Running with dog: questions

[jjt_33]

I've got a two year old rescue GSD. I'm a Marine and do quite a bit of running and I'd like to take him with me but I want to know if it's healthy for him. He's a larger GSD, about 95 lbs. I'm also doing a half marathon in August, if I haven't run with him yet, would it be feasible to work him up to that by August?
-Jared

[Josiebear]

If he's healthy ( joint wise) can't see why you can't start . It's usually the younger dogs you have to worry about. Just start slow if your dog hasn't run that far.

[K9SHOUSE]

Usually up to 1 year old hard running is not recommended. 2 years should be fine. Like Josiebear said work him up to the long run. I began Corie around 1 year and we did a 2 mile run the first week Then added .5-1 mile each additional week. Corie loved it. I was the one keeping up with her actually. Just like any person learning to run, your GSD will be sore the first week or 2 so keep that in mind. I ran every other day with Corie and we (well she) easily did 7-10 miles each time. At the time we lived in Buffalo so this was also running through snow, climbing snowdrifts and playing in circles around me while I ran normally if she was off-leash.

The only real concerns you should have would be weather related. If you are running in a hot climate you will need to bring water and may need to make drink stops since they can't run and drink like us. Unless you are running on grass or a shaded trail you need to be careful of surface temps for his paws. It can be semi-cool in the air but the sun can heat up pavement fast. I trained Corie to wear "doggie boots" to protect her feet from hot pavement/sand in summer and salt/ice crystals in paws in winter.

One more thing to think about is training your dog to heal on your right. This is not a big deal if you are running in deserted places but if you are running on walking trails or bike paths it is. The right side of you is the safest place because you will find on shared trails. Bikes will speed past you from behind on your left and people approaching you from in front do not always keep their dogs on their side of the trail or on a short enough leash. Some of course will move off completely because you have a GSD.

Also find a light weight, easy to grip/keep on your wrist, shorter nylon leash to accomodate your arm movements and your dogs' height as you run. They make leashes that can go around your waist or chest but unless your dog has a tight steady heel to you or you can try one out I wouldn't recommend them. If you are running at night or dark conditions I suggest you look into reflective harnesses for your guy's safety. I actually prefer them for running in general verses collars. I don't run with my current dogs (too old) but we do walk at night on and off leash and they wear their harness with ID's and an LED light that attaches to the back/top of their harnesses. Petstores sell the kinds that go to their collars and hang. The ones I got velcros around the collar/harness and are larger. I got them at a store that starts with "Or" and ends with "Vis" and comes with a 100% satisfaction guarantee if your GSDs eats it or it breaks.

Last but not least, if you are on a public trail bring POOP BAGS, lol. They have little pouches you can put on their collars to hold them if your running shorts don't have a pocket. I tie them to my dogs' harnesses, clean or full till I find a garbage.

Ok, I thought of one more thing. This is most important of all!!!!!!! GSDs are prone to bloat. Please do not feed your dog before you go running. If we ran in the early morning I fed her 1 hour after we finished running. This allowed her to calm down and her body to relax and absorb the gallon of water she drank when we got back. If we ran in the early afternoon she waited 2-3 hours after eating breakfast to run. Same time periods for dinner if you run in evening.

Have fun running!!

[Josiebear]

Originally Posted by K9SHOUSE

Ok, I thought of one more thing. This is most important of all!!!!!!! GSDs are prone to bloat. Please do not feed your dog before you go running. If we ran in the early morning I fed her 1 hour after we finished running. This allowed her to calm down and her body to relax and absorb the gallon of water she drank when we got back. If we ran in the early afternoon she waited 2-3 hours after eating breakfast to run. Same time periods for dinner if you run in evening.

Have fun running!!

Should the person be concerned about the drinking excessive drinking water which can cause bloating too?.

[K9SHOUSE]

Originally Posted by Josiebear

Should the person be concerned about the drinking excessive drinking water which can cause bloating too?.

Good point. I was writing about the gallon of water tongue in cheek since she didn't literally drink a gallon but it seems like they do sometimes post exercise or just getting a regular drink . Yes, you should not allow your GSD to drink copious amounts of water at a time right after exercising or at any time really. This is not good for bloat risk or could signal a more serious kidney issue. I guess I should have clarified "when we got back" to mean when we got home from the running trail after riding and cooling down in the car for 15 minutes.

[doggiedad]

what's the distance of a 1/2 marathon in miles? with any kind of
running i would start slow and do short distances. work your way
up to distance. be careful of the heat. don't feed your dog and then go running. after i feed my dog i always wait 2 hours before any exercise.

that's for being there for us and our country.

Originally Posted by jjt_33

I've got a two year old rescue GSD. I'm a Marine and do quite a bit of running and I'd like to take him with me but I want to know if it's healthy for him. He's a larger GSD, about 95 lbs. I'm also doing a half marathon in August, if I haven't run with him yet, would it be feasible to work him up to that by August?
-Jared

[doggiedad]

i meant thanks for being there not "that's".

Originally Posted by doggiedad

that's for being there for us and our country.

[zeprider25]

Originally Posted by doggiedad

what's the distance of a 1/2 marathon in miles? with any kind of
running i would start slow and do short distances. work your way
up to distance. be careful of the heat. don't feed your dog and then go running. after i feed my dog i always wait 2 hours before any exercise.

that's for being there for us and our country.

half marathon is 13.1 miles.

[doggiedad]

i think you should teach a dog to heel on the right and left.
i taught my dog "other side". no matter what side
my dog is on if i say "other side" he switches sides.

i'm in the woods a lot with my dog. my dog is
never on a leash when we're in the woods. when horses are
approaching i use "other side" a lot. no matter what side of the trail
my dog is on if i say "other side" he moves to the opposite side.

Originally Posted by K9SHOUSE

One more thing to think about is training your dog to heal on your right. This is not a big deal if you are running in deserted places but if you are running on walking trails or bike paths it is. The right side of you is the safest place because you will find on shared trails. Bikes will speed past you from behind on your left and people approaching you from in front do not always keep their dogs on their side of the trail or on a short enough leash. Some of course will move off completely because you have a GSD.