Running With Dogs

What’s better than running by yourself? Running with dogs, of course. If you run regularly, running with your canine companion is a fun way to spend time with your pup while providing physical exercise. But don’t just start running with your dog — follow these steps to ensure your pooch will make a good running companion and is set up for success.

Which Dogs are Best for Running?

Many types of dogs can make good running companions. The best dog for running will depend on what kind of running you’re doing and at what distances.

Highly athletic dogs like German Shorthaired Pointers, Border Collies, and Malinois are often picked as canicross racing dogs. If you want a dog that can handle longer runs, opt for a breed that was bred to run long distances, like Siberian Huskies, Alaskan Huskies, or Malamutes.

However, keep in mind that these breeds are all high intensity, and will need more physical and mental exercise than just a few miles of running a couple of times per week.

If you’re looking for a more laid-back running companion, breeds like Labradors, Golden Retrievers, Poodles, and even Collies would be happy to go on a few shorter runs per week, if they’re well-conditioned.

Many mixed breed dogs also make great running partners and the distance they’re able to run will depend on their age, breed mix, and health status.

Brachycephalic dogs like French and English Bulldogs are generally more sensitive to heat and may have a harder time with strenuous exercise, like running, for long periods of time.

How to Safely Start Running With Your Dog

Check With a Vet

If you haven’t taken your dog in for her annual checkup yet, make an appointment with your vet before starting any running conditioning. Your vet will ensure your dog has normal range of motion, is at a good weight, and is overall healthy enough to start training to run.

If your dog is under 2 years old, your vet will likely recommend holding off on running to allow your pup’s joints to develop fully. Running is a high-impact activity, so very young dogs, old dogs, dogs who are overweight, and dogs with some pre-existing conditions may not be suitable.

If your dog is recovering from any injuries, your vet may recommend visiting a rehab vet, a massage therapist, or working on canine conditioning exercises to aid in the recovery process before starting a running program.

Start Slow

Before you run, you have to walk! Any running training will begin by taking your dog on walks and slowly increasing the distance you’re walking.

Decide if you want to run with your dog out ahead of you (canicross style) or if you want your dog to run at your side. If you choose to have your dog run at your side, start teaching loose leash manners while walking. You can teach your dog to stay at your side by marking and rewarding with treats or toys when she’s in the right position.

If you ultimately want your dog to pull out in front of you, get a pulling-specific harness, like the Non-stop Dogwear Rush Harness to protect your dog’s body, and start teaching her how to pull in it. You may need a friend to help you reward your dog initially. Praise and reward your dog when she shifts her weight into the harness out in front of you and slowly build up how long she’s pulling into the harness.

Teach Your Dog Running Cues

Training your dog to respond to running-specific cues can be helpful when you’re out for a jog with her. Here are the most common running/canicross cues that will help you and your dog stay in sync while running:

Stand/stay: Teaching your dog to stand and wait in place is useful for when you’re getting geared up to run but need to adjust your gear or your dog’s gear.

Right and left turn: Many canicrossers, bikejorers, and skijorers call their right turn “Gee” and their left turn “Haw.” You can teach these cue while walking first. Right before you take a right or left turn, say the appropriate word and reward the dog when she gets it right.

Slow down: Many canicrossers, bikejorers, and skijorers use “easy” as their slow down cue. You can teach this by saying “easy” before slowing down your pace. When your dog slows down her pace to match yours, you can mark it and reward her.

Passing: “On by” is the most common cue for this. “On by” means that your dog should pass another person or dog without interacting with them. “Leave it” is a good foundational skill for this cue.

Plan and Implement Warm-Up and Cooldown Routines

Just like humans shouldn’t start sprinting without warming up and cooling down, neither should dogs. Ensure that your dog has done a warm-up—walking for about 10 minutes before you start jogging is a good way to warm muscles up and prevent injuries. You can also incorporate canine conditioning exercises and stretches before a run, like figure 8’s between your legs, or cookie stretches where your dog stretches their nose to touch their sides.

After a jog, aim to walk your dog for about 10 minutes or until they catch their breath. You can do similar canine conditioning exercises after a run as well.

Begin Jogging With Your Dog

Once you’ve been walking with your dog regularly, you can start to incorporate slow bursts of jogging. Try jogging for one minute, then walk for a few minutes, and slowly build up the time spent jogging from there.

Most dogs can run for 2-5 miles if properly conditioned (some more, some less), so aim to get up to 1-2 miles of jogging a few times per week before adding any speed.

Try to avoid sidewalks or asphalt as much as possible when running with your dog. Not only do these surfaces get hot in the sun, but they also put more stress on your dog’s body than dirt trails do.

Monitor Your Dog

As you begin to incorporate jogging into your dog’s walks, keep an eye on your pup to make sure she’s comfortable and having a good time. Be sure to only run when temperatures won’t cause your dog to overheat and keep a dog water bottle on you to ensure your dog doesn’t get dehydrated.

If your dog is offering stress signals while running, take a break. Running should be fun for both you and your dog!