Your dog as a running partner

If you lead an active lifestyle and you want to keep your dog healthy, running together is a great option! Here's a checklist with things you need to think about before you go jogging with your dog.

1. Is my dog fit to walk?

Before you start walking with your dog, you'll still be taking some things into account.

Is my dog suitable for walking (building, race,...)? For example, there are certain breeds that are not suitable for long-term efforts. That's how you got it. The short-snouted breeds, like French Bulldogs, Mopshounds, that are sensitive to heavy efforts and can get respiratory problems. Also, short-legged dogs are not ideal for long walking, usually the pace of the person walking with them is higher. With these breeds, you can go on a short walk or walk fast. For larger dog breeds you then need to take into account potentially sensitive hips, elbows and backs this can lead to arthritis at later age.

If you are not sure if your dog is fit to run, please contact your veterinarian for a moment. A veterinarian can let you know if there are certain things you should take into account and can give you advice on what is safe and healthy for your dog.

What dogs are the most suitable for walking?

It is not the size of the dog, but the relative length of their legs relative to their bodies. Relatively longer legs provide better running mate. For example, some breeds suitable for running are most hunting dogs, shepherd dogs, and sled dogs.

2. Can you walk with a puppy?

Puppies need at least eight months of bone development. For the age of 8 to 9 months, it is not recommended to walk with your dog! From this age, you can slowly build the walk. If you did not do this, this could lead to bone/hips malformation which you certainly and certainly do not want! You should wait a full year before you walk a long round with your dog, but this also depends on race to race. If you want to be sure you can talk to your veterinarian about this, you can advise when you can start walking best.

Further, you should not walk if your dog is easily distracted and not yet sufficiently obedient. In this case, your dog needs some more training before he's ready to become your new running mate.

3. Use a fixed leash and think carefully about the armor or collar

Use a regular line instead of a flexiline, because a flexiline "learns the dog to always ask for more length." A flexiline is not really useful while walking and in many traffic this can even be dangerous. Before walking, you should use a fixed collar or armor.

A normal armor can be used for walking, but if you walk regularly you might consider buying a special armor. That's how you limit the risk of abrasions.

4. Warming before walking

Before walking, take a short walk or walk at a slow pace at the beginning, so that you both warm up your muscles and you are less likely to have injuries. In addition, your dog will have the chance to do its needs and will not interrupt the rhythm of running training.

5. Build the walking quietly

Just as with humans, it is impossible to walk immediately long distances without training. This is also true of dogs. Too much and too fast a pace increase the risk of injuries in your dog. You are looking for a 5km beginner's training plan that will help you start in a safe and healthy way with your dog. Many of these plans combine intervals of hiking and jogging, so there is plenty of time for active recovery and for catching breath.

6. Watch your dog's signals and appearance

Watch your dog behave and respond while running. If he walks behind with his tongue out of his mouth, he’s probably tired, so a little slower! If his hair and ears are upright, he may be concerned about another dog in the area. The better you get to know your dog’s signals, the easier you can run together.

When your dog seems to be overheated, look up the coolness in the shadows and give him water. You can rest assured pour some water on his head or body. Don't let your dog drink too much water during or after sports. If they are warm and thirsty, it is possible that dogs drink too much. This can lead to a water poisoning or a swelling.

Dogs can't really tell us when they're thirsty. At first, it is also a short search, but best is to stop every 10-15 minutes at the beginning. That's how you get a sense of how much water your dog needs. In sunny and warm weather, the dog needs more drinking, so definitely take this into account when walking. You're gonna bring a little something that your dog can drink from, like a fold-in bowl or a bottle with a special dog spout.

7. Do not walk when it is too hot

Dogs get overheated more easily than humans, the reason is they have heavy fur coats and don't sweat them. So it is important to be careful when it is warm weather and avoid walking around noon. Long-haired dogs can better off heat after a haircut in summer, but don't go too short, because that coat also protects from the sun's rays.

In hot weather, if possible, you run best in the shadows and avoid hot finishes such as tarmac, sand, etc. The dog legs can burn on this. The best still remains to avoid walking during warm periods and walking when still cool.

8. Learn your dog to command the basics

A dog who misbehaves in hikes is probably not ready to run. You want to teach them to walk nicely on the belt and avoid stopping at each tree to sniff and mark or to race to for and pull over.

Important here is to learn a command like "let it", so that your dog will ignore the tempting things (such as garbage, sticks, etc) you encounter while walking. Learning them to "sit" and "stay" is also useful, especially in traffic transitions. If you have problems training your dog, consider an obedience class or a dog trainer.

9. Visit to the veterinarian

Before you start running training with your dog, it can never be bad to go by your vet before you go. This can check that everything is in order, so as not to worsen existing injuries or maladies. You are also a lot more certain that everything is fine for walking and your veterinarian can give you some more tips.

10. Have a good time!

Once your dog controls the technique of running on the line, you will have an always willing and excited practice partner. Just make sure your dog is happy. A good sign is, if he wags his tail and is excited when he sees you pull out his running line. If you find that after training he seems stiff or uncomfortable, leave him at home for the next or a few sessions.

In the long run, training with your dog can hold off unwanted kilootjes, extend your life and help you stay healthy and happy. This is also true of your hairy friend. Be on in a second!

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