Running with your dog

Rogue_Minx

So I've got this Boxer that I would LOVE to take on runs with me. She's only a year and a half old and has SO much energy! So I thought it would be great to leash her up and take her on a jog.

:noway:

Have you ever had such a neurotic dog that she has NO problem walking on a leash but as soon as the speed picks up, she goes like a bat out of hell? Criss-crossing in front of you so you trip over her, and... let's hope she doesn't spot a squirrel or it's all over.

How do you train your dog to be a good running buddy? Or do I just have the wrong breed?

BrianSharpe

Here are some tips from Runners' World

http://www.runnersworld.com/running-tips/see-spot-run

I've started taking shorter runs with my dogs but they're still a little too hyper......

Mrsmartin61

I know the feeling! I have a lab and two great pynerees. Start with short leash and short runs .. Gradually increasing speed. Just remember you are the pack lead NOT them. Good luck. They are always eager to assist!

meghannrenee

It gets better over time!

People think that because a dog is trained to walk on a leash that running shouldn't be a problem... WHOLE OTHER BALLGAME! I've been running with my dog Rocket for several years now and it too a long time to get him "trained". He still has times where he forgets himself, the leash, and the fact that my arm is attached to the other end of it (ouch - he wrapped me around a street sign the other day) but it does get better. Practice, and start with shorter runs

Rogue_Minx

Thanks for the advice!

It's such a spectacle to see me attempting to run with this dog. She's just too hyper. I normally end up overly frustrated and just leave her in the yard so I can get a half decent jog in before I've got to go to work. I've tried the shorter leash trick but she thinks its a game if shes too close to me like that. She likes to do this run-hop... and then hop in front of me. She's 65 pounds of tripping power. :laugh:

SatchGallamax

I will definitely agree with the practice thing. Granted, our dog had some pretty decent leash training by the time that we adopted him, but it definitely took some time for him to truly realize that there is something attached to him that connects to me. But he eventually got it! We also worked extensively on the command "leave it" which really helped. For the first mile I'll let him sniff and pee on whatever he wants, but after that I'd start implementing "leave it" whenever he was distracted by something. Now he knows the routine and after that first mile he falls in line and just runs by my side.

rciszek

Sorry, I laughed reading this. I have my baby as my running partner. She is an Australian Cattle dog and she helps makes me run....fast. She now hates to walk, she loves to run and will go full out on me. And unfortunately, I had a neck injury and we believe that she actually caused it to bulge and then had to have it operated on. She.....ran after a fox!! So, she ended up jerking my upper body pretty good and it caused two discs to bulge. So, be careful but I still run with her and she knows not to do that again, somehow. I talk her out of running after the foxes or rabbits now by telling her not to and just be good....I don't know why or how she listens, but she does.

Rogue_Minx

Sorry, I laughed reading this. I have my baby as my running partner. She is an Australian Cattle dog and she helps makes me run....fast. She now hates to walk, she loves to run and will go full out on me. And unfortunately, I had a neck injury and we believe that she actually caused it to bulge and then had to have it operated on. She.....ran after a fox!! So, she ended up jerking my upper body pretty good and it caused two discs to bulge. So, be careful but I still run with her and she knows not to do that again, somehow. I talk her out of running after the foxes or rabbits now by telling her not to and just be good....I don't know why or how she listens, but she does.

I'm sorry that that happened. That's actually something that I never considered. My dog is 65 pounds of pure muscle and she can sprint like a cheetah. She sometimes yanks me but I've got good control over her most of the time. Running though, my focus isn't on how strong my dog is. I wonder now if this is even a good idea.

jaz050465

My boyfriends bearded collie is the same. For Christmas I'm getting him a couple if sessions with a cani x instructor and beating him the harness.