Running with Dogs

anastasiawildflower

Maybe it was the weather being so nice and warm (40 degrees in Minnesota) or the quote I stumbled upon the other day "It doesn't matter if you run 1 mile or 15, you will never regret lacing up those shoes.", but I decided, really decided, to start running. I thought my dogs would love it. So I mapped a 2 mile neighborhood run.

We started out walking briskly so they could do their puppy* things and then we started running. After a little while though Big Bear sort of lost interest and tried to pee on every tree we passed. I still tried to keep in pace, pulling him along and cheering for him to catch up. He just wouldn't stop though. I know a lot of it has to do with the fact that usually their mum doesn't run for more than 30 seconds at a time and that they really don't have an established walking etiquette. Kitty was great though aside from being right under my feet a couple times. He ran right along side me.

I am fairly sure they will get the hang of it soon and our runs will be less frustrating. They just need more leash training I guess. Is there anything that helped you when YOU got started running, especially with a pet, and made things work out more smoothly? Should I leave them home a couple times until we get taking walking etiquette down or just endure and hope Big Bear gets the hang of it?

All this puppy business aside, I am really proud of myself for lacing up and taking advantage of the day. I hope I can do the same tomorrow before work. I live in too beautiful of an area to not get out more. No excuses, especially with no snow on the ground currently.

* When I talk about my puppies, they are actually 2 year old full-sized dachshunds with tons of energy.