Running with dog

I run with my dog Gizmo. He is an Aussie/Border Collie mix. If I start to slow down on our runs he nips my ankles and herds me along to go faster or tugs on my shorts. He's almost pantsed me more than once. He makes running.... Entertaining. But he keeps me going and is so happy and thrilled to be on a run I can't deny him.

Sometimes I run with my Springer Spaniel, he will can do 10k with no problems as long as there are puddles/streams to drink from. He just keeps on going and going... pity he ends up so wet and dirty or I'd take him more often!

I used to run shorter distances with one of my greyhounds but she was only walking while I was running! She only has 3 legs now though, so she can't manage the long walks any more. All the other greyhounds i have had (used to foster ex - racers before they went to pet homes) have been typical lazy greyhounds who will go a short walk and then lie around doing nothing for the rest of the day.

I live in a questionable part of a rural neighborhood, I'm not allowed to leave without at least one dog (Have 2 german shepherds and 2 akita). Only my Shepherds get ran though, our akita are just too old lol.

I don't run with my dog but she is my walking partner. She is an American mastiff and not really built for long runs but I have to walk pretty fast to keep up with her walking strides. I think dogs are great motivators and its great for your health and his!!

My mastiff is itty-bitty (135lbs) and she loves running with me, but she's a little aggressive and I don't enjoy getting yanked off course if she wants to fight with someone. If I do take her out, it's late at night. :bigsmile:

I wish I could have a dog to run with! I absolutely LOVED running with my brother's dog! I just can't afford to care for one the way a dog should be cared for, right now.

running with your dog is great! Only thing I would say is don't take the dog if it's a warm day - it's just not fair on them, I've seen people running with their dogs at midday in the height of summer and the poor things really struggle, imagine running with a big thick fur coat on! But other than that it's great for both you and your dog, enjoy!

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I don't as often as I used to now. My lab doesn't like to run. He pretty much tops out at 5k. Once we hit around 4k he acts like I'm dragging him but will get home and run laps around the backyard off leash.
My older German Shepherd lives to run with me but he is almost 11 and has a some arthritis in his knee so we take it easy now.
My other GSD is usually working when I run but if my husband is away or on vacation I'll take him.

I walk/jog about 20 min. at 7 am with my 3 year old blind and deaf Aussi, Charlie along the same route each day. The exercise ends up being intervals with occasional sniffing sessions between long walk fast and short, paced run sessions. I watch where we are going very carefully for critters, dips or nasty smelling spots. And I watch him carefully to see if he is excited or tired. After doing this for 3 weeks he seems more comfortable with the terrain and wants to run/ jog a bit more lately. I couldn't possibly keep up with him if he wanted to run full out but he seems to understand that and just jogs at my rate. We might start expanding the length of time out. I do feel much safer with him by my side and I doubt if I would go out if he weren't. I'm sure that these morning walks motivated me to get started back on my treadmill in the evening.

running with your dog is great! Only thing I would say is don't take the dog if it's a warm day - it's just not fair on them, I've seen people running with their dogs at midday in the height of summer and the poor things really struggle, imagine running with a big thick fur coat on! But other than that it's great for both you and your dog, enjoy!

You can run with your dog in the summer as well so long as you are willing to accommodate. I always make sure that our summer runs are first thing in the morning on hot days (though that's not necessarily a "cool" period where we live as it's often 25-30C by 6am). I pick running routes that cross water so that she can wade in to cool off, and make sure to carry extra water for her and that we take water breaks. I wouldn't say she struggles any worse than I do, but if I see her flagging it's a good indication that it's time to head in!

I run with my border collie Elvira. My hubs trained her and she is a great running partner -- she runs right next to me. Best thing she does is follow a command called "switch", if she is running on my left side (her preference) and a runner or bike is coming toward us (which means they will pass on my left side where she is), i tell her switch and she goes behind me to run on my right and stays there until i tell her release. She has started to switch on her own now. I think it makes other runners and cyclists more comfortable to have a dog on the opposite side of the runner.

