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Guest Post: Friday Five – 5 ways to run with your dogs

April 11, 2014 By: Courtney @ Eat Pray Run DC9 Comments

Hi y’all! I hope you’ve been enjoying Guest Post week — I know I’ve learned a lot from the awesome group of bloggers that have visited Eat Pray Run DC. We’re closing out Friday with a post that is close to my heart. Jeremy at Confessions of an Amateur Athlete has written about running with your dog! I’m adapting the normal Friday Five for Jeremy’s post and so it’s a Friday Four today! Please still link up your posts — I’ll check them out after the end of my conference 🙂

I’m a big fan of running with friends.  They hold you accountable every morning whether it’s a super early run to beat the heat, or a heavy mileage day on sore muscles.  But sometimes there isn’t anyone around, or no one willing to hit the road with you. So I say, grab your pooch!

Now, keep in mind, not every dog is fit to run.  But on those days when you’re lacking some motivation, and have a pup that can handle it…strap on a leash and go! Or if you’re on the fence about getting a dog… this is a great excuse to go to a local shelter and rescue your new running buddy!

Dogs need the exercise, and so do you, so why not enjoy it together?  Before you do, there are a few things you should know about running with dogs.

janie 2

Here are just a few:

  • They need water just like you.  If not more.  They don’t sweat like us and so it’s tougher to stay cool.  So if even on a 30 minute run, it’s best to carry enough water for both you and your pet.  I take my camelback bottle or fuel belt and a small collapsible cup from REI.
  • They need to train just like you.  Most dogs can’t just go out and run 8 miles if they’ve never been running with you before.  So make sure you start off small.  They need to work up to longer miles just like you do.
  • They will stop frequently.  Besides all the smells, they will need to poop and pee and investigate EVERYTHING.  So don’t expect to go run a PR.  Just enjoy the company of your furry companion.
  • They WILL frustrate you.  That’s right.  They will see a bird… another dog… a stick…and want to go play.  It’s going to take time to teach them to run alongside you so you’ve got to be patient.  Eventually they will learn to leave those things behind. And the payoff for your patience will be worth it!

My Janie loves to run.  She seems me grabbing my running gear and can’t wait to get out the door! If I have a long run I run the first 3-4 miles with her for a “warm up” and then go the rest solo.  Or if I just need a little recovery run I grab the leash and get some one on one time with my pup!  We BOTH end up loving every minute of it.

janie1

Hopefully these tips can help you build a similar running relationship with your pooch.  I’d love to hear your thoughts on the topic, so stop by my blog, find me on Twitter and let me know what you think!  Happy Trails and Happy Tails!


Comments

  1. Chaitali says

    April 11, 2014 at 9:20 am

    What a beautiful dog! These are great tips 🙂 I don’t even have a dog right now but I’d love to be able to run with any dog that I have in my life in the future.
    Chaitali recently posted…Friday Five Things Making Me HappyMy Profile

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    • Jeremy Heath says

      April 11, 2014 at 7:51 pm

      Thanks for reading everyone! Janie loves to run with me and I couldn’t be a luckier daddy! Honestly, she was a stray that I picked up not even intending to keep… and we both fell in love. Little did I know she would enjoy running as much as I did! I love hearing about everyone else’s pets and their running, so feel free to stop by my blog anytime too. Thanks for allowing me to pop in as a guest today! I look forward to reading more great stuff at eatprayrundc.com!
      Jeremy Heath recently posted…Running RelationshipsMy Profile

      Reply
  2. Meranda@fairytalesandfitness says

    April 11, 2014 at 11:03 am

    What a great dog! I have a labrador and run with her (on short runs only), because she holds me back! She likes to stop and smell the roses so to speak! Thanks for sharing!
    Meranda@fairytalesandfitness recently posted…How to Determine the Right Running Shoe For You!My Profile

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  3. Erin @ Girl Gone Veggie says

    April 11, 2014 at 11:57 am

    I wish I could run with my cat! Haha He would not like that at all.

    Reply
  4. Kels @ Blonder Side of LIfe says

    April 11, 2014 at 4:26 pm

    Yes love it! I run with my dog all the time but I make sure when she’s done, I’m done. I won’t take her on serious training runs so she can stop and do what dogs do lol. Great post, I’m gonna go check out the rest of your blog now 🙂
    Kels @ Blonder Side of LIfe recently posted…Happy Blog-Birthday + Free DownloadMy Profile

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  5. Lea says

    April 11, 2014 at 10:30 pm

    since my blog is all about running with my dog, I love this post. Such good tips that everyone who runs with their dogs should know! so important!!!
    Lea recently posted…Friday Five: Happy National Hug A Blogger Day (and other made up holidays)My Profile

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  6. Michelle @Baby Blues to Running Shoes says

    April 11, 2014 at 10:40 pm

    I wonder if I could get my cat to run with me! LOL! I’m always jealous of all the runners I see out with their dogs. It looks like so much fun!
    Michelle @Baby Blues to Running Shoes recently posted…Friday Five-how not to prepare for a half marathonMy Profile

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  7. Amanda says

    April 13, 2014 at 9:40 pm

    I don’t have a dog, but when I do, I’d love to get one that can run with me. It would be nice to have a consistent running partner!
    Amanda recently posted…[10k Race Recap] Spoiler Alert: I Ran Really FastMy Profile

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  8. Cynthia @ You Signed Up For What?! says

    April 13, 2014 at 10:58 pm

    Adorable doggie! I’m hoping to get my dog more used to running now that springtime is here. Our former Great Dane loved it, but Daisy (also a Great Dane) sort of cuts in front of me and doesn’t “get it”. 🙂
    Cynthia @ You Signed Up For What?! recently posted…Reebok Spartan Race Giveaway and Discount!My Profile

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