Long Distance Running with my GSD

[Batata]

The short of it: Is is safe to take my GSD on long 10+ mile runs?

The longer version:
I run regularly with my GSD, a 3 and a half your old female. We've been running together ever since she was 1 year old. I only started running when she did also, so we have been slowly building our fitness levels together at the same pace. She loves running with me and gets really excited the second she sees me put on my trainers. She's seriously the best running buddy i could ask for. She runs next to me on a leash at my pace.. she never pulls me (unless she spots a cat ), and never drags behind me, even on longer runs. Our regular runs are usually around 5 miles (going at 8 mins per mile) which she handles with ease. Though since I'm practicing for a marathon, I do a long run once a week (going at 9.5 mins per mile). I wanted to know if its safe to take her on these long runs with me. Last weekend we did 12 miles together, and she never complained during the entire run. She just kept going. I'm not worried about her fitness or water etc (I make sure to do water stops during the run), what i'm most worried about is whether this is bad for her joints or not. Any advice?

Thanks!

[ladybugmomma]

I have no idea but am very impressed at how well she runs with you. My GSD is almost 2. I try to take him with me, he doesn't pull but he never a stays beside me. Always up a little and does try to cut in front.

[RocketDog]

I'm interested in this too. How large is your female? I would think the smaller and lighter she is, the easier it will be on her. I'm a bit worried about my dog, he's a large male with some bone. I know GoodKarma takes her dogs on long runs all the time. I would imagine, as long as your watching your dog carefully, that it will be fine as long as they're acting normally after (no limping, etc). I'd pay specially attention to paws--I use bag balm, but I'm going to get some Paw Wax to apply before longer runs. Hopefully someone who's run LR with their dog for a long time will chime in.

[martinaa]

Yes, it is safe. As long as your dog doesn't have some underlying joint issues already. You won't create a problem that isn't already lurking there.

It sounds like you aren't worried about fitness and I wouldn't start worrying. Just remember she may be willing to run her paws off to please you. You can't count on her to tell you when it's too much. Their tongue is easy to see while you are running and is a good indicator of how they are doing. I also try to monitor the hind quarters. They'll lose form just like we do when we are exhausted and it usually shows first in back.

[Batata]

She's definitely small for a German Shepherd. I haven't weighed her in a while actually, but last time I weighed her she was around 60lbs. Getting to the point where she became a good running buddy was not very straight forward.. it took some time and a lot of patience.. I'm a first time dog owner, so i can only tell you about my limited experience... but here it is:

Before you can start, your dog really needs to know how to heel well.. so if that's not set to stone, you should work on that first... Batata (my dog's name) and I have over the years, developed a technique that works well for both of us... perhaps it will be useful for you to try. Here's a step by step of our process:

1. Once she's on the leash and we're out of the house ready to run, i do some basic commands like sit, heel and stay for about 15 seconds, just to make sure she understands that i'm in charge and that we'll do this run by my terms...

2. We then do a short 0.2 Miles warm up run (during that run, she's usually trying to pull me)

3. I stop to stretch, and she pees and poops (if she doesn't do that, she starts pulling me again when we run, until she eventually does)

4. Once we're done with that, I tell her to sit. I then tell her to heel. Then sit again.. I do that about 3 or 4 times, until she's not overexcited anymore and is heeling easily on command.

5. We start the run... the first 0.4 miles, i may have to tug on the leash a bit just to remind her to stay to my pace, but then from then on, its really smooth.

If half way through she gets distracted, and tries to pull me, I give her a gentle tug and she gets back in shape.. If she starts behaving badly for any reason (she sees a cat for example and goes crazy), i pause the run just for a few seconds, and tell her to sit.. I assume that makes her worry that i'm gonna cut the run short, so from then on she behaves really well. After the run, she gets some nice yummy treats and a lot of love and pampering.. She absolutely loves those runs, and it keeps her really fit and healthy... Its the favorite part of her day (and often mine too)... Its also great for me since i start feeling guilty if I haven't run with her in 2+ days, so it always motivates me to stay in shape.

I hope you and your dog can find a similar strategy that works.. just remember, it will take time and patience... Good luck!

[Batata]

Thanks for the advice martinaa!! I'll make sure to monitor those things.

[Good_Karma]

Congrats on your marathon training! I ran my first marathon last year, and Niko was my training partner. The longest run I ever did with him was 12 miles. He is three and a half years old and 80-85 lbs at 28 inches tall. So he is lean and leggy.

It sounds like your girl would be good to go farther. I didn't want to take Niko more than 12 miles because I don't trust myself to know when he is overtired. One day last summer we ran in the morning, he ran with my husband in the afternoon, then played ball in the evening. Then Niko barfed up dinner and was sick all night from what I suspect was heat stroke. So that really freaked me out.

What I ended up doing for my long runs was to split them so I have Niko for the first 6 or 8 miles and then I swing by home and drop him off, and go back out and finish it up alone.

I have had his hips x rayed, and his elbows, to make sure he has no problems. And I have him on a joint supplement just in case.

One other thing that is a concern is making sure she gets enough calories for the extra miles. Last year Niko dropped about 5 lbs and we were startled at the weight loss when he had his check up. Now we are more careful to add to his food when he has a high mileage week.

Good luck in your training!!!!

[Batata]

Thanks GoodKarma! It seems that your reputation does in fact precede you on this forum for a good reason

This is my first marathon (Will be running the Paris Marathon in 2 months), so I'm really excited about it, and am really glad that I can have a running buddy like batata to help me out on my journey. I'll probably start taking her for shorter runs soon as the weather gets hotter where I am, but will definitely also take your advice to get her joints checked out just in case and will have her take joint supplements (that I also desperately need for myself). I like your idea of splitting the run, which i'll probably end up doing on the much longer runs! I'll limit her to 10 miles max as she's also so eager to always please and exercise, I worry about her (and me) not knowing her limits. As for the calories.. I always make sure we both get a lot of calories after those runs, so no worries on that department...

Thanks to everyone who pitched in with advice!

[huntergreen]

seems many of my running friends who have run for years, we are now in our mid fifties plus, are having some knee and hip problems. two have had knee replacements. md says it was caused by the long distance running. i will let you decide if this translates into problems down the road for your dog.

[RowdyDogs]

I think it is probably fine. Keep in mind that for most of us, a long-distance running pace isn't all that fast for a dog. I'd say try to keep off of pavement for long-distance training, but that's as much for you as the dog. LOL Concussion is the enemy when it comes to cumulative injury...but I am also sure I am not saying anything you don't know.

I would really recommend a vet visit though, just because GSDs as a breed are prone to joint problems. A thorough checkup with a focus on joint health will put your mind at ease. If she doesn't have an underlying issue, though, I wouldn't worry about it. Sounds like you're doing everything right.