Running with dog

[S10GTA]

Couldn't decide if best in here or in the health forum, so went for here.

Chewie, my awesome little bedlington terrier x whippet, has just started coming running with me. He is 8 months old and whilst I understand that its not advisable for them to go running until he is a year old a slow 2.5 mile run at my rubbish pace won't be doing him any harm. Out in the forest he runs at a million miles an hour everywhere. A jog with me wont be challenging him, it's just a brisk walk for him.

Anyway, the reason for my post is to ask others who run with their dog for their advice on leads/harnesses. On the two runs I've done with him he has been incredible, pretty much perfect just running alongside me, but just having a standard collar and lead doesn't feel right. The clasp is jiggling around his neck. Would I be better with a harness for him?

Also, any other hints or tips we need from those experienced in running with dogs.

Here he is after his first run. He was so excited the second time the running shoes came out

Edited by S10GTA on Tuesday 3rd January 10:44

[moorx]

Sorry - I certainly don't run with my dogs (I wouldn't stand a chance of keeping up with them!) but you're probably right about a harness rather than a lead. It might be worth looking at cani-cross equipment. I'm sure there's a guy on here who competes with his dog (I think her name might be Summer?)

[smn159]

I run with my Lab, although I prefer to do so where he can be off the lead. Sometimes we do the local parkrun together and I have a bungee lead and a belt thing that goes around my waist. I just use his regular collar so far - once he has calmed down from his initial excitement at running with a 'pack' he's pretty good and runs next to me with no tension on the lead.

Agree that a harness would be better though. Edited to add that his weight is good and I'm careful not to overdo it with him / stress his joints too much.

Edited by smn159 on Tuesday 3rd January 21:03

[dave_s13]

I'm going to start with my 7 month old "proper" bedlington terrier

Definitely don't just use the collar, I can't recommend anything in particular but get him a harness, something like this

https://www.amazon.co.uk/d/Dogs/Aodoor-Harness-Han...

Save you pulling his head clean off when he decides to stop dead to eat something elses st.

Depends on the dog though, some will trot along next to you with no bother.

[moorx]

moorx said:

Sorry - I certainly don't run with my dogs (I wouldn't stand a chance of keeping up with them!) but you're probably right about a harness rather than a lead. It might be worth looking at cani-cross equipment. I'm sure there's a guy on here who competes with his dog (I think her name might be Summer?)

Here's the photographic evidence http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

[Janluke]

As already mentioned belt for you,harness for the dog and an elastic type lead

various options here

http://www.innerwolf.co.uk/sports-and-activity/run...

[HelenT]

I run with my working cocker and she loves it, mainly trail running so she is off lead, she has a harness and I use a Halti lead as it clips round my waist when she is off her lead to keep it, and then I can just clip her on if we are on a road(still keep the lead around my waist)

https://www.amazon.co.uk/d/Training-Behaviour-Aids...

If we are spending more time off road, I use this, but I find it a bit of a pain if she is not clipped on as the metal bits tend to bang against you if no tension on the lead.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0057FZLDY/ref...

Cani cross sites such as http://www.innerwolf.co.uk/sports-and-activity/run... can probably give you more choice on leads and harnesses

[S10GTA]

Thanks all. Some really useful information here, will take a look at the links.

[S10GTA]

Have spent several hours looking at harnesses and have finally purchased one. I looked at the inner Wolf stuff, bugger me it's expensive for what you get, plus it looks like it's aimed at sled dogs, where you want them to pull. I then did some research and the harness that was coming out top everywhere was the Ruffwear front wear harness, so I've ordered one. For now I'll just run with him in his harness but on the lead. I may move onto a waist belt thing at some point.

Thanks for the tips.

[moorx]

We have had Ruffwear Webmaster harnesses for Sam and Jet (whippets) for several years and have just bought another for Max (lurcher). Not the cheapest, but we have been very impressed with their quality.

[smashie]

The other half used to run with our Collie (now gone) and she is waiting until our GSP is 18 months old (fully grown) to run him. In the meantime she borrows her clients dogs instead. She does Canicross. There are a few forums and facebook groups out there that can offer plenty of advice on this.
If you are serious about running with your dog, then I would suggest that you try some of the harnesses as whether the harness suits the dog, will also depend on the dogs running style and whether you want it to pull or not (in Canicross it's good if the dog pulls). We found that in a particular harness our Collie did not like to pull, but in another he pulled perfectly.
See if you can find a local canicross group and someone there may even be able to let you try our their harness.

[git-r]

It's a funny one running with pups as a lot of people say you shouldn't run with them until a year or so.

My vet told me this hip issues can sometimes be a problem with larger dogs but that with my working cocker to run her till she drops! (This is impossible!)

As mentioned it's not like you can stop them running on normal walkies so a human speed jog is nothing for them.

I found as mine got older (she's 2 now) she would leave me for longer but always come back so her range got bigger with age.

If anything I think it's better for her if I just walk as she has more time to play with other dogs.

I only keep her on the lead when there are picnics about!

[Nobblybobbly]

I run with a 10 year old Whippet. She is recovering from a broken pelvis and major op. We are doing a half marathon 80/20 training programme. Lots of longer slow jogs with short high intensity sessions. Seems to be working ok for both of us. Never been able to run with her on the lead though.

[Berlin Mike]

I run with two Parson Russell terriers, one dog: Baloo and one bh: Poppy. They both have normal collars and I use a roll-up lead with a double end, one for each dog.
I usually have both on the lead while running on streets and let Poppy off in the woods. Baloo on the other hand tends to hang around, reading the paper and answering the contact ads so to speak. He is getting old and deaf so stays mostly on the lead. I run with loops so I can let him off the lead and he can hang around and sniff and pee and do doggy things.

I think it's important to be sensitive and give the dogs time to sniff and talk to other dogs when they're on the lead, the actual collar or harness is less important.

They do enjoy a run! As long as they do, you're doing it right!

[redback911]

Run with my Black Labs as well. We were careful about not over exercising as pups, but now they can run and trot for hours far longer than I can jog, so I often MTB with them.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dt1NOuxnSdY

Living in Cumbria we usually have easy access to water on walks, but I usually carry some extra water for them as well. It took time to get them in condition for some of the longer MTB sessions, which can be 15-20 miles. If I travel and wifey walks the dogs for a few weeks, I take a little time to them back into shape for the longer sessions.

Fairly careful with their food intake (as you have to be with Labs) and weight. Also supplement their food with "Grizzly Salmon Oil" and/or "YuMOVE Dog Joint Supplement".

[git-r]

redback911 said:

Run with my Black Labs as well. We were careful about not over exercising as pups, but now they can run and trot for hours far longer than I can jog, so I often MTB with them.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dt1NOuxnSdY

Living in Cumbria we usually have easy access to water on walks, but I usually carry some extra water for them as well. It took time to get them in condition for some of the longer MTB sessions, which can be 15-20 miles. If I travel and wifey walks the dogs for a few weeks, I take a little time to them back into shape for the longer sessions.

Fairly careful with their food intake (as you have to be with Labs) and weight. Also supplement their food with "Grizzly Salmon Oil" and/or "YuMOVE Dog Joint Supplement".

Now they are a pair of happy dogs!!!

Made me smile watching that video!

Long shot but does anyone know of a similar sort of place in south east London?

[S10GTA]

That video is great.

Harness arrived yesterday so I gave it a whirl this morning. Very nice bit of kit. Hopefully worth the investment.