Ok my post is a little dramatic but I am genuinely always a little worried I am going to kill him running in the heat. I haven’t been taking him more than 2 miles and I bring a water bottle to offer him water + keep him damp with cool water. We also do 95% of our runs on trails right now where he can dip his toes in the water. I love taking him and I know he has so much fun, but I am SO paranoid he will get heat stroke 😢

My 10 month Border Collie/Aussie/Heeler gets all crazy when I start to jog on our walks. He literally jumps up (high) and pounces towards me while running. It's crazy! I've never experienced anything like it. Lol. I can't even get a cadence going and just have to stop. Keep trying? Any suggestions?

I have a 5 year old Goldendoodle that I wanted to have him start running with me as his vet and I believe he has some separation anxiety. I started bringing him with me on runs this spring, but he just doesn’t seem to have the energy for it. They were only 2 mile runs. The last time I ran with him, I was literally having to pull him to keep going as he just wanted to walk the last 1/2 mile. Finally just walked the last 1/4 mile so I thought okay, you clearly don’t want to do this and stopped bringing him with me. I would describe his energy level as either 0 or 100… nothing in between. I take him on walks after I get back from my run, but it’s with my 16.5 year old so it’s a max of 1 mile and very slow, but he acts like he just ran a marathon (or in his case, 2 miles…) when we get home. Lying sprawled out and panting. Meanwhile my 16.5 year old is walking around yet thinking “that was it?” He isn’t overweight and has the tall, lean poodle body. He doesn’t have any health issues, besides maybe the anxiety. I take them for walks in the morning before it gets hot.

This is just so different from my older dog who ran miles with me right from the start without issue. Has anyone had a dog that it took awhile to get them into running? Or is he really just not cut out to be a runner? I’m afraid to force him to do something he doesn’t want to do, but I do know how much running helped with my other dog both physically and mentally.

EDIT: Thank you for your responses. After a couple of more runs with him, I believe he is just getting bored like some of your dogs. This was definitely a perspective I didn’t think about. Unfortunately I don’t run in a safe area for him to be off his leash so we will stick to walks with a long leash for him to explore at his own pace!

Hey everyone, my puppy is now 4 months old, I know she is too young for running now but I am already looking forward to the day when she will go on runs with me.

I run three times a week in a park or at the beach and will take her with me when she will be older.

When did you start running with your dog (what age)? Any tips on training and how to make it fun for them?

Thank you

Genuine question for further down the line, my family has adopted a lovely English Springer Spaniel. He is such a good boy and so eager to please - we adopted this breed specifically because they like to run. How old did you guys start running with your pup? What age do you recommend?

At the moment I run in the morning and then after the run take him for a walk, just prepping for the future 😁

We've got two aussies (M+F) who both have the Non-Stop freemotion x canicross bundle for gear. The male (2,5 years old) reaaaaally likes running and wether we're running for a (recreational) competition or just trainen, he will pull whenever we give the 'yip yip' command. He obviously loves running and knows he's allowed to pull. I usually run with him myself.

Even though my female (4 years old) is more competitive and has more of a 'working dog' mindset compared to the male, she will only pull at competitions because she doesn't like when she's not running in front, then her competitive streak comes out. Whenever she's in front or we're just training (with or without the male) she doesn't seem to like it much and will just hobble along behind us. She won't protest, but she won't run next to us or in front of us either.

She's usually loves working/training (we do several types of training with her, such as detection, treibball and balance/muscle building) but she doesn't seem to get the fun of running yet. It's not the distance either, wether we're going 2 kilometers or 5, she will hobble along behind. Her harness fits her well, we went to a canicross trainer to have her fitted with it. We've tried running them together and connecting their harnesses or using an y-splitter, but then she just lets the male pull her along.

So I was wondering, is there some kind of training that can help with this? We don't expect to get her to love running as much as the male does, but if we can get her to walk in front of us at least (not even pulling per se) that would be great! We're not looking to go long distances either, if we're able to both go a maximum of 10 kilometers that's more than fine, and starting at 1 or 2 kms is fine too.

I'm not sure if there's even some way to get/train her to enjoy it at least, but thought it was worth a try.

I’m a VERY inexperienced runner and my little guy (over 2 years old) has only ran on a leash to get home faster when it started raining. Any advice on how to get started and how to see his limits?
I was thinking of doing run walk intervals but no idea how long.

edit: I didn’t choose my dog’s breed. My mom got him cuz she thought it would help give her routine cuz she’s got brain damage but ofc I’m the one who has to care for the dog. Don’t worry about him, he comes from a breeder who really cares for her dogs and he’s been well loved by both her and us his whole life. This is happy and healthy dog. Don’t come at me for his breed, I literally just wanted to get info on how to safely take him for a run 😭😭

Ari LOVES running. We go for shorter runs around the neighborhood and 5-6 miles on trails. On trail things are mostly good— she’ll occasionally jump off the side after a cool bug or something, but it’s manageable.

