Running with dog

[Inforthelongru]

Hi everyone, just graduated 2 months ago and been doing consolidation runs with my dog. I don’t seem to go faster or longer. I did get some good advice here but although I like running with my dog, it does slow me down. I think because I need to go cross country with him, plus pop him back on lead if people come towards us, as well as deal with calls of nature (his not mine!). Today I went without him and ran 1 minute per mile faster plus went for 40 mins actually achieving that elusive 5k!! Felt so good, but it does seem madness not running with my dog as he loves it and obviously needs the exercise. What do others do and how do you find running with your dog?

[Jazzyrunner Graduate]

I don’t plan to run with my dog for the reasons you’ve mentioned! 😆 I love being out by myself, running at my pace, with no responsibilities. Then at a different time in the day, I take my dog for a walk and we’re both happy!

[Inforthelongru Graduate in reply to Jazzyrunner]

That’s exactly it, it feels quite restrictive

[Jazzyrunner Graduate in reply to Inforthelongru]

I suppose it takes more time to go separately - it’s just how much spare time you have 🤷🏼‍♀️

[Buddy34 Graduate]

I have a Jack Russell and he hates runners or anything that goes past him at speed. So I don't run with him. You could take your dog out on 2 runs and do 1 on your own then no one is missing out. 😊😊🐕🐕

[Inforthelongru Graduate in reply to Buddy34]

Yes think that’s the answer, running with him will be consolidation and running by myself will help me progress

[Candy46]

Congratulations on graduating. I’ve just finished week 4......I know what you mean in that it seems madness not taking the dog.....I considered it tonight but just couldn’t leave him at home 🙈 For me it adds to the run (sometimes running backwards to get him 🙈) and actually stops the runs being a bit ‘samey ’. Also I think about the routes I’m taking which will minimise ’bumping’ into other people/cyclists etc. Hope you continue to enjoy your running journey. Cx

[Inforthelongru Graduate in reply to Candy46]

Congrats to you too! Think I need to mix it up a bit, most runs for him, 1 run per week for me

[Dexy5 Graduate]

It’s lovely to run with your dog but maybe you should mix it up a bit. cheekychipmunks runs with her lovely Labrador at parkrun but does longer runs without her. I’m sure she will give some feedback.

[cheekychipmunks Graduate]

As Dexy5 mentioned, I run with my dog and I love it. I always take her to parkrun on a hands free lead (although some PR don’t allow them of course) and I take her off the lead on most of my trail runs. She’s pretty good at “going” beforehand so it’s rare I have to stop mid-run. 😀

I don’t take her on runs over 10k as a rule, only because my chosen long run route is a towpath and I want to be able to concentrate rather than be constantly checking she’s ok (the banks of the river are fairly steep and she does love a swim). I personally don’t think it’s fair having her run for longer than 5 or 6k on the lead. She’s a fit little Lab, but as I don’t take walking breaks she wouldn’t get a chance to sniff etc. So for long runs she stays home and gets walked separately. 🐕

I must say though, I absolutely love running with her. She accompanied me all through C25K and she’s quite the hit at parkrun! She’s very good on the lead and she just trots along next to me. ❤️

So maybe you could mix your runs up. If you have time to walk yours before you set off, giving him a chance to relieve himself first, it should reduce the interruptions. I highly recommend a hands free lead (attaches to your waist) if you don’t already use one. My dog knows what to do when she’s wearing it and pretty much ignores other dogs even if they’re off the lead. 👍

Bit of an essay, sorry! But I’m a huge fan of running with my Lab and she does love it - it’s very doable and tons of fun. 😀

[Inforthelongru Graduate in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Thanks for this. I don’t run more than 5k with my lab down to my own limitations. He has pretty good recall but is rubbish on a lead so would spend my time being yanked about although I am training with treats at the mo but can’t see myself doing park run with him...he would hate it. I definitely think I should mix it up a bit as you suggested.

[cheekychipmunks Graduate in reply to Inforthelongru]

How old is he? Maybe in time his behaviour on the lead will improve and he’ll understand what’s about to happen. Mine isn’t very good on a regular lead either, but when I first took up running I’d play ball or something first to take the edge off, then clip her on and go. She grew to love it! The hands free leads tend to be bungees (although the elasticity in mine has gone!) so they’re more forgiving when worn with a harness. 😀

Have fun - and don’t give up. 👍

[Inforthelongru Graduate in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Maybe it might work then. He doesn’t go far from me but does like a sniff. He is a 2 year old lab so slowly getting there. Thanks for advice. I’ll give it a go as seems wrong to exercise without him. His recall is pretty good but I can’t risk him around old people, cyclists or small children just in case he knocks them over, so a bungee lead might give me the reassurance I need and the freedom he needs. Might even help his normal lead walking 🙂

[cheekychipmunks Graduate in reply to Inforthelongru]

Good luck with him! You’ll both end up loving it I’m sure. Oh and the bungee lead definitely helped with my dog’s regular walks on a lead too, so a win-win. 😀👍🐕

[Habley Graduate]

My dog flat out refuses to run with me. And I’ve learned that he’s a sprinter, not a long distance runner. He’s a bedlington terrier and when I asked a behaviourist about this once she said “well why would you make him run?! Greyhounds, Bedlington, whippets, they are the fastest couch potato’s you’ll meet- good for a sprint but nothing more” so I’ve learned to leave him at home. Why don’t you mix it up so you get some runs with your dog and runs where you can just focus on yourself? X

[JogsSlowly]

Don’t give up! I nearly always, correction always run with my Doberman. It has improved her lead work no end. She’s on her lead for warmup walk and cooldown which gives me enough time to get to river, woods or hill and let her loose. She darts to and fro and has plenty of time to pee and sniff and keep up with my shuffling run. She’s a poo at home girl so that helps. I can shuffle along now for 30-60 mins plus, so I don’t mind if I have to stop and put her back on lead when we meet walkers or mountain bikers. Not everyone understandably likes an albeit very friendly Doberman racing up to them and I share your concerns about her tipping a child off their bike. It can be a faff sometimes but I keep treats in with poop bags (just incase) stuffed in trackie top pocket and it all helps reinforce her recall. She always gets a treat for coming back and I just clip her lead on and keep going til we’re past then let her off again. In the early days I’d add a couple of minutes at end to cover whatever we’d stopped for. Now I’m ‘running’ for hour or so I don’t bother.

Overall I find keeping an eye on her and out for other people helps keep my mind off the fact I’m still shuffling along. 😂 And... she keeps getting better and better behaved the more we do it.

Dobies are a high energy, high stamina breed though so that definitely makes a difference. It’s safe to say she never holds me back! When I was starting on the C25k I used to ‘run’ out and then walk back so that way she still got at least an hours worth.

Also because I’m out on my own I feel ‘safer’ having my big dog out with me and she encourages me to keep going for longer.

We’re having to run more on roads for the lights with dark nights coming and have to say that was a nightmare to start with keeping her on the lead for longer but... the more we go the quicker she is getting better and better on lead.

If you like running with your dog and they’re physically capable keep at it! It gets easier and there’s nothing like that great big canine grin to cheer you up when you feel like giving up and they are without doubt the best personal trainer you can have. Nobody can ‘nag’ you to get out there more than your dog!

[Inforthelongru Graduate]

Thanksjogslowly! Nice to hear success stories