Increasing a dog's stamina on runs?

SuperSexyDork
SuperSexyDork Posts: 1,669 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
HELP! Anyone have advice on how to increase a dog's stamina? My black lab used to run 5-7 miles with me without much problem. Lately though, because it's been so hot and rainy (past 2 months or so), I've only taken her for shorter walks and one five mile hike as she is black and hates the rain.

I tried to take her for an easy 3 miles today (5.25 mph avg pace) but by 1.5 miles she's was lagging behind. At 2 miles, I had to walk (very slowly) with her as she could not/would not trot anymore. It was a little after 7 when we left and 72°.

Should I train her the same as a person would by slowly increasing distance and pace?

Replies

  • btsinmd
    btsinmd Posts: 921 Member
    She needs to be aclimatized to the heat and humidity as well as to the distance, so yes you will need to very slowly increase the distance and pace. But, since she can't sweat I'd be very conservative about how hot it is when she goes out. I don't take my dog unless the temp is under 75-78F and we're not running directly in the sun. I keep my house that temp too, so it's not so dramatically different than the temp we run in. The humidity is very bad here.

    It means we need to run at or before dawn and he might not run at all in August, but it's the best I can do.
    .
  • Azdak
    Azdak Posts: 8,281 Member
    I would listen to what your dog is desperately trying to tell you and stop trying to drag it out on 5 mile runs in the heat.
  • BeachIron
    BeachIron Posts: 6,490 Member
    I agree with the above posters. Dogs don't sweat and a human can easily out distance a dog.
  • SuperSexyDork
    SuperSexyDork Posts: 1,669 Member
    I would listen to what your dog is desperately trying to tell you and stop trying to drag it out on 5 mile runs in the heat.

    She enjoys running. She enjoys walking. I'm not dragging her. If i try to leave her at the house she whines and barks so loudly that neighbors complain. I am listening to her. She desperately wants to run and has previously been capable of it.

    I listen to her cues (stop and walk when she needs it) and I don't take her out when the heat is excessive.

    I was simply trying to get advice on how to bring her up to her previous level of fitness. Its disconcerting to me and seems upsetting to her that she cannot do what she wants to. Does it make me a bad pet owner for trying to help her improve?

    Edit: spelling and quotes messed up.
  • FearAnLoathingJ
    FearAnLoathingJ Posts: 337 Member
    How old is she? If she is getting older it might just be that
  • billsica
    billsica Posts: 4,741 Member
    How old is she? If she is getting older it might just be that

    This, time to put that old dog down and get a new one. Try a different breed for running.
  • SuperSexyDork
    SuperSexyDork Posts: 1,669 Member
    How old is she? If she is getting older it might just be that

    This, time to put that old dog down and get a new one. Try a different breed for running.

    She's 6 and thanks for trolling by, billsica :glasses:
  • SuperSexyDork
    SuperSexyDork Posts: 1,669 Member
    She needs to be aclimatized to the heat and humidity as well as to the distance, so yes you will need to very slowly increase the distance and pace. But, since she can't sweat I'd be very conservative about how hot it is when she goes out. I don't take my dog unless the temp is under 75-78F and we're not running directly in the sun. I keep my house that temp too, so it's not so dramatically different than the temp we run in. The humidity is very bad here.

    It means we need to run at or before dawn and he might not run at all in August, but it's the best I can do.
    .

    Thank you for your advice. We both live in MD where we both know it's hot and humid.
  • Mother_Superior
    Mother_Superior Posts: 1,624 Member
    I agree with the above posters. Dogs don't sweat and a human can easily out distance a dog.

    I know several mailmen who would disagree with you.

    NWSND00Z.jpg
  • Alatariel75
    Alatariel75 Posts: 18,341 Member
    Does she like to swim? Is there any way she can swim first and go for a run when she's good and wet? my old blue heeler used to flag in the heat on our walks until we started walking past a park with a pond. She'd be in there in a flash, paddle about and be good for an extra half hour walk after
  • Healingnutritionsolutions
    Healingnutritionsolutions Posts: 134 Member
    As long as she is healthy and able I would just take her when it's cooler and for the distance she can go. It makes sense to me that conditioning should be gradual - even for an animal. I had an Aussie when I was a girl that lived to 17 years and he used to go on 20 mile cross country horseback rides with me. Now, I have a Yorkie - who can't do over a mile, and a Rottweiler who can easily do 3 miles. We just rotate who takes which animal and/ or when. We live in the southern US so hot and humid a lot of the year. I used to train Arabian horses for endurance and it was the same principle... just like a human, but paying close attention to animal cues to their health, which can be very subtle... You seem to be paying good attention so I think your dog is in good hands... Might need to take her for a mile or two, bring her home, then go back for more yourself... May wanna check with dog training sites, veterinary sites and/ or your own vet. Bleh to putting any dog down unless it's truly sick. :sad:
  • Lupercalia
    Lupercalia Posts: 1,857 Member
    I'd just listen to your dog. It sounds like she'd be running if she felt up to it, but she doesn't for whatever reason. It could be age related, it could be the heat, it could be that the pavement's too hot (if you're running on pavement), etc. Who knows. If you can, you might try going out when the sun isn't up and see if that helps, otherwise I'd just enjoy going on walks with her.
  • __Di__
    __Di__ Posts: 1,659 Member
    I would listen to what your dog is desperately trying to tell you and stop trying to drag it out on 5 mile runs in the heat.

