Myself and my two terriers have just completed W2 R3 
Does anyone run with their dogs?: Myself and my... - Couch to 5K
Does anyone run with their dogs?
tilly1Graduate
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tilly1
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Hi Tilly1, well done on W2 R3. I run with my dog...he is much faster than me though!! 
sounfitGraduate
I run with my terrier, but only when hubby out to.....dog a bit of a one for going after squirrels and it takes me all my time to breathe and keep going without having to shout her back as well!
BTX4Graduate
I haven't tried running with my beasties yet as they would have to neon the lead or they would bog off after rabbits etc and I am worried that on lead they would trip me up. Has anyone tried one of the waist harnesses?
What breed of terriers do you all have? Borders for me
tilly1Graduate
I have 2 Jack Russells One with long legs and one with short legs. They are both faster than me! I think they are getting the hang of this running malarky now, to begin with they went off doing their own thing, but now they keep a bit closer and tend not to get left behind once I start running. I do worry about getting tripped up by them though! I think if I had a waist harness I would get pulled over at the first sight of a rabbit/squirrel/etc. especially as they would probably be going in opposite directions :
I run with my two labradors and chunky spaniel - they love it and are getting healthier. We run along the canal where they have walked since they were pups and when they get bored they jump in for a swim. They need their rest day now the distances are getting longer! The spaniel has lost 3kg since starting Cto5K - No lecture when we went to the vet recently! Happy days.
lm51Graduate
My Jack Russell is awful - I never take him because he gets fed up and runs home or just disappears and gets left behind or distracted by other dogs! I would keep him on the lead but then I end up dragging him along which isn't much fun for either of us
We also foster dogs, and currently have a crazy Labrador who is great fun to run with!
I have only just started but would love to run with my dog at some point in the future. I have a staffordshire bull terrier who loves a good run and i was looking at a coiled lead that attaches to your waistband the other day. Maybe after a few more runs on the treadmill i might brave a little jog with her.
BTX4Graduate
Who would have terriers eh? They nearly pulled me into someone's garden over a wall the other day when they saw a cat. Anything that moves is considered fair game and when all together they don't tend to like other dogs either 
Having said that I might try taking the young one for a short jog and see how we get on. He is very fit because we do agility so will have no problems keeping up. I will have to keep stopping the garmin to account for poo pick ups though....
Oh, the glamour of dog care! Mine are good and always go in the first five minutes or so which means I jsut extend the warm up walk until they have all 'gone'
I'm holding off until I graduate before my Scottish Terrier comes with me as he can be a little black cat/squirrel/rabbit/fox (yes really) seeking missile.
tantrumbeanGraduate
My Irish Terrier can be a bit reactive with other dogs after being bitten as a pup, so if he is off lead, I have to keep an eye on him, which means I can't concentrate on the run in case I need to grab him. If he's on lead, he's got a tendency to trip me up, so unfortunately, he's a bit useless as a running companion. Still, leaving him at home means I get on average an additional 5-7 miles of dog walking in on a daily basis, which makes the Garmin stats look rather good!
Ah an Irish Terrier - they are just such great dogs! Beautiful eyes and so quick, typical terriers though. Met one in Lymington the other week who climbs trees after squirrels! I have four (yes four) borders but I think in years to come I would like an irish terrier. - only one though, much though I love them, four terriers is OTT.
I love borders, just went for the slightly larger option with the IT, but yes, I can see where you are coming from with 4 terriers, mine lives part-time with two Jack Russel girls, and they do turn into the Naughty Terrier Gang! Once I've got the space and time, I might just add a border collie into the mix - just for a bit of Ying and Yang, the terrier to keep me on my toes and question everything and the collie just to lap up every bit of training like a sponge! Would be fun for agility as well, I could do the ABC classes and the normal ones!
I bet those girls lead the big boy astray!!! My picture is of my bitch who is the naughtiest and noisiest of the pack. The three dogs are quite placid by comparison. She is very very clever but a right baggage - bogs off out of the agility ring to chase other dogs.