The funniest thing she does is watch the bikes and she starts to get into a crouch as she watches them approach --- the classic border collie stare and posture but she never breaks stride.

That's a neat idea. I may steal it. My Shepherds heel and I used to try to move to the other side of the sidewalk to put myself between the person approaching and the dog (not because of the dog but for the other people in case they were nervous) but people never seem to get it and try to swing wider.

I have a 6mo old Australian Cattle Dog (blue heeler), and she and I have been walking since she was about 2mo old. We walk about 1-2miles twice daily, but in this Texas heat and humidity, I have to really be mindful of her comfort. I walk with her, then go solo for another mile or 2.

I have started C25K, so hopefully, by the time I can run 3 miles, the weather will be cooler and Cora (my pup) and I can start running together. I can't wait.

Any training tips from other dog runners is greatly appreciated!

If you can get them used to going before you run it saves a ton of hassle with doggie bags. My older GSD does, but my lab is guaranteed to poop on the run.

Keep an eye on paw pads especially when it's warm.

Just like any training be consistent. Some people use a command, I've heard of others who clip the leash to their belt and that is the cue "we are running". I also use the word "break" to let them know when they can sniff and stuff (we use that command in other ways too so they know it). When first teaching them to run, give the command and run. If the dog stops to sniff, I say "no" and keep going and pull the dog along (you can slow down, I'm not saying drag the dog but if you stop completely the dog learns "I stop, she stops"). A few repetitions and the dog should get the idea of no stopping.
I also have gotten to know when my dogs need to go so I' stop and give them the "break" command.

our shelter in memphis is full of wonderful running partners that need rescue fast....come and get one and save a life and gain a firend and running companion..........you will not be sorry.

I have a 6mo old Australian Cattle Dog (blue heeler), and she and I have been walking since she was about 2mo old. We walk about 1-2miles twice daily, but in this Texas heat and humidity, I have to really be mindful of her comfort. I walk with her, then go solo for another mile or 2.

I have started C25K, so hopefully, by the time I can run 3 miles, the weather will be cooler and Cora (my pup) and I can start running together. I can't wait.

Any training tips from other dog runners is greatly appreciated!

Also check with your vet on when it is OK to run with your puppy. With our border collie, they recommended not running with her until she was a year old to allow her body to grow properly and be ready to handle the exercise. Then I built up her miles as we started just like I do for myself. I did walk her and hike with her until she was 1. Now she is 3 and runs and also hikes with a backpack with no issues. During the hot months, i try to run in the morning or evening on dirt trails to protect her pads. She also has booties for rocky terrain. She has super tough pads so we have not had any issues but our last border collie had very sensitive pads so we watch them pretty closely.

Yes, the recommendation for my Lab was 1 - 2 years so I erred on the side of caution and waited the 2.
Running with us at our pace is different then running on their own. You can even see the different gait.

I have a 6mo old Australian Cattle Dog (blue heeler), and she and I have been walking since she was about 2mo old. We walk about 1-2miles twice daily, but in this Texas heat and humidity, I have to really be mindful of her comfort. I walk with her, then go solo for another mile or 2.

I have started C25K, so hopefully, by the time I can run 3 miles, the weather will be cooler and Cora (my pup) and I can start running together. I can't wait.

Any training tips from other dog runners is greatly appreciated!

Also check with your vet on when it is OK to run with your puppy. With our border collie, they recommended not running with her until she was a year old to allow her body to grow properly and be ready to handle the exercise. Then I built up her miles as we started just like I do for myself. I did walk her and hike with her until she was 1. Now she is 3 and runs and also hikes with a backpack with no issues. During the hot months, i try to run in the morning or evening on dirt trails to protect her pads. She also has booties for rocky terrain. She has super tough pads so we have not had any issues but our last border collie had very sensitive pads so we watch them pretty closely.

I have checked with my vet, in fact, the clinic is on our walking route. On occasion, he is out with the large animals (I live in a rural community) and waves us down, asking how the walks are progressing and how far we go.

And in Texas, it won't get cool until about November. Cora will be 10months by then. I don't anticipate really running with her on a consistent basis until next spring.