running with dogs

kcolsey · Posted: Fri Aug 15, 2008 8:35 pm Post subject: running with dogs

For all of you who run with your weims, I have a question for you. At what age did you begin running with your weim and for how long?

Gracie is 10 months old and I have been careful about how long I run with her because I know she is still growing. My vet said it would be safe to take her out on short runs (15 min.) at around 8 months, so that's what I've been doing. I've just been focusing on teaching her how to run with me - with a leash, left side, steady pace, etc. She really seems to love it! :D

I'm wondering if any of you have any advice about using your weims as exercise partners! I know that Gracie, if given the chance, will eventually easily outrun me. Right now I am training for a marathon, but I never intend to run with my dog for more than an hour a day. I definitely will very slowly work up to that point when it is safe for her to do so.

I'd appreciate any thoughts...
Thanks!

OtherDawg · Posted: Fri Aug 15, 2008 8:46 pm Post subject:

Everything I can remember hearing was about waiting until they were 18 months old before really running with them, especially on hard surfaces because of their growth plates or something. We always kind of looked at it as running on soft surfaces i.e. grass short runs shouldn't be too bad. Not that I'm much of a runner, but it is something we talked about a number of times.

PamK · Posted: Fri Aug 15, 2008 9:48 pm Post subject:

I've always heard 18 months too. For the same reason Other Dawg said.

I know people have started earlier though.

jmwgomz · Posted: Sat Aug 16, 2008 12:18 am Post subject:

I've recently started taking Zeke out with me on the bike. He won't focus on the activity unless it's at a fast pace. I only take him out for ~15-20 minutes and definately stop when he wants to. He absolutely LOVES it. He'll actually pull me on the bike. This may not be good for him at all. I'm in the same boat w/you; wondering if I'm doing more harm than good. He seems to have sooo much fun doing it though.

Idaviruma · Posted: Sat Aug 16, 2008 6:51 pm Post subject:

we started at 6 months, but only at intervals, jog for few minutes then walk same distance, etc.

versatilek9s · Posted: Sat Aug 16, 2008 7:57 pm Post subject:

I don't run much unless someone's chasing me but I do bike with my dogs. I do it off-leash, which is the key with a puppy.

For running, at 10 months you'd probably be fine for a short jaunt. I would definitely watch the puppy and make sure she's fine. And the recommendation is actually 18 months, but I don't know of any dogs with joint/bone issues that jogged with tgheir owners a few times a week.

What about trail running off leash? I used to do that when I only had one dog.

Wrench · Posted: Sun Aug 17, 2008 8:04 am Post subject:

When walking Wrench we will do short sprints...and I do mean short and not too often during the walk...we do it right now to the point he is just having fun...not working so much...so it's walk/run/walk/run type of walks with us...when we get somewhere to play off leash we run with him there too and it's on the grass at all times...when we are wlaking on a a sidewalk he is in the grass when he runs. I NEVER push him...he just thinks we are playing and it's never like a 5 minute straight run much less a 15 min one...however our walk and runs stretch over an hour time usually and do involve a lot more wlaking when onleash....when off leash he can run all he wants and I become more convinced he's a horse=)

We plan to do the bike thing too when he's 18 months or so old ( and after x-rays to check him to it being ok then) but right now I can't stop the bike and go slow enough for him enough...at the beach though I have taken my bike and ridden in the sand and he runs along but he stops and goes back to daddy whenever he's ready to stop.

wrigleys · Posted: Mon Aug 18, 2008 7:46 am Post subject:

We actually just took wrigley this weekend for the first time and we went for about 10 minutes straight and then we walked for about 5 ran for about 2 walked for 5 and ran for 2. He seemed totally ok with it. Chris had him so he was able to keep up with him...when I have tried in the past I can't do it b/c he runs to fast for me but we are working on the with me command and left and right and so on. hopefully by the end of the fall we will be running a little each day. He is 15 months old.

krisnkaipo · Posted: Mon Aug 18, 2008 10:30 am Post subject:

I think the 18 mos for the bone/growth plate issue is important, but they run around a lot on their own. I would be careful about pounding the pavement, but if you have trails or dirt runs, I would say as long as your dog is fit enough cardio wise then runs would be ok.

I adopted my boy at about 18 months-2 years, so we started running him from day one! He loves it and can do upwards of 13 miles as long as it is not too hot! He runs with me 3-4 times per week.

kcolsey · Posted: Mon Aug 18, 2008 7:29 pm Post subject: thanks!

Thanks for all of your suggestions. I am lucky to live near a nature preserve that has dirt running/walking trails so that's where I usually take Gracie for a run/walk. Whenever possible I do try to let her off leash when I am running and she has been doing quite well with it. I think I will stick to short run/walk intervals until she gets older.