You are an enthusiastic runner and even your four-legged friend can never get enough exercise? Then go jogging with your dog! How to educate your faithful companion to be a running partner and what you should consider, you will learn in this post.
Jogging with a dog: Is that even possible?
Yes, jogging with dogs is a fantastic pastime for animals and owners – if the conditions are right. Not every dog is suitable for running and of course you can’t just run. As with everything, dog bed preparation the four-legged friend also needs some training when jogging so that he can get used to the new running situation.
Sport with a dog: When is it possible to run with the dog?
Basically, you should never go jogging with a puppy. The effort is too great even for short distances since neither condition nor muscles and bone structure of the growing dog are sufficiently developed. Too much strain can have a detrimental effect on your dog’s development. Veterinarians, therefore, recommend taking the dog for jogging at the age of about one year, in the case of large breeds two years. Even old animals are out of the question as partners for running training.
Dog and jogging: Which dog breeds are suitable as running partners?
There are breeds that are usually absolutely unsuitable for running long distances quickly. These include small dogs such as Pugs, the French Bulldog, and Dachshund, but also large breeds with a heavy body weight such as St. Bernards or Newfoundlanders. With dogs that have a lot of fur, a long back, and high body weight, you should rather not go jogging. Real marathon runners, on the other hand, are dog breeds such as
- Border Collie
- Dalmatian
- Husky
- Australian Shepherd
- Weimaraner
- Jack Russell Terrier or Deutsch Setter
These dog breeds need a lot of exercises and can’t wait to run with you.
How does a dog get used to running?
Before running, you should first visit your veterinarian and ask him if your dog is suitable as a running partner. If the doctor gives the green light, you can start training. The prerequisite for relaxed running laps is that your dog is obedient and listens to your commands absolutely safely.
Keep the following points in mind when training:
Before jogging, your dog should have some time to sniff and do his business.
Take it slow at first: Opt for smaller laps in the first few weeks and stop every five minutes at the beginning. Choose a slow to moderate pace. Increase pace and distance gradually.
Reward your four-legged friend either after each section or at the end with a treat and praise him extensively.
Pay attention to the needs of your companion: Peeing and taster breaks must be!
When jogging with a dog, use a longer, loose leash so that your four-legged friend and you have enough space.
If the dog runs next to you without a leash, it should be available at any time.
The weather conditions are also important if you want to go jogging with your dog: The four-legged friend does not tolerate great heat or freezing cold – so only take him with you if the temperatures are moderate. young rat terrier puppy the underground also plays a role: dogs prefer to walk on forest or field paths. Asphalt is very hard and gets uncomfortably warm in the summer months.
Tip:
For jogging, your dog also needs the right equipment: Special jogging lines and a matching chest harness with soft padding are best recommended for jogging with a dog. Illuminated harnesses ensure visibility and safety in the dark.
How do I know if the dog is tired from running?
Your running training should always be tailored to your four-legged friend: Adapt your pace and distance to the dog.
strong, fast and persistent panting,
a stay of the dog,
withdrawn lefzen,
refusal of the dog, as well as
Limping after running.
Pay attention to the first symptoms of fatigue and then possibly stop immediately. A dog that is regularly overwhelmed will no longer like to do your round with you.