Teaching a dog to run with you?

tuneses · July 2012

I have a 4 year old Lab i'd like to get running with me. My problem with him is no matter what pace I go, even when we walk, he wants to be at the end of the leash pulling me. Anyone have training tips or a good website? TIA

geordiegirl27 · July 2012

I have 2 terriers who absolutely love running with me. 1st thing I'd say is get a harness this is the one I have http://www.kisi.co.uk/index.php?option=com_virtuemart&page=shop.browse&category_id=52&Itemid=1

My dogs walk pretty good to heal but running they're off in front and with the harness its where I like them to be. You may need to get him to dog classes if he is pulling when you walk but I still think you'd find that your dog will still naturally run up front, but with this type of harness the pressure is taken off and you have 2 hands free to run & balance yourself, just keep an eye on him for stopping dead in front of you :huh:

margo36 · July 2012

I used to run a few years ago with my eldest Dalmation and never used to bother with a lead he just use to stay with me. He is 15 yrs old in October and still going strong so it must have done him some good as well. He has lived about 3 yrs over his alloted lifespan

BuzzyLizzy77 · July 2012

I have a 2 year old labradoodle who is the same, has the be the leader! We bought a halti that goes around her muzzel and tightens when she pulls, she learned how to walk with it pretty quickly (1-2 walks), we have never looked back, its not cruel at all. I can now go running with her and take her when I go out on my bike.
You can buy halti's at most pet shops or online.

lesliev523 · July 2012

Hi there,

I train and foster rescue dogs in my spare time, so I know a lot about this.

The first thing I recommend for any dog who likes to pull is to use a gentle leader. This is a type of head collar, that fits around the dogs snout and behind his ears. When he pulls, it pulls his snout down to his chest, much like a bridle does for a horse. Dogs hate this feeling, and will give up the idea of pulling rather quickly. I use a gentle leader whenever I run with any of my dogs.

Also, work on leash training, where he gets rewarded for walking nicely. Get a pouch of little treats, and when he walks nicely give him a treat ever 50 feet or so... when he starts to pull, turn around and change directions. They hate that.

Good luck! Feel free to message me if you have more questions.

rednavel · July 2012

bump for later

prjoy98 · July 2012

lol...funny! I thought my lab/golden girl was the only crazy one who did this! I also have an Akita and she eggs him on and even tries to grab his leash to pull him to go faster. It's amusing and so fun after a long day at work! However, she does very well on the leash...these hilarious moments only come in spurts.

Coco_UK · July 2012

I used to think that my dog could not run with me without stopping to smell stuff every other minute... then I saw this cute little dog in China. :-)

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-china-18218878

iLoveMyPitbull1225 · July 2012

well my pit pulls the leash when we walk, but we are working on these skills with puppy obedience. You might wanna talk to a trainer to start.

But, after about 20 or so minutes hes too tired to pull so hard and gives up.

I have tried to have him run with me, but like I said he 1) gets tried quickly and ends up behind me or 2) thinks its a game and runs in circles around me. lol

Good luck!

jennt_22 · July 2012

The first thing I recommend for any dog who likes to pull is to use a gentle leader. This is a type of head collar, that fits around the dogs snout and behind his ears. When he pulls, it pulls his snout down to his chest, much like a bridle does for a horse. Dogs hate this feeling, and will give up the idea of pulling rather quickly. I use a gentle leader whenever I run with any of my dogs.

^^^ Yes I was going to recommend the Gentle Leader as well. My husky pup loves to pull on the leash so we got him one of those to practice walking on and it does help. When running I like to use a harness and choke collar though. I know some do not believe in using choke collars but he has responded well to it.

nikinyx6 · July 2012

I've had large breed dogs my whole life, and in my experience, most dogs can be 'broken' of this, but not all dogs....

I had one shepherd cross that WOULD NOT use any type of leash...he would pull like mad, then just roll over on his back and refuse to move.

If you are in total control of the dog, and in a good area for it, i'd recommend leash-free

geordiegirl27 · July 2012

The first thing I recommend for any dog who likes to pull is to use a gentle leader. This is a type of head collar, that fits around the dogs snout and behind his ears. When he pulls, it pulls his snout down to his chest, much like a bridle does for a horse. Dogs hate this feeling, and will give up the idea of pulling rather quickly. I use a gentle leader whenever I run with any of my dogs.

