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Running with a dog that pulls… and everything else you want to know about running with dogs

06•20•18

I want to start with a disclaimer, lest anyone think I’m some super-serious runner: This morning, I ran for just shy of three miles without walking. That’s the longest I’ve ever run without walking at some point in the middle. My goal is to run a 5k this Sunday without walking (we’ve done a ton of 5k races, but I’ve always, always walked a few minutes in the middle). That said, I’ve set my sights on finishing a 10k and have downloaded the C210k training app for my phone. It actually starts with the C25k trainer, which marks my third time through that program.

My point: I’m no running pro. Nor am I a vet or a medical pro or a nutritionist or a trainer or anything other than a writer. This post is for informational purposes only and just chronicles my experience. The reason I’m writing this is because I have gotten SO MANY questions about running with Cooper that I thought I could assemble them into one monster “running with dogs” post.

If you’ve sent me Qs about running with your dog, I hope I addressed them here. If not, or if this sparks more questions, please do leave them in the comments so I can provide the best info possible!

OK, lace up those sneaks and let’s get going!

Running with a dog that pulls... and everything else you want to know about running with dogs
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How do I train my dog to run with me?

Just like you train your dog to do anything else: slow and steady! You have to start with your dog’s fitness level. Way back when I did my first round of C25k, I was in terrible shape and recovering from a year of chemo. I was in worse shape than my pups, probably, but we started ever so slowly. I highly recommend that app (thank you, Erin, for the initial recommendation) as a starting point.

Taking a big step back, though, I think it’s super important to train your dog to walk well with you first (see the next big point), so if your walking skills aren’t yet solid, go back to that basic foundation and start working on loose-leash walking. If you need to review some tips to achieve that, check out these two posts:

Loose Leash Walking from Victoria Stilwell

How to Teach Loose-Leash Walking from Karen Pryor

OK, so speaking of which…

Running with a Dog That Pulls

Without a doubt, the number-one question has been: How can I run with my dog that pulls?

Cooper keeps a loose leash. He’s usually slightly ahead, but he’s got his automatic check-in down pat. He is a great walker.

Except for when he isn’t.

When he isn’t = when we spot a dog, a bunny, a squirrel, some weird patch of wind, a person surprising him in any way (getting out of a vehicle, saying hi, etc.) OR when he anticipates those things happening. That last one is the real problem for us because he knows where every single electrically-fenced-in dog is in the three mile radius around our house.

That said, the rest of the time he really is great. He’s better, actually, when we’re running because he has a purpose. His ears are back. He finds his pace. He just goes, and he loves to run more than anything.

So, for us, our reality is this: We ensure our equipment works great. We run routes we know inside and out. We always have an escape plan. And when he starts to pull? We just “power through,” which is basically reeling him in tightly and sprinting past the perceived threat as quickly as we can.

That’s my best advice for reactive pulling. If your dog only pulls when threatened, well, you can and should keep desensitizing to those threats and then accept some degree of pulling when you’re out for a focused run.

If your dog is just a puller on leash, the best option is to go back to basics: Go back to those loose-leash walking tutorials and work on that like crazy because, for some dogs, running increases that desire to pull (“C’MON LET’S GO, HUMAN!!!!”) so you have to have it down pat.

Gear for Running with Your Dog

I mentioned ensuring our equipment works great. I honestly can’t stress this enough. If you’re running with your dog, your running gear is critical to your and your dog’s safety.

No matter the dog, no matter the distance or terrain, no matter the weather, I strongly recommend running with your dog on a harness rather than a collar. It’s safer. It alleviates pressure on your dog’s neck, and since he’ll be breathing hard, that’s extra important. The type of harness is up to you and your needs.

Cooper has a ton of different harnesses. He has one we use primarily for hiking and another that has saddlebags. The one with the saddlebags is his absolute best harness, and he walks and runs with purpose with that thing. It’s way too hot right now to use it, though. So, we’re currently running with this para-cord one because we’re going so early in the morning that I wanted something reflective, and it’s light without much body coverage to cause him to overheat. Some people prefer front-clip harnesses for runs. They’ve never worked for Coop because he pulls really freaking hard in the opposite direction to counter the drag. Choose what’s best for you and your pup.

As for the leash, you don’t need bells and whistles. I wish with all my heart Cooper could get accustomed to a waist leash so that I could be hands-free, but we’re not there yet. Right now he’s using just a thick, six-foot nylon lead. Nothing fancy. It works perfectly.

