Exercising with Dogs

geebusuk

IS that your pooch in your profile pic? If so, he is GORGEOUS!!!!!!

Yep, cheers.

Should note I went out for a quick 5k at the weekend to get him some exercise and had it off leash just fine for the whole trip - roads and off-road, but was on my own.

It was a bit cold and I wanted my hands in my muffs (motorcycle handlebar muffs on the push bike), so stuck the lead through my belt. Seemed to do well on that.
His fitness has definitely improved a bit since last time I was working here - tonight he barely slowed down at all through the ride. Didn't have my phone recording, but a reasonable clip for a dog his size to keep going at.

JMoore221979

Yea I have tried to run with my lab but he gets so excited he tries to jump on me lol. usually if we make it past the first half mile or so he settles down and runs next to me but that is rare. I usually end up walking fast with him or he is actually pretty good at doing sprints with me once he figures it out.

briynnwow

I have 2 Japanese Chins (ankle-biter size) and unfortuately the boy has had arthritis since age 2 so we don't do much running. He loves when I chase him around the house though; it is his favorite game. As for the little girl, she loves running, hiking, and dancing. We went on a 7 mile hike once and she was still ready to keep going. She also likes when I hold her and do belly dancing.

jenschroll

Hubby and I have a Bluetick Coonhound and a Basset/Beagle Mix. I doubt they'll ever be running companions to me, but they're great for nice, long walks on an active rest day.

GillianMcK

I run with my two Husky crosses... I mentioned doing this last year and someone gave me a lot of grief over it. Very glad to see other people here who run with their dogs.

It can be hard on them. My vet recommended that they don't run longer than 30 minutes at a time and no more than 1 hour a day. Also, some breeds shouldn't run at all because they are prone to hip dysplasia and contrary to popular belief, running does not help prevent that. Also, after a certain age, running time should be significantly decreased.

I definitely don't run for more than 20 minutes with them at a time. I can run longer on my own but with the dogs, it's too much for me (and for them). Thanks for posting that though so other owners can be aware

With sled dog and cold weather types (newfies, pyrn, bern etc) types my biggest concern would be them over-heating, dogs (particularly large breeds) should really be running much prior to 18mnths because of joint issues that can be caused later in life, better to wait and be able to run with them later than screw up their joints at a young age.

I run with a ridgeback, 4yrs old, always trails, avoid the pounding tarmac (again for joints but thats just me, see plenty of dogs out pounding the tarmac)

geebusuk

I presume from the half St-Bernard side of my dog doesn't do so well in the heat - evening runs in the summer or keep to winter/spring/autumn for long day time runs.

HealthyishWithMaggieG

So, I was standing at the foot of my bed, the other day, and Rico was standing on the bed, in front of me. I reached down to give him a little hug and thought of this thread. I thought, "Yeah, let's try those dog curls." Apparently, I wasn't the only one that gained weight over the past year. If I had to guess, my 70 pound dog is closer to 80 pounds now. I managed to pick him up to chest height, once, and sat him back on the bed. He was calm when I was holding him, but when I reached down to pick him up again, he sat on my arm. I guess he's not havin' it. Oh, well... guess we'll just have to get out and walk.