I don't think of myself as a masochistic person, but over the last 4 years I have decided to accumulate three of the most athletic small dogs I have ever met. Don't get me wrong, they love a good lap when they get the chance, but they have decided they need to earn it. I get lots of comments and stares running down the street with under 40 lbs of furry intensity leading the way. I enjoy and am motivated by their intensity and enthusiasm and now prefer to exercise with their company. Running without a dog now is like drinking flat soda. The flavor is there, but its lifeless. To accommodate this I have picked up some tricks, tools, and training for running with my four legged running partners.
One of the first things I learned is running with a leash in your hand is awkward. It throws off my running form and causes my to tense my whole arm from my hand up. Instead I started clipping their leashes into my hydration vest I used to hold water, poop bags, phone, keys or any other supplies I felt I needed to carry with me. When I added a third 20lb dog into the mix the vest clasp system was no longer strong enough so I tried out a convertible waist leash by Ruff Wear instead. To run with three dogs I will clip the leashes of the smaller two onto the waist loop with caribiner clips. For more padding I have also used a running belt with a pouch and water bottle holder. These were not originally designed to be pulled on so I secured the straps with safety pins, or if you wanted a more permanent option some extra stitching.
I have seen lots of advice saying to run with your dog you should teach in to heel beside you before you consider running with it. When running on the sidewalk a dog running beside me or behind me just got in the way or kicked. I have instead trained my dogs to run directly in front of me. To keep them from getting out of control I have taught them commands for stop, go, and turns. I did not learn until much later that running with a dog pulling in front of you is a sport called canicross. Sometimes I think all the cool stuff is in Europe. In canicross you put your dog in a comfortable harness and attach them to your waist with a bungee leash. You can run much faster with a dog helping you along. Cec came through the door flushed and excited after her first time running canicross with the dogs, "I feel like I'm cheating. Running isn't supposed to be this fun."
You may have concerns that teaching your dog to pull while running could teach your dog bad habits if you don't want them to pull while walking. You can solve this by teaching your dog a command for when it is ok to pull. You can also teach your dog that is it ok to pull while in a harness, but never put on the harness if you just want your dog to go for walk. Just like a dog learns that opening the cupboard means food, and grabbing your keys means you are going out, they can learn that putting on a harness means running time.
There are a large number of dog harnesses out there and it can be hard to choose. I have gone through a number of them trying to find on that would not rub my dog raw while pulling. For larger dogs there are x-back sled dog harnesses, but these are not considered good for running with people because the leash attaches too low. Another problem with these is a dog can easily back out of them. An important feature I look for is padding in the chest where pressure is applied while pulling. I have seen a good one you can order in a custom size from Alpine Outfitters.
I am currently using the Ruff Wear Web Master Harness on Nix and really like it. It is very adjustable, has a padded chest plate, and reflective piping to help make us more visible at night. It is also good if you have a dog that ever tries to back up out of a harness.
After buying a new harness inspect your dog carefully after runs or walks to insure that it is fitting properly. Before I found the right harness, Nix would finish a run with chaffing or missing hair. I consider the dog's harness to be the same as my running clothes or shoes. If I expect them to wear it for ever run, it is very important that it is comfortable.
I have not tried them, but you can find complete canicross (you can also search for skijoring) kits that come with a human hip belt, bungee line, and harness. This allows for less personalization, but can be a simpler option if you want to just click a button and have everything you need. I'm cheap so instead built my own set up through trial and error using the before mentioned waist packs, a combination of leashes, clips, dog harnesses, and collars to get me by. What really matters if it works well for you and your dogs.
Your dog can not tell you if he is tired, hot, or in pain so it is very important that you pay attention to their appearance and behaviors during and after a run. Here is a list of things I constantly scan for while running the dogs.
Is my dog...
-Limping
-Changing their form
-Panting excessively or foaming at the mouth
-Slowing or lagging behind
-Stopping and refusing to continue
If any of these thing occur I stop and closely check my dog for possible injuries. It may just be a thorn stuck in a paw, but it can also be an indication that your dog is overheating or has had a more serious injury. In wet conditions Nix will sometimes rub raw spots on his pads. I don't want to continue running him for miles on bloody paws even though he will push through the pain until we get home.
I also check my dogs after each run to see problems I may have missed.
How are my dog's...
-Pads and toenails
-Skin and hair where collars or harnesses may rub
Is my dog...
-Foaming at the mouth or panting excessively
-Limping or favoring paws
-Shivering or avoiding you
It is important to see if your dog has received any injuries or if they have gotten too hot or cold (more often hot) during the run. Dogs are built for running, but in hot weather are not as good at cooling themselves as we are. Nix will sometimes get to hot at temperatures as low as 60 degrees.
I make sure to carry water with me on runs even if I myself do not want any. Since they are cooling themselves by panting, my dogs often want water much more often than I do. I also try to carry along poop bags so I don't leave messes for others.
