Look. The bottom line is that road racing is a big sport. Surely theres room for all runners – even the four-legged variety. Cant we end this pernicious practice of puppy persecution? Let dogs be dogs. Let us run – and race – with our people.
Hannah is a former Social Media Editor for Runner’s World. Hannah started running in February 2012 with a Couch-to-5K program and less than seven months later ran her first half-marathon. You can follow Hannah on Twitter @byHannahMcG.
As someone who used to even avoid visiting family members who had dogs, I can tell you that its not fair to subject runners who are afraid of dogs to face their fear during a race.
When I was younger, I was borderline phobic of dogs. So scared that when I went running, I stuck to a half-mile loop around my neighborhood because I knew it was dog-free. I didnt want to be running along and have a dog come chasing after me because if that happened I would actually have a full-blown panic attack.
Before we even get into this debate, let it be known that I absolutely love dogs. If I had one, Im sure I would want to run with her (almost) all of the time.
• Leash & Collar – A good leash and secure collar are paramount to running a race with your dog. I do not recommend a flexi-lead which are not only dangerous but do not allow control over your pet. I use a 6-foot nylon leash when I run with my dog. It keeps her under my control and it keeps us both safe.
• Dog Paw Balm – Another product I’ve had good reviews of, but haven’t tried with Lulu before is a paw wax or balm to help protect and moisturize dog pads. This would be especially helpful for winter training when salt, snow and ice may be present during your runs with your dog.
Running with your dog and learning how to prepare your dog for a race can be a really enjoyable time for both you and your pet. Exercise also helps you to stay healthy and keep your pet fit and trim as well. Start slow and work your way up, listen to your pet’s cues and keep safety first during your training. Most of all, have fun!
We also showed up extra early so she could get comfortable with her surroundings. I already know Lulu was not socialized well with other dogs before we adopted her. Because of this, I kept a safe distance between her and other dogs when we arrived at the 5K. The last thing I wanted was to cause a barking scene.
Running is an added bonus for you and your pet! When learning to run with your dog, if you are familiar with the Couch to 5K plan, consider this for your pet. They will need to start with short distances and work their way up slowly before they are ready for any dog friendly runs.
Most races do not allow dogs on the course and some don’t even allow them at the event. If nothing about dogs is mentioned in the race info, it’s safe to assume that dogs are allowed at the event, just not in the race itself. If you do want to race with your dog, search for “dog-friendly races” in your area and several options are bound to pop up. It’s important to follow the rules set by the race directors when it comes to pets since pet policy is usually not something they create lightly.
You wouldn’t take a toddler with you on a six-mile run (right??), so you should avoid running with a puppy who still has a lot of growing to do. If you run with your puppy too early, you could do permanent damage to their developing bodies. You’ll want to wait until your puppy is at least eight months old, possibly even longer if you have a large breed, whose joints and muscles take longer to develop. It’s always a good idea to ask your vet when would be a safe time to start running with your puppy.
If you’re a dog enthusiasts, one of the best parts of a race is seeing all your furry fans lining the course as you run by. There are a few things to keep in mind if you decide to bring your own four-legged cheerleader to race day.
Sidewalks can be rough on your pup’s paws, especially during runs. If you can, try to encourage your dog to run on the grass instead of the sidewalk when possible, giving his paws some relief. Running on dirt roads, as long as it’s not too rocky, is even a better option for your dog’s paws. The best option by far for the paws is trail running, but you’ll have to check ahead of time that the trail allows pets. If you start to notice your dog’s paws becoming rough and chapped, paw balm helps as well as paw lotion.
Dogs will keep running with you even past the point of exhaustion, so it’s up to you to make sure he doesn’t overdo it. Just like when you first started running, you’ll need to start off easy. It’s best to wait until there’s a patch of weather that is neither extremely hot or cold, both temperatures in which your dog should avoid running in general. It’s not a bad idea to begin by taking a light jog around your block or a park to get a feel for how your dog responds to running. Use these training runs are to work on techniques like leash behavior that will come in handy down the road. Running with your dog has a very different feel than walking and it takes some getting used to, which is why a trial run or two will help you both get a feel for what’s to come.
How To Run With Your Dog
Right now is an ideal time to start prepping your dog for a spring race. Today I am sharing exactly how to prepare your dog for a race. A few years ago I trained for and ran a 5K with our rescue dog Lulu. It was a memorable and fun experience.
Today I’m sharing some of my tips to get you and your dog ready to run a race together. The tips will cover everything you need to know prior to training, during training, on race day and supplies that help you with training your dog to run.