Updated on December 15, 2022
Maintaining one’s own fitness is a worthwhile pastime, and doing the same for one’s canine companion is a crucial aspect of being a responsible dog paw-rent. Instead of doing either one separately, why not combine both and start running with your dog?
Jogging with your dog is a fun way to spend some quality time together, and it also has several health benefits for you and your pet. We all know how tough it can be to work up the enthusiasm to go for a run, but having a dog as a jogging partner can help ease the pain.
So, if you want to take your dog running with you, you should pay attention to the proper pieces of guidance, suggestions, and techniques. Here, you’ll find a comprehensive guide on working out with your dog.
IS YOUR DOG A GOOD CANDIDATE FOR RUNNING WITH YOU?
No matter what kind of dog you have, they will benefit greatly from a daily stroll through the park. While it’s true that not all dogs benefit equally from running with their owners, it’s also true that some dog breeds require more exercise than others.
WHAT DOG BREEDS MAKE THE BEST RUNNING PARTNERS?
The finest dog breeds for runners are ones that were originally developed for labour and other physically demanding occupations.
As they were originally developed to aid hunters, gundogs like Pointers, Hungarian Vizslas, Golden Retrievers, Weimaraners, Poodles, and Spaniels now make excellent jogging companions. During these hunts, participants would race and chase prey across vast stretches of territory.
A gundog breed can be the best option if you want a dog that can go large distances on a variety of surfaces. The general rule is that longer distances can be covered by larger dogs with longer legs.
However, dogs like Border Collies are not just up for anything but are also excellent runners. They are the paw-fect breed to run with you since they have boundless energy and need everything you can offer them to genuinely tyre them out.
Even small terriers like Jack Russells have impressive stamina for extended distances. They are so because their ancestors bred them to be agile, quick, and strong so that they could hunt and destroy vermin in confined areas.
If trained properly, any of these canine varieties will be eager to get up and go at a moment’s notice, will never whine, and will be more than content to trot along at your side.
WHAT DOGS SHOULD I NOT TAKE RUNNING WITH ME?
It’s natural to assume that because all dogs benefit from a consistent exercise routine, every dog will make a wonderful running companion. Several types of dogs aren’t suited to sprinting across the streets for a variety of reasons.
If you’re looking for a canine jogging buddy, steer clear of brachycephalic (flat-faced) breeds like French Bulldogs, Shih Tzus, and Bulldogs. While it’s true that bulldogs have a reputation for being sluggish, that’s not the only reason they wouldn’t make a good jogging companion.
Although brachycephalic dog breeds are quite cute to look at, their squished-up faces and wrinkly skin can make them overheat, tyre quickly, and have trouble breathing. To exacerbate the preexisting health problems of these dogs, a long-distance dash is not in their best interest, and they perform best with daily exercise and play that entails shorter distances.
Dachshunds can’t run because of their unusual shape, which is similar to a sausage. They can’t run as fast as you do because their legs are too short. Even Corgis are not exempt from this rule. However, you would be mistaken if you thought that these two dog breeds didn’t require regular activity. Since you’d need to pick up the same speed that you need to meet your paw-sonal record-breaking run, they wouldn’t be able to do it.
Given their background in racing, sighthound breeds like Greyhounds and Whippets could seem like natural running partners. Without a doubt, these canines have the speed and agility (they’d easily win a 100-meter dash against you), but they weren’t made for marathons.
A Greyhound is not the best option if you plan on running for long distances. If a rapid race is what you seek, though, you will find that your sighthound will easily outrun you.
You should exercise caution if you have a gigantic dog breed like a Great Dane or Newfoundland, despite the fact that larger dogs with greater legs can often run longer distances.
When a dog is running, its weight puts a greater strain on its joints because of the repeated collision its heavy, clumsy paws have with the ground. These dogs are not well-suited for regular, lengthy runs.
CAN I TAKE MY PUPPY RUNNING WITH ME?
Choosing a jogging companion is not just about the breed, but also about the age of the two people involved. It’s never a good idea to take a young puppy running, even if they’re a breed that does well in this activity.
Puppy exercise routines should be closely supervised to prevent excessive impact and joint injuries. Depending on your dog’s breed, size, and age, you’ll need to figure out how much exercise he or she needs.
In order to spare your dog’s joints from unnecessary wear and tear, it’s best to wait until he or she is about 1 1/2 years old to begin your shared sport. Puppy entertainment should initially consist of light exercise, training, and brain enrichment activities.
HOW DO I TRAIN MY DOG TO RUN ALONGSIDE ME?