You could go in the small with the JRTs, medium with the IT (or would he be large) and large with the BC...that would keep you busy!!!!
He measures large - unfortunately, he's never going to be a competition dog. He's a bit of a wimp since he got bitten and can't hack the show atmosphere - too many dogs in too close proximity. He loves agility though and when he's good, he's very good and when he's not in the mood, he's awful and just bogs off to have a sniff and a wee. Unfortunately, he's out of action at the moment. We worked on building his tug drive to get him away from being soley food motivated - being a terrier, he took the tugging to far and hurt his neck, so no jumping for him at the moment...
P.S. If you are on fb, look him up - he's got his own profile (yes, I know it's sad): Elliot Whitebear. Good job he can't actually talk, at least it means my C25k adventure stays a secret!!!
Great! He has a lot of friends! I recognised some agility names
Might even have seen you if you do KC shows?
Was he a rescue or have you had him since he was a pup? Mine all came as puppies so I haven't real excuse for their bad behaviour.
No, we've had him since he was a pup, so no excuses there either. Have never entered him into a competition after even a trip to a different club for training freaked him out so much he wouldn't go on the dog walk for weeks afterwards. Apparently you do get the odd hypersensitive IT, and we've ended up with one of them! So I've been to a few local shows as a spectator to pick up some handling tips (I'm totally useless and have a tendency to trip over my own feet), but have left the pooch at home. What grade are you running at?
Poor lad. Funnily enough the IT I saw in Lymington was very nervous and shook like a leaf if a stranger ie me came up to say hello to him. The owner got him at 14 months and she doesnt know why. He is 8 now but just the same. Settles down after a while but also is frightened of a lot of dogs (hates others )
I am grade 3 - should be better with the bitch if only she would stay in the ring!! I also judge, at KC shows around our area. My son also competes with our young dog - went to Vyne show with 3 dogs and came back with 4 Very understanding husband.
Hmm...every other IT I've ever met has been the typical confident dare-devil - and he is in a lot of ways, just not round other dogs (although he is getting better, but he's never going to be keen on big bouncy boys). If I didn't work nights, I'd definitely add to the numbers, but I need someone to look after them while at work. Elliot is a shared-care dog, so it works fine, but haven't got anybody to look after another one while I'm stuck in the office, so it's not going to happen at the moment...
Don't ever get four terriers!!!
Mine are 10 (my darling boy), 8 (the killer with a penchant for hedgehogs :() , 6 (the noisy madam) and 4 (medium sized and goofy).
I love them to bits but boy are they a handful.
Elliott is a great name - the one I saw was called Flynn.
I know that there is a lady with two ITs who competes.
No chance, no sane person can have 4 terriers and expect to remain sane! Elliot nearly got send to the dogs home tonight after staging a disappearing act following some clearly very fascinating smell - he used to be a nightmare for taking off, but hadn't done it for ages. Finally found him half a mile down the trail, but at least he went into the opposite direction from the sheep and I got an involuntary extra run in!
Quite a few of his Australian IT friends compete - they seem to be much more common in agility over there, even got their own team, The Red Devils!
Lol great name. Very apt
GoogleMeGraduate
I always run with my dog. The answer to the stinky swinging poo bag problem is to treat yourself to a Muksak or Dicky Bag.
One of my motivations for running was to make her pay attention to where I was without me necessarily calling her when she is off lead, although I do run in places where it is sensible to keep her on the lead (local canal which has water voles, sheep country etc) She usually walks nicely on the lead but running on the lead has been disagreeable - got better recently (thank goodness as she has gone a bit nutty with spring and we've had some bad getting lost experiences)
My first 5K ironically was achieved due to her misbehaviour as I was running up and down looking for her!
CarolineLou71Graduate
I run with my working cocker spaniel - he loves it and has only shown any signs of tiredness on the (few) hot days we've run.
Lols re the waste issue - will gratefully look for the products mentioned by GoogleMe, thanks!
I'm also wondering about the waist belt too. Currently I use an extendable lead left unlocked, as I run along the footpath and need to haul him in at crossings... get frustrated with holding the rather clunky handset though.