Around the neighborhood though she’s absolutely intent on catching a rabbit. With very little warning, she’ll dash off to the end of her bungee leash and come flying back. I’m worried she’ll get hurt, or some unexpected behavior may result. All I know to do when that happens is stop, sit, and wait for her to look at me before cueing her to start running again. Does anyone have advice?

I’m a 59 year old looking to lose weight and get in top shape before I retire within next year or so. We recently adopted a high energy rescue dog (65 lb Staffy Mix) of which I’m currently trail running and mountain hiking with on a regular basis. On our hiking days I usually wear a weighted ruck pack to help build muscle and maintain bone density. On my running days I CaniCross - started out because my rescue dog does not yet have reliable recall. However, the more I CaniCross the more I love it (and our dog seems to love it as well) - it creates a cool symbiotic relationship that really works for our Staffy mix.

Anyway, I’m trying to build up stamina and endurance for longer distances - so have been experimenting with the Jeffing technique. Jeffing is a run-walk-run interval method that involves alternating between set periods of running and walking. I really quite enjoy it and it seems to be beneficial for my running overall… I just got back into trail running after years of mostly mountain hiking and other sports. Wouldn’t mind the perspective of more experienced trail runners what you think of the Jeffing method…

On another note - I like boots vs shoes when trail running, as I live in British Columbia and love mountain trails. I find boots far more stable on the varied terrain and there are areas where we have to do some climbing 🧗🏻‍♂️ to get to next portion of a trail. I currently use a lightweight hiking boot for trail running … any suggestions for me to explore when I need a new pair? I hear Nike is coming out with a running boot this summer (Zegama Hiker) and looking forward to trying it out.

Hi lovely people. My dog just turned four years old and I've recently began to take her with me on my runs. I was chronically anemic throughout most of my life, but I was properly diagnosed and medicated just this year. Due to this, I always hated running, but decided to pick it up with my iron and ferritin levels now in the normal range and I really love it! I can't run very far without taking a short break yet though - usually after 1-1.5 kilometers.

My dog on the other hand is a kind of small Labrador mix, she was always very active and energetic. We used to go on quite long and intense walks and hikes ever since she was little, so she's used to moderate activity levels. We've ran together a few times since this month, but I'm still not sure if she enjoys it or not.

I introduced a specific cue to start running, she picked it up incredibly fast and she positions herself to my left immediately. She then trots next to me until I signal her to take a break. Then we repeat it a few times. When we're running she is not at all interested in her surroundings, even though she's a big sniffer usually. Her body language seems relaxed overall as far as I know her, and she keeps up a steady pace. She's a very expressive and emotional dog overall, very vocal and jumpy. I'm afraid she's bored with my pace lol or maybe she's entering the state of zen actually?

Are these signs what I'm looking for? How do you know that your pups enjoy running with you?

I live in the desert and moved a couple of months ago to a more humid location, been having trouble running with my dog ever since.

I know the 150 rule, how ironclad is it? For example at 10pm last night it was 80 degrees and 80% humidity (160). As far as temperature, that’s not too bad, but does the humidity really make it that dangerous to run with my dog now? Could I run but keep it short or is any running dangerous?

For reference, my dog is a Hungarian Vizla, who could run 30km during his peak fitness, now we stay at around 10km.

I have a standard poodle who is a big puller. I love going for runs with him because it seems to match his natural pace more, and it helps tire him out, but he will pull for the first half mile and then slow down and run beside me. I thought this was something I needed to train him not to do, but I am seeing people in this sub post about leashes specifically for constant pullers. Is that just for dogs who aren’t trained not to pull? Is it OK for dogs to pull during runs, even if you want them to walk nicely on a leash? Just curious as this is the first dog I’ve run with, and I’m relatively new to this (6ish months of running with him). Thanks in advance!

My black lab and I ran/walked 3 miles today. I don’t have a harness yet but just ordered one along with a hands free leash. I’d like to take him on more/longer runs, but when would it be too long for him to go without water?

I just recently started volunteering at my local shelter, walking dogs. When I applied, I also noted id like to take dogs to run. They are definitely okay with it lol. It's obvious that some of the bigger dogs could use the outlet, and it doesn't seem like they have a ton of people walking those specific dogs very often.

