Does anyone here run with their little dog?

loratliff · 05-17-2008, 12:13 PM

Just curious if anyone here runs with their little dog. I always see people running with their labs and other big dogs, but very rarely do I see someone with a small dog running.

Keep in mind, I'm not talking about marathons or anything - but do you think my pup could keep up for a 20-minute easy jog? I'd obviously leave him at home when I run my longer routes, but I'd definitely enjoy the company on my easy days. He loves to run so I think he may enjoy it.

Any thoughts? Good idea, bad idea?

Curbside Prophet · 05-17-2008, 12:42 PM

Elsa runs with me on most mornings. She breezes through 3 miles with me and could probably do more, but that's my limit with her. And I run at her pace which is much slower than mine, and we take sniff breaks...not me, but she does and when she done with a spot she trots back into a run.

Really, I wouldn't approach it any differently than if she were a bigger dog. Your dog will tell you what's comfortable if you're looking for it, and I do think running can be a part of even a small dog's routine.

Shaina · 05-17-2008, 12:44 PM

I though I replied earlier, but apparently not

My sister's 8lb JRT X Papillon runs with her every day, 2-3 miles. With her exercise requirements, it's necessary...that run just takes the edge off for her.

Durbkat · 05-17-2008, 06:07 PM

I don't, Snoopy isn't a high energy dog and running up and down the parking lot at our apartment tires him out.

Dogstar · 05-17-2008, 06:25 PM

I don't run with my guys, but Indy biked with me daily for 3-4 years and runs with my dad now. He's a 35 pound corgi (12.75" at the shoulder). Lizzie will be biking with me once she gets older. (She is 11 pounds but nearly 14" at the shoulder)

Orange County Ca · 05-17-2008, 06:55 PM

How little? I have a 30 pounder and that would make me nervous. I figure a 5/1 ratio but I have no science behind that. I.e. if I walk one mile he's gone five based on his leg length.

I walk him twice a day for two miles total.

Certainly you'll start out slowly. Walk/run/walk/run for a week. Then increase the running part each week.

Try a hundred paces running then a hundred walking and so on and see how s/he does. Add a hundred to the running part each week.

Patt · 05-17-2008, 07:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Orange County Ca

How little? I have a 30 pounder and that would make me nervous. I figure a 5/1 ratio but I have no science behind that. I.e. if I walk one mile he's gone five based on his leg length.

I walk him twice a day for two miles total.

Certainly you'll start out slowly. Walk/run/walk/run for a week. Then increase the running part each week.

Try a hundred paces running then a hundred walking and so on and see how s/he does. Add a hundred to the running part each week.

ITA just do everything gradually to see how your dog adapts to the schedule. I'm sure you and your dog will have a great time.

JackiesZoo · 05-17-2008, 07:44 PM

Ash is just a little over 5lbs and to tell you the truth, he would outlast me!

I have done a little bit of running here and there with him...maybe 5 min. (I know, is that even running ROFLMAO) but I do plan on adding more time to it, now that I can.

I don't think he will have a problem...right now, He is he one running at my pace. I agree with the others, start off slow and see what your dog is comfortable with.

Have fun!

Quincy · 05-17-2008, 08:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by loratliff

Keep in mind, I'm not talking about marathons or anything - but do you think my pup could keep up for a 20-minute easy jog? I'd obviously leave him at home when I run my longer routes,

I feel that your pup would probably love a 20-minute easy jog. But personally I'd wait till the pup has fully grown up and matured such as in their hips and elbows, meanwhile he can enjoy little runs at home or at a park. After fully grown up and matured you could start a program to gradually build them up to where they could accompany you even on the longer routes.
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Lorina · 05-17-2008, 09:07 PM

I agree with Quincy. I wouldn't do any hard exercise on a growing puppy.

I don't jog any kind of distance (I have bad knees; he has a short snout), but I hike with my little dog. And sometimes we "play" soccer. I'm lucky that we have about the same endurance levels.

Quincy · 05-17-2008, 09:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lorina

I agree with Quincy. I wouldn't do any hard exercise on a growing puppy.