If you are following a specific training plan understand that your dogs do not know you are supposed to run 3 miles at an 8 minute mile pace that day. Some days they just won't want to run as fast or consistently as you do. I think the enjoyment I get from running with my dogs well makes up for this and can help me take things less seriously. Running should be fun or you won't want to continue doing it. Dogs are a great reminder of this.
 |
| "Just 3 more miles Mom. Lupe's getting love handles." |
One of the first things I learned is running with a leash in your hand is awkward. It throws off my running form and causes my to tense my whole arm from my hand up. Instead I started clipping their leashes into my hydration vest I used to hold water, poop bags, phone, keys or any other supplies I felt I needed to carry with me. When I added a third 20lb dog into the mix the vest clasp system was no longer strong enough so I tried out a convertible waist leash by Ruff Wear instead. To run with three dogs I will clip the leashes of the smaller two onto the waist loop with caribiner clips. For more padding I have also used a running belt with a pouch and water bottle holder. These were not originally designed to be pulled on so I secured the straps with safety pins, or if you wanted a more permanent option some extra stitching.
 |
| Here is my 3 dog running belt setup. If you want to spend $50 you can find specially designed canicross or skijor belts. I am cheap. |
I have seen lots of advice saying to run with your dog you should teach in to heel beside you before you consider running with it. When running on the sidewalk a dog running beside me or behind me just got in the way or kicked. I have instead trained my dogs to run directly in front of me. To keep them from getting out of control I have taught them commands for stop, go, and turns. I did not learn until much later that running with a dog pulling in front of you is a sport called canicross. Sometimes I think all the cool stuff is in Europe. In canicross you put your dog in a comfortable harness and attach them to your waist with a bungee leash. You can run much faster with a dog helping you along. Cec came through the door flushed and excited after her first time running canicross with the dogs, "I feel like I'm cheating. Running isn't supposed to be this fun."
 |
| And they're off! |
You may have concerns that teaching your dog to pull while running could teach your dog bad habits if you don't want them to pull while walking. You can solve this by teaching your dog a command for when it is ok to pull. You can also teach your dog that is it ok to pull while in a harness, but never put on the harness if you just want your dog to go for walk. Just like a dog learns that opening the cupboard means food, and grabbing your keys means you are going out, they can learn that putting on a harness means running time.
There are a large number of dog harnesses out there and it can be hard to choose. I have gone through a number of them trying to find on that would not rub my dog raw while pulling. For larger dogs there are x-back sled dog harnesses, but these are not considered good for running with people because the leash attaches too low. Another problem with these is a dog can easily back out of them. An important feature I look for is padding in the chest where pressure is applied while pulling. I have seen a good one you can order in a custom size from Alpine Outfitters.
 |
| Nix happy in his harness, but unenthusiastic about the boots. |
I am currently using the Ruff Wear Web Master Harness on Nix and really like it. It is very adjustable, has a padded chest plate, and reflective piping to help make us more visible at night. It is also good if you have a dog that ever tries to back up out of a harness.
After buying a new harness inspect your dog carefully after runs or walks to insure that it is fitting properly. Before I found the right harness, Nix would finish a run with chaffing or missing hair. I consider the dog's harness to be the same as my running clothes or shoes. If I expect them to wear it for ever run, it is very important that it is comfortable.
I have not tried them, but you can find complete canicross (you can also search for skijoring) kits that come with a human hip belt, bungee line, and harness. This allows for less personalization, but can be a simpler option if you want to just click a button and have everything you need. I'm cheap so instead built my own set up through trial and error using the before mentioned waist packs, a combination of leashes, clips, dog harnesses, and collars to get me by. What really matters if it works well for you and your dogs.
Your dog can not tell you if he is tired, hot, or in pain so it is very important that you pay attention to their appearance and behaviors during and after a run. Here is a list of things I constantly scan for while running the dogs.
Is my dog...
-Limping
-Changing their form
-Panting excessively or foaming at the mouth
-Slowing or lagging behind
-Stopping and refusing to continue
If any of these thing occur I stop and closely check my dog for possible injuries. It may just be a thorn stuck in a paw, but it can also be an indication that your dog is overheating or has had a more serious injury. In wet conditions Nix will sometimes rub raw spots on his pads. I don't want to continue running him for miles on bloody paws even though he will push through the pain until we get home.
I also check my dogs after each run to see problems I may have missed.
How are my dog's...
-Pads and toenails
-Skin and hair where collars or harnesses may rub
Is my dog...
-Foaming at the mouth or panting excessively
-Limping or favoring paws
-Shivering or avoiding you
It is important to see if your dog has received any injuries or if they have gotten too hot or cold (more often hot) during the run. Dogs are built for running, but in hot weather are not as good at cooling themselves as we are. Nix will sometimes get to hot at temperatures as low as 60 degrees.
I make sure to carry water with me on runs even if I myself do not want any. Since they are cooling themselves by panting, my dogs often want water much more often than I do. I also try to carry along poop bags so I don't leave messes for others.
If you are following a specific training plan understand that your dogs do not know you are supposed to run 3 miles at an 8 minute mile pace that day. Some days they just won't want to run as fast or consistently as you do. I think the enjoyment I get from running with my dogs well makes up for this and can help me take things less seriously. Running should be fun or you won't want to continue doing it. Dogs are a great reminder of this.
 |
| Enjoy your post run endorphin high! |
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