoaster every day for a month you would probably get super bored and be really calm while riding it. Lots of pleasant but calm introductions and exposures can make something more boring overtime. You can also work on the Quiet command while moving like I mentioned above, with an assistant walking beside the trailer and rewarding quietness. Finally, if it doesn't make him motion-sick, continue to give a food stuffed Kong on rides. By doing that every time, you are creating a habit of riding quietly since it's hard for him to eat and bark at the same time. Quiet method from article linked below - also check out the desensitization method for fear and reacting to things you pass: https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-shih-tzu-puppy-to-not-bark Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden

Hello Lynn, I suggest slowing things down a bit. Practice rewarding her with treats while another person slowly walks the bike and trailer around with her in it. Make the movements slow and the rides shorter, and reward with treats and praise and a confident attitude during the ride. Encourage her to lie down during the ride and reward that also - you can start by teaching her Down in the trailer while it is stationary. It does sound like you are off to a good start and she can likely adjust. You probably just went too quickly from introducing it to fast movement, and she needs more time to acclimate and work up to the fast movement using rewards and pushing the bike around with the trailer. Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden

Thank you for the question. Because Charlie is so young, I would give your vet a call and ask them for advice. They can best judge based on Charlie's size and temperament. For sure, you will want her to feel comfortable and not afraid. Start slowly and pull her around the yard first. You may see then how well she reacts, and that, along with the vet's recommendation, can tell you if she is ready. Enjoy your new pup!

Hello Catalina, How long has the crying been going on? If it's been less than 10 rides, I would simply continue what you are doing, riding frequently, to help pup get used to the riding. Pup may simply need practice and time to adjust since the crying is for such short periods of time. Pay attention to whether pup is heavily salivating during the ride - that can be a sign of nausea and anxiety - a small amount is normal though. If pup isn't salivating heavily, pup is likely pretty relaxed while riding, which is a good sign. Pup may want to get out when you stop, not because they are fearful but because they are excited and anxious to explore. If that's the case, I suggest teaching the Quiet method from the article linked below, and anytime you let pup out of the trailer, wait until pup gets quiet for at least two seconds, before you open the trailer - so that they are learning that quiet patience is what gets them out, instead of crying. Quiet method: https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-shih-tzu-puppy-to-not-bark You can also practice stopping and starting a lot to help desensitize pup to that, waiting until they are quiet when you stop, then when they get quiet, toss a couple of treats into the trailer, then continue the ride after they eat the treats (Not too many treats and keep them small so pup's stomach doesn't get upset from the bike movement). After several stops like this, then wait until pup is quiet before letting them out also. Eventually, only reward with treats if pup stays quiet for the entire stop, opposed to crying then getting quiet after crying first - gradually increasing how long you require pup to stay quiet before you reward. When you let pup out of the trailer, train pup to exit calmly, so that pup develops the habit of staying calm during times when they are expecting to get out - the calmer feelings should help with the vocalization also if the crying is related to anxiety or excitement about getting out. When you let pup out, wait until they are quiet for a couple of seconds, then unzip the trailer, begin to open the door but each time pup tries to come out, close it again quickly. Do this over and over until pup waits inside and let's you open it all the way without rushing out. When pup is waiting patiently, take a step back to see if pup will continue to wait. If they try to rush, quickly block their way, then try the entire thing again. If they wait, calmly tell pup, "Let's Go" or Free/Okay" and lead them out with a leash if they are leashed. Having pup exit this way can change pup's emotional response about getting out of the trailer from tense to calmer. Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden

Thank you for the photo and question. You seem to be doing everything right - at least Nova is quiet while she has a bone. The only thing I can suggest is to continue as you are and make the sessions short, gradually lengthening them each time. After a while, you will be up to a decently long session. Some dogs do not feel well with the swaying of the trailer (even as little as that is) and it may take a while for her stomach to get used to that. But yes, keep going with the bone and sometimes when you are not going for a ride but are just in the yard, give her a bone in the trailer and let her out afterward. She just needs to learn the trailer is a fun place, and a temporary one. Good luck!