Dogs and exercise

Train him better.

Hello I have a border collie named Fred, hes pretty awesome. He his home alone for about 5 hours monday-friday. When I get home, I take him for a nice long walk. But boarder collies are pretty energetic dogs and need some vigerous exercise. I don't have time to take him to the dog park every evening, and my back yard isn't very big. I want to try to start running with him, but its a nightmare! My german sheppard coon hound mix (that my parents wouldn't let me take when I moved out) just went with it and matched my stride. But trying to get Fred to run along side me isn't going too well. He's pretty well trained, I keep him on a harness, but he nips my feet and just goes nuts. Any thoughts on how to have him run steady alongside me?

Lots and lots of frustrating runs, and eventually you'll train him to run beside you. I'd recommend a haltie (goes around the snout and neck). I tried a harness on a dog before, and it didn't do *kitten*. I find the haltie is far more effective for control and keeping the dog back. Keep his leash VERY short so he isn't able to run anywhere but where you want him. Start with maybe just walking quickly, and progress in to running. When we trained my mom's dog (some sort of shepherd/collie/random medium size dog cross), she hated the haltie at first and would lay on the ground and rub her nose around. We kept at it, and now, although she still doesnt' love it (unlike my dog who basically puts it on himself!), she runs like a dream beside my mom. Oh, and when I first starting running with my dog (a lab/rottie), it was brutal. He kept running in front of my legs and into me. It was incredibly frustrating for awhile, but eventually he just got the hang of it (again, with a haltie and a short leash) and he now runs like a pro.

Yep- I have an energetic border collie, and it took a while to be able to run with her without serious frustration! Now that she is nine years old, she has mellowed out. Some. They can run so much faster than we can, so it take a while to get them accustomed to trotting at our pace. A few things that help:

1. Haltie is a must!
2. Treats. Frequent stops to re-direct may be needed.
3. Run on a boring route while training- not in a park or somewhere with distrations. You can graduate to routes with squirrels eventually. Runing when it is dark out seems to be a lot more focused, too.
4. Try tying the leash around your waist. It helps keep her close to my side and not yanking my arm, so my running form suffers less.
5. Wear him out first with throwing a ball or something.
6. PATIENCE!

Good luck!

Yep- I have an energetic border collie, and it took a while to be able to run with her without serious frustration! Now that she is nine years old, she has mellowed out. Some. They can run so much faster than we can, so it take a while to get them accustomed to trotting at our pace. A few things that help:

1. Haltie is a must!
2. Treats. Frequent stops to re-direct may be needed.
3. Run on a boring route while training- not in a park or somewhere with distrations. You can graduate to routes with squirrels eventually. Runing when it is dark out seems to be a lot more focused, too.
4. Try tying the leash around your waist. It helps keep her close to my side and not yanking my arm, so my running form suffers less.
5. Wear him out first with throwing a ball or something.
6. PATIENCE!

Good luck!

Yes, I forgot about the leash around the waist! My mom does that as well - works wonderfully!

I think the reason Fred is nipping at you is because he trying to "herd you." That's how corgis herd cattle anyway. (I WANTS A CORGI SO BAD!!! But I cannot afford to take care of one properly right now:sad: )

I have mixed feelings about tying the leash to you. Could he possibly drag you if he saw something he REALLY wanted to chase? As a kid I was walking my grandpa's dog and he saw a cat and took off, I didn't want to lose the dog so I held on and got dragged along cement for several yards and scrapped half my face off, and I had the option to let go! I can't imagine not even having the option!

You said your yard is small, but could you set up some boxes, hurdles, cones and do some agility with him? Its good for them mentally and would wear him out a bit.

Border collies are awesome, but do be careful because not only are they bundles of energy, your dog will also not stop before you do and while they can outrun us humans in the short and minimum distance, no animal on earth can outrun a human over a long distance on a hot day - they simply die of heat stroke (humans sweat better than most animals out the) so you have to be careful because you could literally run your dog to death.

I have an English Bulldog. The only way I could get him to go out for a run is if I pulled him in a wagon behind me.

train him to run on the treadmill.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KUHOvx4CkYU

Border collies are awesome, but do be careful because not only are they bundles of energy, your dog will also not stop before you do and while they can outrun us humans in the short and minimum distance, no animal on earth can outrun a human over a long distance on a hot day - they simply die of heat stroke (humans sweat better than most animals out the) so you have to be careful because you could literally run your dog to death.

