How To Start Running With Your Dog

If you have wanted to start running with fido now is time to get started.  If both of you are just starting an exercise program then you both need to start slow.  Starting with a walk/run is the best way to get into better fitness without getting injured.  Dogs as well as humans need to begin a running program by gradually building their mileage each week.  I typically recommend starting with a 20-minute walk/run 4 times a week.  When you are starting you can begin with a 1- minute jog and a 3- minute walk repeating this throughout the run.  When this gets easy try increasing it to a 2/3 and then 3/3 and 3/2 and so on.  Eventually you will be running continuously.  Increase the total time each week by about 10% and every 3^rd or 4^th week give yourself an easier week if you feel like you need it.  As your miles get higher you will definitely need the easier week. 

Always watch your dog for signs of fatigue and alter your run if needed.  Remember each dog is different and some will progress faster or slower depending on their current health, age and their breed.  If your pup is very overweight then they may need to work into the program slower.  If you pup is older you will need to be even more aware of any signs of stress or fatigue.

Here are some guidelines to follow:

• Be aware of the weather and adjust your training accordingly.  If its hot then do your exercise early in the morning before the sun comes up or late when the sun goes down.
• As workouts get longer carry water for you any your pet.  You can use a camelback and carry a collapsible water dish for your mutt.
• If you’re running on trails work into it very slowly because the trails can hurt your dogs paws.  You dog will need to build up toughness on his feet to run trails so you have to start with very short runs.  Some breeds such as cattle dogs, border collies, and sporting dogs are better at trail running than others.
• Adjust your workout based on how your dog is feeling.  Dogs like humans have bad and good days.  If you planned a 5-mile run and
  
  
  
  you can tell your dog isn’t 100% that day then adjust your plan and take him/her home and go back out to finish your run. 
• Run them in shifts if you have more than 1 dog.  If I am scheduled for a 10 mile run sometimes I will take one dog for 5 miles and then take the other one for the remaining 5 miles.  
• If your dog is at a healthy weight then on the days you run longer you will need to increase their food intake.  Just like humans when they run they are burning calories and to maintain their healthy weight they will need more calories.  If your dog is overweight you won’t need to do this until they reach a healthy weight. 
• Always check with your vet before beginning any program.  Your vet knows your dog and will be able to give you advice based upon your dogs breed, age and health.
• Use the right equipment such as a waist belt with leash to free your hands when running.  I use a one and it goes around my waist and then I use regular slip leads for the dogs.  One time the collar I was using was slightly too big and was bumping my dog on the shoulder.  I didn’t realize it until she started running funny.  Little things like this that may bother the dog are important to look for.  You will find a leash or harness that works best for you.  If you are running at night both you and your dog should wear reflective gear.  They make lots of different types of reflective gear for both humans and dogs.  
• Make sure you have good running shoes that are fit professionally at a running store.  A good running store will analyze your gait and recommend the right shoe for you. 
• Don’t run your dog right after you feed them.  If I am running first thing in the morning I feed my dogs about 30 minutes after the run.  Larger breeds can be prone to bloat so it is extremely important to adjust feeding times based on when you run.  You could give them a little snack but not a full meal.  Just imagine how you would feel running after a large meal. 
• Take a rest day.  I typically take two days off from running each week so my dogs do too.  I walk them  on non-running days and play games with them to keep them stimulated. 

I have been running with dogs for nearly 10 years.  I run with my own dogs and I run dogs at the Nevada SPCA.  It makes my run much more enjoyable and the time goes by much faster when you have a dog with you.  They also don’t complain like your human running partners!  Follow my journey on my Run For Fido Facebook page and donate to help me raise money for the amazing dogs at the Nevada SPCA!   

https://www.razoo.com/story/Mld7af

Coming Out Of Her Shell

Running With Pacer And Lilly

I adopted Pacer two months ago when I lost my dog Tigger.  Tigger was my first dog as an adult and boy he was the most loyal dog anyone could have had.  I was devastated and coped with my loss my getting another dog right away.  I have always ran with my dogs so I wanted a dog that would hopefully be a good running partner.  Since I volunteer at the local no-kill shelter, where I run dogs there, I had a plenty of options.  A few days after I lost Tigger this terrified, skinny mixed breed mutt became available for adoption at the Nevada SPCA.  I was volunteering Thanksgiving Day and I went to her kennel to meet her.  She tried to hide in the corner of the kennel to get away from me or anyone.  As I walked toward her trying to leash her she was shaking uncontrollably.  I got her on the leash and took her outside and she still was terrified.  She was a medium size mixed breed most likely a hound type or some sporting breed.  I thought that if  she could overcome her fear she would be an ideal pup to be my running buddy.  The next day I came back with my two dogs to meet her.  The meeting was uneventful and she still seemed very timid.  She was very underweight and she was 10 months old.  I decided to take her home, it was her adoptable birthday the day after Thanksgiving.  She perked up a little bit when she got into my house and was still shy but not as bad as she was at the shelter. 

 

The first few times we went for a walk or a run she was terrified to be outside. It was like everything was new to her and I don’t think her previous owner had introduced her to anything during her short life.  She was always looking around worried and any loud sounds really freaked her out.  Cars scared her, barking dogs scared her, motorcycles terrified her, and people scared her.  She didn’t want to sniff anything, she just wanted to get back to the safety of the house.  We would see birds, chipmunks and rabbits on our walk and my other dog was always curious.  Pacer seemed uninterested and only wanted to get home.  I was surprised because I thought she was a sporting breed and would instinctively be interested in these critters. 

Tigger The Love Of My Life

 

At Bootcamp

Each walk and each run she slowly started to notice things dogs notice and she was losing her fear of the world.  It’s now been two months and she doesn’t seem afraid of much on our runs.  She loves to run and is relaxed and calm when we are running and she is always looking for critters on our runs and walks.  She has gained a tremendous amount of confidence in just 2 months.  She is still afraid of new people so introductions have to be done very carefully. 

In the evenings she is a clinger and loves to be right by my side and when we sleep she has to be touching me.  She’s become such a love I am so happy I found her.  She is probably the most athletic dog I have had.  She can run 8 miles and still have energy to burn.  In researching the type of hound she may be I think she might be an English Foxhound.  These dogs are tireless and full of energy just like her.  She has a lot of the characteristics physically and in her personality of a Foxhound. 

I am always amazed when someone wants to get a puppy and do not do their research.  The man who dumped her at the shelter said he didn’t have time for her and didn’t want her anymore.  He was overwhelmed and I can understand but unfortunately he didn’t do his research before getting a cute little puppy.  She is the type of dog that needs a very active family or she will be destructive and become uncontrollable.  That is just what happened with her and he didn’t socialize her with people or pets for the 10 months that he had her. 

She is making huge strides and will be a great companion for us.  Right now she can be a pest if she hasn’t had adequate exercise. I run her regularly, play ball with her, and take her to bootcamp.  When we run her head is high and mouth is relaxed, ears are back and she’s focused on the job of running.  She loveswe4r5c it and I love having her with me!