Running/Jogging with a Dog

[maxfox426]

Okay, I have read bits and pieces on this topic in the past, but for the life of me I cannot find anything with the Search function...

Anyways, I am just curious to learn more about the risks/rewards of jogging with a dog. I have gone out for two brief walk/jogs with Morgan in the past two weeks (and by that, I mean we jog about 5 minutes and walk for 10, jog another 5, and then walk home... I have pitiful endurance at the moment. )

I guess my main concern is about running on the concrete. I know that the impact could potentially be a problem, and I don't want to risk injury to Morgan by overdoing it. However, I don't really know what would be considered "too much". Is there a time limit? Or should I just not take him?

He has seemed to enjoy our two brief ventures, and I would really like to build up my endurance and start a fitness routine with it... and I like having company.

Morgan is 19 months old, and about 52lbs... if that makes any difference.

Of course, there are probably aspects of this that I am overlooking... but this is why I ask you guys!

Thanks in advance for the input!

[Dogs6]

I don't see any harm in jogging as long as the dog enjoys it although if you are going to do more then should probably look at some places not covered in concrete to jog on.

[MafiaPrincess]

I blade with Cider on pavement. When I'm feeling on we maybe do it once a week 40 minutes to an hour. We've bladed for three years and I haven't seen any ill effects. I think in part it may be how long and often you do it.

[maxfox426]

Originally Posted by Dogs6

I don't see any harm in jogging as long as the dog enjoys it although if you are going to do more then should probably look at some places not covered in concrete to jog on.

That's part of the problem, too. I would like to continue getting my running done in the morning, before it gets too warm... but there are only so many places I can go within the time I have before I have to be at work. The nearest parks are about a 10-15 minute drive one-way, which is a lot of driving for 20-25 minutes of jogging.

Of course, if it's harmful to Morgan to keep running on the sidewalk, I will re-evaluate (and he'll probably just not get to come with me), but if it's okay for him to run, it would be fun for him to join.

Originally Posted by MafiaPrincess

I blade with Cider on pavement. When I'm feeling on we maybe do it once a week 40 minutes to an hour. We've bladed for three years and I haven't seen any ill effects. I think in part it may be how long and often you do it.

The most I'm planning on running in a single session is about 20 minutes. I would like to do this 3-5 times a week... probably alternating days with walking and jogging.

What kind of ill-effects should I watch for?

[sammgirl]

I tried running with Abbs for a while, but she had no desire to do it and kept lagging behind. And this was when I had FIRST started doing it. She's just not interested, so I had to give up on taking her.

She's much happier going with "daddy" to the dog park w/o the running!

My suggestion is: make the dog wear a cooling pack if you're going to be doing it in hot weather; make the dog carry it's own water (and yours) and start off very slow.

Even dogs that do have a will to run can get hurt, because they would rather run then listen to what their own bodies are telling them.

Good luck!!!! I think running is awesome.

[MericoX]

Usually there are concerns if your running/jogging with young dogs as it can have some problems with their growth.. but being that he's older I don't think you will have any problems.

[CaliTerp07]

I run with Lucy a little in the mornings before work. Like you, it's a "run half a mile/walk half a mile" at this point. (Pathetic, since a few years ago, I was running 5 miles at a time!) The toughest part of it for me is all the stopping she wants to do--potty breaks, sniffs, squirrel stalking, etc!

Is there a public school near you? People used to walk/run their dogs on the track all the time when I was in high school (before school and on the weekends, of course--not during school hours). The track was rubber, so it was softer on joints.

Though...I run lucy on pavement and haven't seen anything wrong yet.

[maxfox426]

Originally Posted by sammgirl

I tried running with Abbs for a while, but she had no desire to do it and kept lagging behind. And this was when I had FIRST started doing it. She's just not interested, so I had to give up on taking her.

She's much happier going with "daddy" to the dog park w/o the running!

My suggestion is: make the dog wear a cooling pack if you're going to be doing it in hot weather; make the dog carry it's own water (and yours) and start off very slow.

Even dogs that do have a will to run can get hurt, because they would rather run then listen to what their own bodies are telling them.

Good luck!!!! I think running is awesome.

I really only run early in the morning, so the weather is still pretty cool then. I certainly don't want to run with it's stinking hot outside, so I wouldn't even think of making Morgan do that, either!

Originally Posted by MericoX

Usually there are concerns if your running/jogging with young dogs as it can have some problems with their growth.. but being that he's older I don't think you will have any problems.

Oh yeah! I meant to ask that as well, but I forgot to directly phrase it in a question. Good to know that I don't have to worry about that aspect of running, though!

Originally Posted by CaliTerp07

I run with Lucy a little in the mornings before work. Like you, it's a "run half a mile/walk half a mile" at this point. (Pathetic, since a few years ago, I was running 5 miles at a time!) The toughest part of it for me is all the stopping she wants to do--potty breaks, sniffs, squirrel stalking, etc!

Is there a public school near you? People used to walk/run their dogs on the track all the time when I was in high school (before school and on the weekends, of course--not during school hours). The track was rubber, so it was softer on joints.

Though...I run lucy on pavement and haven't seen anything wrong yet.

Morgan is pretty good about the stopping, as in he doesn't really do it when we are moving faster. Honestly, the slower we walk, the more distracted he gets! He's kinda ADD that way.

There IS a public school near me! It's an elementary/middle school... so I am not sure if they have a running track at all. Off the top of my head, I do not think they do... but now that you mention it, they do have a pretty big field that I could potentially go run around in if Morgan and I get going early enough.

*facepalm*

Thanks for helping me think, Cali!

[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.

[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.