Dogs and Running

juliet3455

genpopadopolous wrote: »

I can't figure out how to add a picture! Argh!

@genpopadopolous From a PC At the top of the Reply/Message block are a group of editing symbols
Just hover your mouse pointer over them and a drop down will appear describing the function.
You want the page with a corner turned down for attach image/file

WickAndArtoo

dewd2 wrote: »

Seeing this cool pics makes me want a dog to run with.

I wonder if I could teach my cat to run with me?

Haha!!! Good luck with the cat!! one thing (that you may already know but I did not) to keep in mind is that they recommend to not run a dog until they are 1-2 years old (depending on breeds) because their growth plates aren't closed yet and it can affect their joints/bones. Which means if you get a puppy, they will not be a running buddy for a while but adult dogs are fully grown and running ready!! Another perk to adopting adults lol.

kristinaschmidt129142

I bring my 5 1/2 year old chocolate lab with me on every run. We do about 16 miles every week and she loves it! We started off on short runs as I was out of shape and she got used to it. One tip I have if you don't already have it is to buy a waist leash that has a bungee on it that attaches to your dogs harness. That way if there's another dog or animal around, you won't get completely yanked off step if your dog chases something.

Good luck, this is great for you and your dog!

WickAndArtoo

@kristinaschmidt129142 thanks for the tip, I definitely am going to get one, luckily he is pretty small (40 lbs) but boy when he sees a rabbit it feels like 100!

WickAndArtoo

@Asher_Ethan Wick unfortunately got attacked by an offleash dog last year and was injured pretty severely, he has been very vocal about his fear of dogs ever since. he is getting much much better recently so there is hope!

peleroja

So cute!

My dog is still a puppy but we got him planning for me to run with him as soon as we get the vet's OK that he's finished growing and ready to run (so next summer/fall). I am so excited to have a running buddy so I hope he takes to it. I've been reading online that you should start them with a walk/run program like new human runners, so that's my plan right now.

WickAndArtoo

@peleroja how exciting!! It's so hard to wait for them to be fully grown!!! But totally worth it. What kind of puppy do you have??

GiddyupTim

I have an Australian kelpie and she used to run with us, when she was younger.
We never went more than 5 miles though, and usually stopped and gave her some time off leash in the middle. (During which time she used to try to herd us, course!)
Can I suggest that you be careful and not go too far? Dogs want to please us and it is hard to know when they are overdoing it when they are on a leash and we keep going. I've seen dogs do amazing things -- and I know wolves can cover 50 miles and even more in a single day. But I think it is better to err on the side of caution with a pet.

watts6151

My 5 year old blue Merle
After a thrashing

shagerty777

Here's my running buddy! She's half border collie, 1/4 shepherd and 1/4 black lab. At about 10 years old she can still outrun me! I think she should have been a sled dog, she sure thinks I'm a sled to be pulled. I usually run about two miles with her then drop her at the house and finish my run.

dublinseacow

HI! I run with all three of my German shepherds, not all at one time. When I injured my hand a few years ago, I came across a hands free running technique called canicross. I purchased some pulling gear from a local mushing store and a book about skijoring (skills transfer to running) and went to work on my dogs. I have one GSD, Thunder, that lives for running. He focuses in on the act and will ignore all distractions. He's a blast to run with as he helps me go faster, and I slow him down. I purchased some towlines and now I can run two dogs at a time. My other two dogs enjoy running, and will run together. They are much slower than Thunder. I would reccomend canicross to anyone. Also I have the bike tow leash as well and love it!

WickAndArtoo

@dublinseacow did the book teach you how to give commands of some sort to direct a dog in front?

WickAndArtoo

@shagerty777 is a there a reason you drop (your GORGEOUS) pup off and finish alone?

dublinseacow

@WickAndArtoo: yes, it does. The book is "Ski Spot Run" by Matt Haakenstad and John Thompson. I highly recommend it. Thunder gets too focused and just wants a straight line run. Teaching him turns was difficult, but he has finally learned to turn right. Left is still hard for him. Start first on your walks to teach the commands. Reward as they pick up on the commands. When there is mastery, add speed/running to the mix. The dogs learn quickly. I added a command "trot," to my dogs' repertoire as I needed to teach a command that meant "keep running, but at a slower pace." I taught whoa to mean slow down to a walk, stop as stop all movement. This one is good for emergencies and stoplight. I started with hike to get my dogs to pull, but it just got them sprinting and me struggling to keep my feet. I use "go," and start running myself so I am prepared for their speed. Canicross is a dog pulling sport. I want them to pull me. If I want them to run by my side, I would have to train them to do so.being pulled though is a fun experience.

