Running with your dog

IzzyBooNZ1

I tried to get my dog to run with me. At first she gets excited, then she slows down to a trot, and eventually she'll even try to sit down and refuse to move. A willful b*i*t*c*h, she is.

About the leash issue: definitely keep your dog on a leash, for everyone's safety. Nothing annoys me more than clueless dog owners who waltz up to me with their out-of-control dogs and assure me that their dog is super-friendly. Well, you know what? Mine isn't, not to other dogs, anyway. And I am not going to pay your vet bills when she bites your dog's ear off.

exactly.

I don't run, so I don't run with my dogs. But, I do take my dogs out on the trail, and one of them doesn't play well with others at all. This one guy couldn't understand why I was screaming "get away" at his dog when it was running up on us.

same for me !!! i totally agree.

lveh8lve

Someone mentioned running in the summer - yes asphalt is black and gets very warm!! If you cant walk on it barefoot, your dog can't walk on it either!! They can damage their paws!!

As far as unleashed dogs, I had an experience as a child when our dog was attacked by another dog (who was leashed, but not controlled) attacked.

I always watch ahead and when I see another dog in the distance I usually pull my dog behind me, put on my biggest bad wolf impression and yell at the oncoming dog. Generally they do back down and go back home. Or maybe I just look really mean... When they are going at it, the only thing you can safely do to break it up is to pull the tails down and to the side. Then find the owner and sue the living daylights out of them.

Edit - Those with un-dog friendly dogs - Put a yellow bow on your leash or something. One of mine needs some space and I did it and people actually give him some breathing room.

lesliev523

My lab love to run with me... I use a Halti because he can get distracted easy, so a quick correction is all I need. I also taught him "leave it".... honestly that is the best command to teach any dog. I will say it if he gets distracted and wants to sniff.

And yes... always leash, and always pick up any poop!!!

I will also say not all dogs like running. My mutt is not fond of running... BUT he loves to go for a hike. And my lab is too crazy to hike without wrapping his leash around a tree... so I have different dogs for different purposes. LOL!

Josalinn

There are these awesome water bottles with roller balls that you could bring along. I don't have a dog, but i saw these advertised and I think its awesome

IzzyBooNZ1

dixiewhiskey, I am from New Zealand, so yep we get our fair share of idiots !

yes the Leave It command is very handy, esp when seeing dropped food on the road and having piglet doggies who really want it !

My rottie isn't too keen on running but she is lazy anyway. My 2 boys, staffy cross and American staffy love it. I love the looks on their faces when we run !

OP : how is your dog walking normally, does he / she walk loose leash at your side?

I always pick up the poops, I always put more than necessary in my pockets just in case

IzzyBooNZ1

Use a leash.. wrap it around your hand a couple of times or as much as you need to.. that works and I have 2 70lb Husky Sheppard crosses... that keeps them close to me and running. Usually they have their way of telling me they need to do their business

I'm not sure about where you live but here in Toronto, there are so many dog parks, one in particular that is in a forested area and has a leash free area.. great for running if your dog is trained to come back whenever.

wrapping a dog's leash around your hand several times is not only dangerous to your health but BAD when it comes to training your dog.

true, cos if your dog suddenly pulls or something happens you could get badly hurt or dragged

TigressPat

well...be prepared for a little humiliation, that's my biggest tip.
Started running with Gordon, my shepherd...I'm running my *kitten* off thinking about the great burn...I look down to notice he's just barely broken out of walking pace -- and he's yawning. Thanks for the support, *kitten*.

(edited to add - oh yeah he's always leashed. He's a good boy, but you never know...)

Damn Shepherds and that long gait. My guy is the same way. And if I stop he stares at me and keeps trying to go again.

me three.
but he's pretty tired once we get home!

pittsblue99

I have a Brittney spaniel and she is pretty good at running with me (or me running with her sometimes lol). A leash is so important. I cannot count how many people we pass that do not have their dog on a leash. I have a harness for her but she still pulls a lot. She is a hunting dog and from the humane society so we do not know how she was treated before I got her. Good luck and enjoy your runs

Redptlmtd

I'm just starting to take my greyhound with me on runs. He's taken to it surprisingly well considering how much he likes to sniff and mark on regular walks. When he does try to dart off to smell something, I've just gently pulled on his leash and told him "leave it". Oddly enough, I think my endurance is currently better than his though. Greyhounds are sprinters, so he's not quite used to running longer distances.

I have greyhounds too!! My female is almost 11 and has only 3 toes on one of her back feet so she doesn't go running. My male is 10 and would rather walk. So, I end up taking the non-greyhound who think she's a greyhound.

IzzyBooNZ1

it wasn't specifically directed at you, no.

This is a real sensitive subject for me though, so it was directed towards anyone that makes the conscience decision to break the leash laws and put their dog at risk (not to mention others)

you think if your dog is poorly socialized and violent with other animals this is fine and perfectly excused by you putting him on a leash in public even though you apparently cannot control his actions when he is on a leash?

I think this is a bit harsh, perhaps what she/he means it's other peoples actions that cause the problem. The dog is probably ok with dogs from a distance but when a strange dog off leash comes up to a reactive on leash dog, things will happen. Plus we don't know the dog is poorly socialised, a lot of different things can cause a dog to behave like this, such as being attacked by other dogs, maybe the dog was rescued, so many different scenarios.
People should never let an off leash dog approach an on leash dog without asking the owner first. some dogs act differently on leash to off leash

DalekBrittany

..... and don't get me started on flexi leashes.

What's wrong with a flexi leash? I use one with my pup and have never had a problem. When I walk her I let it go almost all the way out (not far enough she can get into the road though) and if someone else is coming I make it as short as I can without choking her and either cross the street or go into someone's drive and let them pass (she's a little thing, but surprisingly aggressive towards larger dogs).

