How to Start Dog Running/Jogging With Me

[KellyB]

I have a 7 pound Chi mix. She is about 8 months old. I would like to start taking her on a run/jog with me every day, but I'm not sure how to start her on doing this. Here are the questions I have:

- Do I need a special leash for this?
- How far should I take a dog that small?
- How fast should I go?
- Is there anything else I need to do to make this successful?

Thanks!!

 

[JennSLK]

wow, thats a small dog to go jogging with. Personaly I wouldnt. Please correct me if Im wrong, but they are to small. They have to "trot" just to keep up to us walking at a normal speed. I dont think it would be a good idea to jog with one.

 

[KellyB]

Actually, she's a mix, so she's bigger than what you typically think of. She has really long legs and she can run FAST. She runs and runs in the yard and has no trouble keeping up with me at a brisk pace on walks. I think she would actually benefit from running . . . I'm just not sure how to introduce it to her in a structured manner.

 

[Allykat]

I wouldn't jog with a small dog. It can cause damage to their body if forced to run to much. Bigger lean dogs are much more suited.

 

[adobostreak]

well first off you have to make sure teh dog is completey dependent on you and will never leave your side. mine never leaves my side, and even if i do leave it, it starts crying. so running across the street with no leash is no problem because it follows me around. make sure itll follow you thats all

 

[tempura tantrum]

While I wouldn't jog with a dog that small (free exercise in a safe, enclosed yard, like a game of "chase" or fetch is probably sufficient), you don't need a dog "completely dependent" on you either.

I run with my dogs all the time, but I never do so with them offlead. Ask anyone with a Shiba, doing so is pretty much a guarantee you will be returning home dogless, LOL. The majority of people don't run with their dogs offlead, and probably shouldn't. It's also a good idea to keep in mind the leash laws in effect where you live. There are many people out there who don't take kindly to loose dogs (or may have a very real fear of them), no matter what their size.

Adobostreak- a dog that starts crying when you leave its side is showing signs of separation anxiety. It might be cute when she's a puppy, but it won't be fun when she channels those nerves into more destructive outlets.

 

[princess_poppy]

^^^Imo^^^
you really dont want a dog with separation anxiety, when you leave her think how sad she is, when shes nevous she will pee or chew up something. teach her that she has to be away from you and she won't get so upset.