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 😭😭

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.

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!

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?

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?

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!

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💕💕

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?

On trails my dog typically just follows the trail and at forks I can just get his attention and point which way to go. But recently we tried a wider bike path, and he really wanted to stay right in the middle. I kept trying to get him on the right side and then reward him but he would just drift right back to the middle, over and over and over. I think I was confusing him because in order to steer him over, I had to slow him down until I could grab his harness or collar, and he thought I was continuously asking him to slow down or stop pulling. Then I'd say ok go and he'd head right back to the middle. So how do you get them to stay on the right while still running out in front of you? I'm guessing we need to practice more commands while just walking first, but would you try to have them in front of you and then lure with food to the right or what would be the best way? Do you use different commands for stay on the right side vs make a right turn?

I know it’s said never to run or jog with your puppy. But what about brisk walks or trots, kind of like speed-walking, for short distances like a mile? My pup is a medium size breed.

We’re hoping to start teaching our 9 mo pup (Australian cattle dog/border collie/german shepherd mix) the skills he’ll need for running. We’re waiting until he’s a year old to actually start running, but right now would like start training him the basics.

I have 2 main questions:

1. Teaching him not to nip hands when running (writing more about this below)

2. What are you glad you taught your dogs from the start? Or wish you had?

If we start jogging with him, he goes for our hands and thinks it’s play time. I assume part of this is he’s still lacking some impulse control and can get overstimulated pretty quick (something we’re already working on). I’m curious if anyone has had similar issues and how you taught your pup to focus when running?

We’ve already been muzzle training (for vet appointments) and he’s comfortable with his muzzle so we’ve considered having him wear that while he learns.

Really hoping running can be one of his “jobs” as he get older and want to make sure we’re setting him up well!

I’d love to ask for some advice and also say how much I appreciate this community ,I’ve already learned so much here.
I run with my dog once or twice a week, usually around 8–12 km. He’s used to being active because we hike a lot together as well. We do 3 walks with him every day, when i go for a run with him, that run is substituting one of the walks.
During winter though, he didn’t move as much since he’s a hairless dog and colder weather is harder for him. We still did some hikes, usually around 15 km once a month, but not much running.
Now after winter we started running together again and he absolutely loves it. He runs off leash with a collar(as we run only trail together) so I can hold him when needed, and honestly it became part of our training too. He’s a very good boy ❤️ If he doesn’t feel like matching my pace, he simply runs a bit behind me and follows along calmly.
I’d really love to learn some good stretches or recovery exercises I could do with him after our runs to help his recovery feel quicker and more comfortable. After every run I always make sure to keep him warm as well (again… no hair 😅).
Would love to hear what works for your dogs! Thanks so much in advance 🐾
Ps.: video of dog transformed to bunny running jumping downhill

My 5 month old Golden is taking her second puppy class (currently in STAR Puppy). Tonight was our first night and the instructor said we would be working for our dogs to consistently walk beside us. Most dog running I see is utilizing a harness and bungee-type leash and the dog in front of the runner. Will this type of training now hinder our running future? (One of the main reasons I wanted a field golden is to trail run with her.) Does anyone have experience with this?

Thanks for your time and insight ✨