He has a tendency to make misjudgements running up to lampposts etc., which results in the frustrating need for one of use to concede our mistake and agree which side we're both going to take, but he's getting better at anticipating...
Overall, running with my 'champ' gives me confidence, distractions when the going gets tough and generally great joy, so I'd recommend it if you're considering giving it a go. He's been beside me since the 'minute run / 90 second walk' stages of c25k so I guess he learnt gradually about staying out of the way of my big feet ;P
lol - can just imagine the lamppost scenario
hmmm 8-| (luv him really)
Canine X always looks like a great idea. I have toyed with trying this when I graduate with Jigsaw (spaniel) and sledging with Duke and Major (labradors) who can pull with the power of a lively shetland pony...
jomcc4Graduate
I sometimes take my crazy Weimaraner with me and he loves it. Runs like a mad thing off the lead through bushes, undergrowth, nettles etc but always comes back to check on me every minute or so. By the end of the 30 mins he is just about ready to get back on his lead. The main problem is in the car on the way to my running field, he is so excited that he drives me nuts. I must say he is a lot better on the way home and is quite calm for a hour or so afterwards which is probably the only time the hyper mutt sits still.
PixelGraduate
I actually started fitness to 5k to do with my dog! He's a sheltie, and I couldn't jog without him: I tried a morning jog this morning without him- it's not the same! We're on week two at the moment, and I've promised myself when we make it to week nine I'll treat us both to some real cani-cross equipment with the belt plus bungee lead.
He loves running alongside me, he's not very fast himself, so he happily trots alongside me as I jog. The only real problem is his lead- the sooner we can have the hands-free canicross equipement the better! In general if there is another dog on route it just takes a bit of encouragement from me to keep him moving, but he's not one for jumping into hedges.
I always tend to make sure he does his business before the run to to avoid swinging bags, although I find a cheaper alternative to a mukbag is a soft-baby bottle holder, which is always attached just incase.
Overall, I couldn't picture running without him! I'm looking forward to the day when we can both sign up for our first race together.
Thanks for the bottle-holder tip, might give that a try (I have a Muksak, but sometimes something softer would suit and Dicky bags are *so* expensive now) - although I imagine they don't have the same smell-sealing design as the bespoke products?
To be honest, I picked mine up at a carboot for 20p on a bit of a whim, so I've adapted mine for use over time! I have experimented with using discs (such as the fragrenced discs you stick in the car) sewn in with a bit of scrap material, but in general once it's zipped up I don't tend to notice a smell at all. However, I use nappy sacks to pick up Pixel's business, so they've always got a slight smell to them anyway.
If I'm going for a really long walk where I know there won't be bins I pop in a car disc, but this is rare, and normally if it's used- it's only there for (at most) about half an hour in which case I just pop the bag on the line to air for a few hours afterwards. But, they are extremely light and soft- so fab for jogging as it's not something solid rattleing against you.
Then again, Pixel is only a small dog, so I'm not quite sure if they'd be suitable for anything larger! You could always pick up a cheap bottle-holder and then buy the discs from Dicky bags themselves as an alternative.
Yes, it is the hard plastic box and the lack of a clip cf a lanyard on the Muksak that is making me yearn for a Dicky Bag. I started C25K wearing normal clothes (walking boots, skirt even) and carrying my normal overfull backpack 'handbag' and have been whittling it down gradually.
The Muksak is stellar for no odours escaping. I use Biobags so no scent added but the thing can be left in the car over a hot weekend and you'd never guess. Stand back when emptying though!
I've run with my dogs since day 1 - couldn't have done it on my own! Tried it with my two collie-crosses first, but quickly decided to downgrade to the 14-year old, still-fit-but-not-too-fast GSD for the first few weeks. I upgraded to the collie-crosses again when I reached week 4 and they've been with me ever since. I always keep them on harnesses and leads attached to an old skijoring belt, because otherwise I couldn't concentrate on my runs, but they don't seem to enjoy the runs any less for that. They get so much off-lead exercise during normal walks that an on-lead run every other day makes no difference. It was the dogs which motivated me to take up C25K in the first place (I, too, do agility), so it's only fair that they get to join in, even if it does mean the odd tangled-up lead and detour into the undergrowth. Their pulling power on uphill stretches more than make up for the odd mishap!
