Training Inca to become the ultimate Mtb Trail Dog

If we were ever going to get a dog, it had to be one that could come with me when I went mountain biking.

So this is Inca. She is an 18-month-old working black Labrador and you'll see from this video she LOVES to go mountain biking with me.

She is officially a trail dog 🙌

Training a dog to ride bikes with you can be difficult but you'll see in this video, on singletrack she always runs behind me and gets rewarded for doing so. If she runs ahead, the fun stops.

I didn't start riding with my dog until she was over 12 months and even then I started with just slower, local rides over the fields to get her used to running next to or behind the bike.

Training a dog to to run with you whilst mountain biking is not easy, but it is possible. I see loads of people letting their dogs run in front of them. In fact, the most well known (Ruby the trail dog) does so perfectly. However, for me I didn't want to be in a position where Inca was running ahead and I ran into her.

We're now up to about 10 miles for a mountain bike ride in places like Cannock Chase and she's brilliant. I know she'd go further but labs suffer with their rear legs and so I'm keen not to push her too hard.

I now also feel I am doing the "follow the dog" trail at Cannock Chase justice. Although, she has to follow me ;-)

[aesir]

Here I am... 6ft 2 and tearing up. Why? I really don't know why lol. - Maybe it's just how sweet a girl she is, and I'm happy to see your joy with her! - GL - and stay safe! - Aesir -

[dirttdude]

learning heel on the leash worked well for us. when we're riding it means get your puppy bottom behind this bicycle immediately. he runs ahead of me to be sure everything smells alright on the climbs and he runs behind me on the descents. We shred singletrack but we mostly do touring together.

[teuluPaul]

Great! I have a 16 month old Cocker Spaniel but I haven't taken him out with me on a bike yet. I am tempted to try, especially when I saw Inca disappear into the woods and reappear from a different place - he does exactly this! He loves to run and chase things, so chasing me down a hill on a bike is not such a stretch of the imagination. Thanks very much for sharing the video!

[cthurston]

Riding with my dog is a ton of fun, because I love to see how happy she is during the ride and satisfied afterwards. She is an Aussie and learned just by getting out there. I think it was easier with her because she always wants to be close to me and never wander off? My previous pup was a bit tougher, because she enjoyed chasing squirrels and I often had to call her back. lol

[Peter]

Just got this video on the end of 2022. Is so nice watching how your dog is doing mtb riding with you. Five months ago I got my amazing border collie and he became my best riding, hiking and running friend.

[yengsabio]

Wow! Just... wow!

I will have a trail dog soon. And, I approve this video! 100% awesome!

Lots'a love, cheers, & Mabuhay, from tropical Philippines! #RideOn #KeepBiking

[daveanything]

love the video.. this one is great and i enjoyed it start to finish

[hazeanderson]

I need a follow up video on Inca! Would be great to see her progress 3 years later

[lutze]

Awesome. Might try and train our dog too 🙌

[Mugtree]

Absolutely brilliant video. I really miss having a dog and keep using the excuse I’m too busy. But maybe 🤔

[richardanderson]

That warms my heart. I hope to have a dog someday!

[mattcarr]

Fantastic footage, Inca is brilliant, vlogs are great 👍

[fegasegiawan]

I would so anxious everytime my dog run away or I can't see him. Glad Inca are doing okay! So Inspiring!

[fisho]

awesome! ive got 12 month old jack russell who is my new mtb buddy here in Sydney OZ. he loves it. got him on a 9k loop at end of the street.

[InfectAion]

My Vizsla "Louis" is now 17 weeks old and I can't wait to ride my trails with him and my dalmatian.

My dalmatian is 4 years old and he's glued behind me, never went in front of me.

[Fietsvlogger]

Google brought me here, I did the Casey course earlier this year. Great video, entertaining and funny. Lovely shots.

[timd]

Love the video! Going to start taking my pup with me riding.

Suggest, I'm not sure what the laws are in your area, but an e-collar was a game changer for my dogs off leash recall. Maybe people (I was one of them when I first got my dog) think the ecollar is a shock collar. It is not. My dude is on a level 3 out of 137. I've put it on my neck and I didn't feel it until level 15-18.

The vibrate feature seems to work the best to break their attention from what ever they're fixated on. Just my 2 cents.

[azmaier]

I have a yellow lab. best trail dog. She is not 11 years old and she can't go anymore and it breaks my heart when getting ready for a ride.

[povang]

I spend way too much time indoors because I don't have anyone to go out with or any reason to go out of my house.

[shaychavez]

as a dog trainer i would for sure use a proper E Collar to keep her within a resonable distance