scrub
Feb 24, 09 10:08
Views: 1225
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Re: Running With Dogs [Sabrekitty]
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My wife and I both run with our dog Mac (separately that is, not usually all three of us), an equal mix of trail and street surfaces, on leash and off.
Per the advice of our vet and other dog-runners, we were careful with Mac, and built up his time/mileage slowly after he turned one year old. Running him on the trails and off leash initially seemed to help train him to run on a leash (less stopping, pulling, etc.). He now understands that stopping is not his option, but ours, when he is on the leash. We are also working on verbal and hand signal commands for off leash running. Most of our runs with Mac are in the 25 to 50 minute range, but Mac has many 90 minute plus runs under his collar. The hardest part for him seems to be hot and/or humid weather, so we are very careful with him under those conditions.
I can report that running Mac has lead to considerably better behavior on his part. I can also say that his eagerness to exercise has gotten both my wife and I out the door many times when we would have otherwise bagged the workout. Bottom line - if you run and have a dog, and the dog's health permits, the dog makes for a great training buddy. Now, if I could just run as fast as my dog...
Scrubbie
(This post was edited by scrub on Feb 24, 09 19:14)
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