    She enjoys running. She enjoys walking. I'm not dragging her. If i try to leave her at the house she whines and barks so loudly that neighbors complain. I am listening to her. She desperately wants to run and has previously been capable of it.

    I listen to her cues (stop and walk when she needs it) and I don't take her out when the heat is excessive.

    I was simply trying to get advice on how to bring her up to her previous level of fitness. Its disconcerting to me and seems upsetting to her that she cannot do what she wants to. Does it make me a bad pet owner for trying to help her improve?

    Edit: spelling and quotes messed up.

    It's exactly the same for humans, many of us can no longer do what we used to be able to do, it is just the way it is. Even if a person has been keeping fit and active virtually all their life, they will still slow down as they get older.

    Take her for her walks, do not force her to run and then go for your own run on your own, that way, she gets her exercise and you get your training in.

    Your dog is six years old, the average lifespan of a Lab is 12-13 years, she is around halfway through, she is not a pup anymore.
  • Healingnutritionsolutions
    Healingnutritionsolutions Posts: 134 Member
    Does she like to swim? Is there any way she can swim first and go for a run when she's good and wet? my old blue heeler used to flag in the heat on our walks until we started walking past a park with a pond. She'd be in there in a flash, paddle about and be good for an extra half hour walk after

    I really like this idea - or a midway break for a swim... Being a lab - most like to play in the water even if they don't like to really swim...
  • healthyKYgirl
    healthyKYgirl Posts: 272 Member
    Bring water with you on your runs your dog. Start the distance slowly. Could you start by running 1/2-1 mile, turning around and bringing her home (1-2 miles total), and then you continue your run for another 3-5 miles alone while she's at home recovering (hopefully too tired to bark), and then add distance over time? Dogs do respond to training like humans in that they have to work up to it. I had a chubby dog and abused dog that I adopted, and we had to start walking together for short distances. She just was not able to do walk very far at first. When the weight dropped and she got used to it more, she got into better shape and was able to do more distance/time.
  • SuperSexyDork
    SuperSexyDork Posts: 1,669 Member
    Does she like to swim? Is there any way she can swim first and go for a run when she's good and wet? my old blue heeler used to flag in the heat on our walks until we started walking past a park with a pond. She'd be in there in a flash, paddle about and be good for an extra half hour walk after

    I really like this idea - or a midway break for a swim... Being a lab - most like to play in the water even if they don't like to really swim...

    I really wish this woukd work. However, she is the strangest lab ever and hates water. I could tell she was overheating one day last week and we weren't anywhere with air conditioning. I tried getting her in the lake. I had to drag her in and even then she refused to go past her knees and whined when I poured water over her.
  • LorinaLynn
    LorinaLynn Posts: 13,247 Member
    How old is she? If she is getting older it might just be that

    This, time to put that old dog down and get a new one. Try a different breed for running.

    She's 6 and thanks for trolling by, billsica :glasses:

    Over seven is considered a senior in dogs. She's not a young'un anymore.

    I wouldn't push to try to get her to run faster or longer. Just go at her pace. If you didn't get enough of a burn, bring her home and go out again by yourself.
    Does it make me a bad pet owner for trying to help her improve?

    Why does she need to improve?
  • fooninie
    fooninie Posts: 291 Member
    I have a boxer who can not run in the heat at all. When I do run in moderate temperatures, I bring a camelbak (the big backpack) and give him water every few minutes. I tend to run sans furry-friend in the summer for this reason. Labs are quite a bit furrier than my guy so I can see how they could easily overheat in a short distance. If you have trails close to you, I would recommend going in there as there is plenty of shade for the pup.
  • JustJennie1
    JustJennie1 Posts: 3,749 Member
    How old is she? If she is getting older it might just be that

    This, time to put that old dog down and get a new one. Try a different breed for running.

    :huh: I really hope you're not serious and you're just saying to not run with the dog.

    OP: I think because it's getting more hot and humid out that your dog is just not taking well to the heat and humidity. In all honesty I would nix taking her on runs with me if it were my dog. Dogs don't sweat (which is why they pant) and it could be that she just can't handle the runs in the high temperatures.
  • GiddyupTim
    GiddyupTim Posts: 2,819 Member
    The others are right. You have to listen to the dog. Dogs are desperate to please, and they will keep going when they are in pain or should not just so they do not let you down. Also, six and seven years is when dogs become older, especially larger breeds like a lab. They just slow down.
    Be gentle.
  • froeschli
    froeschli Posts: 1,293 Member
    6 years would put her near the 'senior dog'-label (according to my vet it starts at 7 for larger breeds).
    the dog may want to run, to please you, to be with you, BUT your dog is like a child in that respect - they don't always know what's good for them. this is where you are the parent, and you have to take responsibility and put their health first.
    My GSD used to play for hours on end, but these days he barely manages 20 minutes just walking in the heat. i'd love him to be able to do more, but it would be cruel and stupid to try and make him.

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