^^^ Yes I was going to recommend the Gentle Leader as well. My husky pup loves to pull on the leash so we got him one of those to practice walking on and it does help. When running I like to use a harness and choke collar though. I know some do not believe in using choke collars but he has responded well to it.

I must admit I wouldnt recommend a choke collar for running, you could cause immense problems to his throat? Can you not use the gentle leader/halti instead? I have heard that the choke collars can make them go faster as they done associate going slower with reducing the pressure. My dogs both wear body harnesses which the leaders clip too, I've never had any problems they run up front but dont pull.

tuneses · July 2012

Thanks everyone! I'll be looking at gentile leaders and treats to put in my fuel belt. I'll try walking first too.

jennt_22 · July 2012

I must admit I wouldnt recommend a choke collar for running, you could cause immense problems to his throat? Can you not use the gentle leader/halti instead? I have heard that the choke collars can make them go faster as they done associate going slower with reducing the pressure. My dogs both wear body harnesses which the leaders clip too, I've never had any problems they run up front but dont pull.

Thank you for your concern. To each is own. :flowerforyou:

margo36 · July 2012

I've had large breed dogs my whole life, and in my experience, most dogs can be 'broken' of this, but not all dogs....

I had one shepherd cross that WOULD NOT use any type of leash...he would pull like mad, then just roll over on his back and refuse to move.

If you are in total control of the dog, and in a good area for it, i'd recommend leash-free

I always ran with my Dalmation leash free and never had any problems. He even understood the command "Car Coming " which meant get on the grass verge now. I have three large dogs and have always trained them to walk off lead right from Pups. Much easier than having three large dogs on leads.

AmeChops · July 2012

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z8cPkTh7Y3k

This is basically what we've been doing with our Huskies. 3 of them now walk (about 90% of the time) with a loose lead and just an alaskan semi-slip collar. Our other 1 still has a way to go, she's young and very stubborn.

I, personally, wouldn't recommend a choke collar AT ALL - I just find them very mean and you're only masking the problem.

The halti type head collars are easier on the dog but, again, you're masking the problem - these are also NOT suitable if you're intending on running with the dog, they can cause a lot of damage and are designed for walking only.

Get your dog a good harness for running and attach the lead to a belt. A shoulder harness would be a lot better than an X-Back due to the attachment point and angle. If the angle is to too high and the lead too short with an X-Back you'll end up pulling his back legs up, which is no good!

For tips etc try an internet search for canicross.

Also, be careful about running your dog in hot weather, we don't run with ours if the temperature is above 12/14c - they'll just overheat. The temperature could probably vary with dog breed though :-))

You'll also find that after the initial burst of running that he'll probably slow down to a nice rhythm.

Good luck and enjoy running with your furry friend!!

MorganLeighRN · July 2012

The first thing I recommend for any dog who likes to pull is to use a gentle leader. This is a type of head collar, that fits around the dogs snout and behind his ears. When he pulls, it pulls his snout down to his chest, much like a bridle does for a horse. Dogs hate this feeling, and will give up the idea of pulling rather quickly. I use a gentle leader whenever I run with any of my dogs.

^^^ Yes I was going to recommend the Gentle Leader as well. My husky pup loves to pull on the leash so we got him one of those to practice walking on and it does help. When running I like to use a harness and choke collar though. I know some do not believe in using choke collars but he has responded well to it.

I must admit I wouldnt recommend a choke collar for running, you could cause immense problems to his throat? Can you not use the gentle leader/halti instead? I have heard that the choke collars can make them go faster as they done associate going slower with reducing the pressure. My dogs both wear body harnesses which the leaders clip too, I've never had any problems they run up front but dont pull.

I thing with choke collars (the ones with out the prongs) is that you need to make sure that they are put on correctly. If you have it on the right way, when you pull it and than loosen up, the collar will release. If you have it on the wrong way it will not release. I have a 110 lb cane corso, who is pure muscle, (he was relinquished to us by a client) who no matter what you have on him he would drag you. With a gentle leader he would pull and cut his nose. We started him with a trainer and his choke collar and he doesn't pull when I walk or run with him. As long as you are using the choke collar appropriately there is no problem with them. And anyone who says that what my husband and I are doing with the choke collar training is mean, I challenge you to walk my dog without his choke collar!

larkiedeek · July 2012

I would love to run with my dog but he broke his leg a couple of years ago and he has limped a bit since then. I hope you can find a way to go out with yours.

