Dog Owners/Runners

JennaM222
JennaM222 Posts: 1,996 Member
edited 8:58AM in Chit-Chat
Hi Yall!

I am currently training for my first half marathon. I have a spot that I love to run outdoors, but the area can be sketchy at certain times of the day. Very early, and late at night. I love this trail becasue I ran a couple 5k races there before, and I know the exact distance I am running.

I have a 2 1/2 year old Pit bull/bull dog mix that I would love to take running with me when I go to my fave running spot. HOWEVER he is a maniac on a normal leash when I try to run with him. LOL it is NOT SAFE at all.

Are there any certain harnesses, gentle leaders, etc. that will keep him by my side at my pace?

Tosco & I thank you :)

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Replies

  • mrmanmeat
    mrmanmeat Posts: 1,968 Member
    I personally love Kurgo harness' - I have them for my dog and I sell them at my stores.
  • rprussell2004
    rprussell2004 Posts: 870 Member
    I have a 2 1/2 year old Pit bull ... he is a maniac ... NOT SAFE at all.

    ZOMG A PIT BULL LOCK HIM IN THE CLOSET AWAY FROM MANKIND FOREVER!

    There, I just thought I'd get that out of the way for future posters.

    Our poodle does the same thing - SNIFF on the left - SNIFF on the right - DEAD HALT from a trot. It's annoying as hell. They make a harness sort of thing, example:

    http://www.petexpertise.com/dog-collars-dog-harnesses/no-pull-dog-harnesses/easy-walk-no-pull-harness.html?sef_rewrite=1

    it's not painful, but apparently makes them not want to pull and yank around.

    (We haven't tried it.)

    Good luck!
  • ymca1980
    ymca1980 Posts: 4 Member
    Maybe try a waist lead/ leash?

    If you google that (or Canicross) you may find the sort of thing you are looking for. Specifically designed for running with your dog.

    And Tosco looks gorgeous :o)
  • ZombieChaser
    ZombieChaser Posts: 1,555 Member
    Hey girl!

    Yes, there are tons of tools you can use :) When I run my Lilly, she wears her Halti - but there are also gentle leaders and a harness with the "O" ring on the chest of the dog, although I've never used that one.

    With my experience with my crazy lab border collie mix, I would definitly recommend starting with a halti-style leader. It's going to take some time for Tosco to get used to it, but eventually if you stay consistent, it'll become routine Halti = RUN yay!

    Hope this helps ;)
  • Emmabulliemum
    Emmabulliemum Posts: 294 Member
    OMG!!! what a cute dog!1 Good luck with the training!
    sorry this is not as helpful but I have seen a person near me with a husky on a harness attached to her waist. Not sure of the name of it tho :@( sorry
  • _ylime_
    _ylime_ Posts: 661 Member
    I have a pitbull mix, and an american bulldog... both were crazy on the leash when we first got them - now I run with both of them (rollerblade and bike too). It may take a little time for your pup to get use to it but I use the gentle leaders with both dogs... it works great for us. Once he is doing well on the normal leash you can move to a hands free leash (basically a leash clipped to a belt you wear...) <-- they are great for running! Good luck!
  • LuneBleu85
    LuneBleu85 Posts: 217
    I am spoiled and can usually let my dogs just run beside me as it seems no one uses the paths around my house! I used to run with them and found that they were a bit nutty at first but after a few kms we were all in sync. My mom bought these things called "gentle leaders" for them. It would be similar to a haltee. I don't use them but my mom does if she's watching the dogs.

    Harnesses just encourage pulling unfortunately. Try a gentle leader and see how it works :)
  • erxkeel
    erxkeel Posts: 553 Member
    YUP My 200# Dane runs perfect in his HALTI collar. much like a horse lead.
  • meg7399
    meg7399 Posts: 672 Member
    Maybe thats a good thing! You can run really fast! hehehe, sorry no real advice. My dog is slow and likes to stop every few minutes to sniff and he is a horrible running partner. If you can't find something for the dog, consider a new location. You can get apps for your phone that can calculate distance if that is a concern.
  • bbriscoe13
    bbriscoe13 Posts: 175 Member
    My pits are the same way and I would love to take them running. I would love to see what people suggest! :)
  • kskostamikel
    kskostamikel Posts: 31
    When we first got our dogs our trainer recommended a body harness that has the hook for the leash on the front rather than up on the back. It works wonderfully because if the dog tries to pull it flips them around and they soon learn it does them no good to try and jog ahead. Also, use a regular leash and not the extendable ones or the harness does no good.
  • mabear74
    mabear74 Posts: 248
    I have a dog that is the same way....I use a harness, and I find that once I build up speed the dog isn't sniffing around anymore and just runs steady with me. If I'm at a slower pace though he's all over the place.
  • nikita138
    nikita138 Posts: 3
    I use a pinch collar with my dogs, it looked and sounded a little harsh to me at first but it worked great for them. i have a 100 lb lab and a pit <both are big babies lol> that used to pull at regular collars to the point where i was afraid they were going to injure their neck. as soon as the pinch collar went on they now walk right beside me. Good luck!
  • berv0009
    berv0009 Posts: 454 Member
    http://poshpetlife.com/stuff/training/premier-easy-walk-dog-harness/