I don't jog any kind of distance (I have bad knees; he has a short snout), but I hike with my little dog. And sometimes we "play" soccer. I'm lucky that we have about the same endurance levels.

loratliff mentioned an easy jog but even in an easy jog there is repetition and certain degree of stress on joints plus growth plates etc.

Good to see you're short snout little dog having a hike with you

I have a bad back where I couldn't jog with the little doggies, one of them is in my avatar, so I rode a bicycle and about every 3rd day we went on 8 to 12 mile routes, but keep in mind I very gradually built them up to this similarly as what an athelete would do. I had to keep an eye on things like their respiration, temperature and paw pads.
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JustTess · 05-17-2008, 10:49 PM

I'm wondering if this is why pet stores have those doggy strollers.

) when little dogs get tired, they can go for a ride in comfort. I don't know if I would ever purchase one, but I do know the whole stroller is made to contain small dogs with a zipper opening.

loratliff · 05-17-2008, 11:08 PM

Thanks, good to hear it's possible and likely not a stretch. He weighs about 8 lbs. and I think he'd do just fine. He's also 16 months old so pretty fully matured. One thing I do know is that I'll have to be careful with him as it gets warmer here, as he is a brachycephalic dog.

We'll start off slow and I'll let him dictate the pace.

Quincy · 05-18-2008, 09:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by loratliff

Thanks, good to hear it's possible and likely not a stretch. He weighs about 8 lbs. and I think he'd do just fine. He's also 16 months old so pretty fully matured. One thing I do know is that I'll have to be careful with him as it gets warmer here, as he is a brachycephalic dog.

We'll start off slow and I'll let him dictate the pace.

OK so not a pup but 16 month old

Yes it's possible, and with Brussels Griffon you'll just have to keep a closer eye on their breathing. I'll include some information which maybe of help.

With our dogs before we even started we first got them checked over by our veterinarian, just to make sure everything was OK. Our veterinarian understood what we wanted to do, and gave us a thermometer to periodicly check their temperature after completing "legs of a route" where we had "check stops", this you may be doing as gradually and easily build up your dog. Never let their temperature go over 103.5F (39.7C) and even if they reach this stop and get that temperature down. On warm days obviously we had to watch their temperature closer, and where we use to only go out in the cooler parts of the day. At the "check stops" we also checked their paws and pads.

Soon as our dogs knew we were going out they got quite excited. Every time we went out we allways did a 10 minute WALKING warm up and cool down stage. As our dogs were still excited where they wanted to go faster and faster, we deliberately held them back, and after the 10 minutes they'd settle in. Then we would gradually build up the speed to their GAIT SPEED which is before they break into a run.

When we started we only did about 10 minutes of gaiting but this at a slower gaiting speed, each day where we went out the speed and distance was very gradually increased, and where we used our dogs as a guide, but keep in mind our dogs really loved their outings and where at times we had to let them know to slow down.

We kept to soft surfaces like grass where we could, and with rough surfaces well we slowed right down, and where we varied speed and used terrain and this even in relation to paw and pad care.

I'll leave it at that where I hope this maybe of some help

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Annamarie · 05-19-2008, 04:15 PM

I rarely jog but my SO does on occasion. Our min pin can do a 7k run and not even break a sweat. In fact he's usually running ahead and waiting!

Love's_Sophie · 05-19-2008, 04:30 PM

I have two dogs, a small and a larger breed...the small one has more lasting energy than my Border mix. I don't jog usually though, as I have joint issues...but do roller blade, and bike with them...even with my bigger dog, I always let the pooch choose the pace, and when they are getting tuckered out, we head for home.

digits mama · 05-19-2008, 04:33 PM

I jog with mine everyday. Right now..Im at 5 miles a day and I switch up who gets to come with me. Between 3 of the 4 dogs I have. It is a mixture of running, Jogging and Power walking.. I keep an eye on them and adjust to how they do.

A warm up is as crucial for your pet as it is for you..

Laurelin · 05-19-2008, 04:35 PM

I don't because I can't keep up with my little dogs!

Paps could DEFINITELY run with you. You'd just have to build up the distance like you would with any dog. Toy breeds are really surprisingly agile and athletic.