I do have a neghbour who runs with his spaniel. He has this big long rubber lead thing.

The dog is full of beans but he seems to understand he has to run in a particular way. Dogs are Smart!

Good luck!

muddyventures · July 2012

I gave up running with my dog,1, she is 13 and can hardly run as it is and 2, she almost always tripped me up. We do use a gentle leader for her walks and have since she was 3. She is a pit/lab mix and very strong, with the gentle leader my children(when younger) were able to walk her with no pulling. I always recommend the gentle leader to friends and the ones that have swtiched also swear they won't go back.

JustJennie1 · July 2012

As long as you are using the choke collar appropriately there is no problem with them. And anyone who says that what my husband and I are doing with the choke collar training is mean, I challenge you to walk my dog without his choke collar!

I agree. Our dog went to training for five weeks when we were on vacation and not only do we have to use a choke collar but we also have to use a pinch collar. He was apparently left outside probably tied to a tree (we aren't his original owners. Some a**clown abandoned him at the end of our road) and the trainer said that he's very strong willed and he has a thick neck so he had to use both choke and pinch collar. For people who have never used either one on their animal and think it's cruel then go ahead and take my dog for a walk without it and see how much he'll listen to you.

FitBunnyEm · July 2012

if i run fast my dog wont sniff and stop, he will listen to me when i say 'wait' thats the only reason mine will wait and not pull...i find he pulls like a bull on a harness but they are safe....good luck.

jcstanton · July 2012

The first thing I recommend for any dog who likes to pull is to use a gentle leader. This is a type of head collar, that fits around the dogs snout and behind his ears. When he pulls, it pulls his snout down to his chest, much like a bridle does for a horse. Dogs hate this feeling, and will give up the idea of pulling rather quickly. I use a gentle leader whenever I run with any of my dogs.

^^^ Yes I was going to recommend the Gentle Leader as well. My husky pup loves to pull on the leash so we got him one of those to practice walking on and it does help. When running I like to use a harness and choke collar though. I know some do not believe in using choke collars but he has responded well to it.

That actually makes alot of sense for any dog, but particularly for huskies since they are bred to be sled dogs and are going to instinctively want to pull.

lavieboheme1229 · July 2012

I have a Jack Russel Terrier mix, who is a princess and will not run on the grass because it is not an even enough surface for her. Furthermore, she has 2 speeds- run and sniff. We have gone through beginning and intermediate training with her twice, and to this day, she pulls on the lease. I refuse to do anything that would physically harm her. She wears a harness.

We have a six foot leash. When we run. I have my right wrist through the loop, and hold the rest of the leash in my left hand. This keeps her on the left side of me (not in the road), and only gives her about 2 feet of give. After about 5 minutes, she is on board with the program. I am doing C25K, so she understands my command when I say "Sas, slow down" or "Come on Sas, time to run"

It took a couple times of her trying to dart out from behind me and get in the middle of the road etc, but she has it down now.

Persistence and consistence. You have to be more stubborn than your dog. LOL!

contingencyplan · July 2012

I used to think that my dog could not run with me without stopping to smell stuff every other minute... then I saw this cute little dog in China. :-)

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-china-18218878

Okay seriously that's adorable.

Kara_xxx · July 2012

We (my collie-x and I) run on woodland trails that are very isolated and traffic free, so I don't bother with a leash for running. I leave her to run and sniff and she's always within 10m of me and will heel on a whistle or call.

If you feel you do need a leash for running, look at the cani-x websites and associated harnesses with bungee-hip fastened leads.

I have a lot of involvement with our local rescue and one of my best friends is the behaviourist that works with the dogs. We never use choke chains, not on any breed. Given appropriate training I am yet to see a dog that doesn't "get" heel training when their owner "gets" it. Seeing how clueless some owners are, I'm not surprised that some dogs don't know what they're supposed to be doing though.

jaz050465 · July 2012

There was a similar thread to this a week or so ago with a very interesting thread from a vet. Do a search for it as it was worth reading.

