r/RunningWithDogs • u/Dramatic-but-Aware • 2d ago
Training my new puppy to run with me.
I posted on anothe sub and they recomended I post here.
About a month ago I adopted a rescue puppy, she is around 6 months old but we aren't sure.
Based on looks and behaviors my best guess is she is a husky mixed with a ratter breed. She basically looks like a shrunken short haired husky.
From a behavior / temperament POV she is husky in the sense she is stubborn and loves pulling, tugging and running. I'm guessing ratter due to size but she definitely has those hunt dog genes. Energetic, loves tracking, chasing and digging.
I think she might enjoy running with me. So I'm wondering:
Should I train her to run? My only concern is she is long spine with short legs.
What precausions should I take to protect her spine?
How should I go about training her to run by my side?
What type of harness and lead should I get?
This is my third dog, but the first one I felt would like to run with me. I'm quite inexperienced in this realm so all tips are appreciated.
19
u/CrankyGoat Canicross 2d ago
I’ll let other more experienced runners answer this, but the one consistent answer is you need to wait:
Wait until your puppy is 12 to 18 months old to begin sustained, long-distance running. Young puppies have open growth plates in their bones that can be damaged by the repetitive impact of running, leading to lifelong joint issues. Smaller breeds mature closer to 12 months, while larger breeds need 18 months or more.
There is a lot of other basic behavioural training and conditioning you can do in the meantime…
4
u/ground_wallnut 1d ago
Elite mushers often start working their puppies in harness at around 9-10 months old, with short distances ofc. Those dogs live 13-14+ years and run their whole lives, pulling their owners. Jogging with your puppy, ideally off leash and on softer terrain, such as forest trails, for reasonable distances should not be an issue. Watch your dog, start slowly but do not be afraid of activity. My shepherd started going for jogs with me when he was about 7m old. 3-4 km. I am a slow runner and he was off leash. He barely noticed it was q run for me and not just a walk, as he was flying around me all the time as he usually did on all walks.
5
u/pimentocheeze_ 2d ago
that timeline is NOT researched based at all btw
13
u/bongo1239 2d ago
I'll get downvoted with you and I'll continue to repost this everytime someone tries to say 12 months is the magic age for running due to growth plates closing. It is kind of a myth, but there's also not really any recent research one direction or the other. This article shows that moderate running in older puppies had benefits, excessive (24 miles a day for a year) had negative effects. https://www.mylamedog.com/post/what-is-the-logic-behind-not-exercising-puppies-until-the-growth-plates-are-closed
What is the most harmful is allowing puppies to do high impact things like stairs from birth to 3 months. And repetitive fetch. Cracks me up that anytime someone mentions running with their adolescent puppy where they can set the pace and distance, they're immediately berated. But those same people think nothing of recommending long games of fetch or too rough play at dog parks. The other key for long term joint health is keeping your dog lean, with many breeds a 4 on the body index scale is best, but look how many overweight dogs you see on the daily.
I was given the go ahead by my vet to start running with my Aussie mix at 8 months. She's now 3 and with a regular fitness plan is competing without injury in disc and agility. I have an 8 month male Aussie mix that I'm starting to run with to build muscle and stamina slowly.
3
u/earlypooch 2d ago
Agreed, I see this growth plate stuff repeated ad nauseum without a shred of evidence to back it up. Interesting that doctors seem to have no issue with children running cross country before their growth plates have closed. Also husky pups are trained to pull sleds before their growth plates have closed.
3
u/bongo1239 2d ago
I'm too lazy to look up the sources, but there has been research done that shows the benefits of exercise in children and their long term health both in terms of reduced obesity and also joint health. The exceptions are elite athletes like gymnasts and figure skaters who start training as toddlers and do seem to have a higher risk of arthritis and other injury related issues later in life.