    I have this one!!!!!!!!!!! :)

    and it works like a charm. Raine used to pull like crazy on a regular leash -- but now when he wears this he stays right by me. It doesn't hurt them - just feels awkward when the try and pull their body turns to the side (and they don't like it) so once they know - then they just stay by you :) Now Raine only needs like 1 foot of leash and that's it!

    I still only take him for about 2-3 mile runs though -- he gets tired haha
  • rprussell2004
    rprussell2004 Posts: 870 Member
    YUP My 200# Dane runs perfect in his HALTI collar. much like a horse lead.

    What - you don't have a saddle for him?
  • kfhoffman12
    kfhoffman12 Posts: 67
    I have a choker collar that I use on my german shepherd, the one with the prongs. When he pulls, it 'pinches' him and he stops. Literally was trained within one week straight of using it. I have always had big dogs and the choker collar with the prongs has always worked for me. If you use them correctly, they will not injure your dog. I have also had experience with the gentle leads... they work for some dogs but not mine, he pulled right thru it. Also, try using a shorter leash because you have more control over how far they can go with out yanking your arm off. Thats another perk of having a full body harness as well. You are able to control their whole body and not putting all of the pressure on their neck and throat. Give him some time to get used to it whatever method you choose. Pits and Bulldogs are great learners and I'm he just needs time to adjust. Good luck! :)
  • JennaM222
    JennaM222 Posts: 1,996 Member
    YUP My 200# Dane runs perfect in his HALTI collar. much like a horse lead.

    Do you use the one around the mouth/head or chest area? Thanks everyone for the advice!
  • kirstyg1980
    kirstyg1980 Posts: 302
    If you are running it really isn't fair to use a gentle leader, I don't even like them when walking but then I own huskies and they were bred to pull ;p

    your best bet would be to look into cani cross, there is a fb page called cani fit, you could join that, it's all about running with your dog

    I would suggest a harness similar to a manmat walking harness, a 6ft lead and a walkie belt, the walkie belt allows you to be hands free but still connected to the lead and dog.

    http://www.snowpawstore.com/sled-dog-equipment/dog-harness.html

    http://www.snowpawstore.com/tag/product/list/tagId/7/

    you can get them cheaper, I just used that site as a quick reference
  • juzhaz
    juzhaz Posts: 11 Member
    I run with my Grottweiler (Rotty/ German Shepherd) i have a training leash with various diffrent loops on it which makes it different lengths. One of the options enables you to have it around your waist with about 3 feet of lead that can be attached to your dog. She took to it quite quickly and it leaves your arms free while you are running.

    Have a look on Amazon.com for:- The Buddy System - Hands Free Leash - Regular Dog System - Black Regular

    This isn't exactly the one I have as I live in the UK but the principle is the same.

