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What Age Can My Puppy Start Running With Me?


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Hi Everyone!!!

 

Question: What age is ok to start taking an AI pup for a run/jog?

 

I asked our vet, and I couldn't believe his answer (said no more than a few blocks twice a week). That just didn't even sound like it was nearly enough with the way Ranger Komi runs around as it is at home, and in the dog park! While researching the internet, I have come across so many different answers... some saying no more than a mile starting at 8 months, some saying to not start until 18 months.... Of course, though, nobody "out there" has one of our dogs. So for the past month so far, I've taken Ranger Komi, who is now 5.5 months old, for five runs for at 1.76 miles, all on grass. (about an average between 1 and 2 runs a week). And during each run, he just stops and lays down and so I let him rest for about a minute or two until we go up and finish the run. We do start out fast, but he makes me slow down the pace... but then he gets spurts of energy and sprints circles around me at his super sonic play sprints.. he cracks me up!

 

.... and what is their maximum running distances (or times) when they are old enough? Every several months, I like to do 30 miles. Would he ever be able to go that far with me? I've never taken my previous dogs more than 5 miles, but even that was sporadic. With Nakoma, I want to get into an actual steady schedule with him. ... I just don't know where or how to start.

 

Thanks, All!

 

-Carmen

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30 miles! Is that a typo? I take it you are a marathon runner?

 

You must remember two things:

 

1. His joints are not yet fully formed, and you can injure them, perhaps permanently.

 

2. How long did it take you to get up to 30 miles?

 

Running on grass is excellent, allowing him to rest is good, too. but be aware that he will seriously push himself to keep up with you. You might need to force stops at intervals.

 

Dogs, in general, take two years to reach maturity. Train/bring him slowly along. Watch for signs; don't push him too hard.

 

My Dog! If I'd kept my pups to "no more than a few blocks twice a week", we all would have gone mad!

 

I don't think that "running" the way we humans do it for exercise, is quite natural to dogs, but they lope along, stopping to investigate, and can cover a great distance. Maybe not everyday, in a training regimen, like we monkeys do, but if you take the time, I believe you will find him a great running companion.

 

I had my first dog up to running 5 miles with me. Of course, I was slow, and he could stop ahead or behind then catch up. So he wasn't "pounding pavement", really, which I think is the issue for all of us. But I will tell you that he taught me a few things about resting different muscle groups by slight changes in his gait, that allowed me to achieve that distance. He was a fantastic running partner turned teacher.

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You must remember:

 

1. His joints are not yet fully formed, and you can injure them, perhaps permanently.

Hi Allison!

 

Yes, THAT is what I am SOOO afraid of!

 

I don't expect to take him on such a long run anytime soon, but I want to start training him to be able to go such distances. I just don't know where to start. I am not sure if the little runs (and skating) we already did were too much for him or not. I keep him on the grass because I know it is the best thing. I prefer the grass and the sand myself instead of pavement. Pavement hurts! (but the skating had to be done on the pavement, unfortunately... I haven't mastered grass or sand skating just yet, lol). Grass is hard to come by here though... I basically run on the medians with him, only going on pavement to cross the street to get to the next median. We have plenty of sand (we live on the beach), but no dogs are allowed on the beach all year round. So the sand runs will be done in cover of the dark when he is old enough to go further.

 

Somebody here though sent me a message with some very valuable information and links (I am not saying her name in case she doesn't want to be named ... since she sent it to me privately... but I give her a lot of credit and thanks). She suggested I look to the breeders of sled dogs for advice on how to start running. One of the articles she sent made me feel better! She's a genius... I didn't even THINK to ask the sledders!!!!

 

Knowing that the AI dogs were used to pull our ancestor's travois all over the place, I have no doubt that Nakoma will be an awesome running companion! It's all just a matter of how and when to start.

 

My Dog! If I'd kept my pups to "no more than a few blocks twice a week", we all would have gone mad!

^ha... TELL ME ABOUT IT!!! Lol! He's a good vet, and a runner himself. Maybe he just really wanted to protect Nakoma, and since he's never heard of this breed, he was playing it safe... (I give him the benefit of the doubt, lol

 

I had my first dog up to running 5 miles with me. Of course, I was slow, and he could stop ahead or behind then catch up. So he wasn't "pounding pavement", really, which I think is the issue for all of us. But I will tell you that he taught me a few things about resting different muscle groups by slight changes in his gait, that allowed me to achieve that distance. He was a fantastic running partner turned teacher.

^I know what you mean!!! Dogs (and pretty much all animals) are the best teachers!

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Sledders, yes! Brilliant! At least share the links.

 

If you do not forget, and slowly work him up to it, you should be fine. One big thing is jumping, like frisbee requires. It's okay a little, some good fun of course, but don't push them to compete, or jump, jump, jump at this young age. Remember they are little fellows. Try to hold back until they stop growing at 1.5-2 years of age. Then go for it.

 

I know it's hard to wait..... try "Stay" sometime, and see how well you do.

 

If he is not showing symptoms, don't worry that you have hurt him. Let him heal and grow, heal and grow.

 

I had to learn a hard lesson: my running/frisbee dog and I got busy with other things, and a little out of shape. So when the time came to get back into it, we were out in a field, throwing the frisbee, it was so fun, we were having a ball, and when we slowed for a second, he fell down. He could not stay up. I had to help cool him off, hold him up and walk him around, and I don't mind telling you I was very scared.

I talked to Kim later, and he told me that they will run themselves to death for you, if you let them. That is how much heart they have, and how much they want to please you.

After that, I paced him. I learned that he needed me to set limits for him. He regained his strength and we had many years of good frisbee together.

We frisbeed some two days before he had to go down. He loved it and so did I, but it was tough on him, and he started bleeding. He would have kept it up if I'd let him. He had a lot of heart.

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This is all great advice! These dogs are loyal with huge hearts and spirits! Our dog Elena is clocked at 25mph loping with the quad for an easy 500 yards plus...she would go faster if we did...disaster! I am so glad you brought this topic up. I needed the reminder!

 

In addition, our boy Ben is a climber and has scaled our pine, walked the branch, and leaped to the roof of the chicken house...Clay is building a new one...away from leaping distances. Question: How far has your dog leaped from one place to another? I have no idea on this, as my previous dogs have not been jumpers.

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I understand the "go mad"....or go deaf from the barking and being told it's time to run and play!

 

I totally believe that Kim is 100% correct Allison about them running themselves to death for you....when Koda wasn't feeling the best with her different health issues and I went for a horseback ride she would have gone as far as I wanted....I always took short rides...it gave Chhaya the run and we were all "happy campers"! Moderation is the key...I still learn from Chhaya and she is 6 years old! I think I will learn from her till the very end....

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I think I will learn from her till the very end....

Too tender, stop it.

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Sorry Allison.....she's been my rock....I know you know how that is and feels! All of us have had our lives enriched with these awesome dogs! Again thanks to Kim and all who help him!!!

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Nita normally jumps '10 to the couch

I want to laugh at this. Is it just me?

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I like the visual of the running start that takes place to make that 10 foot jump.

"Flying through the air with the greatest of ease....." :lol:

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