It is no secret that when January rolls around many Brits have been penning New Year’s resolutions that include getting more exercise.
Running is a popular choice for those looking to get more active and Google search data tells us that around 6,000 people in the UK are searching for “running for weight loss” in January, which is six times more than October to December.
Tying up the laces on those trainers can often seem daunting, so some pet parents are looking to take their furry friends with them to stay motivated, a trend which sees around 3,000 Brits searching for “running with my dog” every month and an estimated 5,000 researching running with their dog in the last two weeks alone*.
But is it as easy as just attaching their lead and getting going? It would appear that those considering running with their dog aren’t too sure of the best ways to do so, or the safety of it, and are asking questions** such as:
- Is it bad to run your dog on the pavement?
- Is too much running bad for dogs?
- Can I run 10km with my dog?
- What dog breed is the best running partner?
The experts at TopDog have collated useful information and guidance on everything you need to know and do to get running with your dog.
Preparing to start running with your dog
Just as you would make sure you had the right trainers, and maybe an armband to hold your phone, it is important to make sure your dog is prepared with the right equipment too.
Opt for a harness over a collar and attach the lead to this instead, it will be more comfortable for the dog if they pull or suddenly stop. Make sure that the harness fits snugly too, you don’t want friction on their skin or god forbid slipping out.
It is best to avoid retractable leads and opt for a rope or nylon set-length lead instead as they can become tangled more easily, causing the lead to get wrapped around the dog’s legs, and can also limit your control over them.
“You just need to google ‘retractable lead injuries’ to find a whole host of horror stories about how these leads have caused injury to dog owners and people around them.” Says professional dog trainer Sarah Groves. “The thin rope-like cord has been reported to cause burns, deep cuts, entanglement, and even amputation of limbs! Not only that, when the lead is at full extend, it is extremely difficult to manage your dog at a distance.”
Is it too hot or too cold? Hot tarmac or de-icing chemicals found during cold weather can be dangerous for your dog and might prevent you from going for a run with them. However, some breeds are fine in seasonal environments – Vizslas and Dalmatians can thrive in hot weather and Samoyeds and Siberian Huskies love the snow, so it might be worth investing in some dog booties to protect their paws in these weathers.
Get some training in
Instead of diving straight in with a 10k run, you need to provide your dog with a little training first. Start by taking it for a walk along your intended route before gradually alternating between walking and jogging and then running.
It is also super important that your dog knows to stop and heel when commanded as they could be easily distracted by traffic or other dogs when out for a walk or run.
Holly Keeling, a dog trainer at Pro Dog School says: “Once you can comfortably walk your route, you’re ready to build your speed! It’s best to do this slowly by walking for five minutes, then jogging for two, walking for five minutes and so on. Once your dog gets used to jogging, you can start to reduce the time you are walking – keep doing this until you can both comfortably jog the full route.”
How far can I run with my dog?
General guidelines state that for adult dogs you should start with a one-mile run and increase to three miles once they become comfortable. Larger dogs can run up to 10 miles but smaller dogs should be limited to three miles.
Different breeds can run for longer than others:
- Short-distance sprinters
- Breeds like Greyhounds or Whippets are built for speed, not long-distance endurance. They can typically handle shorter, high-energy runs but may tire quickly.
- Long-distance runners
- Breeds like Border Collies, Australian Shepherds, and Labradors are bred for stamina and can generally handle longer distances when given proper training.
- Small breeds
- Dogs like Dachshunds, Pugs, or Chihuahuas, which have much shorter legs than other breeds, may not be able to sustain long distances. They will typically max out at two to three miles.
Kicking off the new year with some exercise that involves your dog is a great way to stay motivated, and so long as you carry out some training and get the right gear, you’ll be ready to go.
For more information on keeping safe whilst out on the run and some extra essentials to bring with you, head to TopDog’s blog post on running with your dog.