All that said, I prefer and recommend metal hardware instead of plastic. Plastic snaps, the end.

There’s a ton of other running gear for dogs out there. If it’s too hot or too cold, you might want to look into boots. Coop has a set we use when the roads are salted. Sunscreen is another great product to consider. Beyond that? If you’re a distance or trail runner, think about water on the go, and everything else is sort of extra that you may or may not need–just use common sense!

And poop bags. Everyone needs poop bags.

Best Dog Breeds for Running

“Can I train my fill-in-breed-here to be my running buddy?”

Probably, but maybe not. Some dog breeds are predisposed to running (just like some are predisposed to water or herding), but not every individual of those predisposed breeds will like/can do the activity. And, I honestly don’t think this is the right question to ask with a few exceptions: Like, your basset probably isn’t going to complete a 10k with you, and it’s really unsafe to run with brachycephalic dogs like pugs and bull mastiffs.

In my opinion, the right question to ask is: “Can I train my dog to be my running buddy?” And you should ask that question of your vet.

Here’s why: Focusing only on your dog’s breed ignores individual variations. You want to make sure your dog’s hips and joints are healthy and his heart is good, and those aren’t breed-specific health checks. Thinking at the individual level, Emmett was a pit mix and wouldn’t run unless it was to a cupcake. Cooper is a pit mix and wouldn’t stop running if we didn’t make him.

You’ll see all sorts of advice on the internet–get a Weimaraner for trails and a Vizsla for long runs, etc.–that may or may not be good advice for you and your dog. That said, if you’re looking to adopt a new dog, be sure to tell the shelter staff that you want a running partner! They can point you to the dogs in their care who will be the right fit, regardless of breed!

When is it too hot to run with your dog? Or, when is it too cold to run with your dog?

General, often-touted rule of thumb: Hold your bare palm to the cement for 15 seconds. Too hot or too cold to do that? It’s too hot or too cold to run with your pup. That said, use common sense. If you have the right gear, you can run in the heat or the cold. Heat requires extra precautions against overheating, so shorter, less-intense runs during the coolest part of the day, or purposefully choosing courses that are shaded can help.

Honestly, though? This is a common-sense issue. If you’re not sure if the temps are too extreme, just assume they are. Better to be cautious than sorry.

How long can I run with my dog?

Sort of like the question above, this depends so much on the weather conditions and your dog’s fitness level. Start slow, like with the C25k program, so that your dog slowly builds endurance, then be cognizant of your running conditions.

Cooper, for example, started the C25k program with me several years ago. We completed it, then lost our momentum. When we started back up, he was in better shape than I was, and then he started to train with John. One of John’s big bucket list goals was to run a marathon, so he first did the C25k program with me years ago, and he downloaded that same app but in the marathon version. It started incrementally and gradually built distance and duration. He took Coop along from the beginning, though at some point in the training Cooper topped out at eight miles. And that’s the key: John recognized that 8 miles was as far as Cooper could safely go. Would Cooper go longer? Yep. If John let him, Coop would run until he dropped, but… We monitored his recovery after each run, and that was the point we identified as far enough for him. I do believe he could probably complete a half marathon with John, and he definitely would if given the chance, but we’re also cognizant of the fact that he’s turning eight this year and we need to protect his joints. Will he run more? Maybe. We’re going to start him with chiropractic care soon and may do a sports medicine consult, but we’re happy with him at eight miles (unless it’s too hot, obvi).

The Bottom Line: Running with your dog is an awesome way to bond!

I don’t particularly like to run. Sometimes I hate it. Most of the time I don’t even want to go. Then I harness up Coop, and his tail starts to wag. His ears go back. And he is happy–genuinely, joyfully happy–which makes it worthwhile.

The only thing you need to do to start is to lace up your shoes, leash up your dog, and head outside. No fancy gear required.

If you need a little more inspo, here are a couple posts I’ve written about running with Coop:

Healthy Dog, Healthy(ish) Me: Will Run for Tacos

Lean, mean running bean

Otherwise, get out there and have fun! And if you still have questions about running with your dog, leave ’em in the comments below! Or, if you think I’ve missed anything here, please add your tips!

BTW, I’m thinking about trying some trail running with Coop, so if anyone has any suggestions there, I’m all ears!!! 🙂

6 Comments
Filed Under: Health Tagged With: cooper, running

Healthy Dog, Healthy(ish) Me: Have I Mentioned I HATE Running? (Alternate title: Will Run for Tacos)

06•20•17

Here’s what I’ve discovered about exercise: It is really, really hard to get in shape, but it is really, really easy to fall out of shape.

