Dog-Powered Scooter

Dog-Powered Scooter LIVESTOCK DOGS 29-1-27 A Bend, Oregon man has come up with a fun new way to take a dog out for a run. His Dog Powered Scooter is also a practical form of transportation, says Mark Schuette. He modified an adult-sized scooter by adding curved rear outriggers made from bicycle tubing, to which dogs can be harnessed. A swiveled dog harness attaches to the dogs at shoulder height. The harness is flexible enough to sit or lie down once the scooter stops. Because the dog is in back rather than up front pulling, you control the steering and braking. Schuette says the invention works great in situations where rules prevent you from letting your dog off its leash to run freely. It's also just a fun way to spend time with your pet, he says. "With the scooter's low center of gravity, there's no downward pressure on the animal, but his momentum lets you have a free ride when you need to," he says. "It takes only about 10 or 15 minutes to get your dog accustomed to being harnessed beneath the outrigger and virtually anyone can ride this, including 10-year old kids and older folks." Schuette sells the single dog rigs for $500 each (this includes the scooter, outrigger assembly, pulling harness, and shock absorbing clips, as well as shipping in the U.S. lower 48 states). Accessory packages are available to outfit a second or even a third dog for between $150 and $200 extra. Custom-fit outrigger systems for other types of scooters are also available. He says other animals such as miniature horses would also be suited to the system because it is vertically adjustable for a wide range of sizes. A "tall" outrigger is also available for the giant breeds. Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, The Dog Powered Scooter, Mark Schuette, 434 SE Cleveland, Bend, Oregon 97702 (ph 541 383-3845; email: mschue5938@aol.com; website: www.dogpoweredscooter.com).

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