Running with a 7 month old cocker spaniel

[newrunner56]

Everyone says, get a dog, and get fit..... it's the other way round for me, I take the dog for long walks, but it's so, so slow and doesn't work off his energy, and I'm actually gaining weight!!! My average resting pulse has increased from 58/59 to 62.

And I miss my long fast walks and runs.

For instance - I used to walk 3.5 km in just over 35 mins..... the other day it took us 55 mins to walk just under 3 km.

Any suggestions for getting him to run with me, he's not too bad on the lead, just gets overexcited when he sees other dogs.............

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate]

Your dog is still a little young to go fast walks or runs with you newrunner55, although I admit that 3K in 55 minutes is 🐌 pace, wait until your dog is about a year old then run along with him

[newrunner56 Graduate in reply to AlMorr]

Hmm, yes, that really confirms what I was thinking. I'll have to sneak out without him knowing, zoom round, regain fitness .... and get back to take him out for a leisurely stroll!

[SweatyHettie Graduate]

Hello newrunner56 as AlMorr says, your dog is too young at the moment as his bones are still growing. My daughter who is a vet nurse told me to wait until my dog (working cocker) was about one before I ran with her.

But when you are ready here are my tips based on my own experience…

*Get a waist harness so you can still run hands free. I got mine off Amazon and it also came with a shock absorber lead which is really good when you have an excitable dog. I only use it for running so she knows what I expect and it’s different form normal walkies. In fact she get super excited every time it comes out now!

*At first just do very short runs to get him used to it. I literally ran round the block. It’s useful to have a command word so your dog knows what you want - I say ‘let’s run’ every time we start and also use the word run when I’m getting the stuff out. She definitely understands the word now. Some people train their dogs to run alongside them, I have to say Ebony is always the leader on our runs!

*if your spaniel is anything like mine he will probably not go in a straight line at first but as he gets used to it he will realise that when he’s on a run it’s not snuffle time. I haven’t managed to completely crack it if a squirrel appears but generally she is now pretty good.

* I found that like all rookies she started too fast and I’ve had to make sure she stays ‘with me’ but I think she realises now that she needs to conserve energy so she doesn’t go too mad

* try and find a route with a place for rehydration- I’m lucky that I have a few options either with corner shops that have a dog bowl or the park which also has a tap and bowl. Ebony also likes puddles en route and there are plenty of those at the moment!

* I do find that after a run she has definitely expended a lot of energy, she tends to have a very long snooze afterwards

I hope that helps, feel free to ask me anything I’ve forgotten 😊

I absolutely love having a canine running companion and it is motivating too.

[newrunner56 Graduate in reply to SweatyHettie]

thank you so much - I think Milo has some working cocker in him as well, and he will be a year old in March, so perfect timing really. I'm looking forward to the 'long snooze' as he is full on and incredibly full of energy. And so intelligent, like most spaniels, he certainly learns quickly.

Your advice sounds good, and I'll put running with him on hold. We have perfect opportunities for long walks - the South Downs to one side and the sea on the other, so roll on March!

thank you x

[SweatyHettie Graduate in reply to newrunner56]

Ah yes those days of very full on spaniel puppies! I have to say Ebony turned two in September and she has become so much calmer, in fact at home she’s very chilled now.

As you say, spaniels are so intelligent and also keen to please so once he knows what you want from him you’ll have a perfect running mate - just right for when the spring comes around 😊