Unfair.

Seriously, though, it took me and Cooper (well, me… Cooper’s fine…) two times through the C25K training app before we (I) were able to complete a 5k. Then life got crazy, and yesterday we (I) were totally wrecked trying to run less than two miles.

SO unfair.

I want to get back into the running habit. It’s good for me, of course, but it’s necessary for Cooper.

Do any of you love a dog like this: If Cooper doesn’t get sufficient exercise, he goes insane. Like, he blacks out, dashes around the house, pummels the cat, and bites onto corners of things.

He needs exercise to stay sane.

Side note: We’ve always said iterations of, “When Cooper grows up, he’ll calm down” or “Once Cooper matures…” or “Cooper hasn’t grown into his head yet…”

Cooper will be seven in August. I’m starting to think this is just how he is.

Healthy Dog Healthy Me

So, I signed us all up for a 5k for this Saturday. I thought it would motivate me to get my butt in gear. Of course, I signed up a couple weeks ago and only went for my first run yesterday, so Saturday might be a smidge rough. For me, anyway.

Question: Are any of you guys the person who says, “Oh, I just love running. It really clears my head!” or some similar iteration? If so, I’d love to know if it came naturally, like you just took to running, or if you had to fight and slog and struggle through the early stages to get there?

All this comes to a head because the Healthy Dog, Healthy You challenge is underway. (I shared the start of it and my goals here.) I’ve been lurking in the Facebook group and am blown away at all the awesome progress being made by people and pets! It’s super motivating!

Even MORE motivating than seeing other people’s progress?

Coloring!

Well, OK, not coloring specifically, but here’s my deal: I need to track things. If I’m trying to establish a new habit–say, jogging with Cooper every day–I NEED to document it somehow. As you all know, I’m a paper-and-pen gal, as is my friend Jodi from Kol’s Notes.

She made these super fun, totally adorable Habit Tracker sheets to help keep me going. Instead of boring checkboxes, there’s a dog and a cat version that you get to color. Even if you’re NOT trying to track a new habit, you should totally download and color them anyway. They are just that cute.

The other big thing that will get its own post some day is the training we’re starting with Cooper. I HAVE to track our progress with that because I need to stay on top of it, for one thing, but I also need to see progress visually to stay focused because it’s going to be painfully incremental.

Snag your own:

  • Here’s the Dog Habit Tracker.
  • Here’s the Cat Habit Tracker.

Honestly! How cute are those?! I feel like I can have a few going at once: one for Cooper’s training, one for my running, and the cat one for the 15 minutes of play we’re trying to do with Newt each day.

Are you participating in the Healthy Dog, Healthy You challenge? Have you set any summer fitness goals for you and your pup? Do you love running (tell me your secrets!!!!!!!!!!!)? 

I’ll let you know if I survive Saturday… 😉

Healthy Dog, Healthy You

11 Comments
Filed Under: Health Tagged With: Best Life Pets, cooper, Health, running

Healthy dog, healthy you… and the converse is true, too!

06•05•17

I’m granting myself some leniency here because it’s been a helluva couple months. However.

{{This post brought to you by Cooper getting up and peeing in the living room at 4 AM! If that hadn’t happened, I’d still be languishing lazily in my bed, you know, sleeping instead of writing this post! Thanks, Coop! Way to keep me on task, buddy!}}

Several years ago, I alllllmost completed the C25K training program. It’s a really great program that takes you from not being able to run at all to completing a 5K incrementally and pretty gently. I derailed at the end and kept meaning to start back up but then winter.

Anyways, I know that’s no excuse. So, summer 2016 I repeated the whole program with Cooper. He loved it. We finished it. I ran TWO 5Ks in 2016 and tried to keep up with twice- or thrice-weekly jogs.

Healthy Cooper, Healthy Me

Then I derailed in early March. No “winter” excuse this time since that’s when things start getting nicer here in Indiana.

Here’s the truth that we all know yet sometimes struggle to accept:

Exercise is super good for us. It’s super good for our dogs. It’s super good for our bond with our dogs when we exercise together.

The only drawbacks with exercise? It takes time, and it’s hard.

And both of those things–individually or together–are enough to derail the best-laid plans.

Which leads us to today.

Well, actually, yesterday…

Yesterday, Sunday, June 4: The Healthy Dog, Healthy You Challenge kicked off.

Healthy Dog, Healthy You Challenge

Started by my friend Alison at Sarcastic Dog, the challenge inspires us all to walk with our dogs for 30 days in a row. Here’s her post announcing and explaining the initiative: Getting Healthy… Again.

