Xref: utzoo rec.bicycles:2526 sci.misc:772 misc.wanted:1699 misc.misc:2239
Path: utzoo!mnetor!uunet!husc6!hao!noao!mcdsun!nud!xroads!wiz
From: wiz@xroads.UUCP (Mike Carter)
Newsgroups: rec.bicycles,sci.misc,misc.wanted,misc.misc
Subject: Re: Designing a human/doggie powered vehicle
Message-ID: <420@xroads.UUCP>
Date: 19 Jan 88 08:54:58 GMT
References: <434@sdcc15.UUCP>
Organization: Crossroads, Phoenix, Az.
Lines: 33
Keywords: vehicle design mechanical engineering doggie
Summary: Doggie Powered Vehicular



 
The club that I am currently a member with owns several such appartus.
We use WOlf Hybrids for this task. ALthough your idea has been used before,
I might point out a few items of concern to you before endevoring the task.
 
(1) Dogs to be used for any kind of pulling are taught very very early
    and are exercised ** EVERY ** day for this task, otherwise muscles
    not conditioned will either cause severe stress on the animal or
    end up in pulled muscles and torn ligaments.
    Unconditioned animals have frequently died !
 
(2) Manufacture or purchase some foot pads or "Doggie Boots", otherwise
    asphalt or gravel will and can permanently injure the animals pads.
    Once the pads have been worn down (very quickly on asphalt with
    no load to pull as it is) bleeding and infection can set in quickly
    as the pads literally wear out to the bone.
 
(3) Untrained animals love to chase cats. I found this out by riding the
    bike while exercising our female turbo-charger, "Tundra". She decided
    the cat was more important than my skin and pulled a quick and 
    accelerated 90 degree turn...right in front of me. Guess where I went.
    
 
(4) Cars etc can spook the animal if untrained into a suicidal dodge.
 
I'm not attempting to persuade you not to do this...just to inform you that
if you have any rudementary love for your pet, these are the facts and
hazards before you. I suggest getting a puppie and a lengthy source of
books on dog sledding before torturing your husky.
 
             -Mike