” It is permitted to take your dog on a motorcycle ride in almost every US state as well as in every single province of Canada.
However, you should always double-check with the local authorities to make sure you are following the appropriate safety measures and that you are not breaking the law. “
Is it permitted to take my dog on a motorcycle?
Maybe you just watched a youtube video, saw a picture, or just had this genius idea to take a ride with your dog on your motorcycle.
Helmet on, keys in the ignition, doggy looking at you confused. You pause for one second and you ask yourself: ”Is this thing even legal”?
The answer is yes, and no. It is permitted to take your dog on a motorcycle ride in almost every US state as well as in every single province of Canada.
However, you should always double-check with the local authorities to make sure you are following the appropriate safety measures and to make sure you are not breaking the law.
Be sure to check out our Top 10 Motorcycle Dog Carrier by clicking here.
Not the best answer, but bear with me for a second…
I know that’s probably not the answer you were hoping to get.
The reality is, with all the laws and policies constantly evolving, It would be impossible to keep a record of it all.
That said, there are a few key things you have to keep in mind before even thinking about going for a ride with your pet…
Safety tips and best practices to safely take your dog on a motorcycle.
Firstly, animals are not permitted to be carried on a motorbike between a rider and the handlebars, or in any other position that would interfere with the rider’s ability to control the motorbike.
This law is valid for almost every single state and province we looked at. Some guy even wrote on the whirlpool forum that he was stopped by the police. The Penalty: 3 demerit points (4 in a school zone) and $397 ($496 in a school zone)
Fun fact, this is also true when driving a car. Not sure if the ticket is the same amount though.
Secondly, the dog, or any animal you plan to carry, should be attached and secured either to the motorcycle or to yourself.
It can’t be sitting in a bag or loose in a plastic milk crate like in this picture:
I know It’s funny and cute… But seriously, don’t do that guys. It’s unsafe for both you and your animal. Not to mention it’s most certainly illegal.
Depending on the size of your dog, you can go for either a dog pet carrier backpack, similar to the ones used by hikers and travelers. The ones you can hold on your shoulder. Obviously, those are for small to medium dogs.
To give you an idea, here’s an example from one of amazon’s best sellers. This is the cheaper model:
Some of us like to try the higher end of the market as well and there’s no shame in that. At around 70$, here’s an example of a higher quality backpack with more pockets and features:
You know me, I tend to abuse amazon’s return policy a little bit. I did order both of these backpacks. To be honest, they both do the job.
Remember the whole point here is to buy a sturdy dog backpack carrier that isn’t facing to the front. As long as the backpack is sitting on your BACK (duh), and the dog is strapped and can’t jump out at will, you should be alright.
Options for bigger dogs and for longer rides.
I mean, they have huge backpacks that can fit bigger dogs. But let’s be real here, who wants to carry an 85-pound dog on their back across the city. Just thinking about it gives me back pain.
Following the principle that your dog should always be secured, you could decide to go for more kind of a crate carrier, similar to what people who travel a lot with their dogs use.
They are a bit more expensive than a simple backpack. However, they usually come with a variety of tools and features such as a place for the drinking bowl, a bottle of water, etc.
Again, there’s nothing like an image to show you what I’m talking about. Here is the high-end portable weather-resistant dog/cat carrier crate:
More crazy ideas to fulfill your need to take your pet on a motorbike ride.
If you are a hardcore dog lover and you feel like taking this thing to the next level, there are even more expensive and eye-catching options out there.
The most badass thing I’ve seen personally was the dog sidecar.
This is what I call living your lives to the fullest. Careful, the rules mentioned before still applies. The dog has to be secured by a seatbelt and preferably secured with a leash to the car. The same rule would apply when carrying your dog in a pickup.
5 Steps to take before going on your first ride.
Ok, I’m assuming you went on a shopping spray and whatever options you picked, it’s coming in 1-day shipping. Time to prepare your dog for its first official ride.
If you have no idea what I just said, please join us in the 21st century and get a free amazon trial prime account right this second by clicking here. You can always unsubscribe after the purchase for absolutely no fee.
Back to preparing your dog. You are probably pumped and eager to try to ride with your best friend for the first time. Let’s make sure your dog is ready too so he can enjoy the ride as much as you do.
Step 1
Get the dog comfortable around a running motorcycle.
This step will be easy for some and a pain in the butt for others. I found that it is easier to start the motorcycle while the dog isn’t in the garage or outside yet. That way it doesn’t get startled and it’s easier to get it to calm down and relax.
Once it’s comfortable around a running motorcycle, try turning the bike off and on again a few times around it until basically, the dog could not care less about it.
Make sure to always pet and give treats when the dog complies.
Step 2
Get the dog comfortable sitting on a motorcycle.
While the motorcycle is not running, take the dog in your arms and sit on the bike for a min. If you bought a carrier, place it inside the carrier and let it sit there for a min.
Once a minute or two has passed, place the dog back on the ground.
Repeat this step a few times or until the dog is giving little to no resistance.
Don’t forget those praise and treats for positive reinforcement.
Step 3
Get your dog windproof eye protection.
Technically, you don’t absolutely need to get your dog eye protection. However, it’s a good idea to make such a purchase for multiple obvious reasons. Dog safety, improved happiness, and looking like a badass come to mind to name a few.
Here’s a link to the one we currently use which is available at around 20$ on amazon:
If you want to go berserk and buy the high-end eye protection on the market, you should definitely check out Rex Specs’s website. Their offer is more expensive but it’s geared towards active dogs.
Step 4
Take your dog for a small ride.
The weather is perfect, the dog is accustomed and familiarized with the routine. It’s time to take it for a small ride.
Don’t get ahead of yourself here, the dog could have all kinds of reaction. You don’t want to traumatize the beast on your first ride now do you?
The first 5-10 rides should be short and at low to very low speed. If you have a good relation with your pet, chances are you’ll know when too fast or too long a ride for the animal.
Make sure you bring water and treats. If you have time, make a stop at a place you know the dog will enjoy. This will reinforce positive behavior. Next time you take off for a ride, good feelings will start rushing in and he’ll be excited to join you.
Step 5
Final step!
The final step is easy, take badass (or cute) pictures and email us so we can post them here and on our Facebook page. Who knows, your dog might become famous!
