Running with your dog

2

Replies

  • Melo1966
    Melo1966 Posts: 881 Member
    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...)

    This.
    My cocker spaniel could run a marathon and I am barely at the 5K level. We come in after 4 miles and I want to crash and she is running up and down the hallway wanting to play fetch. I also got a lighted leash because we go out early or late.
  • lveh8lve
    lveh8lve Posts: 162 Member
    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...)

    We should have our dogs run together then. I could barely do c25k and I'm pretty sure she was looking for someone to do a marathon with!!

    She is very well trained. I do agility with her and the commands that I use alot while running are Lets go, leave it (for anything that might distract her, dog, kid, etc), wait (to stop at intersections), Slow (slow down her pace, she is fast), and I use OK as my general release. Those are great commands for everyday as well.

    Always keep your dog leashed and also be aware of where the houses are with invisible fences. Some absolute IDIOT installed there fence wire at the edge of the sidewalk. So when you walk by there dog comes out and charges on the sidewalk!! Even if they are set back, my dog does gets distracted when a dog charges at her. I now know where they all are in my neighborhood so I will usually go out into the street.

    Also, if you are going to hold the leash (I don't like not having complete control and her around my waist, other people can be stupid) , get a leather one. It's well worth your investment. It's much easier on your hands!!!
  • taaaters
    taaaters Posts: 70
    In addition to leash, water, doggy bags, the only thing I'd like to add is that as the weather starts going from warmer to hot please think about your dog before taking him/her out running with you. I see people walking and running their dogs in weather over about 28 degrees celcius (82 farenheit-ish) and feel for those poor dogs (especially dogs with longer coats or darker fur), they're covered in fur and overheat a lot easier than we do. Being a responsible dog owner also means thinking about your dog and whether it can handle going out in hotter weather, and if it can, whether it's fair to take it with you for the whole run, or if you should only take it for a shorter distance, then continue on alone. Just my opinion but I feel it's important.
  • Melo1966
    Melo1966 Posts: 881 Member

    I cant tell you how upset I get when I see a dog not on a leash. My dog was attacked a few weeks ago. He was running with me and he was on his leash. Next a dog had his butt in his mouth and was shaking him. My heart sunk that day. Its not that hard if we all so the right thing. If you want them off the leash take them to an area that allowes that. My boy took over a week to recover and now is very jumpy and nervous on our walks. We are slowly getting there but I will no longer run with him. Not because he did the wrong thing I just cant trust the people with their dogs. Its sad to see him crying at the door when I go for my run but I dont think my heart could do all that again......
    [/quote]

    Sorry to hear this. A big dog on a leash got loose from their owner and came a running for my Lady. I was so scared I picked her up as fast as I could and prayed he wouldn't attack. She was barking like crazy at him and wanted a piece of him. He did nothing more but it really shook us up. I still go out with her I feel safer with her. She does not like men without dogs and will not let them talk to us. I did purposely get a dog I can pick up after my previous one got sick I could barely carry her so after she died and I started looking for another she would have to be smaller.

    People need to get dogs they are personally able to handle.
  • IzzyBooNZ1
    IzzyBooNZ1 Posts: 1,289 Member
    you can get leashes that are quite long with clips along it to clip around your waist, so you can run hands free once you have trained your dog to run alongside you. Halti brand makes them and I thnk Ellas Lead have some as well.

    OMG yes I cannot stand people with their off leash dogs dogs and " oh my dog is friendly" attitude as it comes bolting up to you, well one of my dogs isn't too keen on other dogs getting into his personal space ..... and don't get me started on flexi leashes.

    however seems like a lot of great, considerate dog owners here !

    def consider the weather , dogs overheat faster than people., early morning or late evening is best.
  • albertabeefy
    albertabeefy Posts: 1,169 Member
    I have a basset hound. She doesn't run, unless she is in danger and even then it has to be serious danger.
    LOL. I have a basset/labrador cross I picked up from the SPCA ... he looks just like a lab with dwarfism. He WANTS to run with me, but has like 7" legs and just can't. It's rather comical to watch him try...
  • thehka
    thehka Posts: 74 Member
    i would love to have a big dog to take on runs. i started out just taking my moms jack russell with me...big mistake lol. she always got distracted and would then slow me down. got pretty annoying so i stopped all together and went by myself.
  • dixiewhiskey
    dixiewhiskey Posts: 3,333 Member
    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
  • IzzyBooNZ1
    IzzyBooNZ1 Posts: 1,289 Member
    we have leash laws but there are people who don't care and think their little precious is ok to be off leash , with no consideration towards other dog owners and that some people are scared of dogs

    we do have designated dogs parks where dogs can be off leash obviously

    but walking around the streets a leash is required and I wish the jackazzes in my neighbourhood would bloody leash their dog
  • TigressPat
    TigressPat Posts: 722
    i doubt you will have trouble, most dogs enjoy running, and will run with you happily.
    If you ran super slow and the dog was fast walking it might be mor einclined to sniff/look at things, but in a run, it will just dedicate itself to running.

    Mine have been doing it since they were little puppies!
  • IzzyBooNZ1
    IzzyBooNZ1 Posts: 1,289 Member
    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
    lveh8lve Posts: 162 Member
    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
    lesliev523 Posts: 366 Member
    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
    Josalinn Posts: 1,066 Member
    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
    IzzyBooNZ1 Posts: 1,289 Member
    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
    IzzyBooNZ1 Posts: 1,289 Member
    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
    TigressPat Posts: 722
    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
    pittsblue99 Posts: 277 Member
    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
    Redptlmtd Posts: 14
    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
    IzzyBooNZ1 Posts: 1,289 Member
    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
    DalekBrittany Posts: 1,748 Member
    ..... 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
    DalekBrittany Posts: 1,748 Member
    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
    missprincessgina Posts: 446 Member
    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
    IzzyBooNZ1 Posts: 1,289 Member
    ..... 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
    JenBrown0210 Posts: 985 Member
    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
    bumblebums Posts: 2,181 Member
    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
    DalekBrittany Posts: 1,748 Member
    ..... 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
    jessgumkowski88 Posts: 189 Member
    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
    missprincessgina Posts: 446 Member
    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
    IzzyBooNZ1 Posts: 1,289 Member
    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.