Getting Started
Why scooter?
Do you have a high-energy dog? Or perhaps you have a dog in need of some exercise. Scootering with your dog is great exercise for you and your dog. Besides better health, scootering can also offer great benefits for your dog’s behavior. Tired dogs are less likely to exhibit unwanted behaviors.
By spending time with your dog on a scooter, you can build a new relationship with your dog. You and your dog will become a team working together and your dog will have a sense of purposes. Your dog’s new job can involve helping you get places (need to take your child to school, take the dog). Dog and human both win from this sport.
Equipment Needed
A dog who is at least 35 pounds.
A scooter with big tires and brakes (razor scooters will not work).
A properly fitting X-back harness for your dog.
Towline to connect your dog to the scooter.
Stores in Wisconsin
LDC Professional Pet Products
S52 W24082 Glendale Road
Waukesha, WI 53189
LDC Professional Pet Products has harnesses, skijoring belts and lines, starter sleds, weight pulling, Springer bike attachments, dog backpacks.
Training Your Dog
You will want to work on some basic commands with your dog. Gee, Haw, On by, Whoa, hike.
Where to Learn?
The Wisconsin Dog Pack and its members welcome new members and their questions. If you need help training, you can meet up with some local scooters.
There are also some great resources on sledding, skijoring, and other dog powered sports which can help provide you this information on training your dog as well as the proper equipment.
Where to Scooter?
Besides your neighborhood and local bike trails, Wisconsin offers a number of great places to explore with your dog. Fellow Wisconsin Scooters have put together a list of recommended trails.
Wisconsin Recommended Trails
| Trail Name
| Location
| Miles
| Type
| Notes
|
|---|
| Lapham Peak
| Waukesha County
| 4.8 mile loop
| Mountain Bike/Horse Tail
| Dirt/grass/gravel
|
| Bugline Recreational Trail
| Waukesha County
| 12.2 mile stretch
| Rail to Trails: Bike Trail
| Crushed Stone Surface
|
Scooter Repair and Maintenance