Published: October 24, 2009 09:32 pm      

These giants are leaders of the pack

TILTON — Some people jokingly call it the lazy man’s way of exercising dogs.

Todd and Linda McIntyre of Tilton laugh at the comments, but they know the sport of dog scootering takes a bit of effort. The dogs have to be trained and controlled, after all.

Still, it’s great fun for both humans and hounds.

“It’s a good way at the end of the day to wind down,” Todd said.

He got involved in scootering about six months ago as a way to help the couple’s three giant schnauzers burn off their high energy. While Todd guides the scooter, Linda sometimes serves as the “rabbit” — pedaling a bike ahead of the dogs.

“I thought I’d give it a shot and it turned out to be a blast,” he said.

Todd is so enthusiastic about scootering that he’d like to form a club or at least meet with other dog owners who might want to try it, too.

Dog scootering is similar to dog sledding, with similar equipment and commands. The dog is put into a harness, and is hooked to the scooter with a tug line. The owner guides the non-motorized scooter, which has brakes and mountain-bike style tires.

The owner gives commands, such as “left” or “right,” and leans in that direction. The dog is trained to “go by” distractions, such as other animals and people.

Todd said he wears safety equipment, such as a helmet and pads. He and his team can get up to 10 miles per hour, although breeds such as huskies can go even faster.

While he’s breezing along on the scooter, Linda might be pedaling ahead giving the dogs something to chase. She jokes that she’s the one doing all the work.

Usually, the family goes about 2 miles around their Tilton home, but they have traveled longer distances at area parks.

Todd discovered scootering while looking for new ways to exercise his big dogs — Mattie and Gracie, both 2 years old, and Tandie, who’s almost 1 year old. He does play ball with them every day.

“If you don’t work them, they’ll work you,” he said, referring to the importance of exercising dogs. “A lot of times, just walking these higher-energy breeds doesn’t cut it.”

He just happened to come across dog scootering on the Internet, and he ordered a scooter and custom-fit harnesses from a Web site.

The giant schnauzers, which were bred to pull, adapted right from the start.

“They love it,” Linda said.

“They love going to new places,” Todd said. “They get bored around here.”

One favorite place is the trail at the Covington, Ind., city park.

Although the big dogs seem well-adapted to the sport, smaller and older dogs can participate, too. And, you don’t need a special scooter; a bike can be used.

Besides the giants, the McIntyre household is home to five other dogs: three Jack Russells, Clipper, 14, Trinket, 13, and Harry, 12; and two Cairn terriers, Carnie, 6, and Rascal, 4. Plus, there’s the African grey parrot, Pepper, 15, and a cat, Malachi.

The dogs get baths once a week, their bedding is cleaned every day and they get a gift on their birthdays, along with a party.

“These are like our children,” Todd said.

“They’re spoiled,” Linda added.

The couple got interested in giant schnauzers when a co-worker at Todd’s former job showed pictures of puppies she had. They did research and liked what they found out about the giants, which don’t shed.

They got Mattie when she was 8 weeks old. Later, Todd’s co-workers surprised him with a birthday gift — 12-week-old Gracie, who came from the same breeder.

Less than a year ago, the breeder asked them to come see some puppies, and they fell in love with Tandie.

The three dogs entertain each other, and play a lot, plus they get along with the smaller dogs. The giants all have their Good Canine Citizenship certificates.

The McIntyres make sure all of the dogs get plenty of attention.

Their son, Brent Kerr of Tilton, takes care of the animals when the McIntyres are busy. Linda is a certified nursing assistant at Provena United Samaritans Medical Center, while Todd is self-employed as an insurance agent.

The McIntyres realize how good exercise is for everyone — not only the owner, but especially for big dogs. Maybe, fueled by Todd’s enthusiasm, the sport of dog scootering will catch on in the Danville area.

As somebody once said, “A tired dog is a good dog.”

JOIN THE FUN

For more information about dog scootering, visit the Web site http://www.dogscooter.com

You also may call Todd McIntyre at 231-9294 or e-mail him at tlmac3@att.net.

Mark your calendar

A fundraiser for the Vermilion county Animal Shelter Foundation will be from 6:30-10:30 p.m. Nov. 14 at the Turtle Run Banquet Center on Liberty Lane.

There will be appetizers, a silent auction with cash prizes ranging from $250 to $2,000 and Elvis impersonator Mike Masa of Indianapolis. Donation is $50 per couple, with only 300 tickets being sold.

For more information, call 443-3751 or 474-3076.

Proceeds go to the foundation’s spay-neuter program.

If you would like to have your pet featured, contact Mary Wicoff at 477-5161, send an e-mail to mwicoff@dancomnews.com or write to Commercial-News, 17 W. North, Danville, IL 61832.