Dogs as Running Partners

This weekend my wife and I added a new member to our family: A very beautiful and hyperactive Lab puppy named Parker. She is a rescue from a shelter that was flooded a couple of weeks ago. Now we run with our older Labrador all of the time, usually when we go no further than three miles or so, and I’m sure in due time Parker will join us also.

Logan was already old enough to start running when we picked the sport, but Parker is not. So how do you know when it’s time to teach your puppy? Many people claim that you can train with puppies, others claim that you should wait until they are about a year or so. We’re going to wait until Autumn to get Parker trained up, it will be cooler, and she’ll be closer to a year old.

Anyway, let’s take a look at some guidelines for dogs of any age.

1. Make sure you have a good running breed – Check with your vet to make sure your dog is a good candidate. Some dogs, like the English Bulldog, just don’t have respiratory system for running.
2. Dogs need conditioning too! – Don’t just run them your distance and expect them to keep up. Build them up just as you did with short walks and short runs
3. Watch the heat – Dogs don’t have the ability to sweat like us, make sure you bring plenty of water on those really hot days. Keep your eyes open for signs of overheating such as falling behind, heavy panting, and foaming at the mouth.
4. Most area require leashes – Always keep your dog on a leash, it keeps everyone safe.

Dogs make great partners, they offer security and an abundance of energy that can keep you motivated for years to come.