If you are a runner—whether you tie your shoelaces every morning or occasionally—you know what it feels like to have only one open road ahead. This feeling of freedom mixed with the endorphins of a challenging activity is what keeps runners (whether fair weather or others) coming back. When your dog can relax in a dog park or large backyard, it’s a bit like your dog’s feeling, right? So, why not experience this freedom together?
Although there are many benefits to running with your dog-intimacy, exercise, training, contact, etc.-before simply replacing your typical walk around the block with your dog jogging in the city, there are a few Important things need to be considered. From simple logistics to health issues and safety precautions, if you want to start running with your dog, consider the following.
Before running with your dog, you should consider body size, health, breed, and age. Consult an expert, including your veterinarian, a certified dog trainer, and even a certified canine fitness instructor (yes, that’s one thing!) for specific guidance about your dog, Maria Cristina Shu Ertz said that she and Ruffwear are both certified canine fitness instructor ambassadors.
“You really need to think about it, can your dog do it?” Hudson Barks certified dog trainer Jennifer Herrera added. “Not only is your dog healthy, but is this suitable for your dog?” For example, running with a pug may not be the best idea because the breed has a shorter body shape and a short nose, which may hinder breathing, but large dogs can also Will not automatically become a good running partner, Herrera explained. “It’s not just a matter of size,” she said. “Bullmastiff is a huge breed, but they don’t like running-they are slow, couch potatoes.”
In addition, one of the biggest mistakes new pet parents make is to go out for a run with a puppy with unlimited energy. Schultz explained that although you might think this is a reliable way to eliminate them so that they stop chewing on furniture, it can cause long-term damage to your dog’s health. “You don’t want to run with puppies until their growth plates are closed,” she said, adding that this happens on average around 18 months, but it depends on the breed. Both Schultz and Elara agreed that any kind of prolonged, strenuous activity, while their young, soft bones are still growing and strengthening, may cause immediate injury or long-term problems in their joints or bones.
You won’t wake up one day and decide to run a marathon instead of jogging for more than a mile, right? right. The same is true for your dog. Not only should you get it all removed from your veterinarian-you don’t want running mistakes to be your way of discovering medical problems-but you should also participate in this activity as infants.
“You don’t want to run five miles as soon as you go out with your dog,” Schultz said. “It’s bad for their paw pads. It’s bad for their joints.” Instead, start with a mile and increase the distance or time by 10% every week, she suggests.
In addition to cardiovascular adjustment, you also want to make sure that your puppy’s paw pads adapt to any surface you are going to run on—whether it’s a sidewalk, gravel, or trail—to ensure that they won’t be damaged or torn. Schultz explained that you can do this by simply taking them for a routine walk wherever you plan to run with them for a few weeks.
If your dog likes boots, you can consider choosing a set to protect their feet more fully. Some options to consider: Ruffwear Grip Trex dog boots, Pet Pawsabilities dog shoes, or if you want to run in colder temperatures, you can choose KONG Sport dog boots. Schultz said that just knowing that boots can change your dog’s gait means that their running stride may be affected in some way.
Rather than let your dog try to run at your speed, consider increasing your running speed to match their speed. “The natural pace of dogs is faster than that of humans,” Schultz pointed out. Therefore, instead of feeling that your dog is pulling you throughout the run (not fun for them and you), she recommends that you train to increase your speed before running with your dog, so that you Both can enjoy keeping up with each other. You can even think of it as a motivation to put a little encouragement in your steps.
Think about it: You spend a lot of time (and money) looking for the best running shoes, fitness headphones, and sports sunglasses that will not fall off your sweaty nose with every step you take. Equipment is important, and if you want to run with your dog, the same applies.
An important thing is not only to make your experience easier and more enjoyable, but also to control safety precautions, and that is the hands-free belt. If you run with your usual belt, there are many things that can go wrong-most importantly, lose it-not to mention that many runners prefer to free their hands when timing their mileage. The Ruffwear Trail Runner dog leash system checks all the boxes and then some boxes, because it acts as a running belt and stores your keys, phones and dog treats built-in, has a water bottle holder, and is equipped with a shock-absorbing Ridgeline leash that you can connect to On the loop of the belt. This bungee leash is an excellent choice for running, especially because “if your dog is forward or behind your pace, it can reduce tension or resistance, so it won’t jerk,” Herrera explained .
In addition, Herrera recommends that you should always prepare a first aid kit and a foldable water bowl for you and your pet. If you are running in an urban environment, don’t run with a leash more than 6 feet to avoid tangles, traffic, or too far between you and your dog, she added.
When you decide to run with your dog, the activity is no longer for you-it’s theirs, Schultz said, adding that if you are training for competition or other goals, run alone, and Focus on running with your dog. Dogs serve as their fulfilling time. Think of it as an opportunity to connect with pets. Some breeds not only thrive in this kind of sporting activity-usually, hunting or herding breeds, such as Vizsla or Australian Shepherd Dogs, feel the most comfortable when running-but it is also good for strengthening behavioral training and encouraging trust between you Method Two.
Most importantly, remember to have fun. Running with your dog “is not a place to correct. This is not a place to be harsh on your dog,” Schultz said. Fasten your shoelaces, fasten your seat belts, and focus on staying with you and your pet. You will definitely have a lot of miles and memories waiting for you.
Post time: Aug-27-2021