Exercising with Dogs

Wondering if anyone else out there exercises with their dog? Or cat, or turtle, or hedgehog....

I have a Heeler and I run with him regularly. I just got a RuffWear Roamer leash off of eBay, I haven't tried it yet (might do that tonight) but I think it would be better than just holding on for dear life. Plus apparently you have to swing your arms a certain way to run properly and that cannot be done (well) with holding a leash.

I also just got into bikejoring which is a LOT of fun. I'd like to get into canicross and snowboardjoring (not sure of the right name for it?) in the future.

I love dogs and I'd love to hear about them all. What breed do you have? What do you do with your dogs? What would you LIKE to do? If you don't exercise with your dog.... why not/would you like to? And worst/best things about exercising with your dog.

(Best thing: Not feeling as scared when I'm out running/biking alone. Worst thing: If he sees deer, he tries to herd them.)
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Replies

  • CardiacLioness
    CardiacLioness Posts: 26 Member

    Laughing at this thread but not in a bad way but in an understanding way. When I first started running with my Heeler, he also tried to herd me.
    Also nice/cool to see that you also have a herding breed. Probably my favorite type. I love their independence and intelligence, even when it's too much for their own good..
  • Booksandbeaches
    Booksandbeaches Posts: 1,791 Member
    Wondering if anyone else out there exercises with their dog? Or cat, or turtle, or hedgehog....

    I have a Heeler and I run with him regularly. I just got a RuffWear Roamer leash off of eBay, I haven't tried it yet (might do that tonight) but I think it would be better than just holding on for dear life. Plus apparently you have to swing your arms a certain way to run properly and that cannot be done (well) with holding a leash.

    I also just got into bikejoring which is a LOT of fun. I'd like to get into canicross and snowboardjoring (not sure of the right name for it?) in the future.

    I love dogs and I'd love to hear about them all. What breed do you have? What do you do with your dogs? What would you LIKE to do? If you don't exercise with your dog.... why not/would you like to? And worst/best things about exercising with your dog.

    (Best thing: Not feeling as scared when I'm out running/biking alone. Worst thing: If he sees deer, he tries to herd them.)

    I have a golden retriever mix and a black lab. Both females. I mostly walk them on a leash. I don't walk them at the same time though. They don't walk at the same pace. The black lab is much faster and more energetic. They also go to parks and doggie parks. They love being outdoors. The black lab loves the water...beach, lakes.

    Having to pick up their poop is the worst part about taking them anywhere with me.
  • craftywitch_63
    craftywitch_63 Posts: 829 Member
    I have five dogs and my shepherd mix tries to herd as well. I also have four cats. I don't try to exercise with my animals because keeping up with 9 animals, or even 5, is kind of daunting! :laugh: Besides that, I workout at a gym pretty exclusively and my animals would not be welcome.

    Fortunately, I have a very large yard and they have full run of it, so I don't have to worry about having fat dogs. The cats, well, have you ever tried to exercise with a cat?

    jrM1sz2.jpg
  • CardiacLioness
    CardiacLioness Posts: 26 Member
    Wondering if anyone else out there exercises with their dog? Or cat, or turtle, or hedgehog....

    I have a Heeler and I run with him regularly. I just got a RuffWear Roamer leash off of eBay, I haven't tried it yet (might do that tonight) but I think it would be better than just holding on for dear life. Plus apparently you have to swing your arms a certain way to run properly and that cannot be done (well) with holding a leash.

    I also just got into bikejoring which is a LOT of fun. I'd like to get into canicross and snowboardjoring (not sure of the right name for it?) in the future.

    I love dogs and I'd love to hear about them all. What breed do you have? What do you do with your dogs? What would you LIKE to do? If you don't exercise with your dog.... why not/would you like to? And worst/best things about exercising with your dog.

    (Best thing: Not feeling as scared when I'm out running/biking alone. Worst thing: If he sees deer, he tries to herd them.)

