Are you wondering how to run with your dog? Are you curious if your dog’s breed is good for running? We’ll tell you about the best dog breeds for running partners, how to safely run with your dog, and share other valuable tips and tricks to make this experience fun and memorable.
Instead of immediately running full speed for long distances, it’s best to ease your dog into it. Gradually go from walking to running. Increase your running speed and the length of time running over several weeks. Your dog will adapt to running longer distances at faster speeds by easing into it.
To say that running with your dog is going to be a fun and enjoyable experience is an understatement. Dogs make the best running partners. But there are important tips and tricks that you need to learn to provide a safe and healthy running environment for you and your pup.
To discover my best tips and tricks, please continue reading my thoughts and favorite recommendations below.
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Training Your Pooch: Building Endurance To Help Your Dog Become An Avid Long-Distance Runner
More important than anything else, it’s never wise to immediately start running top speed for long distances with your pup if he or she isn’t used to it. This could seriously harm your dog and wear it out if it doesn’t have the endurance and strength to handle the run.
On the other hand, the smart way to turn your average pup into a long-distance runner is to gradually and slowly build its endurance and strength through increased training.
According to the American Kennel Club, the best way to help your dog build endurance is to, “Start by adding small stretches of running into your walks. Then, on each subsequent walk, gradually increase the portion of your time spent running and decrease the portion spent walking. After several weeks, your dog will have adapted to running long distances.”
To recap the endurance-building process, please implement the following suggestions to successfully acclimate your dog to longer distances:
- During regular daily walks, begin adding running into the mix for small stretches.
- Next, on every following walk, increase the amount of time spent running with your dog while decreasing the time spent walking with your dog.
- After implementing the strategy for several weeks in a row, your dog will become more acclimated to running for long distances without tiring or feeling too weak to continue.
Safety 1st: Seven Important Dog Running Tips To Learn How To Run With Your Dog
Before anything, training your dog to handle longer distances while building endurance and stamina is of the utmost importance because they make great running partners. After your dog is properly conditioned and trained – you do not need a dog trainer for this, you should consider implementing the following safety tips to create a fun and enjoyable running experience between you and your pooch.
My favorite how-to run with your dog safety tips are as follows:
- Allow your dog ample time to warm up before you begin running for longer distances. According to irondoggie.com, “A good warm-up is important for both people and dogs, so neither of you will tear a muscle, damaged joint, or possibly break a bone.” Walking, trotting, and tugging on a toy for 5-10 minutes is sufficient.
- Cooling down your dog is also necessary to keep your pup healthy and strong. Instead of immediately coming to a stop, make sure to slow your run to all walk and continue walking for several minutes before stopping.
- Keep current weather conditions in mind. If it’s extremely hot weather and humid, this is very unhealthy for you and your dog. Do not take your dog for a long-distance run in extremely hot and humid weather.
- Carry water in ample quantities with you for you and your dog. Remember to offer your dog water fairly regularly during a run to help keep your pup cool and properly hydrated.
- Allow your dog the opportunity to take frequent breaks during a long-distance run. This will help your dog properly recharge, get used to its surroundings, and even stop for a bathroom break when needed.
- Give your dog time to run off-leash when it’s legal and safe to do so. This will allow your dog to feel safe, and free, and your pup will also have fun running around your local park or running track.
- Pay close attention to your dog throughout the run. Do you notice any signs that your dog is ready to quit running? Is he or she constantly lagging? Is your dog panting excessively? Dogs love pleasing their owners and will continue running even when they should stop, so keep an eye on your pup and look for these warning signs at all times.
How To Run With Your Dog: The Best Dog Breeds For Running Partners
Some dogs love to run. Other dogs are very fast. And still, other dogs make fantastic running partners.
To help you figure out how to run with your dog, I’d like to tell you about the best dog breed to own if you’re looking for a brand-new running buddy to take with you on your daily treks.
At the end of the day, please note that many dogs could be a potential running partner as long as you care for your dog and keep its best interest at heart; especially older dogs. Yet, on the other hand, some dogs were just built for running and it’s completely in their nature.
The best dog breeds for running include the following:
| Dog Breed | Body Type | Avg. Height | Avg. Weight | Best For | Max. Speed |
| Weimaraner | Med. Build | 23-26 inches | 55-88 lbs. | Trail running, Fast runs, long distances | 35 mph |
| German Shorthaired Pointer | Med. Build | 21-25 inches | 45-70 lbs. | Trail running, Fat runs, long distances | 20-30 mph |
| Vizsla | Med. Build | 21-25 inches | 40-65 lbs. | Trail running, fast runs, long distances, running in the heat | 40 mpg |
| Greyhound | Lrg. Build | 27-30 inches | 65-88 lbs. | Short runs, fast runs | 45 mph |
| Golden/Labrador Retriever | Med.-Lrg. Build | 20-24 inches | 55-75 lbs. | Short runs, brisk runs | 35 mph |
| English Setter | Lrg. Build | 23-27 inches | 45-80 lbs. | Short runs, brisk runs | 28 mph. |
| Pitbull | Med. Build | 17-21 inches | 30-60 lbs. | Short runs, brisk runs | 25-30 mph |
| Parson Russell Terrier | Small build | 12-15 inches | 13-17 lbs. | Long runs, steady runs | 30 mph |
Do yourself a big favor. If you’re looking to buy or rescue a dog and plan to start running with them regularly, you should consider getting one of these amazing dog breeds.
