Always approach getting your dog used to the trailer in small steps that build on one another, from the stationary trailer to the first real ride. From the very beginning, link the trailer with something positive. Repeat each training step several times a day in short sessions before moving on to the next one.
Not every dog can or wants to run alongside a bicycle. Growing puppies, older dogs, small breeds or animals with health limitations benefit particularly from a dog trailer. On long routes or in high temperatures a trailer also offers the chance to rest along the way.
In principle any dog can get used to a bicycle trailer, regardless of age or previous experience. All that matters is that your dog is physically healthy and has no acute pain that would make sitting or lying in the trailer difficult.
With puppies you can start playful familiarization early, as long as you stick to short, calm practice sessions. Older or physically limited dogs can usually get used to it well too, provided you take enough time.
There is no blanket time frame, because every dog learns at its own pace. Some dogs accept the trailer after just a few days, others need several weeks before they relax completely while riding.
What matters is not speed but that you skip no step of the training. A dog that is put into a closed cabin too early, or got used to faster riding too quickly, is more likely to develop fear than a dog that is introduced calmly to each new stimulus.
Getting your dog used to a dog trailer works best in clearly separated stages. Each step builds on the previous one and only when one step works in a relaxed way does the next one follow. That way your dog gradually links the trailer with a positive feeling instead of with stress.
Step 1: Get to know the trailer calmly
Set the trailer up without its wheels indoors or in the garden and leave all
openings open. A familiar blanket inside and a few treats make the trailer even more appealing. Reward every
approach with praise, but never force your dog to get in.
Step 2: Practice getting in and closing the door
As soon as your dog gets in voluntarily, you can let it stay briefly in the stationary trailer while you speak calmly
nearby. In the next step, close the door as a trial and open it again after a short time. Reward relaxed behavior
immediately.
Step 3: First movements without the bicycle
Now pull the trailer by hand a few meters through the garden or
hallway, without hitching it to the bicycle. Short, jolt-free movements and a calm voice help your dog associate movement with
safety. A filled chew also provides a pleasant distraction.
Step 4: Trailer on the bicycle and first
test rides
Only hitch the trailer to the bicycle once the previous steps work in a relaxed way. Make sure the bicycle
and trailer stand securely and without wobbling while your dog gets in. Ride the first laps on level, quiet ground and for only a few
minutes.
Step 5: Increase riding time and everyday use
Gradually extend the rides and include different
surfaces as well as more environmental stimuli. That way the dog trailer becomes a normal part of your shared
bike tours step by step.
Do each step in several short sessions spread across the day, rather than practicing in one long session.
It has been shown that
dogs learn better in short, interrupted stages than in one long training session (1).
If your dog barks, howls or panics in the bicycle trailer, it rarely has anything to do with defiance. Usually fear or being overwhelmed is behind it, because a training step was skipped too quickly. It may also be that your dog is simply excited or would rather run outside.
Familiar objects such as a blanket it knows or a favorite toy give your dog a sense of security in the trailer. A filled chew provides additional distraction and links the time in the trailer with something pleasant.
With an anxious dog, set off particularly slowly and initially avoid busy routes with many stimuli. If your dog is very unsure, it is better to go back to an earlier training step than to force the training.
Calm, steady riding also contributes a great deal to relaxation. Good suspension noticeably reduces shocks and makes the ride considerably more pleasant for anxious dogs.
Besides the training, the trailer itself also plays an important role in successfully getting your dog used to it. A dog trailer should suit the size of your dog, offer sufficient air circulation and allow for calm handling.
With the Nacho dog trailer, Qeridoo has exactly these requirements in mind: a generous tailgate and an additional entrance at the front make getting in easier. Large mesh panels provide a pleasant climate during the ride. Two integrated safety leashes give your dog extra hold while riding without restricting its freedom of movement.
The suspension also makes an important contribution: it evens out bumps and makes the ride noticeably calmer for your dog. The becco coupler system also lets you hitch and unhitch the trailer securely in seconds.
The right size of trailer is crucial for your dog to feel comfortable inside:
Also note that for unbraked bicycle trailers, the leaflet on trailers issued by the Federal Ministry of Transport, Building and Housing recommends a permissible total weight of 40 kg (2).
Qeridoo recommends: take enough time when buying a dog trailer and try out together with your dog whether the size and
entrance really fit. A trailer in which your dog feels comfortable from the start makes the whole familiarization process much easier.
Last updated: September 3, 2026
At high temperatures it is particularly important to ensure sufficient air circulation and regular drinking breaks. Plan the ride for the cooler morning or evening hours where possible and watch your dog for signs of overheating such as heavy panting.
A well-fitting harness in combination with the safety leashes in the trailer provides additional support during braking maneuvers or on uneven ground. A normal collar is less suitable for this, as it can put pressure on the neck during sudden movements.
That depends very much on the size and weight of both dogs and on the permitted load of the particular model. The dogs should also get on well, as being cramped can cause stress in the long run, even if they otherwise get along fine.
Always in the stationary trailer first. Only once your dog is relaxed there do dry runs follow, and then the first rides.
A short walk before the tour helps burn off excess energy and makes sure your dog can relieve itself before the ride. That often makes it calmer and more settled during the ride itself.
Removable padding or blankets can usually be washed separately, while the rest of the interior can be wiped with a damp cloth. Regular cleaning also prevents odors that some dogs find unpleasant.
Stay calm and, where possible, keep riding rather than stopping, as coming to a halt often increases the excitement. Distraction through calm words or a chew can help to bring the attention back to you.
