Dogs are man’s best friend, so how do you react when your dog shows disdain towards your motorcycle or bike? In this article we break down some tips for helping your dog become less aggressive towards anything with wheels, and some tricks for riding with your pooch.
Dog Hates Motorcycles?
Dogs are not very fond things with wheels. Anything that moves causes their prey and herding instincts to kick in resulting in some signs of aggression. They also do not like loud sounds. Try to get them used to the sights and sounds by careful and moderate times of exposure.
Do Dogs Hate Motorcycles Or The Bikers?
Since they are creatures of habit, dogs tend to be uncomfortable around new things.
Motorcycles are very loud and fast, which causes some dogs to go crazy whenever they see them. This however, does not mean that they hate the motorcycle or the biker. Sometimes it could mean they are afraid, or other times excited.
Why Does My Dog Hate Motorcycles?
There are a couple of different reasons why your dog may show disdain, or more likely fear, towards a motorcycle.
A dog’s nose picks up scents that ours cannot. Motorbikes tend to have a strange oil smell to them, which may make your dog feel unsettled if they are not used to the scent.
Dogs can also sense a human’s adrenaline and fear, even far away. Someone on a motorcycle sometimes feels a little more anxiety and adrenaline, which may put your pooch on edge if they can sense the person’s feelings. Thus, your dog will associate the motorcycle with causing this stress.
Why Does My Dog Hate The Sound Of Motorcycles?
Motorcycles are loud, even to our ears. Our furry friends have a more heightened sense of hearing than we do, making noises that are loud to us even louder to them. The louder the noise, the more stressed your dog will become.
How Do I Get My Dog To Stop Barking At Motorcycles?
The goal is to get your dog to become used to the sight and sound of a motorcycle.
You will need to find a place where you know there will be motorcycles nearby regularly. Take your dog to this place and keep them at a comfortable distance away from the motorcycles.
Do not try to force your dog to focus on the motorcycles, but instead just let them be their normal selves and try to get them to focus on playing or doing other stuff. This will allow them to start feeling at ease. Once they seem comfortable and used to the idea of the motorcycles, start moving a bit closer.
Your dog will eventually start to view the motorcycle as normal and will not feel as threatened by its presence.
Are Dogs Afraid Of Motorcycles?
Not only are motorcycles loud and smelly, but the presence of a motorcycle can also be perceived as a threat by your dog. This may cause your dog to be afraid.
A motorcycle inhabiting space your dog views as their territory can make a dog want to lash out at it. Dogs are often fearful of new things.
What Should I Do If My Dog Chases Me On The Bike?
The reason why your dog may be chasing your bike is that they are afraid you are leaving them behind. Dogs are very loyal creatures and hate being left alone.
You should not allow your dog to chase your motorcycle. This can lead to bad habits, such as them chasing other motorcyclists, and potentially getting hurt by running into traffic.
If you know that your dog might attempt to chase after you, you should keep them inside your house when you go for a ride. This will ensure your safety and theirs.
How Do I Get My Dog To Stop Chasing Motorcycles?
It is an instinct for some dogs to chase after anything that moves. However, it is important to train your dog to stop chasing after motorcycles as this could result in serious injury for your dog and the biker.
The first step to controlling your dog’s chase drive is by controlling their environment. If there are a lot of motorcycles that drive by your yard, make sure to keep your dog on a leash or indoors.
Expert dog trainers say that you need to be in control of your dog’s ability to chase to avoid ruining any training attempts. Allowing your dog to run freely towards the motorcycle, even along a fence line in your backyard will likely damage your training attempts.
The next step is getting your dog used to the sight of motorcycles. Keep your dog focused on you, by engaging them with focused training. This will encourage your dog to not interact with the motorcycle, but rather stay focused on you.
To achieve proper focus training, simply call the dog’s attention with a particular noise and give them a treat once they look at you. As they become more used to this, start to practice the training technique in areas that are more distracting for your dog.
Once you are sure they are good at the task, start taking them places where they are likely to see motorcycles. Keep them a good distance away and only move them closer to the motorcycle if you feel like they can handle it.
You can use this same method to train your dog to stop chasing bicycles as well as motorcycles.
How Do I Get My Dog Used To A Bike?
One of the best ways to get your dog used to a bike is by introducing them to it while they are on their leash. Get them used to the sight and sounds of the motorcycle or bicycle before trying to ride it around them.
Before you start trying to bike with your dog, you must research to make sure that you and your pooch are safe. These next tips only pertain to riding a bicycle, and not a motorcycle.
Once your pooch starts to warm up to the bicycle, then you can attach them to a special biking leash. As they begin to feel comfortable with this idea, then you can start to ride.
Never start by going long distances or too fast. It is important to start slow and steady to build up your dog’s stamina. Try to encourage your dog with treats, so that they start to view the activity similar to a walk.
Why Do Some Dogs Love Motorcycles?
Small, social, calm breeds tend to love going on motorcycle rides with their owners.
They may view the motorcycle as a chance to go somewhere with their owner. Since dogs are social creatures, they will want to accept any chance to be with their owner.
Why Do Dogs Pee On Motorcycle Tires?
