{"id":616,"date":"2018-07-11T13:19:41","date_gmt":"2018-07-11T19:19:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.lonetreevet.com\/blog\/?p=616"},"modified":"2024-06-26T10:07:30","modified_gmt":"2024-06-26T16:07:30","slug":"tips-for-safely-running-with-your-dog","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lonetreevet.com\/blog\/tips-for-safely-running-with-your-dog\/","title":{"rendered":"Tips for Safely Running With Your Dog"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Dog<\/p>\n

For dog owners with energetic canines, bringing Fido along on your daily run can make good sense and be quite enjoyable. <\/span>Regular exercise<\/span><\/a> helps dogs stay fit, and can reduce anxiety and undesirable behaviors. Below are tips for safely running with your dog.<\/span><\/p>\n

Tips for Safely Running With Your Dog\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

Visit your veterinarian<\/strong>
\n<\/b>Before you start running with you dog, visit your veterinarian. Your veterinarian will make sure your dog is healthy enough and physically able to run with you.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Do obedience training
\n<\/b>Obedience training<\/span><\/a> and <\/span>leash walking<\/span><\/a> skills are a must when it comes to running safely with your dog. Not having good control of your dog or allowing it to pull or cross in front of you, can be dangerous. Our <\/span>Canine Academy<\/span><\/a> offers a variety of obedience training options for dogs of all ages and skill levels.<\/span><\/p>\n

Build-up gradually
\nIt is very important to gradually build your dog\u2019s tolerance to the physiological demands of running. Take things easy for the first few weeks by starting out slowly. The following example shows how to work up to a 30-minute run: \u00a0<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Begin training your dog by taking short walks. 10 minute walk out and back. If all goes well, add 5 more minutes each time until you reach 30 minutes (this may take a week or two \u2013 go by how your dog is doing) . <\/span><\/li>\n
  2. Once you know that your dog is able to comfortably walk 30 minutes, you can include 5 minutes of running. Stay at this level for the next several walks (about a week). The following week, try running for 10 minutes of the 30 minute walk.<\/span><\/li>\n
  3. If your dog continues to do well, you can increase the running time by 10 minutes a week until you reach your 30 minute goal. Ideally, give your dog about a month to work up to a 30-minute run, especially, if your dog has been somewhat sedentary. Dogs adapt differently to exercise, so pay close attention to how your dog is doing and adjust your workouts accordingly. <\/span><\/li>\n
  4. Always warm up prior to your workouts, cool down after, and allow rest and water as your dog needs it. \u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
  5. If your dog starts hanging back during a run, he or she is letting you know it\u2019s time to slow down, walk, or stop. \u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Gradually increasing your dog\u2019s tolerance for a 30-minute run over several weeks can help prevent overuse injuries and other issues that might disrupt their fitness program. This approach also ensures you won’t end up having to carry an exhausted or overheated companion back home or to your car parked at the trailhead.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Preventing Injuries\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n