Also something to be careful about, even if the weather's not that hot.

Hello I have a border collie named Fred, hes pretty awesome. He his home alone for about 5 hours monday-friday. When I get home, I take him for a nice long walk. But boarder collies are pretty energetic dogs and need some vigerous exercise. I don't have time to take him to the dog park every evening, and my back yard isn't very big. I want to try to start running with him, but its a nightmare! My german sheppard coon hound mix (that my parents wouldn't let me take when I moved out) just went with it and matched my stride. But trying to get Fred to run along side me isn't going too well. He's pretty well trained, I keep him on a harness, but he nips my feet and just goes nuts. Any thoughts on how to have him run steady alongside me?

I second the Haltie (or other gentle around the snout leader) and lots of patience. Border Collies are herding dogs and that's why he nips at your feet, he's herding you (in dog whisperer speak, he's trying to be the pack leader directing you which way to go). It's a matter of training to get him used to running with you instead of "herding" you. You can do it but it does take patience.

Hello I have a border collie named Fred, hes pretty awesome. He his home alone for about 5 hours monday-friday. When I get home, I take him for a nice long walk. But boarder collies are pretty energetic dogs and need some vigerous exercise. I don't have time to take him to the dog park every evening, and my back yard isn't very big. I want to try to start running with him, but its a nightmare! My german sheppard coon hound mix (that my parents wouldn't let me take when I moved out) just went with it and matched my stride. But trying to get Fred to run along side me isn't going too well. He's pretty well trained, I keep him on a harness, but he nips my feet and just goes nuts. Any thoughts on how to have him run steady alongside me?

One training technique I used with my dog for walking it doing some work in the yard BEFORE heading out for a walk. I get a high-value treat (like a stick of cheese), and work on keeping her attention focused on ME before we take off. With Fred's attention directed at you, he'll be less inclined to nip at your feet. He'll just be focused on getting that delicious treat. Start with some impromptu play in your yard to get him focused on you. Then start with short running intervals between telephone poles and lamp posts. Walk to one (easier to control him), give him a treat. Run to the next (give him a treat). Try that and let me know how it goes!

I prefer letting a harnessed dog pull me on a belt while running. Now if you elect to get a belt for running, do get one with leg straps. It'll keep the belt in correct location, which in turns stops you from getting a sore back even if the dog lunges after something or pulls a lot. My BC won't bite, but she'd rather run behind me or around me in circles. I'm sure she'll learn to run properly some day for now we mostly walk or bike. When biking I pedal at a trotting pace or with the dogs off leash so they can set their own pace, if they want to gallop.

I prefer letting a harnessed dog pull me on a belt while running. Now if you elect to get a belt for running, do get one with leg straps. It'll keep the belt in correct location, which in turns stops you from getting a sore back even if the dog lunges after something or pulls a lot. My BC won't bite, but she'd rather run behind me or around me in circles. I'm sure she'll learn to run properly some day for now we mostly walk or bike. When biking I pedal at a trotting pace or with the dogs off leash so they can set their own pace, if they want to gallop.

Can you post an example of what you mean for the belt with leg straps, please? I'm trying to visualize it, but it's just not coming to me.

For those who tie the leash around their waist -- there is a great hands-free leash designed for running with dogs called a "Stunt Puppy Leash." It is a belt that clips around your waist, and has a bungee leash that attaches the belt to your dog. It allows comfortable hands-free running with a secure system. The bungee leash helps to buffer sudden direction or speed changes if your dog gets distracted. I love using it to run with my dog! (Bought it on amazon.)

This is what I use with my Golden Retriever, too. It's nice to not have to hold onto the leash and the bungee leash has some give to it, not that my guy pulls unless he's pulling to the side to go potty. It took time at first because he would get excited when I started running, now he just settles in and trots right next to me.

OP, how old is your BC?

If you can get your dog to heel at walk, just progress that to a run. Take a couple of strides and praise them, then slowly build it up. It took an age with my pooch. He thought if I ran, he was to chase me and try and take me down! Now he just trots along by my side!