Experts have not been able to find a definite answer to this question. However, dogs likely pee on tires because they have a lot of different smells on them.
Motorcycles can travel to many different places, including highways, dirt roads, and neighborhoods. No telling what the tires have rolled over, through, or past might have left a strange scent on it.
Dogs peeing on surfaces act as a type of communication that says “I was here!” to the rest of the dogs.
Peeing on a taller and vertical surface also allows a dog to leave their scent at nose level for other dogs. This makes it easier for other dogs to know that the one dog has been there.
Why Do Some Dogs Like To Climb On Motorcycles?
Some dogs view motorcycles as prey and will jump up on the motorcycles as a means to attack or pounce on them. Other dogs may climb on a motorcycle if their owner is on it. This is an attempt to be closer to their owners.
Regardless of the reason why your dog may like to climb on motorcycles, you should never allow them to jump or pounce on a motorcycle. This could lead to serious injury for the dog and the rider.
Why Does My Dog Want To Chase Motorcycles (Is It Safe? How To Stop)?
There could be a few different reasons why your dog may be chasing after a motorcycle. These reasons include:
- Natural Hardwired Instincts
- Fear
- Playfulness
Some dogs chase after motorcycles because of their prey drive. Inside every dog is an instinct to chase. Anything that is moving fast catches a dog’s attention.
Another instinct that could cause your dog to chase after a motorcycle is their herding instinct. Some dog breeds were bred specifically to herd things. If anything is seemingly trying to run away, they may naturally try to chase after and corral it.
If the motorcycle is not a normal aspect of your dog’s life, they may view it as a threat. This will increase their prey drive as they try to capture and attempt to kill the strange creature. This is also a situation that involves a sense of fear in your pooch.
If your dog is scared of the motorcycle, it may associate lunging towards it as being the cause of why it disappears. Oftentimes, aggressive dogs tend to also be fearful dogs.
The last reason is that your dog is attempting to play. Your dog may be bored and see the moving object as something to chase after for fun.
Whatever the reason for chasing may be, it is never safe to allow your dog to chase after a motorcycle. This may lead to your dog running into traffic and being killed. It could also cause the biker to lose their balance and end up seriously injured.
Keep your dogs on a leash when walking to keep them from chasing after a motorcycle. Also, practice good training techniques that help your dog remain calm and focused.
Is It Safe To Take A Dog On A Motorcycle?
It is safe to take certain dogs out for motorcycle rides. Some dogs even enjoy a short ride with their owners!
Smaller, social, and calm breeds tend to be the best dogs for motorcycle rides. Dog breeds such as a pug or a Shih Tzu are ideal.
However, if you have a dog with a longer-haired coat, it is important to make sure their hair is shorter before taking them out on a ride. Longer-haired dogs are susceptible to getting their fur matted when traveling on a motorcycle.
Protecting your dog’s eyes is also important for going on a motorcycle ride. Investing in goggles designed for your pooch’s eyes will help when out on the road. Buying a helmet is also a great idea to keep your dog safe.
A harness is another necessity for a dog on a motorcycle. A harness is a better option as it will not have any risks of choking the dog.
For small dogs, they will sit on the gas tank of the motorcycle as you drive, with a short leash attached to the harness and the driver’s belt loop. To keep them safe while driving, use a tank bag or mat that they can sit in or on during the trip. These are available in some pet stores and will keep your dog protected from slipping off the tank.
Larger dogs are able to go on a motorcycle ride with you but require a sidecar attached to the bike to ride happily and safely.
How To Train A Dog To Ride With Me On A Motorcycle?
The first step is to get your dog comfortable with being on the motorcycle. Hold them or place them in a carrier pack on the bike while you sit on the motorcycle to help them get acquainted with the idea.
Let them see and explore everything. Help them to get comfortable with the tank mat too if they are sitting on one.
Next, start to turn the motorcycle on. Let your dog get used to the sounds, vibrations of the engine, and smells of the motorcycle. Then start to move a little with your legs to help them get used to the idea of balance.
Slowly start up the engine and go for a very short ride. Reward your pooch with a treat at the end of the trip. Repeat the process until your pooch starts smiling as much as you do when you get on your motorcycle.
Dog Aggression Towards Bikes?
Dogs sometimes have aggression towards bicycles for the same reasons they show aggression towards motorcycles. Dogs love to chase anything that moves due to their prey drive and herding instincts.
Anything with wheels catches your dog’s attention and their instincts cause them to want to chase after it.
What Should I Do When A Dog Chases Me While I’m Biking?
If you sense that a dog is about to start chasing you, start slowing down. Sometimes slowing down will allow you to have more control over the situation and avoid a disastrous collision.
However, if a dog is about to attack you, slam on the gas and speed ahead. This will leave the dog behind you and most likely confused.
Try to remain calm at all times so that you can react in a controlled manner that keeps both you and the dog safe.
If the dog does bite you, try to get medical assistance right away to make sure there are no infections. If you accidentally hurt the dog, see if you can notify its owner. Injuries can result in complicated lawsuits, so be as careful as possible.
References
10 Reasons Why Dogs Hate Motorcycles
Here’s What To Do When A Dog Chases You On A Motorcycle