Erisad · July 2012

I have a lazy papillon who anchors herself down as soon as i put a leash on her. So yeah, she will not be my workout buddy anytime soon. She's a pampered little princess. XD

AmeChops · July 2012

As long as you are using the choke collar appropriately there is no problem with them. And anyone who says that what my husband and I are doing with the choke collar training is mean, I challenge you to walk my dog without his choke collar!

I agree. Our dog went to training for five weeks when we were on vacation and not only do we have to use a choke collar but we also have to use a pinch collar. He was apparently left outside probably tied to a tree (we aren't his original owners. Some a**clown abandoned him at the end of our road) and the trainer said that he's very strong willed and he has a thick neck so he had to use both choke and pinch collar. For people who have never used either one on their animal and think it's cruel then go ahead and take my dog for a walk without it and see how much he'll listen to you.

Yes I do think that choke collars are mean and I stand by what I said - they may stop the pulling but they're only masking the actual problem...as can be seen because he'll pull when he's on a normal collar.

I'm really not trying to cause an argument here, I'm just stating that there are ways of training your dog not to pull rather than using devices to stop him pulling.

Jut out of interest, did the trainer you saw mention anything about him pulling being related to him having been abandoned, tied to a tree...if he was tied to the tree with a collar then he might have a bad relationship with them that would need extra attention? I'm no behaviourist or trainer it's just something that popped in to my head. I am very sorry to hear that happened to him :-((

Also, I actually found it VERY difficult to walk my Kai before we trained him not to pull and yes, we tried 'aids' such as the halti (which he continually nose-dived the floor and pawed to get off). He's a Husky X Malamute weighing in at almost 40kgs with the potential to pull at least 5 times his body weight. After a relatively short time of training I can now walk him down the road on just a collar and lead and he'll trot along next to me. Of course it's not perfect all the time but it's a remarkable (and very welcomed) change. Attach him up to the scooter, however and he'll pull like there is no tomorrow lol!!

margo36 · July 2012

As long as you are using the choke collar appropriately there is no problem with them. And anyone who says that what my husband and I are doing with the choke collar training is mean, I challenge you to walk my dog without his choke collar!

I agree. Our dog went to training for five weeks when we were on vacation and not only do we have to use a choke collar but we also have to use a pinch collar. He was apparently left outside probably tied to a tree (we aren't his original owners. Some a**clown abandoned him at the end of our road) and the trainer said that he's very strong willed and he has a thick neck so he had to use both choke and pinch collar. For people who have never used either one on their animal and think it's cruel then go ahead and take my dog for a walk without it and see how much he'll listen to you.

Yes I do think that choke collars are mean and I stand by what I said - they may stop the pulling but they're only masking the actual problem...as can be seen because he'll pull when he's on a normal collar.

I'm really not trying to cause an argument here, I'm just stating that there are ways of training your dog not to pull rather than using devices to stop him pulling.

Jut out of interest, did the trainer you saw mention anything about him pulling being related to him having been abandoned, tied to a tree...if he was tied to the tree with a collar then he might have a bad relationship with them that would need extra attention? I'm no behaviourist or trainer it's just something that popped in to my head. I am very sorry to hear that happened to him :-((

Also, I actually found it VERY difficult to walk my Kai before we trained him not to pull and yes, we tried 'aids' such as the halti (which he continually nose-dived the floor and pawed to get off). He's a Husky X Malamute weighing in at almost 40kgs with the potential to pull at least 5 times his body weight. After a relatively short time of training I can now walk him down the road on just a collar and lead and he'll trot along next to me. Of course it's not perfect all the time but it's a remarkable (and very welcomed) change. Attach him up to the scooter, however and he'll pull like there is no tomorrow lol!!

I have three large dogs and I have never used any of these things. You need to do some basic lead training. If your dog pulls on the lead just stop dead in your tracks and wait if your dog keeps pulling turn round and walk in the opposite direction. depending on the dog this may take a while for the message to sink in that he isn't going anywhere if he pulls but preserverance will pay off in the end. When off lead you need to have an immediate recall as well. This is achieved by giving a treat when your dog comes back no matter how long it takes. Eventually he will come back straight away. My three come back immediately

Teaching a dog to run with you?

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