Running with Dogs !!!
Running with a dog can be a rewarding experience for both pet and owner. Aside from the obvious health benefits, running with your dog can be an incredible bonding experience, and it is one that I highly recommend. Below are some useful bits of information for those who run with, or plan to run with, a pet dog.
1. First and foremost, I want to emphasize that I am neither a dog expert nor a veterinarian. Everything I write below comes either from research and reading, or through my direct experience running with my own dog. Always check with your veterinarian first if you have any questions about taking your dog running with you - some dog breeds are better suited for running than others, and it pays to ask questions and do breed research to avoid any potential harm.
2. All domestic dog breeds are ultimately derived from the wild Gray Wolf. Being derived from the Gray Wolf, most domestic dogs are natural born runners. Animal Diversity Web reports that "Wolf movements...cover long distances. Daily distance traveled can be up to 200 km, the usual pace is 8 km/hr." Although some domestic dog breeds are obviously better suited to running than others (i.e., you probably wouldn't want to marathon train with a Bulldog or Dachshund), the ability and desire to run is in their genes.
3. A variety of dog breeds can make excellent running partners. Working, herding, and sporting dogs are most frequently recommended, including such breeds as Retrievers (Golden and Labrador), Border Collies, German Shepherds, Australian Shepherds, Collies, Shelties, and Heelers. Of course, if you're looking to get a dog, there is much more to choosing a breed than its running ability. For example, some high-energy breeds might not make the best family pets, and probably would not be best suited for life in a small apartment. Your best bet is to do your research, consult with groups like the American Kennel Club or the Dog Breed Info Center, and find a breed that is best suited to your lifestyle.
Personally, I have a black lab, and he is both the perfect family dog and a great running partner. He has a lot of energy, but as long as he gets a good walk or run in each day, or a nice play session with one of his doggy buddies, he is a model pet.
4. Dogs, like people, need to ease into running. If you were to go for a run for the first time in a year, you probably wouldn't head out for 5 miles - the same applies to a dog. If you are a regular distance runner, ease your dog into running gradually to build up his/her stamina. My dog has run as many as 7 miles in one go with me, though on a cool day he could probably go farther. It took some time to get him to this point (he's only 2 years old), and a gradual build-up helped.
5. Although I have read some conflicting reports, most sources suggest holding off on running long distances with a puppy until it is mature (around 1 year for most breeds, though this is variable). The reasoning for this is that it takes some time for the skeleton to mature and for the growth plates in the limbs to close, and waiting is a precaution for avoiding any long-term skeletal damage. Incidentally, potential for growth plate damage is one of the same arguments for why humans children should not run marathons.
6. Be wary of the outside temperature as dogs are very susceptible to overheating. Dogs cannot sweat like humans can, and heat is dissipated primarily through panting and via the paws. In hot weather, it's very easy for a dog to overheat, and hyperthermia can be life threatening. Whenever I run with my dog, I make sure to get him a swim or drink on a regular basis - usually every 2-3 miles. We have the advantage of living near a river, so usually I'll plan a route to include a swim stop, which is a great way to keep him cool. I also make mental notes of roadside stream locations for drinks - a cool, hydrated dog will make a much better, and healthier, running partner than a hot, dehydrated one. Teaching your dog to drink from a bottle is another option, and it's always a good idea to carry water when running with a dog.
According to an excellent article titled "Train With Your Dog" by Renee Despres from Runner's World, signs that your dog might be overheating include "slowing down, an extremely lolling tongue, possible foaming at the mouth and glazed eyes. The dog may become weak and wobbly or even collapse." Should your dog appear to be overheating, don't push it, and try to cool him/her down immediately. Submerging the dog in water is a frequently cited suggestion for cooling a dog down, and if a water body is not nearby, pouring water on the dog's abdomen is another cooling option (this is another good reason to always carry water when running with a dog)..
7. Always leash your dog when near roads. It took me a while to train my dog to run by my side (he was a major puller when we first started), but even now that he does, he'll still try to bolt at the site of a cat or squirrel (it's his instinct as a retriever). If he was off-leash, I'm certain that he would not look both ways to see if there were any cars in the road. I'd much rather deal with a sore shoulder as I reel him in than risk an encounter with a car, so leashing is a must when we run near roads.
8. Last but not least, dogs need exercise - an exercised dog is a happy dog. The joy that my dog derives from running is obvious, and his excitement when he sees me putting on my running shoes is one of my greatest sources of motivation for getting out the door when I don't feel like running. Just like in humans, obesity is extremely unhealthy for a dog, and walking or jogging with your pet is one of the best ways to keep them fit. I also feel bad for the dogs we occasionally pass while running that are chained to poles by short leashes, or penned in small chain-link cages. Dogs are meant to be free and run, so do yourself and your dog a favor by becoming a dog runner!
The author of this article, Peter Larson, writes a blog, Runblogger, that provides thoughts and tips on running, blogging, and living an active life.
A longer version of this article with additional links can be found here: http://www.runblogger.com/2009/07/running-with-dogs-tips-from-dog-runner.html
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