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How To Run With Your Dog If Your Dog Doesn’t Want To Run With You
Like anything else, your dog might not immediately want to become your running partner right off the bat. Your dog may downright despise running in the beginning and this could make you feel sad and rejected.
Don’t worry! It may be possible to change your furry friend’s mind. You can use some powerful tips and tricks to train your lazy dog to begin running with you every day.
Want to find out how?
According to pawlofts.com, “… Every dog goes bananas when their owner says ‘you want to go for a walk?!’ … Start slow, and gradually work your way into running faster and longer with your pup.”
My favorite tips and tricks to train dogs to like running include:
- Go on running play dates – do you have a friend that also runs with their dog? Ask them if you can take your dogs on a running play date. Once your dog sees the other pup running and enjoying himself or herself, the pooch will immediately want to join the party and it will likely begin running because it will not want to be left out of the fun and games.
- Make running a playful experience for your pooch – if your lazy dog doesn’t want to run with you, try to turn it into a fun experience. Hold a rope in your hand and play tug-of-war with your dog, while also running with your dog as you both tug on the rope. Playing fetch with your dog is a fun way to get your pup running and active while he or she enjoys playing a friendly game.
- Entice your dog with treats and toys – you can get your dog moving in the right direction while getting plenty of exercise by bribing him or her with toys and treats! Keep treats hidden around the dog park that your pooch can find. And when you go running with your dog, make sure to give your furry friend tasty treats before and after the run – just don’t overdo it and make your dog sick!
At the end of the day, you could always bring your dog with you even if your pooch doesn’t feel like running. How so?
It’s very easy. You may prefer running with your dog in this way because it guarantees your pup remains safe and protected.
Instead of letting your dog run free, keep it safely tucked away in a brand-new dog stroller. I recently reviewed the Best Dog Strollers For Running. Learn more about my favorite dog strollers right here.
Paw Pad Protection: Conditions That May Be Harmful To Your Dog’s Paws
It’s always important to keep your dog’s health in mind at all times. This is especially true if you plan on making your pooch a regular running partner. Knowing how to run with your dog means prioritizing their safety.
What are you going to do about his or her paws? How will you keep them protected?
Some of my most powerful tips and recommendations include:
- Conditioning – just like human beings build up calluses on their fingers after playing the guitar for a long time, your pup will begin to strengthen its paw pads through regular use. Taking your dog on long walks fairly regularly will toughen up its paw pads and make it easier to handle long-distance running. Knowing how to run with your dog and conditioning them will help in the long run (pun intended).
- Pavement – keep the type of pavement in mind the next time you decide to go for a long run with your pooch. If the pavement is in bad shape, this could be particularly difficult and dangerous for your dog. According to loobani.com, “… When the pavement your dog is about to run on was full of some elements like ice, salt, dirt, and rough surfaces, etc. the most important part is that dog paw [protectors] can also protect your dog’s paw pads when running somehow you know?” Avoid rough surfaces, gravel, rocky dirt, salt, ice, and other harmful elements.
- Paw protectors – consider running gear for your favorite pup by getting a pair of dog boots or booties on your favorite online retailer’s website. These booties will keep their paws protected and safe from gravel, dirt, and some other elements while avoiding destructive behaviors. The thicker the booty the better, because thick boots can keep paws protected from glass, sharp rocks, and other unwanted obstructions.
- Dog strollers – the safest and easiest way to keep your dog’s paws protected would be to run with your pooch in a stroller. Knowing how to run with your dog in a stroller isn’t hard to learn! Some dogs just can’t run for long distances. They don’t have the strength, stamina, or speed to keep up. If your dog is this way, you can still bring him or her with you on runs by running with your pooch in a brand-new dog stroller.
The Bottom Line On Tips For How To Run With Your Dog
Running enthusiasts always dream about bringing their dogs with them on long-distance runs. Some dogs can handle it while other dogs weren’t designed to run for long distances at faster speeds. It’s just not in their DNA. But, knowing how to run with your dog given your situation is important nonetheless.
Regardless, I shared several great tips to make it easier than ever to run with your dog. To help you better remember the most important points, please read my summarized recap below. It includes the following:
- It’s possible to train your pup to run with you every day. Gradually build up its strength and endurance by mixing short runs in with your walks. Do this for a few weeks and most dogs’ strength and stamina will begin to grow.
- Dog strollers are a wonderful option for dog owners who have pooches that cannot or do not like to run.
- My favorite safety tips include: pay attention to the weather and avoid hot and humid days, give your dog time to warm up and cool down, bring lots of water and offer it to your dog regularly, allow your dog frequent breaks, and let it run off-leash when possible.
- Popular dog breeds that love to run include German Short-Haired Pointers, Vizslas, Greyhounds, Pit Bulls, Parson Russell Terriers, English Setters, Golden/Labrador Retrievers, and Weimaraners.
- If your dog doesn’t want to run, entice it with treats and toys, go for a running play date, use a dog stroller, and play with your dog while running.
- Protect your dog’s paw pads through conditioning, avoiding rough terrain and pavements, use dog boots or booties, or take your dog for a run in a well-made dog stroller.
As you can see, there’s a lot to consider here today. But these excellent tips for how to run with your dog are safe, effective, and excellent options. Do you have any other tips that you’d like to share with us? Feel free to tell us about your favorite tips in the comments below!
