Bikejoring Badge
Welcome to the Adventure Dog Club! To earn your Adventure Dog Club Bikejoring/Biking Badge, you must meet the following criteria. Remember to submit your criteria sheet and a copy of your photos or videos and fill out the required form. Adventure Dog Club prefers that the training that has been taught to your K9 Buddy was taught utilizing positive training tools and not using e-collars, pinch/prong collars or pinch collars.
Guidelines
This badge may not be obtainable in all areas, please follow local leash laws and trail etiquette. This patch demonstrates that the handler and the K9 Buddy are leaders on the biking trail, whether the trail is open or a closed racing trail, respecting the environment and the 7 Principals of Outdoor Ethics while bikejoring/biking on trails whether the dog is on or off leash. The K9 Buddy and handler have biked the required miles with the K9 Buddy. Mileage should be verified by use of GPS, Map-My-Run App or similar or by taking a photo of the trail head and markers along the way. Handler demonstrates exceptional trail etiquette to other visitors, wildlife, and environment.
Handler Requirements
Handler should be able to demonstrate the 7 Principles for Leave No Trace. Have proper gear for self and K9 Buddy. Keep safety and the physical and mental well-being of K9 Buddy as a top priority. Log miles. Make sure the dog does not harass wildlife. If dog is not carrying pack, handler should carry water and a minimum of outdoor survival supplies (as would be in the dog’s pack). Recognize when the K9 Buddy needs a break and remember a K9 Buddy should build up endurance and mileage the same as you would. *Check the K9 Buddy’s feet for soreness and abrasions and treat properly.
Video Requirements
If earning this badge by video, the evaluator will need to see:
- Video of the handler and dog on the trail with the dog under control if off-leash or proper use of equipment for bikejoring. There should be at least 2 minutes but no more than 4 minutes of biking shown in which the dog is well mannered on the trail and off leash, if applicable. Be sure to video the passes that are required.
- K9 Buddy doing a leave-it (2 correct passes in a row) while off leash.
- K9 Buddy does not get out of control when attached to bike and handler is able to demonstrate proper control whether biking with one dog or bikejoring with up to two dogs.
Criteria
- Handler will demonstrate control of K9 Buddy before, during, and after activity
- K9 Buddy will walk on a loose leash beside handler walking a bike Biking your K9 Buddy will be leashed or attached to side of bike or able to be off leash near side of bike and under verbal control of Handler
- K9 Buddy when bikejoring K9 Buddy can be as many as two dogs, handler must be able to maintain control of both Buddies at all times.
- Handler can ride a bike safely without the K9 Buddy, including turns, and handler understands the risks involved with bike riding (helmet and bike gloves are recommended but optional.)
- K9 Buddy biking can demo an instant recall when off leash in the presence of distractions in case the K9 Buddy slips out of the harness and to reduce sideways pulling by the K9 Buddy or if the Handler must slam on the breaks and to avoid wildlife and other trail users.
- K9 Buddy bikejoring can demo “line-out” or holding the gangline tight out front of the bike, whether one or two K9 Buddy’s. Bikejoring etiquette is much like mushing/dog sledding. K9 Buddy’s must yield trail and Handler must demo proper trail etiquette by maintaining control over K9 Buddy’s.
- K9 Buddy biking, will perform 2 correct passes. These passes must include other trail users including a dog and an object (food, toy, etc.) and K9 Buddy must demonstrate a “leave it” while attached to the bike – no tension on the attachment, while passing by the item, while passing by other trial users and dog. K9 Buddy needs to see the item and be going slow enough and close enough to allow the dog to think he can get it yet choose to leave it.
- K9 Buddy bikejoring will perform 2 correct passes and handler must maintain proper passing etiquette. One pass Handler will approach another biker and pass on the left, K9 Buddy must maintain a tight line and move to left side of the trail. Second pass, a biker will pass K9 Buddy’s and handler will move to the right side of the trail slowing but no stopping, K9 Buddy’s must move to the right and remain on the right without moving in front of passer or encroaching on passer. If passer also has a dog – K9 Buddy’s must ignore other dog and allow passes.
- K9 Buddy will not chase or bark at wildlife, other animals, passing vehicles, passing people, etc.
- K9 Buddy does not have to heel, but must walk or trot next to the bike without endangering the handler- no sudden direction or speed changes by the K9 Buddy Handler demonstrates the 7 Principles and leaves no trace on the trail and cleans up after the K9 Buddy (has gear for disposal and pack-out)
- K9 Buddy biking and Handler have completed a minimum of 12 miles of biking, at least 1 mile at a time, practicing safety and with the K9 Buddy under control. K9 Buddy bikejoring and Handler have completed a minimum of 2 miles of bikejoring, practicing safety and proper trail etiquette with K9 Buddy.
Allowable/Not allowable
The dog may only be allowed off-leash while biking if it is legal on the trail being used, the dog stays next to the bike or returns immediately upon being called regardless of the distraction, there are no cars or roads nearby, the dog does not get out of sight of the handler and the dog can do a proper off-leash leave it. Handler knows when (and is able) to put the dog back on the bike attachment quickly.
While not recommended: If the dog is not attached to the bike with a harness, but is kept on leash; the leash should be attached to a harness, the leash should be a safety line only ( it should not get tight or be used to guide the dog), the leash cannot be attached to the handler (waist leash or over a wrist), it must be easy for the handler to drop the leash if the dog pulls or goes on the wrong side of a post. The leash should be held in a way that it is not between the handler’s hand and the handlebar grip.
Not Allowable:
- K9 Buddy off-leash near a roadway
- K9 Buddy getting out of sight of the handler
- not following the 7 Principles of Leave No Trace
** 7 Principles Leave No Trace
** Application