    I have a golden retriever mix and a black lab. Both females. I mostly walk them on a leash. I don't walk them at the same time though. They don't walk at the same pace. The black lab is much faster and more energetic. They also go to parks and doggie parks. They love being outdoors. The black lab loves the water...beach, lakes.

    Having to pick up their poop is the worst part about taking them anywhere with me.

    I love love love labs and goldens. I had a black lab growing up, and my best friend had a chocolate lab that I adored. Really dislike how the showing world thinks they should look (like sausages! The Labs at the Westminster are CHUNKY) but I love love love a lean retriever. One that actually looks like it would be a good hunting dog LOL.
  • CardiacLioness
    CardiacLioness Posts: 26 Member
    I have five dogs and my shepherd mix tries to herd as well. I also have four cats. I don't try to exercise with my animals because keeping up with 9 animals, or even 5, is kind of daunting! :laugh: Besides that, I workout at a gym pretty exclusively and my animals would not be welcome.

    Fortunately, I have a very large yard and they have full run of it, so I don't have to worry about having fat dogs. The cats, well, have you ever tried to exercise with a cat?

    jrM1sz2.jpg

    Wow! That's a lot of dogs. I hope to own that many eventually (or more.. it depends on the space I have haha) . Glad to hear they have a huge yard :D

    As for exercising cats.... it's actually something I kind of want to try LOL. Cats can be trained to walk/run on the harness and exercise is very good for domestic cats, particularly those who lead only indoor lives (as they should.)
    Also found this while googling 'jogging with cat'
    http://www.animalplanet.com/tv-shows/must-love-cats/videos/incredible-jogging-cat.htm
  • sshintaku
    sshintaku Posts: 228 Member
    I have a black lab/pit mix that both my husband and I take running. He loves it and is an easy runner, except when we encounter cats! Then, I get an arm workout in with my cardio pulling a spastic 70lb down the street. I also sometimes take my chihuahua mix running. He has no problem keeping up and will do 3 miles easily, but he does want to stop and pee on EVERYTHING.
  • gunshyangel78
    gunshyangel78 Posts: 24 Member
    I have 8 dogs, we live out in the country, but I aim to walk with at least 4 of them every day, (2 at a time) My great pyrs are lazy, and just bumble along, but when I wanna kick up the pace I grab my Malamute and Huskie mix and let them walk me buwahahahhahaha!
  • rayvynn5374
    rayvynn5374 Posts: 272 Member
    We have 2 Australian Cattle Dogs. One is too old to run, the female runs with us as we train for a half marathon. My hubby has trained her to stay on his left. She only pulls and acts stupid if I get out front or she sees an animal. ANY ANIMAL~!!!!!!!!!! We have her on a pinch collar that I don't think has ever pinched her and a regular heavy duty nylon leash. The leash has a hand loop. I don't care what the new research says..that dogs shows remorse for anything that she knows was wrong. Broke the bird bath a year ago still won't go near it if we say bird bath. And puts her little ears down.
  • CardiacLioness
    CardiacLioness Posts: 26 Member
    I have 8 dogs, we live out in the country, but I aim to walk with at least 4 of them every day, (2 at a time) My great pyrs are lazy, and just bumble along, but when I wanna kick up the pace I grab my Malamute and Huskie mix and let them walk me buwahahahhahaha!

    Pyreneese and Bernese Mountain Dogs are some of my favorite dogs, although I would probably only get one when I'm much older and not as active as I am now... or maybe I'll just try to get a particularly hyper Mountain Dog.
    Huskys are also great, but geez that is a lot of energy! Still, I want to get one someday; dog sledding is a sport I would love to try. Have you considered joring with them?
  • CardiacLioness
    CardiacLioness Posts: 26 Member
    We have 2 Australian Cattle Dogs. One is too old to run, the female runs with us as we train for a half marathon. My hubby has trained her to stay on his left. She only pulls and acts stupid if I get out front or she sees an animal. ANY ANIMAL~!!!!!!!!!! We have her on a pinch collar that I don't think has ever pinched her and a regular heavy duty nylon leash. The leash has a hand loop. I don't care what the new research says..that dogs shows remorse for anything that she knows was wrong. Broke the bird bath a year ago still won't go near it if we say bird bath. And puts her little ears down.

