Safe to take dog running?

[Big_Tag]

Hi all,

I have started the Couch to 5K program (Little plug–the iPhone app is pretty awesome!) and am in week 3. I was toying with the idea of taking my dog along for exercise. In the event you’re not familair with the concept, the idea is to ramp up incrementally till you’re able to run a 5k. For example, week 3 has me walking for 5 min as warmup, then doing two rotations of jogging 90 seconds/walking 90 seconds then jogging 3 minutes/walking 3 minutes, then another 5 min cooldown walk.

So the question–Can an average dog handle this? I remember hearing somewhere it’s not safe to take your dog jogging with you bc it requires more energy for them than it does for us but I don’t remember who told me or where I heard it. That being said, I would assuem a training program would help buil a dog’s stamina, just like a person.

The dog in question is a 25ish-lb beagle/long-legged terrier sort, 5 years old, healthy as an ox.

Thoughts?

Thanks

[S1969]

I think it’s an excellent idea. 3 minutes is not a long time for a dog to trot, but of course you should just make sure they never appear to be laboring. I think most dogs over the age of 2 should be able to run along with a person for 30 minutes, with proper conditioning.

Naturally there are some dogs that probably won’t make good running partners - those with smushed noses (pugs & frenchies), or those really low/long and short legged (bassets, dachshunds), etc., but I’m sure even some of these types would benefit from some trotting (at their speed). Sounds like your dog should have no problems.

I have never heard that it’s harder for a dog than for a human…maybe you read that it’s harder for YOU to run with your dog than by yourself. That’s how it feels to me. My dog’s natural pace is faster than mine, so I am always running a bit faster than I really want to.

[onelanerode]

I take my lab/pit/terrier mix running with me; our usual route is ~2.5 miles, though depending on life, it’s sometimes shorter and sometimes longer. I had to work up to running it slowly, as I have poorly conformed knees that give me problems, but he’s been fine with it. He’s 5 this year as well.

The only concerns I have are when it gets above 75-80 degrees. My dog is black, so not only do I have to keep him on the grass above those temperatures (black pavement gets hot quickly), but I have to watch him and make sure he can keep himself cool. I also got him the RuffWear cooling vest last year, and that’s made a difference in his comfort level.

Above 90 degrees and we don’t run. We might walk, but I am not a huge fan of the heat/humidity, so if it’s really hot out I’ll do yoga or work out on the elliptical instead.

If your dog doesn’t have any health issues, it shouldn’t be a problem provided you start slow and monitor his respiration and comfort level. The next time he’s at the vet’s, mention that he’s now your running buddy and ask if there’s anything you should be aware of. Otherwise, have fun, be careful of weather extremes (usually too hot is the biggest problem), and enjoy yourselves. Running with my dog is often one of the best parts of my day! :winkgrin:

[Canaqua]

When our ACD mix was younger (she’s 14 now and too old for hard exercise), I used to run 3-5 miles with her 4-5 days as week. We also started with the Couch to 5K (for ME, not her, she was plenty fit from the get go ;)). She loved it, she’d get soooooo excited when she saw me get my running shoes out. She tends to get hot because of a heavy undercoat (even in cool weather) …fortunately we live on a lake so I could plan my route to accomodate regular jumps in the lake for her to cool off. If I didn’t, I’d have had to find a way to carry water for her. I also ran very early in the morning in the summer, for both of our comfort. The only other issue I had was the sniffing, she’d catch a whiff of something interesting and want to stop and investigate, very frustrating when I had her on a leash, so I often planned to run in the woods where she could be off leash and catch up to me when she was done with her sniffing.

[Alagirl]

this early in the program, the dog should be fine…unless of course you have Achmed, the dead terrorist’s dog…(you know, the one with no legs…)

[Lone]

I did Couch to 5k with my dog a few years ago when he was young and healthy and he loved it. As soon as I’d pick up my running shoes he’d start bouncing around the house like crazy.

I tried to pick a running route that took us by a stream at the mid-way point so he could have a drink of water- I found that was especially important when the weather got warmer. I was always comfortable doing the full run without water, but he needed some.

[RaeHughes]

There is a “Pooch to 5k” complementary programme - it takes 12 weeks rather than the 6 weeks for the couch to 5k but does work

[BuddyRoo]

I think your dog will LOVE it! Good luck!

If he were grossly obese or had joint issues, I might say to take it a little easy. But the couch to 5k is a pretty easy ramp up anyway.

Enjoy!

[atlatl]

Everything I’ve seen indicates that the dog will “leg up” faster than you.

Have fun!

[Horsegal984]

YES!!! Take him with you! Keep in mind for dogs the humidity level can be equally as important if not moreso than just the temp. High humidity slows down evaporation off the tongue and can case temps to rise faster in Fido.

But honestly, I can honestly say we’ve never seen a dog come into the clinic that we said was too fit! Maybe too active for an owner, but never too fit!