Sleddog Legacy Online

Urban Mushing! (The Dog-Powered Scooter)

Somebody in Oregon has put his thinking cap on and come up with something brilliant! A publicity e-mail received recently directed your editor to The Original Dog-Powered Scooter website. What a revelation!

The idea is a simple one: to a beefed-up scooter with small-bike-diameter wheels, cable brakes, and knobby tires, is added an "outrigger" somewhat similar to the "brancard" familiar to European pulka drivers, placing a dog in harness right beside the scooter, firmly attached to it. The driver can pedal. The driver can STEER with precision! The driver can relate closely to the dog. All the dog has to do is to move forward and give minimal cooperation.

For years I've done leader training using a mountain bike. It's fun for me and for the dogs, but I wouldn't care to try it in a crowded public park or on the shoulder of a busy road. It demands active cooperation from the dog(s) and a clear trail without dangers and obstructions. The dog can decide not to stay out front, in which case you have a problem. The dog can decide not to pull strongly, in which case you must watch sharply not to overrun the gangline. You have no way to steer or direct the dog other than by voice. Things can go wrong. It isn't for everybody, and it definitely will not work with every dog.

I must be honest. I have not had a chance to TRY Mark Schuette's brain child. But as far as I can see, it should work like a dream, at any speed, with any dog that will accept the harness and outrigger and move in a forward direction dependably. What's more, it should be SAFE in suburban and urban-park environments, because the dog is under considerable positive control and can even be steered.

The website has good information and a fair amount of advice about how to go about introducing your dog to this style of recreational outing. Mark's advice sounds sensible and level-headed. He's aware of the danger of running a dog's pads raw on pavement, warns you about potential heat-stroke problems, advises a gradual introduction to this unique new dog-powered mode.

To me, this looks like a good solution for someone who wants to enjoy a kind of mushing, or an introduction to the sport, with one dog -- especially the person who's living in a built-up area with no easy bike trails or bridle paths available. But check out the site and decide for yourselves!

Posted by jjeffrey at November 20, 2005 03:59 PM