There are prizes (yay!) and a fundraising initiative for Best Friends (double yay!), and you can sign up and get those bullet points and some additional detail here: The Second Annual 30-Day Walk the Dog Challenge & Giveaway! Plus, there’s a Facebook group to connect and compare!

Also–because you KNOW I’m obsessed–my friend Jodi at Kol’s Notes made an ahhhhmazing sticker set for your planner to go with the challenge. Legit, nothing motivates me quite like stickers do!! Check out her post here: The Healthy Dog; Healthy You Challenge (and Free Printable Stickers) and download the free stickers! I’m working on cutting mine out and pasting them into my planner this morning… since I have all this extra time… Cooper.

Want the quick PDF download? Here ya go! 

Anyway, for the launch of the program, yesterday I ended up doing a TON of yard work and was totally beat, but Cooper hadn’t gotten any exercise. So, John and I decided to do an after-dinner family walk around the neighborhood. I put Violet in the wrap, and John harnessed Cooper (with can of cheese in tow) and off we went. We hit the 15-minute mark, which feels like a win since that was the challenge… but I know we can do better. So, I set a goal: I signed myself up for another 5k on June 24, so I better stick with it, huh? That’s only three weeks away!

Heck, the sun still isn’t up yet (COOPER), so I might as well round everyone up for an early-morning jog, huh?

How about you? Are you doing the Healthy Dog, Healthy You challenge? Do you have any summer fitness plans or goals? I’d love to hear them and share progress so we can help inspire and motivate each other!!!

Healthy Dog, Healthy You

 

6 Comments
Filed Under: Health, OMD! Tagged With: cooper, Happy Planner, running, walking

Lean, mean running Bean

04•25•16

For all his flaws quirks, and despite his litany of fears, there is one thing that focuses Cooper, gives him confidence, and lets him blow off all that pent-up drive:

Running.

Cooper loves to run.

He would run until he dropped, sleep it off, then get up and run some more if we let him. (We don’t.)

Last year, before Lucas, I started the C25K training program with the app on my phone. Of course, the incremental training was for me, not for Cooper. We worked through it together, though, then totally derailed because I de-prioritized running when we were dealing with Lucas and moving. Fast forward to this winter, and John and I started to run at an indoor track. He decided to set his sights on marathon training (um… no, thanks…), and I set mine on getting back to finishing a 5k.

Which we did last weekend! (Yes, I turn that shade of red every time I run. Sometimes even redder if the temp is above, say, 60 degrees!)

5k finish!

Now that spring has sprung, we’re back to running outside with Cooper, and all the time off? Well, it didn’t do a thing to slow him down. His drive is still there, fully intact. He will. not. stop.

Here’s the deal: When Cooper is out for a walk and we spot a dog, he flips out. He loses his head. He strains at the end of his leash, he barks, he wags, he yips, he hollers. It’s extreme frustration. When Cooper is out for a walk and we spot a squirrel, he makes his dog-spotting flip out seem tame. He seriously screeches. People from blocks away turn to stare. When Cooper is out for a walk and we get startled by a person–someone getting out of a car, someone coming out of a front door somewhere on the same block we’re walking, someone he can’t see coughing or sneezing somewhere nearby–he barks at that person.

But when Cooper is out for a run… none of that fazes him. He gets a bit excited if he sees a dog, but he keeps running. He gets a bit tense when he sees a person, but he keeps running. He whines a bit and reaches in the direction if he sees a squirrel, but he keeps running.

He’s the neurotic pit-mix version of Forrest Gump. 

He just keeps running.

His post-run happy face is the cutest thing ever:

Post-run bliss

Anyway, some days he goes with me on my slow, short jog around the neighborhood.

Other days he goes with John on his training runs. Those are a mix of things, from distance and duration to sprints. What we’re finding is that Cooper thrives on distance. He wants to cover miles. He dislikes varying speeds, though; he needs a constant pace.

On Saturday, John had a log run. Seventy minutes. (Shudder…) He leashed up Coop and said that he’d swing by the house sometime between minutes 30 and 40 to drop Bean off because it was a little warm out and that was a long run. So, he did. After about 35 minutes, he brought Cooper home, then went back out. Cooper? He stood at the back door and waited. He wanted to keep going! I think he thought John would come right back to get him… but once he realized that John wasn’t coming back, he flopped in the middle of the kitchen floor and slept.