EauRouge1

WickAndArtoo wrote: »

@dublinseacow did the book teach you how to give commands of some sort to direct a dog in front?

There are some really good intros to canicross on youtube. I got a lot of tips from the Canicross Scotland one. The only thing I taught my dog before we started running was 'stop'- this one is pretty essential! I also have a quick release catch on my belt just in case but she loves running so much that it's pretty easy to stop her chasing deer and squirrels.

The other commands we just kind of tried as we went along. You can teach them in the same way you teach any command- first get the action, then pair the action with a command, then lots of positive reinforcement. Some people use mushing terms but I just say 'stop', 'go left', 'go right, 'easy' (pacing is not our forte at the moment!), 'keep on' (for if they get distracted and start sniffing stuff), and when I need an extra burst of speed I do my very best Murray Walker 'GO GO GO!'

edit- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h6PWX9oRuQY&index=1&list=PLzYY0GZkrQ0YGDoaFuwPZgEb7O38AeHCD

shagerty777

@WickAndArtoo I do that because by then my arm is about to be yanked out of it's socket and I don't want to wear her out too badly at her age. This has been a great thread and without it I wouldn't know about canicross gear. I'll be in the market for some after the New Year!

tress29

dewd2 wrote: »

I wonder if I could teach my cat to run with me?

Ours walks with us!

pzarnosky

My running buddy! It was a hot day in MI lol

Play_outside

My Curly Coated Retriever runs with me, we are working on the couch to 5k with plans to run a half with her in the fall. She is a bonkers working dog and a 5 or 6km run is just a warm up for her. She literally runs circles around me and my other dog (Rhodesian Ridgeback, not especially fond of exercise haha). If the weather is horrible and I don't feel like running I just touch my running tights or shoes and then she's super amped and I have to go lol.

MelissaPhippsFeagins

My lab/pointer mix will only run until she smells something that she wants to hunt. Then it's over. She will chase whatever, but she will not continue to run. So, we walk. In the woods, if possible.
When I run, I have to leave her home.

WickAndArtoo

@Play_outside she is so cute! I have never seen a dog that looked like that Artoo is like that too about my running clothes, I will leaves them in the middle of the floor to avoid teasing him instead of putting them away if I accidentally led them out because it breaks my heart to see him jump up

EauRouge1

@Play_outside What a cute dog! I think I've only ever met one curly before.

My lab and I went for a run this morning and got a new 5k PB- 26:50! I am pretty pleased with that. If I can figure out a way to get her to go for a poop before we run then we will be much faster. But like a lot of other dogs, once she knows we're going running she wants to go NOW. I use Runkeeper to track my pace etc and have it on loud so I can hear the updates. When my dog hears "activity started" she sticks her head down and sprints hahahaha.

Naruya

Such cute dogs! I see a few Aussies there, seems I made the right call getting one as a potential running partner.

My Aussie is still a 4-month-old pup though, so he's got a lot of growing to do before he can come join me on runs. It's been a while since I ran myself so running a C25K program to ease him into it will be a great way for me to get back into it too when the time comes. For now, we'll just enjoy nice walks and lots of playtime!

Here's a pic of my little Toby:

Daisy471

Aww, I miss my running partner! I used to run with my golden, but stopped taking him when he was about 12. We never ran very far or fast, but I didn't want to do anything that might hurt him. Old age got the best of him last spring, at 17 he had a good long life. We are nearly ready for another dog, and of course I want one that will run with me. Here's a picture of my Max in his post-running days, I think he was 13 when this was taken.

Play_outside

Thanks guys! She is very cute and wacky, so fun! They sure make the best running buds! I use RunKeeper as well. @EauRouge1 that is an amazing time way to go!!!