I have a 20 lb. Jack Russell mix that we adopted from a shelter. She is pretty high energy, and loves to chase a frisbee for long periods of time.
I would love to get one of those bike leashes, and take her on some rides with us, but due to her size, I am concerned it would be too much for her. I put her on a leash last night and ran her along side of me for a couple of blocks, and she loved it, and never had to break her “trot.”
How far do you think she could go without causing her harm? I know I would need to take it slow, and build her up, but I guess my main concern is her paw pads. She is small, and uses her paws much more than a bigger dog would.
Any helpful advice would be appreciated!
Do you have any trails/grass that you could maybe run on instead? Might be easier on her paws (I also just HATE running on pavement).
If not, it would probably be best to just take it slow and pay close attention to what her feet look like before and after each run, as well as paying attention to her behavior.
If your dog hasn’t had a check up recently, then I’d definitely take her in and ask the vet.
If she has and checked out okay, then I would suggest starting slowly but the exercise will be good for her (now maybe not 50 miles at a time, but within reason).
I do agree that exercise on soft ground is best. It is also best to go at cooler times. Hot pavement is dangerous and can burn their paws, but you also have to be careful about the dog pushing too far and having a heatstroke. As far as wear from the pavement, the paws will toughen up if you start slowly. Booties are a good option if you have problems, but just remember that dogs can’t take the heat as well as we can, so stick to times when she won’t get too hot. Also remember that she may need to stop and drink water.
[QUOTE=make x it x so;7621808]
Do you have any trails/grass that you could maybe run on instead? Might be easier on her paws (I also just HATE running on pavement).
If not, it would probably be best to just take it slow and pay close attention to what her feet look like before and after each run, as well as paying attention to her behavior.[/QUOTE]
Unfortunately, at least half the trail I would like to take her on is strictly pavement. I will take it slow, and see what happens, paying close attention to her pads. The trail I would ultimately like to take her on is about 3 miles long.
[QUOTE=Casey09;7621825]
If your dog hasn’t had a check up recently, then I’d definitely take her in and ask the vet.
If she has and checked out okay, then I would suggest starting slowly but the exercise will be good for her (now maybe not 50 miles at a time, but within reason).
I do agree that exercise on soft ground is best. It is also best to go at cooler times. Hot pavement is dangerous and can burn their paws, but you also have to be careful about the dog pushing too far and having a heatstroke. As far as wear from the pavement, the paws will toughen up if you start slowly. Booties are a good option if you have problems, but just remember that dogs can’t take the heat as well as we can, so stick to times when she won’t get too hot. Also remember that she may need to stop and drink water.[/QUOTE]
Great advice! I will take her to the vet, and see how she feels about it. Booties would be a good option too!
Buck (16 pound not-really-toy fox un-terrier) goes along with me for a few miles now. We started with a few blocks,then half mile at the park, then a mile. We can do 2 trips around the lake (2 miles) no problem walking/jogging. Weather out here has been 80 max though.
The only time he seems not ready to go are doggy daycare days, he tears the place up all day then is not real into a long walk after. We usually just do potty walks those days.
[QUOTE=twotrudoc;7621886]
Buck (16 pound not-really-toy fox un-terrier) goes along with me for a few miles now. We started with a few blocks,then half mile at the park, then a mile. We can do 2 trips around the lake (2 miles) no problem walking/jogging. Weather out here has been 80 max though.
The only time he seems not ready to go are doggy daycare days, he tears the place up all day then is not real into a long walk after. We usually just do potty walks those days.[/QUOTE]
Stamina wise, I think she could easily build up to it. I just fear for her pads, and I would of course take her in the evening when temps were down, and such.
Do you run yours mostly just on grass/dirt?
get a basket for your bike! on days when you are starting out, she may need a rest in the basket for a bit, or in heavily foot traffic areas of the path, or when the blacktop is super hot in the sun.
they make paw protective booties and etc…i would look into them. i know pavement can do a number on paw pads.
Along with her pads,check her toe nails. Long nails can cause hyperextension of the joints in the toes.
I think there is a product for sled dogs that toughens the pads.
The biggest limiting factor by far is going to be heat & humidity level. My hunting dogs can go all day in the wintertime.
I do not run them at all in the summer, because it is extremely easy to heatstroke a dog in our heat/humidity. Especially an energetic dog. Heatstroke can be fatal and even when it’s not, the after-effects can be quite debilitating. When temps reach 80 degrees or more - be very careful.
[QUOTE=AzulBlue;7621902]
Stamina wise, I think she could easily build up to it. I just fear for her pads, and I would of course take her in the evening when temps were down, and such.
Do you run yours mostly just on grass/dirt?[/QUOTE]
The two places we go are asphalt and also have lots of grass and dirt paths. He has not had any issues, and I check his little paws at least a few times a week.
I run with all of my poodles, both the miniatures (17lb dogs) and the standard (50lbs). All of them are plenty capable of running several miles on pavement with me without tearing up their feet. I make sure we’re not running when the pavement is too hot and I built them all up to it. By the time they’re fit enough to run the whole time, their feet are tough enough to hold up to it to. I’ve yet to have an issue with any of them.