    Hope this helps
  • nomadic_neenz
    nomadic_neenz Posts: 13
    That's awesome that you want to take your dog running and I'm sure he will appreciate it.
    I noticed you have a choker collar on him already - that's definitely helpful is he is a strong dog to begin with. However I think that the most important and helpful "device" would be consistent obedience training. Especially with the "pit bull stereotype" I would be important that he does not drag you around while you are out and about running.
    I would practice a combination of sit, down, heel, stay at least for ten minutes a day. This definitely would not need to be all at once, but maybe before you give him a meal - ask for sit, stay, then come when you are ready to feed him. Or do a quick, varied combination of all those commands before you go for a run to sharpen his attention on you. If he starts to get too strong and pull on your while you're running, redirect his attention & start running in a different pattern (the opposite direction, in a circle, etc.)
    If he is really strong it would be important to have him know the "come back" command, always keeping it positive! God forbid he got loose, he should come back to you pretty easily.
    If you want to try the Gentle Leader brand, I like the head collars much more than the body harnesses. People always say that the body harnesses are less detrimental to the dog's neck but dogs have extremely strong neck muscles and do not have the same anatomy as a human. By having head control, you can turn his attention back to your as gently or as firmly as you need. Whereas with a body harness, if he were to yank you to the left you would have less leverage.
    I like the martingale collars that are similar to a choke but release much faster than the choke. You can just google search or look for any variety on Petco, Petsmart, or the like.
    Good luck & hope it all works out for you! He sounds like a great dog :) Let me know how it goes!!
  • strunkm4
    strunkm4 Posts: 265 Member
    I have a 200 lb English Mastiff and an 80 lb Chocolate lab. I know exactly how you feel about running in a sketch area. I go running down on what we call "The Island". It gets creepy, and there has been creepsters that creep around it. I take BOTH my dogs with me.....a 200 lb beast and an 80 lb hyper maniac. I'm 5'3...on a good day and 120 lbs. I use an agitation harnesses. I found that the full body harnesses that go around the neck, down the front, and around the body work the best. It keeps them both at bay and I still feel 100% safe!
  • Expialidojess
    Expialidojess Posts: 441 Member
    I have a boxer and we tried a gentle leader on her and got really negative reactions from people when they would pass by us. When people see a big dog with something around their muzzle they automatically assume the dog is dangerous. I've had people tell me that's good that you have that on her so she doesn't bite, when in reality it does nothing of the sort and she would never bite them anyway. I switched to a Top Paw training harness and she does really well with that and now people stop us on the trail saying what a cute friendly dog I have.
  • cmbrysonussery
    cmbrysonussery Posts: 55 Member
    I own Siberian Huskies (born pullers as sled dogs), and rescue them.

    Depending on how your baby pulls, there are a couple of options. I usually start with a "no pull" harness that essentially gets tighter under their front legs with they pull. If they just want to run hard straight in front pulling your arm out of socket, try the harness where the lead snaps in front, so it turns them around when they pull. There is also the gentle leader that goes around the nose, which is great for those that pull left, right, left. :)

    I don't like just a collar as it puts pressure on the ocular (eye) nerves and throat.

    Hope that helps!
  • JennaM222
    JennaM222 Posts: 1,996 Member
    Thanks Everyone! I think I will try the harness and see how that works out!
  • kirstyg1980
    kirstyg1980 Posts: 302
    I honestly can't believe I am reading that people on here are using prong collars (banned in several countries) choke collars and gentle leaders or haltis while running their dogs let along walking them :o

    Why don't the next time you go for a walk/run try them on yourself and I mean like how they are meant to be used i.e prongs tight round your neck and gentle leaders pulling up on your arm pits, bet it's not fun and the reason your dog doesn't pull wearing these things is cause it's scared of the pain

    Why not just use good old fashioned training!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  • kirstyg1980
    kirstyg1980 Posts: 302
    I own Siberian Huskies (born pullers as sled dogs), and rescue them.

    Depending on how your baby pulls, there are a couple of options. I usually start with a "no pull" harness that essentially gets tighter under their front legs with they pull. If they just want to run hard straight in front pulling your arm out of socket, try the harness where the lead snaps in front, so it turns them around when they pull. There is also the gentle leader that goes around the nose, which is great for those that pull left, right, left. :)

    I don't like just a collar as it puts pressure on the ocular (eye) nerves and throat.

    Hope that helps!

    Seriously!!!!!!

    I own 5 siberian huskies, technically got 6 at mo as one I bred is back for rehoming and I have fostered and worked for a husky welfare group in the UK for 5 years - never once have I had to use anything other than a normal semi slip collar or walking harness

    Maybe if you let them do what they love to do i.e. RUN then they wouldn't be so bad, I take mine out on the trails with a rig and let them do what they love and in the winter they pull a sled, burns off their energy
  • Thepamster7
    Thepamster7 Posts: 2
    I have been where you r. The Easy Walk brand harness with o ring on the chest. What a difference it made for me and my Maggie girl. Also....VERY important...keep your dog on a short leash at your side. Ditch the retractable leash. NEVER allow him out in front of you to be the leader. You will be surprised at how quickly he "gets it". Good luck.
  • fzyfrog
    fzyfrog Posts: 456 Member
    Bump... I run with my 11 month old Beagle mix and she is a puller! I've noticed increased pain on my left side from her constant pulling since she runs on the left. I'm interested in other suggestions as well.

    9
  • rprussell2004
    rprussell2004 Posts: 870 Member
    Why not just use good old fashioned training!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    What do you think this is?

    Answer: Training!
  • FitBunnyEm
    FitBunnyEm Posts: 320
    i have a staffordshire bull terrier, he went mental on a halti so i stuffed that idea, i use a harness on him and an extendable lead so if he runs faster then thats cool, i know i have to hold the end of it but i tried the harness around my waist and my dog ; he saw a duck and i was nearly in the canal! it depends on your dogs behaviour regarding waist harnesses. love your dog. beautifull.x
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