running with dog

I run with my lab, but mostly on trails, so he is off leash.  In the city, he is always on a short lead that I secure to my waist.  The trick is to get the dog trained so that he will stay by your side, and this can take some time and patience.  I have trained my dog since he was a pup, so it may take longer with an older dog. I also allow a few "sniff stops" so that he can take a break.

I would advise to start off with shorter runs, encourage him with treats and praise when he is running by your side.  Also, be aware in winter of salt on the roads and walkways, as this will burn their pads of their feet.  Good advice to see your vet before, to rule out any potential problems. Use common sense, and I am sure you will enjoy having a running partner that is always excited to go for a run.

I have a 5 1/2 month old lab that does short runs (5 miles or less) with me. He's 50 lbs, so by no means small. I do work with him on heel or at least stay out of my way. I've got to try the p-nut butter. He cut in front of me once and I stepped on him (accidentally) pretty hard. I was afraid I'd broken his leg, so carried him home. He was fine - and he doesn't get in front of me anymore. If I stop to walk, he'll motion with his head to start running again - it's pretty funny.

A tired dog is a good dog.

I think spending time with your dog running is just great. And as Atlantia said get a vet check first but after just train her/him like you would a new runner. Not too much at first. I have been running with my Malamute Freya since she was about 1 yr old, she is 5 now. Those are her legs (the hairy ones ) in my avatar. As for off leash or on leash. I run with her on a longer than normal lead attached to my waist and don't let her run off leash even though mostly we are off road. Malies tend to be a bit hard headed and have been know to run off. She is good though and stays just in front of me and responds to voice commands very well. Which is good cause at 130lbs she could pull me around with no prob. Enjoy your runs. You and your runnin' dog. Look forward to how you are doing together on the run

Chris  

I run with my dog all the time.  Around here they are not allowed off leash so when I am where other people are I keep her on leash.  I have a bumbag/fannypack clipped around my waist and I thread her leash through that which means I can run normally with both arms and she is usually trotting ahead of me. 

She has actually come for runs of 3 hours with me but I didn't think she was enjoying them that much so I don't go longer than around an hour or hour and a half now with her and certainly not longer than an hour if it is hot.   I do like the security of having her with me.

I think dogs learn and get into habits -for example when I first started running with her (and i did build up gradually) she wanted to sniff everything like when we walk.  She has learnt that when I run she can't do that and is very good now (unless we see a deer) but I do make a point at the end of walking 5-10mins so she can have her sniff time.

Jackie 

I run with our dog, Sparky, a 4 1/2 year old lab-blue heeler mix.  He knows "heel" and will stay with me whenever I call, but he also know "Okay, GO" which is how I release him from heel.  We run on trails that go 2-3 miles between crossroads sometimes, and he heels up right away.  As we approach a road I call him a hundred yards away from it, and don't let him loose from my command until we are well past it, since he would otherwise begin to anticipate it and start to run perhaps before crossing the road entirely.  He just obeys my commands and rarely seems aware they are related to roads we are crossing.  Interestingly, he knows when I pass a biker or runner the other way and he can get loose soon, since he will immediately look up at me as if to ask if he can run free again. 

As a tip, when training him to run by my side if he started to creep ahead, I'd reach down and give him like a small pinch on the rear (not hard, but startling) - like a dog would do to another.  Now I just waggle my water bottle or anything on that side in front of his nose and he realizes not to go farther ahead from me.   Most of the time he is free to go, but there is no "in-between" - its either by my right side with no variance allowed, or free to roam.  Being strict in heel is what makes him safe to run off leash. 

I love to watch him bounding in tall grass.  He loves to chase after the deer and wild turkeys we usually encounter.   Enjoy!

I try to always run with my dog......He knows as soon as I have a pair a shorts on its time to go......
I do not think I could get out the door with out him, and now our new pup is getting old enough to come along to.....so its been challenging lately but he's catching on pretty quick.

Ceaser would be proud 

Just my opinion,  but I would wait at least until 10 months old and then start slowly....but walks would be great for them until then.........

Plott hounds are so cool! I had a Red Bone x Doberman for 14 years. He was the greatest running partner ever.....of course my new balck&Tan x Lab is shaping up nicely as well.

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