Cooper is an intense dog. He’s intense in all things. Seriously. All.

Just look at him in this birthday hat (another story for another day!):

Cooper in a party hat

That intensity is a double-edged sword, especially when it’s combined with his single-minded loyalty. He will literally run until he drops. Finding that line where he gets the most out of the activity, burns the most steam, gets to practice focus and build confidence, without overexerting him or pushing him to that point is our new challenge.

I know many of you run and many of you run with your dogs. Any tips or tricks to share? Fun running stories or outdoor adventures with your pup? What are your outdoor exercise plans for the summer?

As for me, it’s my day to run with Cooper… so I have 30 minutes of him trotting along staring at me with those “is that all you got, lady?” eyes of his… Yes, Bean. It’s all I got. 🙂

19 Comments
Filed Under: Health, OMD! Tagged With: c25k, cooper, exercise, running

On tenacity, redux

06•23•15

Sometimes the universe just smacks you on the head.

Before we proceed, can I ask you a quick favor? Can you read this archived post–it’s super short–or take a speedy glance? Trust me. You’ll see.

I’ll wait…

Did you glance at it?

Thanks!

OK. Now, that was from two years, one month, and one day ago. Wouldn’t you know it, though… As I was staring out the window working this morning, I glanced up and there he was! (Sorry for the crappy-quality, through-the-screen shot… I didn’t think I’d have enough time to get outside to snap the pic!)

On tenacity, redux

Can you even believe it? Same compression socks, same sweatband, same tenacious gentleman. (Not sure why he’s walking in the grass? Less impact? Concrete too hot?)

Anyway, as soon as I saw him–after I dashed off to snap the pic–I looked up agility classes at the facility where Cooper and I used to practice. Rats. No classes. But then I looked back at that old post, and I was reminded: My goal was never agility. My goal was to build Cooper’s confidence. Sure, agility is a great way to do that, but that’s not the end game.

We’ve made some strides. For instance, yesterday, after spending the entire day at doggy daycare followed by a two-mile walk/jog with John and I, Cooper very calmly greeted neighbors who had a baby with them. Heck, he even wagged his tail and went up to the guy to get some scratches. That isn’t something he used to be able to do calmly. Of course, it took wearing him out thoroughly first, but it still happened!

Doggy daycare is one way we’ve been working on his confidence. He goes alone now–no brothers–and while they tell us he’s doing great, he plays, he loves the people, etc., we have our doubts since he’s never, not once been in the pictures they post daily. It could be coincidence, I suppose, but we sort of suspect he’s just hanging off to the side, not in the action. Which is okay, too, as long as he isn’t uncomfortable. They assure us he isn’t, so we’ll keep it up.

The other thing, since we have few formal training options, is we’ve been hyper-focused on exercise. Cooper and I have been doing the C25K training program using this app (thanks, Erin!!!) and just completed week six, day one. Theoretically, two weeks from today, we’ll be running three miles.

Here’s where the universe smacked me on the head: I hate running. Actual hate. It’s uncomfortable. I don’t know where to put my arms (think: Phoebe). I trip a lot. I have crappy shoes. It takes so much time. Then I have to shower, which takes even more time. And our neighborhood is nothing but hills. Running here is seriously uphill both ways. Seriously.

I have all the runs written into my calendar, and every day when I see the dang reminder, I groan. I don’t want to. I don’t. I’d rather stay home.

And then I saw this guy. I have to imagine it’s hard for him, too. It’s hard to tell in the pic, but he looks like he’s in his 70s. And look at him go!

Then there’s Cooper. As much as I hate to run, Cooper loves it. No joke: I put on the hat I wear when we run, and he starts wagging and pacing and whining and wagging some more. He loves it. He trots along, one paw in front of the other, out in front of me with his ears are back listening for, I don’t know, my last gasping, dying breath.

(Actually, we’ve worked on “wait” at intersections, “let’s cross” to cross the street, and “turn” to stay on the sidewalk instead of cross.)

As we go, Cooper’s confidence is building–demonstrated by his greeting those strangers yesterday–and, I grudgingly suppose, my confidence as a runner will build. Maybe. It’s something to focus on, anyway.

I got my reminder this morning in the form of that tenacious, dedicated elderly gentleman who inspires me to keep at it.

I get my reminder every day from Cooper, the little guy who’s terrified of many things but would rather face down his fears for the chance to get out there and run.

8 Comments
Filed Under: OMD!, Puppy Love: All about my boys Tagged With: cooper, just for fun, running, ThunderWorks, Training

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