running with your 4 legged friend (lab, boxer, vet, toy) - - City-Data Forum

rnc76 · 05-05-2009, 03:21 PM

Who runs with their dog? I used to run with our choc lab regularly, it was great. She loved it. I started her with short runs (1/2 mile or so) at about 8 months of age and built up slowly from there. By the time she was about 1-1/2 years old, she would regularly run 3-5 miles with me and be ready for more. Fast forward a few years and I have 2 lab mix pups now, 8 and 9 months. I've been thinking of starting running with them, again starting off slowly. I've always heard differing opinions concering running with your dog. Some think it is too much stress on their joints. My vet is of the opinion that if you start them off with short distances and do it with them regularly, it is great for them physically and mentally. Of course, you have to be very aware of the temperatures, as they can overheat quickly. What are your opinions?

FiveHorses · 05-05-2009, 03:45 PM

My opinion would be your pups are far too young to consider it at the moment - their skeletons are still growing. I personally would wait at least until they are over one year old - being big dogs, they'll just take longer to mature.

However, once fully mature (physically).... I don't see why not. I did until we moved - we all loved it.

I start with a different method - I go for the interval training technique until we all are fit. I found all dogs I take running cotton on very quickly using this + a verbal cue - i.e. something like short medium tone "Hup!" when we're to set off at the jog. Then warn before you come back to walk with a higher pitched "and.... walk". It teaches the dog to move at exactly your pace and pay attention waiting for the next interval.

They loved it.... I was rather less enamoured.

Bluw · 05-05-2009, 03:58 PM

My borzoi gaits along side my bicycle. It took some time training and working up to a decent distance. Keeps him in shape for showing. We alternate from a fast pace to a rapid walk, may occasionally run short spurts. When the bike comes out he goes nuts!!

1phwalls · 05-05-2009, 04:38 PM

I agree with waiting until they are passed one year. If I wasn't so lazy I would run with my boxer, she'd probably love it!

ShelbyGirl1 · 05-05-2009, 04:55 PM

I WAS an avid runner...but no more. My knees just can't take the pounding on the pavement and I refuse to run around a oval track. My buddy at the time, Chevy ran along with me and loved it. In fact, he was my inspiration to get off my butt and go! He shamed me into every morning! Those Northern Ca. mornings are perfect for running.
Alas, between the knees and Texas mornings

...heat and humidity...there isn't any way. Dog couldn't take it, and I certainly couldn't either!
Just found a great leash tho...for walkers/runners...it is amazingly light and can circle your waist.
It has a padded handle...and a handle down near the neck, for a quick grab.
https://www.backcountryk9.com/73/0/Products.aspx

grannynancy · 05-05-2009, 05:00 PM

I have always heard not to do forced running with a dog until the growth plates close. I don't know when that is for labs. For GSDs it is around 18 months.

Woof Woof Woof! · 05-05-2009, 07:09 PM

I disagree with the posters who say you need to wait. Wait for what? Dogs are built to run. In the wild, they might go 30 miles in a day. Once I fostered a puppy, only 5 months old, and she traveled up to 5 miles with me in a day, usually running circles around me. And this little girl had short legs. Believe me, it was nothing for her. She went bananas when I put my shoes on.

Two labs, 8 and 9 months, yes you can run them. Just start them slow and work up gradually as you would yourself if you were just starting out running. You can try a combination of walking and running -- and avoid the heat. The dogs will tell you if they are tired.

W.

FiveHorses · 05-05-2009, 09:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Woof Woof Woof!

In the wild, they might go 30 miles in a day.

AFAIK Lab mixes do not exist in the wild. It's a moot point.

What's the life expectancy in the wild? There is no life expectancy in the wild because domestic dog breeds do not exist in the wild.

Woof Woof Woof! · 05-05-2009, 09:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FiveHorses

AFAIK Lab mixes do not exist in the wild. It's a moot point.

What's the life expectancy in the wild? There is no life expectancy in the wild because domestic dog breeds do not exist in the wild.

The domestic dog (canis lupus familiaris) is a subspecies of the gray wolf (canis lupus).

Dogs are very efficient at running. Actually, a medium to large dog traveling alongside a jogger is only trotting, where all diagonal legs are moving forward at the same time. Your dog is literally being propelled along by two sets of legs, instead of one like us humans. A dog can sustain that gait for a long time, provided he has plenty of water to drink and doesn't get overheated. On warm days, I used to hose my dog down before going out for a walk.

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chubba · 05-05-2009, 10:04 PM

what do you do if your pup has a super high level of energy?

when our golden was a pup (5 months), he had a lot of energy that if we don't run with him, he'd run around the apartment, hit himself against the wall, run to the other side, hit himself again on the other side.. and would continue till he's tired or when we finally take him out. This is after we taught him not to chew on our shoes and remote controls.. before he started this running everywhere thing, he'd chew on stuff to burn his energy i guess..I had also read that we should have waited till he's older.. but at that time he'd also often take his toy to us wanting us to throw it somewhere so he could run and retrieve it. he's 3 now and still doing great.. but what should we have done then at that time?

At that time, we tried walking him but a few hours after the walk, he'd 'regain' his energy (usually in the middle of the night) again and would start running and hitting the walls.