Running With Your Pup?

How old is your 'pup' you shouldn't run with them until they are around 18 months old due to possible damage to developing growing joints and bones. Also you should never run with a lead attached to a neck collar. As any sudden change of direction or accidental entanglement could cause neck damage. I have a specific harness I use for running with my lab. I have built the distances up very slowly. She'll now run 6 miles with me. It's a very slow process but also try and build up specific running commands. Mine now knows when I say 'we're running' she doesn't stop and sniff as that's running time.

I personally hate to run, but am motivated to help my dog release pent up energy at the beginning of the day. I started training her first by walks where I let her know when we needed to keeping moving and would later reward her with free time to be a dog (also be sure to consistently walk/run your dog on the same side). Just the mental focus of walking instead of investigating helps to work out that energy. Since we have incorporated running into our routine she knows her free time is when she hears the click of the retractable leash being released. I occasionally still have to remind her with a "let's go" while running but we've been doing this for years now, so she's pretty good with keeping up.

my partner and i have thought a lot about this and talked to a lot of people, read a lot, etc., so here is my lengthy response

my dog finn runs with me - he motivates me and makes me feel safe (i live in a big city). plus he loves the exercise and he's a little crazy (rescue dog) so he likes the structure. my partner ran with Finn during half marathon training a few years ago (didn't get to the whole distance - read below) and now we are both running with Finn for an olympic distance triathlon (again, limited; read below). Finn is a great running partner!! Finn is about 7-8 years old (we adopted him and aren't sure), and a lab/hound mix. though our experience is mostly positive, there are several things to keep an eye on if you run your dog often.

some dogs will stop when they are tired, but other dogs, like my Finn, would literally run until his legs fall off. therefore, i have to watch and make sure that he is doing okay - not limping or looking too tired. i'm a slow runner - about 11.5 minute miles, so he does fine with me, even at longer distances. yesterday we ran a 10k. he started slowing down during mile 4, and i almost stopped to check out his paw pads, but it turned out he just needed to poop. then he was fine! i run Finn about 10 miles a week, but we have built up to this pace over several months. my partner runs very fast and finn tends to get much more tired when he runs him, so they only run together once a week, never exceeding 6-7 miles at a time and/or 15 miles a week total (between the both of us). this is our general distance rule.

the other thing to watch out for is his pads on longer distances. i usually let Finn run in the grass as much as possible. Finn trained for a half marathon a few years ago with my partner, and he did the great the whole time so we never worried about him. then after a 9 mile run one day, finn's pads were raw. it was the saddest thing, but he never whined or stopped running so we didn't know until he got home! that's when we put he mileage limits on him that we use now.

we don't do water during the run (unless it's just really hot) but make sure i give him some right when we're done. i just fill my hand up in the fountain and he slops it up. i also do my best to run him in the morning or evening when it's not too hot - this works well for me too!

for stopping, i always walk 3/4 of a mile before we start running, giving Finn time to do his business before we start. he is trained now to get it out of the way at the beginning. this almost always works. on a long run, he will sometimes have to stop to go to the bathroom again, and i just use it as a short rest. i run him on a gentle leader.

IMHO -- i'm not a vet -- but keeping in mind that every dog is different, for short distances (under 5K) most dogs will probably be fine. for longer distances, build up to them like a human would, watch the paw pads, and make sure they get plenty of food/water. Finn lost weight while my partner and i are training for an olympic distance triathlon so now we just feed him more at each meal.

have fun!!

Cavewoman brought up a really good point. My lab will have no problem telling you he is done (he is lying, he has tons of energy he just doesn't like to run, he wants to be able to stop and sniff but I still listen). My oldest Shepherd would go as far as fast as I would ask. I never really did find his limit, I wasn't doing too much distance then. And certainly not fast. I wore out before him. Now, I don't really run him.

I run with my Jack Russel some times. Lots of energy there so he loves it. The first mile and a half or so he drags me along like I'm running too slow but then settles down. I recommend a harness and a regular leash (adjustable isn't as good). I try to only give him about 3 feet of lengthand keep him on my side. He's just so excited to be out and running he doesn't mind.

Also, just some thoughts from reading some of the other comments. I live in the city so only really have pavement but I haven't seen any negative effects to him from running on it. He is only 15 lbs though so that may help him. I'll also let him run on the grass next to the sidewalk whenever he can though because I have read about the pavement effecting the paws. I just personally have not experienced it.

As to stopping, I'm not sure how to stop it also. He has to pee and he likes to mark his territory. Also, I find that running must loosen up his bowels because he always needs to poop at least twice when we run so I always make sure to have bags on me. I just resign myself that he wants to stop. If I'm trying to improve my time on a run I just don't consider those days I run with him. It's still exercise and a workout no matter the time. It's ususally just a few seconds and seems to actually help him regain his energy.

I do recommend it though. The dogs love it and it gives you an excuse to run.

I have a collie who I always take running (up to 8 miles so far) she adores it. I run a fair bit off road so she has time to sniff about then. It's excellent motivation - she makes me feel very guilty if I skip a run!

Mine does this as well! I don't take him on a Wednesday as I like to see how hard I can push myself that day to increase my run time (since im doing the walk/run programme) and he gives me big sad eyes that he isn't coming! I probably won't take him once I can run for 30 mins non stop as he is only tiny being a miniature so that would probably be too much for him but while i'm working to get there, he is welcome

Hello all!

I've recently began to incorporate running into my exercise routine and my corgi pup, Horace, gives me the biggest, heart-liquefying look as I put my shoes on. To make it even worse, he peers at me through the fence as I walk away towards the road, forehead pressed against the wire, as if I'm never going to return and he'll never see me again! It's not even this bad when I leave for class every day.
I've been bringing little man along as of late. I love how motivating he is with his happy little face looking back at me, cheering me on, but we have difficulties sometimes.
My question is: What are some general tips for running with a leashed dog? For example, is there a way to prevent them from running around and tangling your legs in the leash? Or to keep them from stopping dead in their tracks to take a sniff break?
I understand sometimes it's just in Horace's nature to want to investigate that enticing scent on the side of the road, but any kinds of tips or tricks would be great:-)

To answer your questions...

1) is there a way to prevent them from running around and tangling your legs in the leash?
A - Keep the leash short and train your dog to run beside you.

2) Or to keep them from stopping dead in their tracks to take a sniff break?
A - Train your dog to know you're his "master" and he will run beside you.

I'm not sure if you see a theme. But - a properly trained dog will always walk/run beside you (not in front of or behind). He needs to know what your boundaries are. If you don't mind him doing these things while you walk, ok. But You can train him to know that when you're running specifically, it is not time for messing around.

There are also dog strollers which you can get for anywhere from $50-90, which are perfect for smaller dogs.

Hi,
I have a bichon and try to jog with her along side and it can get quite stressful because of the lead! you can get dog waist leads that tie around your waist instead of having to hold it, with a lead that you can have on a certain length so they wont get tangled up! it's only possible to do so with a slow enough speed with small dogs which is my problem!

I LOVE my running leash sold by Irondoggy.com - it clips around your waist, is somewhat of a "bungee cord", very sturdy and has handles for when you need to hold on to them. I run with 2 dogs (one on either side) and the leash has been a lifesaver - helps keep everyone in place and my arms from being pulled out of their sockets if a squirrel runs by (which is often).

Also, as mentioned above, training is key, as is a good harness.