running with your dog. - General running

Scout

02/06/2012 at 19:05

What are the maximum length runs you can do with a dog? Am training for a September marathon and curious how far I can take my very fit one year old collie?

kittenkat

pirate

02/06/2012 at 19:07

Build his/her endurance up slowly just like you would a human and then no limt I guess, my Collie can throw out a fast 12 mile run with spare change. Am sure he can go further, he's under 2 so we're still building.

Bionic Ironwolf pirate

pirate

02/06/2012 at 19:45

As above. Two of our German Shepherds have run a marathon with no problem. I would however be careful what surface you train on, too much running on tarmac can damage their paws. If you are training on soft surfaces, then as long as you build your dog up slowly the same way as you train yourself, you will probably find he/she will outrun you no matter what distance you do. All of our dogs have been great runners and willing/able to run anything we wanted. 10-year-old Oz is still happy to do up to 15km and then go swimming afterwards, and 5-year-old Nemo just keeps on going.

Zulu Warrior

02/06/2012 at 19:53

My dog has now run a few marathon with me and when I was running a lot last year he would happily run 70mile a week. But like KK says build the miles slowly

YoungPup

02/06/2012 at 21:42

Scout

I have a working lab, and he's done upto 19 miles with me quite happily.

We started doing 1-2 mile laps of the park when he was just over 12 months, and built slowly from there. He absolutely loves it when we're out... and he is a much more chilled relaxed dog when he gets plenty of exercise, so it's a win-win

So, my advice would be to start slowly, and enjoy it. The sensation of running with your dog is fantastic......

Radicchio

02/06/2012 at 21:52

A member of our running club has a dog (fox-hound / beagle cross) that has run an ultra with him. The dog will have run further, since it was running ahead, back, etc. all the time.

Did you see the news article about the dog in China running thousands of miles with a cycle race recently?

Makes me suspect Born to Run's argument about humans being much better adapted to running distances than dogs is BS.

Stray Runner

02/06/2012 at 22:20

my 1 year old collie is up to 20km now and looks fresh as a daisy at the end...only caveat is on warmer days.

as kat says build it slowly as you would yourself.

Edited: 02/06/2012 at 22:22

Scout

03/06/2012 at 07:35

Thanks guys. I absolutely love running with her, definately the best running companion.

Scooby Dudek

03/06/2012 at 07:45

We have recently got a springer puppy. Walking twice daily and I really want to start running with him. When we get to the part, his initial reaction once off the lead is to bound away. Would people suggest starting running with the lead or initially walking off the lead and then start to run a little?

Rich Jackson

03/06/2012 at 09:43

We have a lab/collie cross and I still haven't found her limit !! As working dogs Collies can cover 50 miles per day. Dogs do have to build up their fitness levels though. Bear in mind that if you start doing 20 mile runs the dog will expect you to keep it up.

Jose_shoes

03/06/2012 at 13:41

None! We have a springer and she just runs round your feet and trips you up! Or she does her business just 100m out of the road so you're forced to carry it along with you. However if we took her on a run he would just keep going an going, she has a lot of stamina.

YoungPup

03/06/2012 at 14:58

@ Scooby

I always start with some running on lead, and even though the majority of the runs I do with my dog are through forests and open countryside, I regularly call him back to me and make his run on lead for a little bit..... it helps him to know whose in control, and it emphasises the fact that any time I call (or whistle) that there is a reason why he has to come back immediately...

Scooby Dudek

03/06/2012 at 19:02

YoungPup

Cheers for that. I am still in the process of training to come on command and such, so I will wait until I get that sorted before I let him off. I may try a little bimble at the end of a walk to the park, just to see how he reacts.

Gooooo IOAN!

03/06/2012 at 22:11

Good luck! And remember that dogs need "training" too! One of my friends knackered her dobermann on a run once while she was training for a marathon..

CaroNZ

10/06/2012 at 14:11

Ha ha re 'doing their business' - my working cocker is great for that ;P I've been running with him on one of those extendable leads leaving it unlocked so he can be reeled in when necessary because I run on footpath mostly, for now. Thinking of one of those belts though - what do you think?

birkmyre

10/06/2012 at 14:48

Love doing a 3M run with Geordie Our 14 month Balck Labrador

Scout

10/06/2012 at 21:41

Has anyone tried the cani-x belts/harness combos? Normally run with her off the lead but for longer training runs will have to include some road work.

CaroNZ

10/06/2012 at 21:44

that's exactly what i've been researching but am nervous about taking the plunge...

YoungPup

10/06/2012 at 21:50

Scout

I have never used the Cani-x belts or a harness, and I just run with a slip lead attached to a bum belt ( which I use to carry poo bags, etc..)

If your dog will run to heel ( and not pull like a husky) then I don't see the need for a harness, or a spring loaded belt.....

YP

runs-with-dogs

11/06/2012 at 09:45

Collies can generally run any person into the ground. I marshalled at the Highland Fling (53 miles) this year and counted at least 3 dogs running it. Two of them were collie / collie X types. All of them were off the lead, though at another ultra earlier in the year I saw a woman running with a dog on a cani-X harness. Suppose the thing to watch with the harness would be that it didn't chafe the dog anywhere on longer runs.

I take my Lab/collie X with me on all my long runs and he's never had a problem. We usually train on tarmac bike paths where he can run along the grass verge, and I regularly check his pads for wear and tear. I love training with him - as a lone female runner it gives me a great sense of security on dark winter nights.