    Awesome to see another ACD lover on here. YES they are very smart dogs... who will herd any animal. Even impossible to herd animals like cats :noway:
  • jeanniewes
    jeanniewes Posts: 3,856 Member
    Our little girls are little...lol BUT THEY LOVE TOO WALK. When my 6 year old Beagle/Jack Russel mix was a puppy we would walk 4 or 5 miles. Six months later our neighbor begged us too take their Full Blooded minature Jack Russel. She is a year younger than the other. It was difficult too walk 4 or 5 miles with them both. STILL we do a good 3.25 Miles together almost every single day especially in the warm weather. In winter we try too do as much as possible but there have been some days this year we had too miss... Our little gilrs are pictured in my Avatar....


    EDIT: I almost forgot too say that the Older Dog weighs 17 pounds. The younger fluctuates between 9 and 10 pounds...
  • allotmentgardener
    allotmentgardener Posts: 248 Member
    We have a husky and a malamute. As the picture shows, their 'after walk' stance :)
    They love being out - both were rescue dogs with not good pasts but I like to think they are well settled now. The husky is 11years and the Maly 7 years.
  • I used to go walking/running with my horse when he was a baby - we were quite a sight!!! These days he is old enough to ride so I do that for exercise now :D
  • FinallyDoingMe
    FinallyDoingMe Posts: 84 Member
    Oh yes a Husky will run your butt ragged! Ours clearly thinks she is the lead and I let her! lol
    I have 8 dogs, we live out in the country, but I aim to walk with at least 4 of them every day, (2 at a time) My great pyrs are lazy, and just bumble along, but when I wanna kick up the pace I grab my Malamute and Huskie mix and let them walk me buwahahahhahaha!
  • jasonpclement
    jasonpclement Posts: 146 Member
    My wife has an Australian Shepherd. She runs w/ him, and I take him mountain biking. She is just starting to skijore (spelling) with him as well.

    He really likes cross country skiing as well.

    I have found Mtn biking to be the funnest activity with him, especially with a small group of people. Due to all the switch backs, he often thinks our group is breaking apart, since for a moment we might be going in opposite directions. You can see the stress that causes him because of his herding instincts. He wants the group of bikers to stay together, all the time.
  • supermysza
    supermysza Posts: 167 Member
    I have a lab who loves running with me :smile:
    I tried cycling with her but she knocked me over so no more cycling for her :grumble:
  • tedrickp
    tedrickp Posts: 1,229 Member
    I have an english bulldog that would make probably the worst exercise partner ever. However, she makes a great couch potato companion.

    A friend of mine had a boxer, and I was always blown away by how well he was trained. First off - he didn't go to the bathroom on their walk/run at all - he went in the backyard before or after walk. She had a leash that attached to her waist - and he would JUST walk/run on their walk - it was for pure exercise. No sniffing, no cocking of leg...just walking. My friend was clearly a much more patient trainer than I.
  • plumsparkle
    plumsparkle Posts: 203 Member
    I run through the woods with my neighbours yorkshire terrier, but I am a bit ashamed to say that the speed i run at, the dog barely breaks out of a trot! But when i am getting puffed out and need a little rest, stopping to call him and wait for him to stop sniffing whatever he has found and catch up is a good excuse for a breather - tho i do try not to do that too often!
  • sunnshhiine
    sunnshhiine Posts: 727 Member
    I have an Italian Greyhound. We walk together almost every day when it's warm enough outside.
  • Mia_RagazzaTosta
    Mia_RagazzaTosta Posts: 4,885 Member
    I used to run with my German Shepherd but he is so bad on a leash and he would peter out before I was done. He makes an excellent bum, though.
  • jerren
    jerren Posts: 196
    I've used the walky dog with my German Shepherd dog. Its seems like the only sensible option to me for walking a dog while on your bike. http://www.thedogoutdoors.com/walkydog-dog-bike-leash.html
  • 4legsRbetterthan2
    4legsRbetterthan2 Posts: 19,590 MFP Moderator
    I have a catahoula. She is about 10 months old right now. I take her running, when I trail ride my horse, walking, hiking, and just go play in the back yard with her. I have a nathan 5k belt and just hook a retractable leash through it so I don't have to hold the leash. I spend a good amount of time training my dogs. She knows when we run it is for exercise and she is to pay attention to me and stay in line (at least when we are on roads). If we are doing something in the woods then she is off leash and can do whatever she wants for the most part. If we run into other hikers, riders, runners then we just pull over, I tell her sit and stay while they pass, and then we go on our merry way.
  • I have two Jack Russell mixes, but I don't run with them. They like to walk, but I'm afraid of exhausting them if we run, or tripping over them, honestly!
  • rainydays5
    rainydays5 Posts: 217 Member
    We have a chocolate lab (his name is Mud :) He is not very good on a leash but still I try to walk him everyday. Hoping he will calm down a bit as he ages, he will be 2 (people years) this summer.

