I am planning to start taking my one year old female to jog
with me.
My cuestion is how much is too much, in terms of distance, or if I should wait till she is older.
I've always heard not to run dogs on hard surfaces or for any significant distance until growth plates close around 18 months to 2 years.
I take my 6 yo Border Collie running while I rollerblade on asphalt (about 3 to 5 miles at a time); the vet I use says that he doesn't consider this very hard exercise since she keeps at a trot the majority of the time, but then again she is fully grown and isn't pushed any further than she wants to go.
Jenn Kavanaugh Webboard User Reg: 01-05-2004
Posts: 560
Loc: Bushkill, PA
Offline
Repetitive onleash jogging on pavement may be a bit of a problem. Very hard surface.
Is there a chance you have jogging trails in your area that are in wooded areas and NOT a paved surface? That's where I take my dogs jogging at about 6 months on. The off leash part (so you have to have been responsible about training) assures they can pace themselves and not be 'forced' to your pace. And the wooded paths/trails are a much more forgiving surface for both dogs AND human bones and joints.
By a year my dogs could easily go for hours and hours on a hike like this, with me walking and them tearing around at their own pace. When I do take them out and I am jogging, I never do more than 4 miles, and they could easily do that.
Intelligent dogs rarely want to please people whom they do not respect --- W.R. Koehler
I've kinda been wondering this for a long time as well. I'm a big time runner and can't wait till my dog can go with me. It's half the reason I got him. But I've heard everything from a year to 2 years. I asked a vet friend of mine and she said a year is good. No need to go 2. But I would definately try to stay on something other than pavement for as much as possible. I really like the idea of starting at 6 months (since my dog is 13 weeks now, hehe) but I don't know about that. My thoughts are that if you're going for walks and the dog is jogging all around then the dog can obviously take it to some degree. As long as you read your own dog and are mindful of fatigue and pushing to hard things should be ok. I mean wolves run something like 35 miles a day. What do they do when they have pups, stop completely? I doubt it. I bring this up cause if we feed them a natural diet, I see nothing wrong with exercising them in a natural way. On the other hand I don't want to cause premature hip dysplasia either...
Jenn Kavanaugh Webboard User Reg: 01-05-2004
Posts: 560
Loc: Bushkill, PA
Offline
I think that sometimes because we don't want to 'harm' our pups with OVER exercise, and aren't really sure what that level involves, we go way too far in the other direction and under-exercise them.
I'm kind of in the 'dogs are dogs' frame of mind and think of wolves and their exercising as they grow also. You know the parent wolves aren't limiting anything! I found that This Site had some good information to put it into perspective for me.
Intelligent dogs rarely want to please people whom they do not respect --- W.R. Koehler
Thanks for all the responses,That last site is very interesting. I dont think I can over exercise my dog,I cant even run 2 miles <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />
Ed Frawley Administrator Reg: 07-11-2001
Posts: 2112
Loc:
Offline
A point that everyone on this thread missed is that you should have a young dog preliminary x-rayed before you start jogging with it. I cannot over state this issue.
Exercise types and amounts should be based on the x-ray. Loose ligamented dogs should go swimming not jogging to muscle up the rear legs.
If the hips are in great shape you should not have a problem running with a young dog - my opinion is 4 miles a day is too much for a young dog.
When purchasing any product from Leerburg Enterprises, Inc. it is understood
that any and all products sold by Leerburg Enterprises, Inc. are sold in Dunn
County Wisconsin, USA. Any and all legal action taken against Leerburg Enterprises,
Inc. concerning the purchase or use of these products must take place in Dunn
County, Wisconsin. If customers do not agree with this policy they should not
purchase Leerburg Ent. Inc. products.
Dog Training is never without risk of injury. Do not use any of the products
sold by Leerburg Enterprises, Inc. without consulting a local professional.
The training methods shown in the Leerburg Ent. Inc. DVD’s are meant
to be used with a local instructor or trainer. Leerburg Enterprises, Inc. cannot
be held responsible for accidents or injuries to humans and/or animals.
Copyright 2010 Leerburg® Enterprises, Inc. All rights reserved. All photos and content on leerburg.com are part of a registered copyright owned by Leerburg Enterprise, Inc.
By accessing any information within Leerburg.com, you agree to abide by the
Leerburg.com Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Jogging cuestion
Top
Re: Jogging cuestion
Previous Topic
Index
Next Topic
.jpg)