Or do you just mean people that let them go all the way out all the time?

DalekBrittany

Do either of you even have Huskies? LOL. I love when people give input on dogs they don't even have..... my dogs aren't out of control, if your dogs are, don't follow my advice. Simple.

I agree with the sentiment here. Wrapping a leash is not poor training, nor is it a sign of 'out-of-control' dogs. If anything I'd say it's a way of keeping the leash from slipping when you get sweaty. It can be dangerous if you have large dogs and they pull, because you can end up breaking a hand, but if someone wants to do it, it's their own choice.

missprincessgina

Start slow ... just like a human would. With a new dog, I run/walk until I can see what kind of shape the dog is in. I go from there. I'd start with ten minute intervals unless your dog is already running. I run with 2 of my dogs about 3 miles but I walk all 4 of them everyday for 30 minutes. I have 2 chi mixes, a jack russell, and a mutt.

Good luck. I love being active with my pups!

IzzyBooNZ1

..... and don't get me started on flexi leashes.

What's wrong with a flexi leash? I use one with my pup and have never had a problem. When I walk her I let it go almost all the way out (not far enough she can get into the road though) and if someone else is coming I make it as short as I can without choking her and either cross the street or go into someone's drive and let them pass (she's a little thing, but surprisingly aggressive towards larger dogs).

Or do you just mean people that let them go all the way out all the time?

yes people who let them out all the time, and bare in mind this is what I witness in my neighbourhood.
I have seen 2 dogs come within a whisker of being run over because they ran out into the road to go after another dog. I have seen a small child get pulled along the road because the small dog went to chase after my rottie. It's just the people I see using them having zero control over their dogs because they haven't trained their dog to walk properly or socialised etc, so they have their dog metres out in front of them , running around and nearly tripping people up.

JenBrown0210

I have a Husky. He loves to run. He could go forever. I wrap a leash around my waist and loop it through the handle. I then attach the link to a leash extender. This way my hands are free and he cannot bolt (he never has). He also knows to move over when a car is coming. I do not even have to command him any more. He is a very good dog.

bumblebums

So many complaints about unleashed dogs.. don't y'all have laws in your area? Here, dogs may run off leash in designated areas at parks.. no one lets their dog run wild here lets say down the street and no one who is scared of dogs dare walk in a park where dogs are permitted to be off their leash

Oh my... Sorry, but the world does not work like that. Not in the US, anyway. Having a dog is not a right, it is a privilege, and we dog owners have to be considerate of people who do not love dogs, and who have a right to use public parks even if they allow off-leash dogs. I personally do not like or trust people who are afraid of dogs. I think there is something wrong with them. But I keep my dog on a leash and do not impose my likes on other people.

I can tell this thread is going to get heated soon, but the leash thing was brought up as a basic consideration that people who run with dogs have to be aware of. Running is a potential trigger for canine aggression--runners know this, even if they do not own dogs themselves. Have you never been barked at when you ran past a dog? Now imagine having a dog with you while you are running. There are dogs that just aren't going to be able to deal with that, and unpleasantness will ensue.

You are not in a Pedigree commercial, running through idyllic green pastures with your four-legged friend. Be considerate and control your animal.

DalekBrittany

..... and don't get me started on flexi leashes.

What's wrong with a flexi leash? I use one with my pup and have never had a problem. When I walk her I let it go almost all the way out (not far enough she can get into the road though) and if someone else is coming I make it as short as I can without choking her and either cross the street or go into someone's drive and let them pass (she's a little thing, but surprisingly aggressive towards larger dogs).

Or do you just mean people that let them go all the way out all the time?

if you mean the retractable ones with the thin leads, first of all, when your dog is ranging 30 feet from you in all directions it just means it is not trained, or badly trained.
second, if you use these with larger breed dogs, they can easily snap it when they get to the end of the 30 feet.
I saw a woman get pulled down her stairs by her 12lb mutt with those 30 foot leashes last week.
she was locking the door, the dog had already bounded down the stairs and into the driveway, she turned towards the stairs, the dog hit the end of the 30 foot cord, and boom, there went the woman.
she was lucky there were only 4 stairs.

It's not really your business, but since you seem to be pointing out how poorly everyone has trained their dogs, my dog is very well trained. As I pointed out, if you had bothered to read, I do not let it all the way out. She walks beside me for her entire walk. Not behind or in front of me. I use a retractable leash for the convenience in size.

jessgumkowski88

I started running with my 3 year old pug these past 2 months, and we were doing VERY well, but I encountered a problem I didn't even think about when I first started with him.

He started limping a couple days ago half way through our walk and I had to carry him home. We wore through his pads. I felt like the worst owner ever. He did show any signs of discomfort until it was too late. Now he's benched til his feet heal up.

MY SUGGESTION: Watch his feet keep an eye for worn out pads, and keep his/her nails cut properly to they don't push his/her toes up when your walking/running.

Best of luck! My dog is my favorite workout buddy!

missprincessgina

In PA your dog has to be on a leash unless in a dog park where it is clearly stated that dogs are allowed off leash. I had a huge dog attack me, my dog walker, and my 4 small dogs because the owners didn't have their dog on a leash. We sued the owners of the dog without a leash, and it went against the owners work record. Luckily, no one was hurt. Leash laws are necessary and enforceable. If you see a dog off leash, call the dog warden in your county or city and report it. Thats how people and animals get hurt or killed.

IzzyBooNZ1

eek things are getting heated. lets chill

SO who else does this, you are walking, running your dog, listening to music, singing along but changing words in the song to your dogs name? You all do this , right??

I only have my music low btw so I can stil hear around me.