Jogging with dog - how to prepare

[Coffeebooksandcake]

9 month old puppy (rescue, looks like a collie cross of sone sort). He’s quite high energy - at the moment we walk him morning & evening, with a bit of lunchtime training/garden play. Once he’s 1+ I’d like to start jogging with him (not everyday, maybe 3 times a week at lunchtime). I don’t run far - just 5k, and I’m not exactly fast 😁.

Any tips on how I can do this? At the moment his recall is still work in progress so he’d need to be on a lead (also where I run has lots of cyclists/walkers/families etc). He has a harness and a halti type lead - do I need a special running lead? Any recommendations?

When out with my children he sometimes gets overexcited and tries to jump/play if they are running - I can imagine he’ll do that if I start running (although hoping he’ll calm down a bit by then). We are working on keeping all 4 feet on the floor but it’s still also a work in progress…

He is also used to ambling along, stopping to sniff when we walk on this route - sometimes quite suddenly - should I introduce a word and start ‘test jogging’ to encourage him to trot along rather than suddenly stopping/lunging across me.

I will be sensitive and not run in the heat, he will continue to have relaxed enriching walks on a daily basis etc.

[cocoloco987]

Do couch to 5k? Been meaning to start with dd and ddog for ages but never quite get around to it

[MrsTerryPratchett]

I run with mine and the jumping stopped fairly soon with a quick stop and 'no'. I did it with a flat hand up and that's very useful when I'm out of breath! My friend has a running lead around her waist because she likes to have her hands free. I prefer a normal one because it gives me more control.

Honestly though, he much prefers when we run and he can be off lead. I found with mine he was great on the way out but on the way back he'd think 'I know where the car is' and bugger off without me giving a lot of input. Way out he'd always be near me.

[ChardonnaysPetDragon]

Check for poo if your dog is walking/ running behind you.

[Coffeebooksandcake]

Thanks - yes poo check for sure.

And interesting re: off-lead better - at this stage I just can’t imagine it - he’s only off-lead in secure areas or places we’ve been lots of times before and I have clear sight lines. He loves other dogs & always wants to speak to them (also a work in progress on how to do that with charging up ) so he’d have to be on the lead for a while yet…

[BigasdaB]

I run with my girl and I got her harness and lead from here www.kisi.co.uk/canicross-gear.
It’s recommended you wait until they’re 18 months before you start running with them (something to do with their growth, not sure what).
I found building up gently until they’re at a distance you’re happy with. Teaching commands like ‘left’, ‘right’, ‘stop’ etc is good as it makes life easier.
I generally run on lead but do let her off and have a whistle for when I can’t breathe and shout
Tbh it’s other dogs that have been mostly the problem, either running with us or trying to sniff as we go past, so I’ve taught her the command ‘straight on’ so she knows no stopping whatsoever.
It’s caused one incident though where someone’s dog just kept running with us and the owner had zero recall

[Coffeebooksandcake]

18 months - I didn’t know that, thought it was 1+. Gives me more time to work on all the other things then 😉

[cupsofcoffee]

Definitely 18 months plus for running

I also second a decent cani-cross belt and lead/harness so you don't damage your back if the dog pulls you too hard.

My dog goes running with a friend and his spaniels and they wear proper harnesses to keep everyone as safe as possible.

[Ihaventgottimeforthis]

It depends on how much running you're planning on doing. Canicross isn't usually recommended till 18 months because it's intended to involve the dog pulling you along, so would involve resistance & strength work too.
Just jogging 5k a few times a week at a steady pace would be fine 1+ for a collie type i reckon.
I use a strong 'let's go!' command to keep them running past smells, distractions etc. A good running harness, not a Julius type that has a strap across the front of the chest to restrict movement.
I use a waist belt - DDog does pull me strongly, but even when he doesn't I find it easier running hands free.