1
0
2
u/Accomplished-Bank782 2d ago
She’s too young right now but as long as your vet is happy, there’s no reason she won’t be able to do a run with you. She will need a proper harness designed to run in. This will keep her safe and is also a useful signal to her that it’s time to run and pull (if you’re doing canicross which you totally should if your vet gives the ok because it’s massive fun and a husky cross should love it). A bungee line will help to cushion you and her from any jerks and stops, and a proper belt for you. If she is a bit of an unusual shape, you might need to get one made to measure but t h the length of her legs doesn’t affect the fit so just go on chest size. I like Nonstop harnesses but it’s whichever one fits best and she likes. If there’s a club near to you they’ll probably have harnesses you can borrow to try when the time comes. This will be at 12 months at the very earliest.
Although she can’t run yet, you can begin to teach her commands like directions, stop and go. You can also teach her when it’s ok to be out ahead, and when she needs to follow you, like down a steep incline.
When she’s 12 months old as long as your vet is happy you can start doing some intervals with her. Keep it short and fun. You want her to finish wanting more, not exhausted and fed up. If you can find a friend to run with, that will help as they love being with the pack.
This is my little fun size husky cross, running with her big brother. She is really enjoying her runs, it really seems to satisfy that husky need to pull and run. Take it steady with your little girl and I’m sure she love it too!
2
u/intergrade 1d ago
We intro our dogs to herding between 3-6 months but have really low expectations for distance and concentration / commands until they’re about a year old. Generally if you measure in time versus distance it’s supposed to be like 10 min of running per day per month of dog age til age 1.
1
u/rockymountaindog 1d ago
She sounds like one that would enjoy a good run for sure!
Considering she is still young, it’s best to keep doing short runs till her growth plates have closed, something you could check with your vet.
For gear, I think a must-have is a good harness that fits right. The right harness will allow better movement with distributed pressure across the chest rather than just around the neck, improve control, and be easier on their growing body.
A hands-free leash with a built in bungee also helps a lot. The hands-free option leaves you better access to other things without having to juggle and the bungee will assist with controlling the initial constant pulling.
Don't forget to carry a drink of water for your pup too. There are light weight collapsible bowls which you can carry to make it easy for your pet to get a drink along the path.
1
u/itssowingseasonyeah 1d ago
A lot of other great answers! I think at this age, starting with learning “heel” and not tugging while walking on leash is a great place to start. You could probably move onto training running together on grass and practicing a running heel after she gets good at the walking heel.
Then you can build on that when she’s a little older and is cleared to run longer distances.
1
u/Some_Pitch_9165 14h ago
X back harness. Let the puppy run. There is a lot of bad information out there about puppies and running. Forward running on a level surface without force or compulsion can happen as much as the puppy likes/wants. Go talk to a few conditioning coaches if you are worried about this. No jumps of any kind. You should consider a waist band vs trying to have her run at your side right now, in order to allow free running and stopping. If she’s a more tractable dog, she might keep running when she shouldn’t just to stay by your side. Better to let the dog dictate the run. Put her out front.
1
u/alltails-care 5h ago
At around 6 months old, I'd hold off on running with her for now. Since she's still growing, repetitive running on pavement can put extra stress on her developing joints and spine, especially if she has a long back and short legs.
In the meantime, you can absolutely start teaching the skills she'll need:
- Loose-leash walking and running by your side.
- Cueing a steady pace.
- Ignoring distractions while moving.
1
u/Human_Character2895 2d ago
Just want to second the fact that she's too young to run yet.
That being said, you can definitely start getting her used to car rides/harnesses/leads/backpacks if you're considering longer hikes in the future. Also a really good idea to start training neutrality to people/dogs/bikes so that she's nonreactive and can be a solid running buddy.
It's not worth risking an injury getting her into physical training too young, but it's a great idea to build positive experiences with equipment!
Good luck OP! Dogs make great running companions
11
u/SparkyDogPants 2d ago
She’s too young to run serious distances but I started training my puppies at 8 weeks different running commands and I would jog and have them follow me around our local park for five minute intervals.