Running with your dog

Adorable

Two of my dogs are trained to heel so I just use that. But my lab never was. I use a command, "let's go" to signal that we are running. To us, this means we are running, no sniffing or stopping. Use the same one each time, doesn't matter what it is. It can be anything. I've seen people who clip their dog leach to their belt. the dog learns that as a signal. Just something that the dog knows, "ok we are running, no stopping". If I want to stop or allow them to sniff/pee/whatever, I use the "break" command.
When you first start running, teach the dog not to stop. When the dog stops, give a "no" and keep going. Do not stop. Once you stop you are reinforcing the behaviour that they can stop. You don't have to yank the dog, but a gentle tug and keep moving (slow down if need be). A few runs with consistently doing this and the dog should pick up on the no stopping thing.

Also teach the dog where you want them. I keep my dogs on my left and hold the leash to keep them there (the ones trained in a heel do it anyway).

Don't forget the doggie bags. I can tell when my dogs need to go so I stop and give them the break command to do it. It is best if you can get them to go early on or even before but my lab never works that way.

Work up to distance with your dog. Add distance gradually. Running with you is different than running on their own so give them time to get used to it. Keep an eye on the pads of their feet at first.

please pick up your dogs crap, provide water, and use a leash.

To those of you that think your dog is properly trained, you better be sure. If your unleashed dog runs up on my LEASHED dog, you could end up with a dead dog. This would be my dogs doing, not me. I'm responsible to put him on a leash, but I can't control your off leash dog and won't be held responsible for what could happen.

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)

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...)

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.

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.

It drives me insane running with my dog.. I like to keep a certain pace the whole time and he doesn't, sometimes he wants to run flat out and other times he hardly wants to move so I take him for a walk first then go for a run by myself to keep me sane.

One of my best friends is a dog trainer, and she suggests using set commands--as mentioned by many others on the thread. She also takes her dog regularly to dog parks (we're lucky to have a lot around us) where Wrigley (her dog) can run free and roam. Then when it's time for her run, the dog knows it and has the sniffing and poking around out of her system. She also suggests using a different leash for running versus the "we're out for a walk so you can do your business" leash. As long as you establish some sort of routine--and stick with it--you should be good. She also ensures Wrigley does her business before they take off on their run. It saves her from having to stop to clean up dog poop (and then carry it). Start with very short distance, and build up. She never does more than 3 miles with her dog, only because any more than that and the poor dog is exhausted!

hmmm I tried to run with my dog but she is too young and she just goes at full speed and she is fast AF...one tip id say is dont let your dog get too far in front of you.

I use to run with my two basset hounds and never had any issues. A regular leash was all I needed.

My current dog, a shepard mix, requiers a harness. She is STRONG too. When I first started running with her we had a ton of problems. She's better now. Sorta. She wears the harness and the leash is super short. The main problem now is she likes to nip or hit my feet with her paws. She only goes with me if my husband is around. I envy those who can push their kids in a stroller and run with their dog. Never gonna happen with mine.

The first few times you go, you may not get in the full workout you'd planned. Be ready for anything.