Learning To Run With Dogs

   Hello my friends! I hope that everyone is doing well and if you’re living in the northeast part of the country, enjoying the spring like weather that’s been sporadically coming our way. Warmer weather is right around the corner; I just know it. At least that’s what I keep telling myself!

   About six months ago we decided to get a puppy. We already had a beagle named Finnley. But, he’s an old man now and while he seems to keep on ticking like a Timex, it’s only a matter of time before he leaves our lives. That day will be a sad one for everyone. That little dog’s been with my wife and me since before we were married. He was the runt of his litter; mismatched with a small head and big body. Years ago when we went to a local breeder to pick out a puppy I remember being struck by his tenacity. When the breeder took the litter out of their cage the entire lot of them quickly pounced on him and proceeded to tease him relentlessly the entire time we were there. But, he didn’t take it for a minute. He fought back with such stubbornness that we couldn’t help but giggle out loud. Of course we choose him. We’ve always been suckers for those underdog types. Flash forward 13 years and here we are. Over the years Finnley’s never been a particularly easy dog to own. He’s gentle and loving; but, a loner, extremely independent and what a howler. That distinctive beagle howl is cute at first. But, it gets old really fast and can scare the hell out of you when you don’t expect it. All that aside, he’s been my nine year old son’s first pet and best friend for his entire life. We could see that when that dreaded time comes for Finnley to leave, that it’ll be extremely difficult for my son. So, we decided to try to blunt that with adding a new puppy, Sammy to our family. Sammy’s a black lab mutt that my son picked out from one of our local animal shelters. He’s just a really great dog. Between my wife and I, probably the best we’ve ever know. Yes, he does all those crazy puppy things. But, for as much as Finnley’s a loner, Sammy’s just the opposite. It appears that my son picked the perfect dog for us that day. He’s made a wonderful addition to the family and has even breathed some life back into good old Finnley. He’s patient with the old man too. Such a bonus.

   One thing that I always wished that I’d gotten more into was running with my dog. I tried it with Finnley periodically through the years without much success. Finnley was a too small to take on middle distance runs and seemed to follow his nose instead of the road. He was too interested in tracking game to keep up any kind of rhythm. So, with the addition of Sammy my hopes of having a new running partner are buoyed. He’s much bigger than Finnley and seems more interested in spending time with me on our walks than looking for a rabbit to run down. I did a little research on how to turn Sammy into the “Ultimate Running Dog”. I learned some good things that are worth passing on.

   Dogs are direct descendants of the gray wolf. While there’s some argument as to when dogs were first domesticated by humans, recent fossil evidence suggests that wolves were most likely domesticated over 31,000 years ago. Since then dogs have worked alongside humans doing everything from helping to put dinner on the table to towing our stuff around. With the arrival of modern society, most dogs now only offer companionship and have retired from their more rigorous duties. Like humans dogs are designed to run. But, like us their need to do so on a daily basis no longer exists. Taking that into consideration, you wouldn’t just wake up one day and decided to run a marathon without any training. You shouldn’t expect your dog to be able to do that either.

   First and foremost, take your dog to your vet before you begin running regularly. There’re several health factors to take into consideration. Age is one of them. Most vets recommend not starting running with your dog until they’re at least a year to 18 months old; mainly because their bones and ligaments aren’t fully developed until that time. If you do anything before then you run the risk of seriously injuring or maiming your dog. Also, the older the dog, the probability of arthritis increases. This can affect how long and if you can run with your dog.

   Another is breed. Dogs have been bred over time to have certain physical traits; some of them more for ascetics rather than functionality. Dogs with flat noes can have breathing problems while running. They could suffocate after prolonged exposure to exercise. Dogs with lighter colored foot pads may not be built for road running.

   Another is size. Larger dogs are more prone to ligament injuries. It’s a good idea to gradually increase your dog’s level of fitness before beginning running. Just like us, their bodies need time to adapt to the new demands of running. Also, smaller dogs may not run as fast as you may need them to. For every one of your miles, it’s double or triple that distance for them.

   Another is any outstanding medical issues such as a heart murmur, blood clotting or obesity. Get your dog the once over before you head out there on the roads. As I said before, dogs are designed to run. But they aren’t designed for long distance running, rather shorts bursts of speed to catch their prey. It would be absolutely crazy to take your dog on a 20 mile run with you. Humans are much more suited for longer distance running.   