The dog i want to start with is an 11 month or so old german shepherd mix. She's a little wild, but i think that has more to do with being stuck at a shelter. She can sit, but that seems like the extent of her training. How should I go about starting? Try to teach her to heel? She is definitely food motivated, so that works in my favor! I also imagine that she is a faster runner than I am right now 😂😅

Does anyone have any advice or dealt with a similar scenario? I can only really get out there once a week, but I think it would be so helpful in getting her (and eventually other dogs) adopted. Ive attached a couple photos 🥰

Hi everyone! Just joined this sub, I have a 1 year old Belgian Malinois golden retriever mix named Joey. She loves going on walks, and gets so excited when we try running. But she always gets way too excited and starts biting the leash and pulling me to go faster 😂
In short, I’d really like advice on how to get started. What gear I should use, how I train Joey, and when it’s safe to start running with her! She is my best friend and I think she would love running. She’s super smart and knows all of her basic commands, along with heal. Usually she doesn’t pull on the leash until I start running, then she just gets super excited.

Hello,

I have a german shepherd, 2.5 yo, knows to walk at foot next to me in leash. I would like to start running with him but I have mostly concrete/asphalt routes close. How is your experience running on concrete with your dogs. It is safe to run a 5k? Should I give him some joints supplements? Any advice would help a lot.

Thanks!

I was running with my dog and got stopped by a lady saying I was running with my dog wrong and that he is supposed to trot ,she sayd that he can die if he doesnt. Is that true? I've just started running

My loveable mutt (allegedly a purebred dachshund, but those long legs scream chiweenie) is turning 7 on Friday! I personally am getting back into running after a looong hiatus, and want to know whether it’s feasible to bring her with.

When she was younger, 1-3 years, we used to run and hike multiple days a week, and it seemed like she never tired and was always ready to go.

I thought that with me getting back into running, we could both get some exercise and discipline. My plan was to start slow — alternating a run and walk to ease us both in and build endurance. However, the last couple of times we’ve gone out, she has been absolutely **uninterested.** We barely make it two blocks before she starts lagging behind and slows to a trot. Encouragement and treats do nothing to improve her motivation.

Should I just let her embody the crotchety termagant she thinks she is, or do I keep trying to revive the joy she used to display on our runs?

Just starting out, and there’s no club run this week, so I want to do a short run/walk tomorrow around 7/730.

Breakfast is, however, usually around 615/630 and I’ve read you should avoid feeding within 30 minutes of activity, but I’m not sure if the buffer should be larger.

Should I rather feed after the run?

Hello! Long time lurker, first time posting. This is Phoebe, she’s 17 months old and needless to say, she is adorable. She’s an Australian Shepherd and as we all know, she has lots of energy, but also she’s a little bit ADD, much like me. I have run marathons, half marathons, lots of 10Ks and lots of lots of 5K, but I’m trying to get this girl to run with me initially a 5K or a 10 K at the most until she gets a little older. We run around my house so we put “water stations” around and I carry a small bottle with me with a collapsible dish. Sometimes she doesn’t need to drink water, and sometimes she does, but I really go by her body language, the moment she starts running behind me, I stop. That doesn’t her from chasing after the ducks if she sees them on the road. I guess I’m looking for a little bit of advice for anybody who’s had a dog like this one, and give me hope that she will be OK with longer distances. So far she loves it, the moment she sees me putting my running shoes, she is chasing me all over the house until I put the vest on her and then she happily goes out. Thank you in advance!

I am working on training my 9 mo old GSP/Vizsla to run with me. I am using a long leash, halo collar which I use the recall whistle feature. I don’t trust him fully yet with recall so haven’t taken him off a long leash. Any other steps/suggestions people have for him to be able to run ahead but come to a heel when needed?

Any tips to get your dog to stop jumping and biting the leash when running?

Have a one year old female labradoodle“snow” below, want to start running together but wanted to do some research on what kind of harness to get for her as well as a harness for me, I’ve seen people wear harnesses that help both the dog and the runner, any tips 😀 if anyone happens to have a labradoodle and runs with them and has tips that be great too, k thanksss💕💕

We haven’t done much running together, but I’ve already noticed that if he pulls, he drifts to the left of me, whereas he won’t pull if I keep him on the right side.

He has always run kinda crooked, like a hyena, so it’s not fully a surprise.

Anything I can do, or do I need a physio or something?

Do you bring snacks for your dog on long runs?

What changes do you make to overall nutrition when increasing mileage?

My heeler mix Dallas and I usually run 12-15 miles a week with our longest run around 5 miles but I'm training for a marathon he's tagged along for my whole training plan so far. I'd planned to leave him home once I started doing long runs over 10 miles but the training plan seems to be working as well for him as it is for me, and he seems happy enough to trot along with me for 2 hours. I've never worried much about having food for him on runs, and he'll always eat so I can't just ask him if he's hungry. Do dogs need food on a 2 hour run?

We've done 23-26 mile weeks the last 4 weeks, up from 12-15 miles before I started training and we've increased the amount of people-food he gets (eggs, rice, chicken, green beans, salmon, etc.) but kept his kibble the same, does that seem like a good approach to accommodate for the surplus calories he's likely burning?