Hello, I've taken up running recently and thought it might be worth trying 'running' with our dog occasionally. Does anyone do this and have any advice? I suppose my main concern would be that I couldn't keep up! But, advice about lead etc., not tripping up. I expect that it's largely just getting in the grove, but I would be most grateful for any tips!
Hey Mooz, I take my adult dogs running. Here are my top tips: I wouldn't have them on lead for any great distance, as it's remarkably hard on their joints to have to keep pace with you, at a pace that is unnatural to them. My running pace is between a trot and a canter for my two, so it's far better for them to be off-lead and run ahead a bit, then let me catch up, or to stop to sniff something. I do pop them on lead every now and again, but it's normally only for a few hundred metres. I wouldn't do more than 5km on lead. The only exception is maybe, if your dog pulls, you might like to consider CaniX. This is where the dog wears a special harness and pulls you forward on your run. I've toyed with the idea of it, but I generally run on mountain bike trails and that's a bit extreme If your dog is on lead, he'll probably still need another walk; remember walks aren't just about exercise, but mental stimulation and there isn't much of that to be had keeping pace with you, when he can't stop to sniff, or pee! Yup, they like to try to trip you up. It keeps you on your toes. Hopefully. Consider your dog's hydration needs. If it's just a short run, he may be fine with a drink at the end, but for longer runs, stopping for small drinks in the middle is a good idea. Think about the temperature. I get up and run first thing in the morning, which is the coolest time of the day. I hate running in the heat, but if you're OK with it, pause to think about whether it's appropriate to take your dog out, as he's got to do the same as you, but wearing a fur jacket! When I do have my dogs on lead, I find it makes me unbalanced holding the lead in one hand, even though they don't pull at all. So I prefer to loop the lead around my waist. I hope that helps
I tried jogging with our last Lab. She kept stopping at every post for a sniff which made on-lead jogging very difficult. I wanted to keep a steady pace while she wanted a stop-start walk. Neither of us was satisfied. I'd be inclined to separate runs and walks.
I loved jogging with my dog and he went with me until just months before he passed at 13. My jogging pace is so slow that for him it was just a walk. I also preferred the hands-free set up. I wear a waist pack anyway, so I'd just loop the handle of the leash through before I clipped on the waist pack. Of course off leash (and off road) is best, but we also did a lot of city/road jogging. For that I really prefer a short leash. It's important to train your dog NOT to sniff and wee on everything first (sniff and/or potty commands). Being perpetually yanked by a sniffing dog isn't any fun (or safe) for anyone. Also you need to be more aware of your environment than a normal solo jog where you can listen to music and zone out. Cars, other dogs, glass in the road, road sign poles that you and your dog may go around on different sides...just stuff to be aware of. I usually just did a one-eared headphone setup when I was with Brogan so I could hear bikes, cars, dogs, etc. come up behind us. I did absolutely love going with my boy and also went places I couldn't have gone to without him.
I did. Not till their joints were solid, some say not till two years old. I didn't run far and my dogs were off leash on soft, sandy forest trails and our breeder okay'd starting at one year old for us, but even though our short runs were only one mile I built the dog up. And we stopped to play or swim in summer. Competitive ironman and marathon neighbours took their Lab training but only for about 10 km and they stopped for plays and swims too.
Oh yes, very important! I usually don't see anyone when I run, maybe the occasional farmer, so I just have my phone playing my music in my pocket without headphones. I need music for my cadence and to stop my mind going into overdrive, thinking about all the other stuff I should be doing I'm never going to be that hardcore, but do regularly run 10km and that's the maximum I'd be happy with with my dogs. If I was going farther, I'd probably arrange for my husband to meet me part way to swap dogs. I only generally take one dog with me at a time.
Thanks, guys! I can see this will need some more thought, particularly due to the sniffing and exploring. In fact, on our walk last night, our dog decided to explore some very long grass and found it so exciting that he wanted to stay there for 20 minutes! What I might do is start off with a walk with plenty of opportunity to sniff and explore and then do a bout of running and end with a walk. I'll give it a try! I'll also bear in mind the joint thing. There's quite a lot of woodland where we walk, so I think could work.