I used to take my old Border collie on a 5mi run every morning on pavement. Again, he never had a problem with tearing up his feet because we built up to it.
I have a 17 pound jack russel mix that I take on rides.
He has NO PROBLEM keeping up with my horse as we go on 4 - 5 mile rides that includes many hills, lots of trotting, some cantering, and even a gallop here or two (okay he may end up in the dust a bit with a good gallop but he catches up 
)
Same dog also goes mountain biking with my husband, he will go over several miles of down hill trails (and jumps!) at a high rate of speed.
We did work up to it with trips around the neighborhood, but he gets very fit, very quickly.
The only time we have had problems with his pads was when there was VERY sharp shale / rock on some of the bike trails - he now wears boots when going to that particular park.
Paw pads would not be my biggest concern. You can toughen those up over time, or just buy booties.
My biggest concern this time of year is heatstroke. Dogs tend to be so stoic, and will run forever. My friend’s dog was acting a little funny while he was playing at the dog park (maybe 80 degrees outside)… his temp was over 104! It wasn’t even that hot outside, and this fit dog was having heat problems.
Condition him slowly. Just because he wants to run several miles, doesn’t mean that his tendons, ligaments, and joints can hold up to that. You want to be very cautious or he can have permanent damage.
I take my dog running all the time. I never bring her biking with me because she’d likely get tangled in my bike. Same idea, though, assuming you bike at a reasonably slow speed for your dog. I spent months building her up to run a few miles. We still pause for her to sip water & water the bushes every mile or so. And I only go out early in the morning during summer for heat concerns (for both of us!).
You all do have me very concerned about the heat issue. I really wouldn’t know when she was in danger from heat stroke. I could certainly take a collapsible bowl and water, but I doubt that’s enough. I certainly wouldn’t be running her top speed, as I said she can keep rhythm with me at a steady trot, but our heat and humidity can be very brutal. Hmmmm…now I’m scared :eek:
My 12 year old Jack Russell and Labrador run 2 - 3 miles a day with me on the bike, with a break in the middle. First down to the beach, if warm enough a little wading or swimming. They have been running with me or my husband since they were young, me riding a horse, him jogging so they are used to it. The run now is all on asphalt and they are not running full tilt the whole time, I let them set their own pace within reason and usually they are off leash. Biggest problems is them stopping to check and send p-mails on the way. If it is above 70 degrees in the sun I would not do that but we rarely get 80 degree days and most of the way is shaded in any case.
BTW, the long legged Jack Russells were bred to run with the foxhounds, you just have to build up his stamina. You will know when he is getting hot with the kind of panting he is doing, it is a good idea to bring water but use it more on the head, and on the skin around the legs for cooling.
[QUOTE=AzulBlue;7622349]
You all do have me very concerned about the heat issue. I really wouldn’t know when she was in danger from heat stroke. I could certainly take a collapsible bowl and water, but I doubt that’s enough. I certainly wouldn’t be running her top speed, as I said she can keep rhythm with me at a steady trot, but our heat and humidity can be very brutal. Hmmmm…now I’m scared :eek:[/QUOTE]
Daytime temps in my area right now are running in the upper 80s and low 90s. Factor in the humidity and the “real feel” is around 100. Factor in heat radiating from pavement at ground level and it can get well over 100.
Here’s an article on heatstroke: http://pets.webmd.com/dogs/heat-stroke-dehydration-dogs
The problem with heatstroke is you may not see many symptoms until it reaches a critical point.
You are getting responses from all over the country so bear this in mind. Running during the summer in Montana is completely different than summertime running in Florida.
If you are in a hot, humid climate, it would be best to run at dawn, dusk, or nighttime, when temps are cooler. Limit the distance, take frequent breaks, and stay away from pavement (which will continue to radiate heat even after the sun goes down.)
Hope that helps.
[QUOTE=MunchingonHay;7621930]
get a basket for your bike! on days when you are starting out, she may need a rest in the basket for a bit, or in heavily foot traffic areas of the path, or when the blacktop is super hot in the sun.[/QUOTE]
Yep, the big advantage to a small dog, you can carry them if they get tired. A basket with a seat belt and you can just put her in it if she gets tired.
I used to bike 5-7 miles with our ACD mix, but she is 45 lbs. She’s too old for that now (17). When I take her for a hike in the woods, I bring a kids wagon, so I can pull her along when she gets too tired to walk.
[QUOTE=Canaqua;7622501]
Yep, the big advantage to a small dog, you can carry them if they get tired. A basket with a seat belt and you can just put her in it if she gets tired.
I used to bike 5-7 miles with our ACD mix, but she is 45 lbs. She’s too old for that now (17). When I take her for a hike in the woods, I bring a kids wagon, so I can pull her along when she gets too tired to walk.[/QUOTE]
Awwww…you have quite an oldie, but are so kind to cater to her needs that way!
