Running with your dog

Running with your dog can be a fun and fulfilling activity for you both!  Dogs of all shapes and sizes run with us at Leash Your Fitness in our Strut With Your Mutt class.  It takes some patience and training, but soon your dog can be a great running buddy!

Just like us, dogs need to build their endurance, starting slowly and then adding distance or speed periodically.  It’s also important to monitor the weather.  If it’s too hot he/she can overheat if not given enough water or breaks.  See our previous post on running in the heat for more tips!

Below are some tips to start your running program with your pup:

• If your dog is new to running, start by adding short periods of jogging to your usual walks before setting out on a full run.
• If he/she pulls ahead or lags behind, make sure your pup knows what you want from them.  No need to tug at their leash, but teach them to heel properly by changing directions until they are consistently at your side.  Shorten the leash slightly, but keep the leash in a “U” shape.
• Wait to run with your puppy until they have reached skeletal maturity, no earlier than 7 months.  Check with your vet to see when your dog is ready.
• Remember that in most cases your pup will run as long as you do, so you should remember to give them breaks and carry plenty of water for both of you.  Keep an eye on how hard they are breathing or how long it takes them to recover once you stop.  You may need to back off if this lasts a long time.
• Just like humans, your pup’s stomach can be sensitive before/after a run.  Try to avoid feeding Fido 1 hour before and 1 hour after your run.
• Almost any breed can run but some of the best are greyhounds, labrador retrievers, herders, setters, ridgebacks, and even pit bulls.  Use caution if you have a small dog or dog with a short nose like pugs or bulldogs.  Always check with your vet to see what your dog’s breed’s risk factors are.
• After running with your dog, whether on pavement or trails, check their paws for wear or dryness.  This is one of the most common injuries for dogs that run regularly.
• Be extremely careful when running with your dog off-leash.  There are coyotes in many of the trails around San Diego and some running locations are more strict than others with the off-leash rules.  Be courteous to others on the trail by making sure your dog has good recall.  No matter how friendly your dog is, you don’t know how friendly a dog up the trail is!  And some can be extra defensive if they are on-leash and your dog is off.