   Once you figure out your dog’s physical issues and get the go ahead from your vet, there’s even more to consider. Time of year is an issue. Unlike us, dogs can’t add or remove clothing according to the seasons. So, if the temperature’s high don’t expect your thick haired dog to not work hard when he’s out there running with you. He can’t take off that coat to cool down. On the other hand, when the temperature’s freezing that same dog does have his thick coat to keep him warm. But, it’s not Gore-Tex lined. You may need to provide extra layers to keep him warm. Also consider footwear. As anyone’s experienced during summer, stepping on asphalt or cement heated by the scorching sun can be a hopping exercise. On the other hand, think about what it would feel like to run over snow and ice without running shoes for long periods of time. Debris on the road or trail is also important to consider. Garbage and sharp objects are everywhere. Many local pet stores sell lightweight to heavyweight dog coats as well as a variety of footwear.

   Another is location. Running on an outside track is boring enough for me. I don’t think I’m going to subject my dog to it. Ground keepers will flip out if they see you running on their track with a dog anyways. So, that leaves roads and trails. Each has pros and cons. Roads are good. But, consider how much of a shoulder you have to run with and the amount of traffic. Distracted drivers have a difficult enough time seeing me when I’m running in bright clothing on a clear, sunny day. Imagine how difficult it’ll be for them to notice your dog that’s half your size. Trails are better and most likely more enjoyable for your dog. But, again consider what sort of terrain you’ll be running over. I’m sure that your dog wouldn’t like running through a path of thorns.

   Another issue to consider is that you’re still running with an animal. Extremely docile dogs can react un-expectantly when faced with strange people or wild animals. Even domesticated, dogs still hear the “call of the wild” and will sometimes jump at the chance to chase a fleeing critter. Be prepared for sudden lunging. Unlike you, they can’t make sure they use the bathroom before heading out. So, give them time throughout the run to do their business. You may have to stop and start quite a bit. It’s important to let them let other animals know that they were there. You may do a lot of stopping for marking. Sometimes they can even refuse to run at all. Don’t force your dog to do something they don’t want to do. They can’t tell you that they’re feeling sick that day or have a sore leg. Skip running with them and give them a breather that day.

   Another issue is hardware. Retractable leashes are convenient because the leash length can automatically adjust, can be manipulated one-handed and won’t trip you up. But, can get caught on stray branches, cause rope burn and provide less control during a lunging situation. Fixed length leashes are nice because they can also be manipulated one-handed, can be easily attached to a belt for no-hand use and provide the highest level of control. But, they can trip you or cause you to accidentally step on your dog. Another thing to think about is running with a harness. While a regular collar will work just fine. A harness will provide the best safety, control and can even be used to attach extra gear to. Along with that don’t forget to place ID tags on your dog’s collar and harness. That way, if they manage to get off leash, they’ll still have identification.

   Another issue is water. Many runners need fluid replacement when running, especially in warm weather. For dogs this is a must. Dogs don’t sweat like humans. They relieve excess body heat by panting and drinking cool water. There’re many different portable water bottle options available for dogs. Some companies have even produced a dog friendly electrolyte mixture you can add to water. Whatever you choose, bring something for your dog to drink. Along with water, bring dog treats. Running with a companion isn’t an innate behavior for dogs. But, it’s something that can be taught over time. Your dog will need to learn skills such as not pulling on the leash, keeping pace with you and focusing on you instead of outside distractions. Be patient and reward their good behavior.

   Be realistic. If you have scheduled speed work or some other particular workout that you need to run that day think about how bringing your dog along will affect that. You may find it less stressful for both of you if you only bring them on easy run days. Your dog isn’t training, you are. Be aware of other people. Sometimes other people react fearfully when faced with a running dog. Not everyone’s a dog person or knows that your gigantic pet is really just a big baby. Unfortunately we’ve already experienced this with Sammy. Look up the phenomena of “black dog syndrome”. It’s an unwarranted dislike or fear of dogs based on their black or dark colored fur. It’s real and needs to be considered when you’re out there.

   Starting this July Sammy and me will be taking our first tentative runs on the local trail system near our home. We’re both itching for that time to come. I’ll be following my own advice here and already have all of the equipment that I’m going to need. Like I’ve always said, humans were made to run. I’ve gotten so much from this sport mentally, physically and spiritually. I can’t wait to give Sammy that experience and share my passion with him. When I come home from my runs I sometimes see him staring out our living room window watching, waiting for his time. As I got laced up to go out for a run the other days he paced anxiously by the door. I said, “Not too much longer buddy!” I swear he smiled back.

   Ride that lightning my friends and bring you dog too!