Taking your dog running

[Oddity]

I read a lot about people running with their dogs. Is there a pooch to 5k app I can download? Tried taking Ziggy running once but all he wants to do is stop and sniff. I told him Michael wouldn't be impressed he just sniffed.

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Not sure if there is any information here..but it may not follow our programme here?

poochto5k.com/

[Oddity in reply to Oldfloss]

😂 There really is a pooch to 5k!! Thanks Oldfloss, some useful tips in there I may give it another go.

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to Oddity]

Brilliant!

[NotPrime]

If you find one let me know. My family laughed when I expressed concern about the dog keeping up when I first started C25K 18 months ago. At the time they had a point. However times have changed and she now enjoys the occasional outing but they’ve turned into impromptu intervals for me. Run half a k, wait for Rani to catch up; repeat for 5k 🐕😄

[Oddity in reply to NotPrime]

It's the constant stopping and sniffing with my little canine friend. Think the most he ever managed was one minute before something distracted him. And to be fair he's only got little legs!

[motherduckling Graduate]

My dog is definitely my main motivation for running - Apart from when Ive been travelling internationally I have never gone without her! It does make it a bit slower sometimes (clipping/unclipping the lead, poop duty etc) but well worth it in my opinion.

I think with the stopping for a sniff, there are 2 options - either run in a location where the pupper can be off the lead, or training!

I have trained my girl to always just run along next to me on one side when she is on the lead - but she was easy because she has the attention span of a teaspoon, so all I ever really had to do was encourage her along in a high pitched voice and she would move along no problems. More stubborn dogs maybe require a bit stronger encouragement though Maybe work on teaching them to heel and then increase the timespan on that?

[Oddity in reply to motherduckling]

He is as stubborn as they come and unfortunately has lots of issues. Unknown history as he is a rescue dog too!

[runwithdog Graduate]

mine have a sniff about for the warm up and now know the command `runrun`for when we get going.we do canix and use the correct harness ect.

one always runs infront,the other gets off lead when we get to suitable places, he used to jog by the side but when we went out with the canix group he soon got the idea of being in front.

really worth checking if you have a local group as they are very friendly and often do beginners runs and have spare kit to try.

mine have done the whole c25 with me and get excited when the kit comes out.

[Oddity in reply to runwithdog]

Sounds fab!

[Sp81 Graduate]

Hi, love running with my doggy now, I got to week 6 before I started running with her. I purchased a running belt and a different harness and started as above a walk/run so she slowly learnt wearing these particular items meant a job ( running) took about 3 weeks to fully understand what I was expecting, also added voice queues so she knew the directions I was going ( she nearly tripped me up a couple times) by 5 weeks she could run the 5k with me. I always unclip the harness and then attach lead to collar at the end and encourage ( go sniff) as a reward at the end. Must say even on collar walks she is much better behaved. Have fun. 🏃‍♀️ 🐕

[Oddity in reply to Sp81]

Thanks for the tips. Patience is required but we'll have some fun in the meantime!

[davelinks Graduate]

Best to leave dog at home while doing c25k so you can concentrate and do the programme properly.

[Oddity in reply to davelinks]

Thanks davelinks. I've completed the program on my own just wanted to try and get some tips on running with the pooch.

[davelinks Graduate in reply to Oddity]

Sorry, missed your grad badge.. 😁

[Oddity in reply to davelinks]

😁

[runwithdog Graduate in reply to davelinks]

i found the opposite,if i didnt take the dogs,i prob would not have finished it.x

[davelinks Graduate in reply to runwithdog]

Good for you, a well trained obedient dog..

[Sandyw Graduate]

You can take my horse with you, she loves going for a run and doesn’t sniff at all. You get very odd looks though. 😜

[Oddity in reply to Sandyw]

😂🐴 🏃‍♀️ I get odd looks anyway so that won't matter!