Running/Jogging with a Dog

[MafiaPrincess]

I look for joint pain, any tenderness. I rub my guys all over bending joints and slowly stretching them. Any unwillingness next time we are out to want to run while I blade. Any warm spots along their spines, torn pads.. etc.

[skittledoo]

I just started doing this with Bamm. He and I both need to get into shape... he mainly needs to tone down a little and I need... well... I need a lot more help hahahaha.

Anyways... we started yesterday and we found a jogging trail (concrete unfortunately) and took to walking a while and then jogging for as long as I could handle which was no more than 5 minutes... then we'd walk a little more and jog again once I was ready. He had a blast... especially when we were jogging and he saw a rabbit and proceeded to turn and run the opposite way dragging me behind him HAHAHA.

We're going to do the same today and then take a break tomorrow and just walk instead.

[Psyfalcon]

Clearly some dogs take to it better than others. It does not seem to me that a dog experiences the same impacts as humans while running. They have four legs, and are really made to do so. We, have two and are made for jogging at best. Dogs do have some padding, as their foot pads do seem to be for some shock absorption.

Buster has a quick trot when I jog, so its actually very low impact for him. No foot is ever higher than 2 inches off the ground. A full sprint is certainly more jarring, but he can take it more than me.

[maxfox426]

Originally Posted by Zoom

You're starting out slowly enough that I think it will be ok, but I don't like how my joints feel after running on concrete and I imagine the dogs feel much the same. Both of us like running on grass more.

Yeah, I'm definitely starting slow, for him AND for me. I've never noticed a problem myself with running on concrete, but then again, what I do is probably only barely considered "running" right now.

Originally Posted by smkie

BE reasonable when you run remember that they do not have padded high tech foot gear on. IF people ran barefoot on pavement i think they would get a clearer picture of the damage that can be done. Especially if your going with an older dog. A friend of mine runs distance. He took Victor and Pepper with him. I didn't know he was going as far as he did or I would have said no. Victor limped for a long time. I am pretty sure there was a stress fracture.

If your on a trail or any other soft ground then they could probably run you right into the ground.

I will certainly be careful, Smkie! This is why I wanted to ask questions before I get too gung-ho into this idea. I will definitely be keeping an eye out for better options as I go, but for starters, this is what I have to work with.

As for distance, there is no way anybody could consider me a distance runner! Lol! I think the most we've gone on our walk/jogs is probably the equivalent of 2-3 blocks.

Originally Posted by MafiaPrincess

I look for joint pain, any tenderness. I rub my guys all over bending joints and slowly stretching them. Any unwillingness next time we are out to want to run while I blade. Any warm spots along their spines, torn pads.. etc.

Thank you!

Originally Posted by skittledoo

I just started doing this with Bamm. He and I both need to get into shape... he mainly needs to tone down a little and I need... well... I need a lot more help hahahaha.

Anyways... we started yesterday and we found a jogging trail (concrete unfortunately) and took to walking a while and then jogging for as long as I could handle which was no more than 5 minutes... then we'd walk a little more and jog again once I was ready. He had a blast... especially when we were jogging and he saw a rabbit and proceeded to turn and run the opposite way dragging me behind him HAHAHA.

We're going to do the same today and then take a break tomorrow and just walk instead.

That is exactly what we are doing.

There was a kitty sitting on the sidewalk this morning while we are walking. Morgan is usually what we call "bunny blind" (he just does not notice rabbits, squirrels, off-lease dogs, etc.), but today he just HAD TO GO SAY HI TO THE KITTY!!! As a result, a chunk of time was spent practicing the focus game while the kitty watched.

Sorry, tangent...

But yeah, Morgan seems to enjoy the pace. Again, I just want to be sure he's not hurting!

Originally Posted by Psyfalcon

Clearly some dogs take to it better than others. It does not seem to me that a dog experiences the same impacts as humans while running. They have four legs, and are really made to do so. We, have two and are made for jogging at best. Dogs do have some padding, as their foot pads do seem to be for some shock absorption.

Buster has a quick trot when I jog, so its actually very low impact for him. No foot is ever higher than 2 inches off the ground. A full sprint is certainly more jarring, but he can take it more than me.

Yeah, I probably should say that while I'm "running", Morgan is doing more of a "power walk" with occasional bounding action. I'm definitely going to be going slow with this process, but all input helps! Thanks!