Running with your dog is one of the best antidotes to life’s daily stresses. You benefit from the endorphins of exercise; serotonin, oxytocin and dopamine coming from outside; and even more oxytocin during bonding time with your pet. But before discovering how to run with a dog, you must first assess whether it suits him. Like any exercise, human or canine, you must build up gradually.
Not all dogs like to run – it depends on their age, character, breed and general health. Take a look at this checklist to see if it’s appropriate to start a running program – or if a walking routine might be better.
- Age: Puppies should not run with you until their bones stop growing, to avoid joint injuries. This varies by breed, but estimate a minimum of nine months in small dogs and up to 16 months for larger ones. But there are plenty ways to entertain a puppy waiting for! At the other end of the scale, an old dog may start to slow down rather than speed up, so running probably won’t be ideal unless he’s already well used to it.
- Breed: Dogs with congenital medical conditions and those with flat faces tend to have difficulty breathing when doing vigorous exercise. Working dogs such as huskies, spaniels, pointers and retrievers tend to enjoy this type of exercise because they have a natural stamina and desire to work.
- Overall health: The best plan is to have your dog thoroughly examined by a veterinarian before starting a running program. They will be able to advise you on your fitness level and any underlying medical issues that may be causing problems. Look for signs of fatigue: flattened ears, lowered tail, intense panting and dragging hind legs are all signs that he cannot tolerate exercise. If your dog has arthritis, although daily exercise is generally beneficial for keeping him moving, faster, more intense work is not appropriate. And while you may want to run an overweight dog to help him combat fat, longer walks at a slower pace are advised until he is in a leaner, more athletic shape. .
- Character: Just like us, some dogs just don’t like running! Supervise your dog while you are walking. Does he want to go faster? Does he always want to catch up with you if you’re ahead? You know your own dog and should be able to tell if running is something he would enjoy. Remember, a big part of jogging with your dog is spending time together – and if he’s not happy, neither of you will enjoy it.
- Obedience: If you plan to run with your dog off-leash, you need to fully master his recall. It is convenient to have one of the best GPS trackers for pets installed on your dog for running, as you will cover greater distances and be more likely to find yourself in unfamiliar territory.
If your dog answers all of the question marks above, then let’s get started.
How to run with a dog
While you probably have your own running kit, what about your dog’s? If your dog’s recall and obedience is reliable enough and you run off-road, you may be able to run off-leash. This means they can move forward at their own pace. Often, human jogging doesn’t quite match the speed at which a dog likes to move – many dogs prefer to stop and sniff, then gallop in bursts, rather than trotting constantly for long periods of time.
But many running routes require the dog to be on a leash, otherwise you may not be able to let your dog run freely yet. H&H recommends using a running harness and leash. If your dog is a puller, a collar can be hard on his neck, while even one of the best harnesses for dogs may restrict shoulder movement if not designed for running. While other combinations of leashes, harnesses and collars are ideal for leash training and general walks, a specific running harness is lightweight, designed to fit comfortably and not chafe.
Most leadership training involves teach your dog not to pull. However, you can teach your dog to know the difference between his regular walking leash and when you’re happy for him to run and pull you, like in canicross, a great sport for those who enjoy running with their dog. If you want to get started in canicross, you will definitely need to practice running with a harness, elastic and belt. The elastic of the bungee leash ensures that when the dog starts to pull, there are no sudden jerks, which could cause injuries such as muscle strain to the dog and the runner. THE Lasaline harness (which you can find on Amazon) is designed to shoot. You may need to try a few harnesses as they should fit your dog very well. You will also need a belt and elastic, like We found this one on Amazon.
Always monitor your dog’s well-being. He should find the exercise easy and enjoyable, and if he shows signs of difficulty you should start walking again and progress slowly from shorter routes. This may not be a dog that enjoys life in the fast lane!
Make a plan
- Always work at the dog’s pace – if he doesn’t like it, just walk home. Obviously, if he wants to go longer and faster but you’re not up to it, you can control him yourself, but remember that he can’t decide to turn around when he’s had enough – you can!
- Start slowly. If you’ve never run with your dog before, start with a short jog about half a length of your usual walk and build up from there. Keep in mind that the hills are difficult to climb even for four stages, so factor this into your route planning.
- Plan routes before you leave, so you know how often and when you need to cross roads, as well as how long your dog can go off-leash. A good tactic is to walk through new routes you’re planning to ride together before you ride them so you’re not surprised.
- Time of day is another factor. Your dog should not run on a full stomach, as this is not only comfortable, but can make him sick or even suffer from severe stomach upset, called gastric dilatation volvulus (twisted intestine). Leave at least an hour after the meal.
- Check the weather. No one wants to be caught in a thunderstorm, and if you run on sidewalks, you won’t be able to avoid the mini tidal waves that splash you as you pass by passing cars.
Kit to take with you
- Harness and leash
- Running belt. Most belts contain a small pocket that can hold a few items, otherwise you may need a lightweight running backpack.
- A dog water bottle and a bowl
- Cell phone (with your veterinarian’s phone number saved on it)
- Poop bags
- Dog whistle
- animal tracker
Now you are ready! Your dog should always find it easy to run with you, so remember to progress gradually, always monitoring his well-being and enjoyment. Have fun on your adventures together!
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Credit: Alamy Stock Photo
Credit: Alamy Stock Photo
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