Having never thought that I could do this running stuff, my goal now is to do enter a CaniX event. It may take me some time to achieve this aim, but I'm sure we'll get there eventually.
Do you compete in agility Stealthrunner?
CaniX does look like fun.
We have someone do the park run harnessed to two huskies - she goes like a rocket.
Yes, I compete with one of my dogs, with a youngster in the pipeline who's just being taught the equipment.
Do you know of a website that advertises CaniX events at all?
I'm desperate to sign myself up for something as a goal to reach (currently looking at a 10k race in october), but I can't see myself doing it without Pixel. I have emailed a few local races to see if I can take him, but a dedicated CaniX event might be a better idea!
Also, another agility person here. We don't do it on a competitive level, in fact we're still just learning the equipment properly- but it's fantastic fun, I'd recommend it to anyone with a dog!
Have just checked with a keen CaniX friend. She says that canix.co.uk lists events in the south of England. For Scotland, it's the Cani-sports Scotland facebook page - website coming soon. It's a relatively new and growing sport, and I'm told that there are CaniX training groups being set up in lots of locations, so you may be able to find a group near you.
You can run with your dog on Parkruns. Quite a few do it here.
Bit of fun and you and Pixel can keep trying for new personal bests!
I used to run with my boxer regularly, but she now has a cruciate ligament problem (she started limping and this is the diagnosis) An operation is needed and then it will be gently does it with lead walking only for quite a few months. It's all very sad
Find a canine physiotherapist in your area - physio after this kind of operation can reduce the recovery time substantially, just like in humans, and the ultimate outcome of the operation is often much better. This is the address of the members' page of the National Association of Veterinary Physiotherapists navp.co.uk/members.htm
Thank you very much for this information! So helpful. I am naturally concerned about the operation and want to give her the best chance of a good recovery as I can, so I will get her some physio to help.
Sorry to hear about your boxer - cruciates are nasty.
Where do you live? I know of a fantastic surgeon who is in the Farnham area
fitzpatrickreferrals.co.uk/...
One of my friends and her dog got to grade 7 in agility (the top) and the dog ruptured her cruciate catching a tennis ball. Noel did such a fab job that she is back competing at the same level - amazing.
Thank you for your suggestion for a surgeon, but she actually had it done yesterday. She is sat here now with eyes questioning 'why me?' It is so sad and I don't know how or when it happened. Hopefully her recovery will be good but I know it will take many months. It is encouraging to know that dogs can recover fully from this.
Oh poor girl. Hope she is ok. I know that my friend went through a long period of physio, swimming and gentle on lead exercise and yes, the dog made a full recovery and the joy on both their faces at being able to run together again brought a tear to the eye.
I'm sure all us dog owners will be thinking of her.
GoogleMeGraduate
Without my dog pulling me over, would I get the peat bog beauty treatment?
LOL. They are responsible for a lot. When I went to the sports therapist about my knees I took my trousers off and she said 'what on earth have you been doing to your legs? They are covered in bruises'. Ah, could be 4 scrabbling terriers that have accounted for those....
Kate1991Graduate
Aw I'm very jealous of you all! I'd love to run with my Riff but can't because I'm training him to be a Guide Dog. It's a shame because on our free run today (his walk off the lead) I ran up and down a path a couple of times to see what he'd do and he ran alongside me perfectly! He'd be my ideal running buddy! To be fair I don't think his future owner would appreciate it if he suddenly darted off when he's meant to be guiding them...
LOL...cassie runs with me....im on week 3..
Week one...when i staretd the run she looked at me to say what the f*** you can move faster than a snail...now he just enjoys it runs next to me...I love it...ablak Labrador she wont go out of my sight lol so no problems on that score
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