    I had never heard of bikejoring before and had to google. I love biking and have just been waiting for the weather to warm up and snow to melt so I can start going on my rides again. Not sure I could handle my dog pulling me though.
  • SamMorBelsmom
    SamMorBelsmom Posts: 164 Member
    We actually just rescued a Yellow Lab/Irish Setter Mix. She is two years old and weights 50 lbs now, was at 45 but she was malnourished. Vet said by the time she is three she should be 60 lbs full grown. She is a great runner when she is on her pinch collar. She does great when I am jogging, but when I walk, I am too slow for her and she jumps and pulls and meanders and she is leash aggressive towards other dogs. When she is off the leash, she is fine, but on the leash, she feels trapped and barks and goes into attack mode like a beast!

    My biggest poo poo about owning a dog...is the dog hair...all over...in everything. I thought I would be used to it as I have two cats but this is way worse...
  • WranglerMichelle
    WranglerMichelle Posts: 529 Member
    I've got a Black Lab/Pit mix that goes running with me. He's nearly 10, and he still outruns me every time! He's an excellent pace coach, and I even get some agility training when he smells something interesting on the other side of me. :laugh: When we're not running, I take him hiking and let him off the leash so he can explore. He's the perfect exercise buddy. We keep each other in shape. I keep him on a glucosamine chondroitin supplement so the wear and tear on his joints is minimized.

    I used to have a horse that I would ride for exercise, too, and my dog would come on trail rides with us. I don't have a horse anymore, but I still ride. Super fun way to exercise.
  • 4legsRbetterthan2
    4legsRbetterthan2 Posts: 19,590 MFP Moderator
    I have two Jack Russell mixes, but I don't run with them. They like to walk, but I'm afraid of exhausting them if we run, or tripping over them, honestly!

    I had a jack russell in the past and he was very well behaved but really struggled as a running buddy. I think the problem was my pace was just really uncomefortable for him. His trot was not fast enough but his run would leave me in the dust, so he would trot and fall behind then run and catch up and then fall behind again. He really tried though!
  • ninav1980
    ninav1980 Posts: 514 Member
    Funny you posted this because just the other day I did squats while holding my puppy, lol
    Shes a little 8 lbs Maltese. I felt bad because she was just staring at me while I was doing my workout wanting to play, so I picked her up and made her part of my work out! Funny enough, it made my squats easier. I think she made me balance myself better so I was able to have better form. Yay for puppies!!!
  • clover5
    clover5 Posts: 1,640 Member
    I run and walk with my dog regularly. She loves it and always gets excited when she sees me getting ready to go. I have a long leash for running, about 12 feet, that I wear at my waist. That way I can run with free hands, and she has a little more leeway. I've been working with her on walk day to stop pulling, and noticed improvement while running yesterday. She is a 22 pound poodle/cockerspaniel mix.