Now that you know which breed will make the ideal running companion, you can begin training them. Every dog, even within the same breed, has a unique personality and temperament, which means that some will take to jogging easily while others will be more of a challenge to teach.
With your trusty canine running partner
Jogging alongside your canine companion
Just like with any kind of dog training, you and your dog are bound to encounter some challenges along the way.
STEP BY STEP GUIDE:
YOU HAVE TO WALK BEFORE YOU RUN
It will require time and effort, as was already mentioned. Walk loosely on a leash perfectly before venturing out on your first run.
There can be moments when walking your dog when you feel like your arm is about to be dragged out of its socket if he or she is a puller on the lead and in a hurry to reach their objective. Picture yourself experiencing this sensation at lightning speed. It’s not a good idea to run with your dog pulling you if you plan on going really fast.
STICK TO THE SAME SIDE
Not only is this essential for teaching jogging, but it’s also a cornerstone of loose lead walking training.
Your dog can easily trip you up or get you tangled up in the lead if he or she is darting from side to side or sprinting ahead of you.
You have to make a decision about which side they’ll run on, and stick to it. A steady pace can be established from here, and the walker’s speed can be increased gradually.
PICK UP THE PACE
After your dog masters walking calmly and quietly at your side while leashed, you can begin formal training.
Come up with a simple command word, like “walk” or “go,” to let your dog know it’s time to get going when you’re ready to go for a stroll. You have complete freedom in determining the nature of the directive; it can even be something humorous.
When you’re confident your dog understands this, you may introduce a second command, like “let’s run,” and gradually pick up your pace so your dog can learn to distinguish between the two speeds you’ll encounter on walks. The more you can tell your dog about your expectations, the more likely it is that they will respond in the way you want them to.
While you’re still getting the hang of running, it’s important to mix up short bursts of jogging with your normal walking pace to help reinforce the commands. When they catch up to you while you’re walking or running, offer them a sweet food and some vocal praise.
KEEP IT UP
Now that your pup has a basic understanding of jogging and can keep up with you, you should work on increasing their stamina so they can run for longer without tiring. Our canine companions share with us the desire to progressively build up to long distance jogging through training.
It will take time to build up muscle strength and stamina, but if you’re both starting your running trip from scratch, you’ll have the perfect opportunity to motivate each other.
IMPORTANT THINGS TO CONSIDER
First and foremost, you should make sure that this is a hobby that the two of you can share and have fun with. Going it alone can help you achieve your goals and set new paw-sonal bests.
Because, at the end of the day, all dogs are the same and deserve the best possible physical activity. Your dog needs to get out and about on a regular basis to do some exploring, smell the flowers, and use the restroom.
Overall, if your dog is your running partner, you shouldn’t expect a fast pace and should be prepared to stop and rest whenever your dog needs you to. In addition to being a fantastic way to get some physical activity into your routine, this shared pastime should also be fun for you and your partner.
TOP TIPS FOR TAKING YOUR DOG RUNNING
Run after warming up your dog for a few minutes on a brisk walk to relieve stress and promote recovery.
To prevent your dog from being dehydrated, you should bring water with you at all times and provide him or her bowls of water on a regular basis.
Make plenty of pit stops so they may stretch their legs, catch their breath, and take a few deep breaths. This is crucial because their sense of smell is fundamental to how they navigate and experience the world.
Keep an eye on the forecast. It’s best to keep your dog at home if the weather is too hot, too cold, or too wet to run, even if you’re willing to run in it yourself.
Watch out for them; if they start to pant or fall behind, they may need to rest. Many canines will continue to work tirelessly for their owners even though they are clearly exhausted.
Only let them off leash in areas where it is safe to do so and where you are confident in their ability to return when called. If you find it inconvenient to hold a standard dog lead while you run, a waist-clipped version may be a good option.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF RUNNING WITH MY DOG?
After your dog has reached the point of readiness to run, you and your pet will face a number of paw-stives.
The primary benefit of running with your dog is that you both get to benefit from the workout. If you and your dog both enjoy running, you won’t need to schedule separate workouts. Best of all, if you invest in a sturdy pair of running shoes, you won’t even need a costly gym membership.
Plus, you get to bond with your dog by spending quality time together doing something you both enjoy. Spending more time together will strengthen the attachment between you and your puppy.
Your dog’s mental health, like your own, can benefit from regular exercise. You can rest assured that your dog will remain content and healthy thanks to the regular exercise and mental stimulation he will receive.
In general, running with your dog is a great way to get some exercise and bond with each other, but the key is to not turn it into a competition.
