Running with your dog has its share of benefits. Not only is it a fun way to spend time with your pet, but it's also a great way to take care of the overall health of both of you. And of course what about the motivation that comes from having a companion who runs with us.
In this article you will find tips on how to train your dog to run alongside you safely.
Age, Height, Race Without Forgetting his Personality
Before you start training your dog to run, it's essential to consider its age, size and breed. Ignoring these characteristics could prove dangerous for your pet. Not all dog breeds are capable of running long distances, nor even dogs of all ages. Puppies, for example, shouldn't run until they're 18 to 24 months old because their bones are still growing.
Also, small dogs, such as Teacup Poodles or Maltese dogs, do not tolerate running well. They have a clear preference for steps. As for brachycephalic dog breeds, that is, those with a short muzzle, such as bulldogs or pugs, can only sprint over short distances. Dachshunds, on the other hand, shouldn't run at all, due to their very long backs and short legs, they are already prone to spine and hip problems, and running could cause them additional injuries.
Learn to Walk Before Training
Before starting the race, your dog must be able to walk alongside you on the leash without pulling on it. This habit can be very dangerous at faster speeds.
Your pet can easily be distracted by things in its environment, such as sounds, smells, wild animals or other dogs. This is often the main reason why he tends to pull on his leash while walking. To motivate him during training, it is important to reward him regularly, either with amusing gestures (ex: patting on the back or the head), congratulations, with a toy or food treats. If you want to limit the amount of treats, you can cut them into small pieces beforehand.
Above all, teach your dog to always walk on the same side. Whether left or right, it doesn't matter. The main thing is to always respect the same side. Your dog must stay by your side at all costs and not walk in front of you or weave from side to side, he could trip you or entangle the leash in your legs.
To teach your dog to walk to your left, reward him only when he walks to your left at the same speed as you and without getting distracted by his surroundings. So if, for example, a squirrel enters his field of vision, but the dog continues on his way without trying to pull on his leash, he should be rewarded without delay.
Finally, the personality of the dog is also an aspect to be evaluated. Some dogs simply have no interest in long-distance running. But to eliminate any uncertainties about its physical abilities, it is always advisable to take the animal to the vet for a physical examination and to ensure that running is a safe activity for it.
Recognize Speedometers
When walking is well mastered, you can teach your dog certain speed signals to tell him to speed up, slow down, stop or start. You can use words or sounds or both that your dogs will learn to recognize.
- Let's go to tell him he can start running
- Run to tell him to speed up
- Slow down so it decelerates
- Stop for the stoppage of the race.
When teaching this step, alternate between periods of running and walking. Give the signal you have chosen for the indication of the different speeds and then reward your dog only when he responds adequately to the signal.
Develop Stamina
Next, you have to teach your dog to gradually build up his strength and endurance. Start with short sessions of 20 minutes, alternating brisk walking and running: after a good warm-up, run 1 minute, walk 1 minute and repeat 10 times. When your pet is comfortable with this interval, increase the run time and decrease the walk time for subsequent sessions, eg. run 2 minutes, walk 45 seconds. Determine which progression works best for your pet. After a few weeks, your dog will be able to run long distances.
