The benefits of running for people are well known- it’s flexible, inexpensive once you have bought a good pair of shoes and a good calorie burner. It’s hard work but gets much easier with regular short practice sessions and can be done almost anywhere. It’s often said that if you can walk, you can run, and as a dog owner you are certainly doing that already, so why not step up a gear together?
Will My Dog Like Running?
Most dogs just adore being out and will love going running with their owner for short distances- but as the exercise levels get more demanding you may need to consider whether your breed or type of dog is suited to such strenuous activity.
Toy dogs, bred mainly as lap dogs and as pocket sized companions, can find what seems like a moderate distance for a human a bit of a marathon- remember that they have little legs and will have to run faster to keep up, so it’s understandable that they may not enjoy going flat out for a long time. This is not a size issue though- other small dogs like terriers are bred and built to work and have lots of energy- if they take to running they can put their owner to shame! Some dogs are obviously not physically suited to running- the modern English bulldog is a perfect example of such a dog and has the additional handicap of its squashed nose causing it breathing difficulties. Generally the more extreme the body shape, the more you should proceed with caution.
At the other end of the scale the working and herding dogs are usually a good bet, like collies, huskies and shepherds, but in every case the physical make-up of the individual dog should also be considered. The German Shepherd, though often athletic, can have a pronounced slope to the back and if it does not make good use of its hind legs, and some don’t, can scuff the rear paws when running on harder surfaces causing soreness and infection.
Other Considerations
As well as breed and type there are other factors to consider before you take your dog running.
Your dog should not be too young, particularly if a large breed, if you want to take it running for anything more than a few steps as part of play. Excessive exercise at a young age can damage growing joints and could lead to problems like arthritis in later life. Ask your vet when your own puppy would be considered well grown enough to be exercised like an adult dog- eight months is often quoted as a guideline.
You will need to consider your dog’s coat with a mind to the weather on each day you plan to take it running. A thick coated breed designed to work hard in cold climates is unlikely to be able to manage much running without virtual heat stroke in warm climates, and a fine coated dog can find long periods in colder weather very uncomfortable.
How is your dog’s health in general? Arthritic changes in the joints may mean running is inadvisable. An overweight dog could find the exercise too strenuous and a diet may be a better start. Again you may need to consult your vet about your plans if there are any concerns.
The key question is whether your individual dog is enjoying the activity- like people, some will soon love it, others may not. If your dog, like mine, goes mad wagging its tail and barking when you put on your running shoes and whine if you stop when you’re out, it's so keen to keep moving, clearly running agrees with it! If it slinks away and lags behind when you’re out so you practically have to drag it, it would probably prefer to be at home laid on the carpet- forcing the dog to go with you will at least be unpleasant for the dog and at worst could do it harm.
Getting Started
Once you have good running shoes for yourself and you have the clearance from your vet if required, you can get out there! There’s little preparation to do. The times you take your dog out should not be too near their mealtimes- certainly not within an hour after they have eaten and ideally not immediately beforehand. Dogs should not exercise close to mealtimes as this has been identified as a possible cause of the serious complaint bloat. You and your dog will both need water if running for any length of time, so either carry a bottle or plan stop offs where you can get water- drinking fountains can be found in parks and sometimes at beaches or near shops. Remember to take poop bags, ideally conveniently packaged- you can buy holders that will fasten to the lead itself so you won’t need pockets.
It can take getting used to running with the lead in your hand, but you’ll soon adapt- I like to switch hands regularly and use quite a long lead to prevent jerking my dog as I move my arms, though obviously as we run in an urban area it can’t be so long that the dog could easily veer off the pavement onto the road.
Plan some shorter runs, even if you are fit regular runner yourself, when you first have your dog with you, so you can assess how it deals with this new activity. It’s not only a question of whether the dog simply copes but whether it can get used to going straight alongside you; dogs that can’t focus ahead and wander back and forward in front of you are not great fun to run with!
Next Steps
If you find you are both enjoying your runs and want to take things further, you can purchase some equipment designed to make life easier for you both. There are special hands-free leads which fasten around your waist and enable you to run more comfortably combined with a harness which ensures comfort for your dog. There are belts that can hold bottles and will make it easier for you to carry plenty of water for both of you. To help maintain targets and keep your training regular you can sign yourself up for various fun runs, even half marathons and marathons should you want a challenge, although your dog may not be able to accompany you to all of these. As a pair however, you can get involved in the growing sport of Cani-cross. Scheduled events can be found on their website, and you can enter or become a member online.
Sources
- Cani-Cross Accessed June 2011
- Global Span-Bloat Accessed June 2011
- Runners World Accessed June 2011
Paula Sainthouse - Paula Sainthouse holds qualifications in psychology, public relations, horse management & animal behaviour.
