Ready for your best friend to be your four-legged running buddy? It’s a great way to get out of the house, have fun and stay fit together. Here’s how to prepare and what to do on your first run together.
Get Ready
Before you start your dog running journey, think about your pooch’s breed, age and health. Larger breeds like huskies, retrievers and Dalmatians are born to run. But smaller breeds like schnauzers, terriers and shelties make surprisingly great workout partners, too. Short-nosed dogs though, like pugs and bulldogs, should stay home because they can overheat and may struggle for air.
Don’t run with puppies under a year old because their bones and joints are still forming. And if your dog is a little white in the muzzle, visit your vet first to check their overall health and rule out hip dysplasia.
Get Set
You and your dog both need the right running gear. We recommend a chest harness and a nonretractable leash that’s 3 to 6 feet long. If you want your hands to be free, try a cross-body leash or a running belt — preferably one with a spot for a water bottle, collapsible bowl and waste bags.
You can even buy boots for your dog! But if your pooch turns his nose up at those, just apply paw balm before and after a run to protect their paw pads from salt, irritating chemicals and hard surfaces. And if you go trail running with your dog, don’t forget to check their feet for injuries from sticks or rocks.
Go!
1. Pick a Paw-friendly Route
Grass, woodsy soil and sand are best for your pup’s feet. But if you have to stick to sidewalks and streets, start with short runs until your dog develops calluses on their paws, and be sure the asphalt isn’t too hot in the summer.
Speaking of heat, we generally don’t recommend running with your dog if it’s over 70 F.
2. Follow a 5K Training Plan for Beginners
After a good stretch and a few minutes of brisk walking, alternate walking with short bursts of running. It’s the perfect way for you and your dog to start slow, build stamina and progress at a safe pace.
3. Keep Your Dog Close
To prevent your pup from pulling or tripping you up, it’s important to train your dog to stay close by your side when you’re running together. Ideally, your dog’s nose should be near your knee, and your arm should be comfortably straight down holding their leash — especially when they’re getting used to running next to you. Also, if you’re on the road, run on the left side with your dog curbside, away from traffic.
4. Work on Your Cues
Verbal cues are crucial for teaching your dog to be a good running partner. We recommend being consistent with your commands, like “Let’s go” for beginning your warmup, “Go faster” when it’s time to start running and “Whoa!” when it’s time to slow down or stop. Behavioral cues like “No” or “Leave it” will also teach your dog to ignore the tempting sights, smells or animals they encounter during your run.
5. Pick up the Pace
Halfway through your run, push yourself and your pup. During one of your running intervals, turn up the jets and sprint! It’s a great cardio boost, and it’ll help both of you build up your speed and stamina.
6. Know If Your Friend Needs a Break
If you see signs of exhaustion like rapid panting, excessive drooling, a red tongue or gums, a lowered tail, lagging behind or refusing to run, take a nice, long break. Get your dog to a shady spot if possible, and give them water. Oh, and a nice pat won’t hurt.
7. Refuel Your Furry Jogger
Think about stopping every 15 minutes or so until you have a good idea of how much water your dog needs, especially if it’s hot.
And when it’s mealtime, give your fitness pal fuel for their next run — and all the runs after — with delicious, nutritious PEDIGREE® High Protein. (Just wait at least an hour after running before feeding your friend.)
We hope you and your dog have fun together on your first run!
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