There are several skateboarding dogs whose exploits have been featured on television, websites, and other media. Skateboarding dog stories are commonly used at the end of news bulletins as human interest stories.[1] Bulldogs are especially good at this activity as they have a low centre of gravity and wide body.[2]
Such dogs have been featured on television, such as in the MTV show Rob and Big. One skateboarding dog named Tyson appeared in this show and has since been featured on many websites as the pioneer of skateboarding dogs. Another bulldog, Tillman, has appeared in Greatest American Dog.[3] Tillman holds the Guinness World Record for "Fastest 100 m on a skateboard by a dog."[4]
Another popular skateboarding dog is Chowder, an English bulldog from Oregon. Chowder became famous after a chance encounter with a skimboard on the beach led to his obsession with skateboarding. He has since become a viral star on TikTok with over 800,000 followers.[5] [6]
Dogs can be trained to ride skateboards by familiarizing them with a skateboard in stages and rewarding the dog as it becomes more comfortable and accomplished.[7] Training typically involves the following steps:
1. Introduction to the Skateboard: Allowing the dog to sniff and explore the skateboard while rewarding it with treats.
2. Getting Comfortable: Encouraging the dog to place paws on the skateboard while it is stationary.
3. Movement: Slowly moving the skateboard and rewarding the dog for staying on it.
4. Pushing: Training the dog to push off with its paws to generate movement.