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Running with Your Dog
Making your pet the perfect partner
You'll be hard-pressed to find a better running partner than your canine companion. He's never late, doesn't complain, always keeps pace and bursts with excitement at the sight of your running shoes. But running or jogging with your dog comes with its own set of precautions and requires a bit of know-how to ensure your pooch is up for the challenge.
A dog that exercises regularly is a happy dog, but it's important to ensure your pet is healthy enough for the rigors of the road. Before you head out, take your dog to his regular veterinarian for a check-up. Once you get the go-ahead from the doggie doctor, begin conditioning him for distance running. Start with fast daily walks and short jogs and gradually increase the distance and pace as he becomes more conditioned to the activity.
It's helpful for your dog to have mastered some basic obedience commands before beginning to run regularly. Commands such as "stop" and "heel" will help you stay in control and keep both of you focused on the run. Specialty, hands-free leashes are great for the experienced runner/dog duo. Don't take any chances; always keep your dog on a leash when running. If you like to run after dark, make sure your dog has a reflective leash. It will keep both of you safe from traffic and other nighttime hazards.
Once you hit the pavement, your dog will need to stay hydrated, so make sure you pack enough water for the both of you. Many breeds, especially the excessively fluffy, overheat easily, so it's important to keep an eye on your dog during the run. Watch for signs of heat exhaustion such as bright red gums and thick saliva, and take regular breaks. Just like human runners, dogs get sore muscles and joints if over-trained, so be sure to give your dog a day off from your running routine.
When done with caution and care, running with your dog can be a great bonding activity and a fantastic way to keep you and your dog healthy and happy. So get out those running shoes and get to work! No doubt your new partner will be ready to go.
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Ask the Vet
Q. I have a chubby dog, and I've tried and tried to get the weight off her. Our best guess (combined between my vet and me) is that she's a beagle/border collie/Australian shepherd mix. She'll be 6 in January and has been overweight since she was about 18 or 24 months. I've tried diet foods with very little success, and any weight she does lose, she manages to pile back on. I'm stingy with treats -- only give little pieces at a time, and they're low cal. She's about 60 lbs., and the vet would like to see her between 50 to 55 lbs. She was 45 lbs. at about 9 or 10 months old (spayed at 6 months). She gets 2 cups a day of vegetarian kibble (she's developed food allergies and there's no weight loss low allergen food) and limited treats. We walk for 40 minutes twice a day. We've never missed a check-up and besides environmental and food allergies, she's in perfect health. Thyroid was tested just over a year ago and it's fine. My vet keeps telling me to cut back on her food. But, if I cut her food back any lower than 2 cups a day (1 cup twice a day), she's insanely hungry and won't settle. She'll "surf" the counter, help herself to the garbage, anything to get a morsel of food if I cut her back any further. I don't know what else to do to get (and keep) the weight off of her. Can you help? -- Deborah C., Toronto, ON Canada
Ask the Pet Relocation Expert
Q. Hello, I am trying to help a friend get reliable information on bringing her adopted dog from Uganda back to her home country of Germany. She will be leaving in just a few weeks. Can you please tell me what are the quarantine and other restrictions for a dog from Uganda into Germany. Thanks! -- Laura S.
