Essential Tips for Jogging with Your Dog
There are many reasons why you should run, ranging from it being a relaxing activity, all the way to the fact that it’s great for your overall health. Aside from this, there are a lot of reasons why you should run with your dog. For starters, it’s a lot more fun. Second, it’s good for their health, as well, seeing as how the effects of obesity on pets tend to be quite devastating, as well. Other than this, if a breed that you own is active by nature, they might start misbehaving by being kept too long inside. Still, there are a couple of things you need to know when it comes to jogging with your dog and here are six of them.
Is your breed suited for distance running?
The first thing you need to consider is the duration and intensity of your running sessions. Here, there’s no universal answer. Simply google it up and do your research on whether your dog is made for long-distance running. Even with this knowledge in mind, it’s important to listen to your dog. If they seem to be limping or panting, this might just be too much. Take it easy at first in order to keep it safe and remember that your dog might need to shape up in order to be able to keep up.
Consider the surface
The next concern that you should have is the health of their paws. You don’t want the terrain to cause injuries to their paws, which is why you need to take some steps of precaution. First of all, terrains like blacktop, jagged ice, glass and debris are dangerous and are to be avoided whenever possible. Other than this, you need to keep in mind that there are injuries that can occur when you’re not looking. So, if they start limping stop with the running session right away and inspect their paws for injuries.
Take it easy
Once you actually decide to start jogging with your dog, you need to ensure that both of you get in shape for it. This is why you should start with a 10-minute run and then increase the distance gradually. Previously, we’ve mentioned that panting can be a dangerous thing, however, it’s also quite normal for the out-of-shape dog (and human) to experience early on. Also, keep in mind that, while exhausted, they might not be able to hear you or take any commands from you.
Running with a lead
The biggest advantage of running with a lead is the fact that It keeps them safe and close. They say that you have to walk before you can run and the same thing goes with running with a lead. You first have to teach your pet to walk on a lead. Keep in mind that it might take time for them to get used to it. In the beginning it will be quite annoying, however, it’s more than worth it to master this trick. For starters, you should find a platform that specializes in selling dog supplies online and get your dog a quality lead.
Pick routes carefully
When choosing the route, make sure that you pick itineraries that you will both enjoy. Second, watch out for the terrain, for reasons that we’ve previously mentioned. Lastly, remember that the environment tends to change over time and just because the last time, that one track of pavement was clean and safe, it doesn’t mean that there’s no shattered glass there at the moment. Be ready for the unpredictable.
Stay hydrated
In the end, when running in heat, both of you should stay well-hydrated. Keep in mind that when they get too thirsty, even the best-behaved of dogs will try to drink from the puddle, which is something that you definitely shouldn’t allow to happen. Therefore, bring some water along and a collapsible dog travel bowl, if you go running in particularly hot weather. Needless to say, you need to bring your own water bottle, as well, just in case. Proper preparation can make this experience much more positive.
In the end, there are a couple of things that you need to look out for. First of all, you need to stay alert and make sure to watch out for their behavior. Any change is something to be alarmed about. After the run, clean their paws and make sure to check for any injuries. While this may sound like a lot of work, once you get used to all of this, the experience will become immensely fun.