[MrsTerryPratchett]

Definitely 18 months plus for running

The speed I run is barely trotting for my dog! He needs zoomies at the end or he feels cheated

[cupsofcoffee]

@MrsTerryPratchett

Definitely 18 months plus for running

The speed I run is barely trotting for my dog! He needs zoomies at the end or he feels cheated

It's not so much the speed as it is the fact that the dog has no choice but to run if they're strapped to you by a lead and a belt.

If a dog is running off-lead it's free to stop and sniff and rest if it wants - on lead it's a constant, repetitive movement with no break which can do damage to their joints long term.

[alwayswrighty]

Get a canicross belt. I have been running my dog for 7 years and knew nothing about them until this year. It has stopped the issues I had with my knee where I'd always hold her lead in the hand.

[alwayswrighty]

I'd like to point out I started mine off lead but had to harness and lead her when we moved due to moving to a town

[Coffeebooksandcake]

Canicross sounds serious , not really my pace/level. It’d be more of a gentle trot for him, while I puff along red faced & sweaty . I’ll start practicing ‘let’s go’ (& ongoing recall). Thanks everyone!

[GlutenFreeGingerCake]

You could start off by getting a running harness and training him to walk nicely almost to heel but with a bit more flexibility suitable for when you are running. He will learn the harness means he is "working". You can use advice on how to train heelwork but don't be too strict about his position as long as he walks beside you with no swerving or stopping. Start going slowly for short distances then gradually increase the pace and distance. If he is doing well but it is before he is 18 months you could include very short runs for say 1 or 2 mins just to get him used to the pace.

[Sprig1]

Definitely train 'let's go'. It's the most useful command for my dogs. For mine it means ignore whatever it is that is going on and come with me. If you use it when going somewhere exciting too (e.g leaving the house for your walk, moving on after you have stopped for a chat) dog will v quickly pick it up.

[PuppyFeet]

I’ve just started doing couch to 5k with my 11 month old dog (he’s off lead, we go through the woods or in an hour enclosed field) and with the run 60 seconds walk 90 seconds at the beginning, he’s just walking alongside me as I puff and pant my way around! For him it’s just a normal walk and every so often his human moves a little quicker!

[Biking0077]

I’ve tried upto 4k off lead trail run/walk with my one year old. I carry treats in my hand so she literally checks in with me every min sometimes gets treated sometimes just gets an ‘away’ command. If we see other dogs I just walk and calm her down. I’m not a fast runner at all and tend to walk up the hilly bits. Hubbie has bought a waisted springy lead thing but we are going to wait until she’s 18mths to do more as he runs fast and easily does long distances. I did have to stop every so often to ‘calm’ her if she was getting too excited it’s just reading your dogs signals I think. Tbh my run pace on trail is probably same as DHs walk pace

[cupsofcoffee]

@Coffeebooksandcake

Canicross sounds serious , not really my pace/level. It’d be more of a gentle trot for him, while I puff along red faced & sweaty . I’ll start practicing ‘let’s go’ (& ongoing recall). Thanks everyone!

The cani-cross gear is more for safety/security than speed. It's designed to support your back and hips so you don't get injured if your dog suddenly pulls you to the side etc.

[Ihaventgottimeforthis]

I do prefer to do a mix of on & off-lead running if I can, I'm lucky to have quiet places & have a dog with strong collie attachment tendencies, so it works quite well.
Dog running harness choice is bewildering, I'd recommend going for a 'short' style so if you do mix it up on and off lead it's not flapping around the dog too much.
Have fun, running with your dog is brilliant fun for both of you & quite addictive!!

[alwayswrighty]

The cani-cross gear is more for safety/security than speed. It's designed to support your back and hips so you don't get injured if your dog suddenly pulls you to the side etc

This. I am not fast or serious, ever 🤣

[SirVixofVixHall]

Be really careful not to run with a dog in warm weather.
Many breeds will keep on running for ages and get very overheated which can kill.