Take Your Dog on a Bike Ride

I have a question about over-exhausting your dog. My Red Bone Coon Hound Mix loves to go on bike rides with me and my family. We normally take him on a "Country Block" of a little more than 4 miles. If my sons are ahead of me and the dog, the dog will run full speed for several miles! I try to slow him down but he does not want to. I never push him and will slow to any speed he wants. My concern is that he is quite exhausted - Tongue hanging out a mile, heavy breathing. When he will slow to a trot, I slow down but after a minute, he takes off again. Should I be concerned (especially in this hot summer weather). We do ride in the evening (almost dusk).

I'm glad I found this article. It gave me the information I needed to get started, instead of just hopping on the bike and taking off with Maggie. She is an italian greyhound and needs exercise. Thanks, your article is great.