How many times a week can I run with my dog? Tips and Tricks

Don’t go long…

You want to ramp up slowly, just like you did when you began running. ‘Start with three times per week for 15 or 20 minutes, and build up from there, adding five minutes each week,’ says JT Clough, a professional dog trainer and co-author of 5K Training Guide: Running with Dogs.

Be the pack leader

‘The dog needs to understand that this isn’t pure playtime, it’s exercise time,’ says Gillette. Begin training sessions with laps of a short route to reinforce behaviour in a familiar environment and avoid getting stranded with a dog who’s misbehaving.

Generally, the smaller breeds are less inclined to want to go out for a run…this is not necessarily energy levels, but a product of their size – the littler those legs are the more they have to churn them to keep up with you…which means their run is 10x harder than yours! On the contrary, the larger more lean sport dogs are equipped with longer legs to keep up.

Most dogs, depending on a few variables, may require more or less, but as a general rule of thumb, dogs need about 30 minutes of activity per day. If you running is the activity of choice, its important to train your dog up to a comfortable exercise level. If you have a dog thats new to running, just like you would with a new running buddy, you need to ease him into the distance and pace. Start with a few days a week going a mile or two…and slowly increase frequency and length of the runs. Generally, to stay safe you dont want to increase the runs by more than 10% at a time.

Some dog breeds are more susceptible to having more energy and being better equipped to run. This isnt always necessarily a product of the dog size, but more their disposition. Pugs, for example are prone to obesity and actually do need to more energy than most owners realize…and contrary to popular believe, not all small or toy breeds get enough exercise in the house.

The best way to get them out and engaged is a run with the partner and crime…it not only keeps him happy, but it will keep you in shape as well (welcome to the reason I started running). Not only that, in my experience dogs are the best running partners. They will go any time, any distance, and are always upbeat to go for a run whenever you grab the leash. They let you choose the route, set the pace (most of the time), and never complain about the weather…but most importantly they are perfect motivation to not only push a little harder on the run….but also keep you motivated to keep a consistent running schedule…after all who can bare a sad puppy dog face?

Although puppies may seem like a never-ending furry of energy, its not recommended to start running your pup before 7 months. Dogs must reach skeletal maturity in order for their bones to support their muscles. If the muscles tire and can not support the bones, the puppy soon begins grinding bone on bone, which ultimately may retard their growth and cause other health issues. For most dogs this skeletal maturity occurs within their first year, although for some of the more enormous breeds, it doesnt happen until closer to the age of 20 months.

How Many Times a Day Should DOGS EAT? – Puppies and Adults

Dr. Justine Lee is a board-certified emergency critical care veterinary specialist, and is the CEO of VetGirl. For more from Dr. Lee, find her on Facebook!

As an avid sports fan, I love to attend sporting events. A few years ago, I attended my first marathon up in Duluth, MN (Grandma’s marathon). At that marathon, I learned two important lessons. One, I never want to run a marathon – try watching people cross the finish line crying, hobbling, carrying or supporting each other, limping, hobbling, and sobbing. Just wasn’t a good motivator, although I did cheer them on mightily for finishing! Second, I learned that all kinds of people can finish marathons. I assumed I would see all skinny, thin-legged, boney marathon runners, but was pleasantly surprised to see all heights, weights, and body types crossing the line. Unfortunately, dogs are not the same way. Next week, I’ll talk about pet dangers of running with your four-legged friend. In the meantime, find out if your breed of dog is even meant to run! I’m always happy to see all different types of dogs running along the Mississippi, but it’s true that some dogs were just not bred to run. These breeds include Boston Terriers, Pekingese dogs, Pugs, French Bulldogs, and English Bulldogs. Likewise, if you have a really lazy dog and can’t lift a 100 lb. dog into your car, it’s probably best not to go more than a mile; this is especially true if you have a big dog such as a Doggie de Bordeaux, Mastiff, or Newfoundland. Next, look at the muscling of the dog. If your dog is excessively muscled, he probably prefers to sprint. These types of dogs (like Greyhounds, Pit bulls, and Boxers) have such dense muscle mass that they can overheat easily. In general, if your dog’s legs are shorter than his body height, he’s probably not a great runner. Finally, if your dog has a smooshed face, small nostrils, pants a lot even at rest, or snores louder than your husband, he’s also probably not a natural born runner – he’d be okay to run or jog short distances only. Otherwise, check with your vet, or take it very, very slow when acclimating your dog to your torturous hobbies. My pit bull likes to run for the first 2 miles. He can stay with me for 6 miles, but then he starts lagging behind about 20 feet. While I’m running with him, I can only imagine people walking or driving by thinking, “Geez, that’s animal cruelty. That poor dog looks exhausted!” The truth is my dog could probably run miles without any problem, but it doesn’t mean he’d enjoy it. Use your discretion when running with a dog – I can’t go more than 3 miles with my dog without feeling like I’m torturing him. Some hyper Labradors will run 10 miles longer than they should, and risk orthopedic injury, soreness, or heat stroke in the process. In the same way, when your dog is 10, think about whether or not you would make your 70-year old grandfather run 10 miles with you. Look for a dog that is excitable, likes to run and play, and is in good condition. Classically, Labrador Retrievers love to run and play, and they make good running partners, as do Golden Retrievers, German Shorthaired Pointers, Border collies, mutts, Schnauzers, to little Shih Tzus. Slowly acclimate your dog to running – don’t just expect him to cover 5 miles on day one and 12 miles by day 2. If your dog is panting excessively, dragging behind, or looking tired (even on a cool day), take it easy. It’s not worth hurting your pooch just to train for your marathon! Material from It’s a Dog’s Life… but It’s Your Carpet. More information available at www.drjustinelee.com.

If you have any questions or concerns, you should always visit or call your veterinarian – they are your best resource to ensure the health and well-being of your pets.