Running with dog
Mark & I enjoy running, we were quite dedicated until Howie joined our family last May. It was really hard for us to get for a run when a small pup with big eyes staring at us,  so he won and the three of us would go our for a walk & play at the park. Howie's exercise routine now is 30 minutes of walking on leashing and then 30 - 45 minutes play with other dogs at the park.Needless to say, Mark & I are out of shape.  We want to slowly get back into running. Howie is 9 months old, can he join us? I am thinking he could join us for 10 minutes of the run, and then we would drop him off at home and carry on. Would this be okay?Is it possible for a sheepdog to run in a straight line beside me like a greyhound or can I expect to be cut off every few steps? Any thoughts? peg |
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| I'm not a real expert on a good age to start regularly running but if he's already going for a 45 min walk plus another 45 minutes of play time, a regular 10 minute run shouldn't be a big deal as long as you start the intensity low and work him up like you do yourself. For long distance running, it might be better to wait until he's a little older and has time for his growth plates to close up before putting a lot of pressure on them. The one thing I can speak for is that you can have a straight line runner. Owen is 2 and has been running with husband for the last few months and I also take him biking pretty regularly (although not as much now that it's gotten cold). Even on a bike, I just took him on a regular leash for a long time and held it in my left hand. He only pulled once on our first time out and after that, it was really smooth. Now I bought one of those walky dog things and just clip him right to the bike. My only issue with Owen (and my husband has the same problem) is that Owen has days where he wants to go with us but once we start, he gets lazy and wants to just go a slow trot and other days he wants to go as fast and as hard as he can. He has a hard time with moderation and ruins himself for further workouts! |
| I'd urge for both of you.....er, 3 of you combining running and walking. Take the 45 minutes and break it up into, oh, 10 minute of walk, 5 of run, 10 of walk, etc. Initially it might be 1 or 2 minutes run to see how the pup does. 9 months is still too young for long pounding on the skeleton. Better walks and climbs up hills, but if you must run, make it for short spurts. Sheepies are not good long distance running dogs, say like a Dalmation which was bred for that. Sheepers are too heavy for long work. I'm thinking of Maggie and Henry in Boulder who are great trail dogs, covering far more territory than does their upright. This way a dog can regulate how much running, walking, stopping it needs. So also be working on obedience so hopefully pup can walk off leash and still be at your total command. |
With time (growth plates sealing as mentioned) he can sure join you. And definitely a straight line is possible.  We do sledding and carting - and Chewie has done as much as 8 miles at a time. He's running plus pulling weight. This is an adult, in really good condition. Initially they run like crazy for a mile or two, then usually settle into a strong ground covering trot or pace. Surface is important - we never run them on any kind of pavement - never. Too hard long term on the bones and joints. I prefer it for me running, but I have nice cushy running shoes to absorb shock. They don't. My daughter roller blades with his sister Martha too.  They've never crashed! |
| Thanks for your advice. We have a fenced in rubber running track (with football field in the center) a few blocks from our home. Eventhough it will be snow covered right now, we could run around the track and Howie could be off leash running, resting, playing at his own pace. Maybe give it a try tonight. thanks peg |
pegspup wrote: Thanks for your advice. We have a fenced in rubber running track (with football field in the center) a few blocks from our home. Eventhough it will be snow covered right now, we could run around the track and Howie could be off leash running, resting, playing at his own pace. Maybe give it a try tonight. thanks peg That would be great! I used the rubber floored training center where I teach classes for my running earlier this winter. At first Chewie ran with me, then he gradually drifted in towards the center and loosely kept pace with me...eventually he was just standing in the middle watching and keeping an eye on me! |
Quote: At first Chewie ran with me, then he gradually drifted in towards the center and loosely kept pace with me...eventually he was just standing in the middle watching and keeping an eye on me!  Now we have to add Coach to his long list of titles? |
SheepieBoss wrote: Quote: At first Chewie ran with me, then he gradually drifted in towards the center and loosely kept pace with me...eventually he was just standing in the middle watching and keeping an eye on me! Now we have to add Coach to his long list of titles?Apparently ...but it really made me laugh...and I already was getting short of breath! |
| I wanted to start running, but I can't figure out where to do it when there's snow on the ground. Keep in mind, I am from the desert southwest, never seen real snow before now, first year in Buffalo, and I can barely walk on snow at this point without falling on my butt. |
pegspup wrote: Thanks for your advice. We have a fenced in rubber running track (with football field in the center) a few blocks from our home. Eventhough it will be snow covered right now, we could run around the track and Howie could be off leash running, resting, playing at his own pace. Maybe give it a try tonight. thanks peg I'd consider keeping on the leash even in small increments or just at the beginning so he can get used to being a running partner (that doesn't cross over and try to kill you!). You could use the off lead time as a release from his training. I wish I would've got my tubby sheepdog, Clyde into running and biking when he was young. I started Owen young and he's an excellent, fit partner. Clyde just want to lay on the couch and eat bon bons. |
kerrym wrote: I wanted to start running, but I can't figure out where to do it when there's snow on the ground. Keep in mind, I am from the desert southwest, never seen real snow before now, first year in Buffalo, and I can barely walk on snow at this point without falling on my butt. You're funny. You can try picking up a pair of those trail running shoes that have a more serious, gripping tread. With good traction, moving on the snow is easy, it's the ice you have to worry about. Around me, a lot of people start jogging in the street and the bike lanes when the weather gets too rough because, often, even when people shovel, a hard crust of ice forms underneath and then new snow falls over the top, making a booby trap for running. |
got sheep wrote: SheepieBoss wrote: Quote: At first Chewie ran with me, then he gradually drifted in towards the center and loosely kept pace with me...eventually he was just standing in the middle watching and keeping an eye on me! Now we have to add Coach to his long list of titles?Apparently ...but it really made me laugh...and I already was getting short of breath!Oh and I forgot to add the big one - Chewie's puppy call name was....Coach! He was going to be registered as Masquerade March Madness....  |
| For the sake of your joints (both human and canine), run on the ground, not concrete. |
| I do a 3 mile run with my sheepie on a path in the woods. It takes me 30 minutes (I'm a slow runner) and Lizzie does great however she is not leashed. Not sure how good she'd be running with a leash. |
| Me and Bloo do some running, and have tried K9 running. Bloo cuts me off step, he runs in front then stops so i fly over him and smack my face on the floor lol. Oh an he pulls when he runs so he has before ran off up the street  If its something you want to do, start practising in a park/field first away from roads etc...  |
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