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Running with dogs

  • 18-08-2019 3:12pm
    #1
    orchidsrpretty
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,147 ✭✭✭


    I would like to eventually run with my dog(she is only 4months now).
    We did a few 2kms runs and she loved it and was still full of energy when we finished. all were within the recommended exercise time of 5mins per month. I then read that you shouldn't run with dogs until they are at least 1 year old but surely running(mine anyway) is just a slightly faster way of walking so I can't see what the issue would be. I feel like I'm missing something.
    Does anyone run with their pet and what is realistic distances I could expect her to do when she is fully grown, and is there any training I could do with her now to prepare for when we start running together?


Comments

  • #2
    DBB
    Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators Posts: 9,772 Mod ✭✭✭✭DBB


    What sort of dog is she?
    To be honest, I would lay off any running with her for now... It's as much about the physical impact as it is age, and the 5 mins per month of life is really a guideline (which I'm not sure is even based on research as much as anecdote) to prevent too much pavement-pounding on forming limbs and active growth plates. And that's just going for walks, not runs.
    Scampering about on grass is a much different ask to running non-stop in straight lines on any surface.
    Some breeds, or mixes of them are seriously prone to joint issues which will be exacerbated by doing too much on young bones and joints. But I would urge caution with all breeds. Larger breeds usually take longer to mature than smaller breeds.
    For future reference, have you heard of Canicross? The sport of running whilst attached to your dog? They run events here, and would be well worth talking to! With a pup like yours, for me it should be about teaching cues (speed up, slow down, turn left, turn right etc) in preparation for the dog becoming physically mature enough to run.
    https://www.canicrossireland.ie/


  • #3
    muddypaws
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,610 ✭✭✭muddypaws


    I race my dogs in harness, canicross and with a bike and scooter. I wouldn't consider running them at all until around 8months, and that would only be very short runs, about 100 metres.

    Canicross is definitely growing here, with more events each year. Definitely work on direction commands, calmness at the start of a run, and socialising with other dogs, it's great if your dog is friendly but doesn't try to interact with every dog they meet.

    What sort of dog is she?


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