Skating is something exciting and healthy that allows you to relax, play sports and clear your mind. Can you imagine skating with your dog, sharing your passion for skates with your best friend?
Although it may surprise you, more and more people are taking to the streets on skates with their pets.
In this article we are going to give you some tips to be able to perform this activity safely, both for you and your beloved dog.
Previous steps to take into account before going out skating with your dog
Going skating with your dog requires both you and your dog to be prepared. Keep in mind that for your dog, going out skating with you will be tremendous fun and very exciting. In some cases, this can cause you to find yourself in complicated situations in terms of skate mastery. Therefore, it is important that you have good control of your skates, i.e. that you know how to turn and brake correctly.
As for your dog, the first thing to keep in mind is that not all dog breeds will be able to accompany you on your skateboarding outings. Your dog should be at least 8 months old and be of a medium to large breed. No less important is that it must obey basic commands so that it will stop when you tell it to.
Finally, as with people, you should have him checked by a veterinarian to see if he is physically able to go skating with you without risk to his health.
Necessary equipment for skating with your dog
If you are planning to go skating with your pet, it is more than likely that you already have everything you need to skate, i.e. good skates and good protections. As we said before, complicated situations can occur, so we recommend having good skates, preferably with a good grip and, obviously, all the protections, especially the helmet.
As for your dog, you should avoid using a collar, as it could choke him. It is much better to use a good sports harness from the hundreds available on the market. The choice of the strap is a more personal matter. On the one hand, a short and rigid leash will give you more control when making the dog react to turns or stops, but if the dog has a lot of strength and is somewhat abrupt when pulling, it can throw you off balance. A leash with cushioning will be the opposite, i.e. it will be more difficult to dominate your dog, but it will be more comfortable if he is pulling.
Some sport harnesses that we recommend:
Another very interesting element to acquire is a canicross kit, that is to say, a belt to tie the leash to your body and thus be able to have your hands free. As before, this accessory is only advisable if the dog obeys the commands you give him.
Some recommended Canicross kits:
How to start rollerjoring
Once you have all the material and both you and your dog are well equipped, the next thing to do is to go to a smooth area with few people (and dogs) and test little by little how your dog reacts to seeing you on skates. It may feel strange at first and not react as you expect, so be patient. If your dog is used to receiving treats when he does something well, don’t hesitate to reward him if he does what you expect him to do.
Gradually try to make turns and give stop commands faster and faster.
When you see that both you and your dog are ready to go skating around your city, follow the tips below.
What to consider when skating with your dog
Although there are some very obvious things to remember when skating with your dog, it is worth remembering them. On the one hand, do not go out in very hot hours. There are very energetic dogs that can run until they are exhausted and the heat does not help. Make sure your dog does not go to the limit and stop every so often to check if the pads of his paws are okay and, while you’re at it, give him water.
It is also very important not to let it drag you down every time. Help him in the startsespecially, and try not to stop skating as long as it pulls you.
For the first few days, don’t go on very long rides and train him little by little.
If he is an athletic dog, he will love to go out on the town with you and his happy face will be more than evident.
Recommended areas to go skating with your dog
In general, and especially with athletic dogs, what you need are areas that are well cleared, with little climbing and little human traffic. Look for bike lanes or long avenues where you can enjoy the speed without fear of possible unforeseen events.
On the other hand, there is the possibility of skating on the mountain, which opens up a world of possibilities. To skate down the mountain with your dog, you will need off-road or all-terrain skates and some experience in skating on dirt. Look for roads with compacted soil and somewhat wide. In many cities there are large parks that can help you get practice in this area. Later on, you can really make very interesting routes in the mountains enjoying the company of your dog in the middle of nature.
In this article we explain you more in depth, which all-terrain skates are more advisable.
Best skates and skating equipment for skating with dog
As we said at the beginning of the article, we understand that you must already have skates if you have considered skating with your pet. However, if the time has come to change skates, here are some recommendations to help you make the right choice.
If you are going to skate in the city, the ideal is to buy hard-boot skates or Freeskate. Skates of this type will give you more security by holding your foot better and being more resistant in case of a fall.
In principle, Freeskate skates with a 4-wheel 80mm configuration should be more than fine for you. But if you start going at high speeds and/or the ground you will be skating on with your dog is a bit uneven, you may be better off with 3-wheeled skates of 90mm and up.
As for all-terrain or off-road skates for skating in the mountains with your dog, there are several models. We recommend those with shorter chassis, either 2 or 3 wheels. Therefore, the Nordic Skating type is not the most suitable.
There is also the option of mounting a complete off-road chassis to your skates:
Finally, if you need any further advice on how to enjoy skating with your dog, just contact us and we will be happy to advise you!
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