Running long distance with your dog

[mulroony]

Does anyone here run long distances with their dogs? I know it is not good for some large breeds, but I wondered if there was anything I should watch for/be doing when I start this with Shelby. I am going to start her gradually, but some of the distances are a little extreme. (10, 15, 20+ miles) I thought I heard this is not a big deal for a lot of breeds, but I was not sure. I am really looking foreword to having someone to run with, and a little security is nice since I end up in some isolated areas late at night.

I did not want to post twice, but has anyone here used any of the hands free systems for running w/ your pups? It seems like it would get annoying holding a leash for this long.

Thanks

[CleverCanine]

First off i'd consult your vet, even take your dog to the vets for a check up and then bring the question up with them and see what they say, if they say that it is OK, the vet might be able to suggest a possible distance for the breed and then as you said if it goes well you could gradually go longer / further.

As for running without a lead it is alot better but if the dog is prone to not listening then i wouldnt suggest it, also if you do let your dog off the lead there is the problem of vehicles on the road or people passing whilst running / jogging that might not feel comfortable seeing a dog off leash but if he's well behaved and listens then i don't see a problem but preferably choosing somewhere where cars don't pass as it is not the best combination with a dog of he's leash.

Hope this has helped in some way

CC

[kazkirkpatrick]

cc, I think mulroony meant hands free, not leash free! like those ones that go around you so you dont have to hold onto the leash.

My husband and I run with cooper, a 65lb ambull. He has been diagnosed recently with hideous hip disease, but the vet said dont stop running with him unless he actually wants to stop. Running with your dog is a great idea as long as the dog enjoys it and you build him up for the longer distances.

Good luck!

[CleverCanine]

I see lol, long day also it's very hot where i am, my excuse is that the heat is causing me to mis-read things .

I agree, running is alot more fun for both when the dog enjoys it too

[Mellie]

I have been an avid runner for over 20 years (I started young). I have always had my dogs as running companions. Some were too old, or too disabled, so they did not come along for runs (or DID come along in a BabyJogger ). But the others ran anywhere from 5 to 15 miles with me well up until their senior years. And they would have kept going if it weren't for me slowing them down.

I currently have a Saint Bernard; almost 2 years old. Because of her size, development, and need to stay out of very hot weather, I only take her on the occasional short distance jog. I go slow enough so my jog is a trot for her. And I travel the path along the river so she has access to water. It doesn't do much for my running needs, but it makes her hapy to be included.

I also just adopted a 5-7 month old Springer Spaniel. I plan to condition him to be my true running partner when the time is right.

I would definitely take her in to the Vet for a check-up, and discuss your ideas to run with her. If she is healthy and ready to go, great! Give all the details -- how far, how fast, etc -- so s/he can be of most help.
Start her slow, like you mentioned. Increase her exercise in increments over the course of weeks. Warm her up and cool her down.
I've always used regular hand leashes when necessary; have yet to try the hands-free type. I feel more in control this way. But if you decide on the hands-free and have good results, I'd love to hear about it. Make sure you have all ID tags on her in case the dog gets loose.
Also keep in mind that a dog will feel the heat from a paved road much sooner than you will. And their paws might need some regular tender loving care. You might need to make some changes to her diet to accommodate her increased physical exertion. Bring water for the dog if you do not have access to it otherwise. Stop at the first sign of heat discomfort or pain.
And so on and so forth....

Maybe I should just give you a few links rather than try to remember everything myself:
http://www.thepetprofessor.com/secAr..._with_dogs.asp
http://www.paw-rescue.org/PAW/PETTIPS/DogTip_JogDog.php
http://www.dogjogger.com/
http://petplace.netscape.com/Article...asp?artID=2582
http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/jog.htm

Good luck!

[mulroony]

Thanks for all the response. I will have her checked out before I start doing any sort of real distance with her. She has always just loved running (I swear I cannot possibly throw the ball far enough while we are playing fetch) and so have I, so it sounds like a match made in heaven. (Also partially the reason I selected a dog of her type, not that I really know what that is)

I was searching around found some great looking hand free leashes I think I might try. I run later at night, and I always run past at least some cows (She has very little cow socialization, lol) and often see opossums, bunnies, and other small animals. Her prey drive is too high for me to trust her off leash, and the electric fence around the cows scares me. (I am always affraid I am going to trip and land on it, and no one is going to find me till the next morning) Thanks for all the advice.

[Schwe]

Originally Posted by mulroony

I am always affraid I am going to trip and land on it, and no one is going to find me till the next morning

LOL. When I was younger my family brought our now deceased English Bully to a specialist for her skin. They had a field by the parking lot where there were goats, sheep, etc. in it surrounded by a wire fence. I threw a twig at it to check whether it was charged, and I don't know what I expected to see-- a spark? LMAO Well, the twig just bounced off and fell to the ground, so I put some grass on the wire and that didn't smoke or fizzle either. I then decided that the fence was indeed not charged and took some grass to feed a sweet looking goat. Reach through the fence and ZAP!!! I guess I grazed the fence and got the jolt of my life, LOL. Totally shocked by it, as I concluded that my extensive testing of the fence had obviously showed that it was NOT charged.

*falls out of chair laughing* Don't you just love looking back on things like this and realizing how young and naive you were? LOL

I guess the point of my story is, if you fall on it and get shocked, you won't die or pass out till someone finds your char-broiled body in the morning.