Teaching a Kid to Ride a Dog

WARNING!!! A dog will get hurt if rode. Do not try this at home!!!

This site is to tell others how we learned to ride our dogs. We don't ride dogs now but we did when we were little. My name is Jeff and my nickname is Dog Rider. My partner is Rottie Dancer. I rode a golden retriever that belong to a neighbor.

The dogs we think would make great dogs to ride are Mastiffs, Great Danes, Rottweillers, St. Bernards, and Great Pyrenees. But the general rule is to find a dog that can carry 20 percent of his body weight. My Great Dane is 160 lbs. So he can safely carry 32 lbs. I know he can carry more but I don't want to hurt him. A Mastiff that is 220 lbs. can carry 44 lbs. Some sled dogs can carry 50 percent their weight all day but they are conditioned for that weight. I have not heard of anyone riding a Malamute or Husky.

Do not use Wolfdogs. They are unpredictable and are too wild. Pitbulls are very strong and gentle dogs but they are too small.

Not all dogs will let someone on their back. In fact if the dog does not like it he will turn around and take a big chuck out of the child's face, or arm or some other body part. The dog is an individual. The dog is an animal. He will tell us how he feels the way he tells other dogs, by using his teeth.

The child needs to respect the dog. The child can not just go up to any big dog and jump on his back. So the training is not just the dog but train the child too.

Step 1.

You need a BIG dog and a small light child. The dog should be willing to carry weight on his back. A doggy backpack is the best way to condition the dog. Start with an empty pack stuffed with newspaper. As the dog learns to avoid hitting the pack on trees and other objects, start adding weight to the pack After several weeks you should be up to the child's weight but not over 20 percent of the dog's weight.

Step 2.

With the dog lying down, have the child lie down next to him. The child can place a leg over the dogs back but not any weight. This is to get the dog use to having the child touching his back. After a few days, the child can "pretend" to lie on the dog's back while the dog is lying down. Again, no weight on the dog's back at this time. Another way is have the dog sit and the child stand behind him pressed against his back. The child pretends he is riding to let the dog get use to the child pressed against his back.

Note: There are two why to ride a dog. The first type is riding him like a horse. The child sits just behind the dog's shoulders and hangs onto the dogs collar or neck fur. Make sure the child does not kick the dog. He is not a horse!!! The second way to ride is like a jockey. The child lies on the dogs back, spreading his weight across the dog's back. The child holds the sides of the dog's neck. Don't have the child wrap his arms around the dog's neck. The child will loose his balance. By lifting his chest a little off the dog's shoulder, he will stay on better.

Step 3.

By the time the dog is strong and use to the child over his back, it's time to let the dog feel the child's weight on his back. Try having the dog lying down and the child lie on top of the dog. Watch the dog very carefully. If he does not like the child on him, stop. Some dogs don't like having weight on them when they are lying down. Remember, as the dog lets the child on him, always tell him he is a good boy.

Step 4.

This is the hardest step. With the dog standing, place the child gently on the dog's back. Hopefully the dog will stand still for this. Just let the child sit on the dog for a few seconds and then take him off and tell the dog he is a good boy. Give him a doggy cookie for being so good. Do this 1 or 2 times once or twice a day. The child can stay on longer as you can judge the dog can handle it. Some dogs will be ready to take off with the child the first time. We don't suggest this because the child will most likely fall off. Other dogs will take longer, but only kepp going if the dog wants to do it.

Step 5

After a few times placing the child on the dog, the dog should be able to stand still as you do this. When the dog stands still for the child, he should be able to get on without you helping him.

Step 6.

Warning, We suggest that you never let the child and dog alone together. It's not safe. Some kids mistreat the dogs. And most dog bites are when a dog and child are left alone together.

Step 7.

Don't forget to take pictures!!!

If you have any pictures of a kid riding a dog and would like to see them on this webpage, please send them to us and we will gladly place them here.

Links to other dog rider pages