Pooch to 5k – Page 5 – Running with dogs

The Benefits of Shelter Dog Running

by Admin

If you’d love to be involved in the care of shelter dogs but aren’t able to adopt or volunteer as a staff member, shelter dog running may be perfect for you. There aren’t many of us who wouldn’t benefit from a little extra exercise, and dogs are no exception. The problem is that many shelter dogs don’t get the exercise they need – and that’s where you come in!

Studies have shown that shelter dogs that get exercise and interaction with people on a regular basis tend to be calmer when prospective adopters come to see them, which may make them more likely to be taken home.

There are a number of programs across the US that encourage runners to take shelter dogs for a run. Whether you’re a keen runner or just want to get outside more, shelters are looking for volunteers to pair with some of their well behaved dogs. The runs are usually group based, at least to start with, so you’ll be teamed up with other volunteers and at least one shelter staff member to make sure everything goes smoothly. Even if you don’t live in the US, it’s worth approaching your local shelter to see if you can borrow a running buddy. One Australian runner did just that, and loves running with her shelter dog.

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Keeping your Canine Athlete at a Healthy Weight

by Admin

There is no doubt that a dog can make a great running companion and sometimes is the best personal trainer an athlete can have. As these canines are happy to exercise over longer distances and times, it is important they maintain a steady weight so as not to put any undue strain on their joints. This is particularly true for breeds prone to joint dysplasia, such as Border Collies and German Shepherds.

Exercise

Obviously, daily running or hiking will provide a dog with an opportunity for great exercise and this will have an enormous health benefit as long as the animal has been properly trained up in the first place. Having undergone a thorough examination by the vet, it is best to start the dog off with an activity such as walking at a modest pace over a short distance, gradually increasing the speed and distance over a period of time. This allows the dog to build up both confidence and stamina.

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Hiking With Your Dog: Know The Basics

by Admin

There are few better ways to explore the great outdoors than with your dog at your side. Between the smells and sounds of the forest, the view from that mountain top, or the rejuvenating glow of that alpine lake, your dog will love your adventure as much as you will. However, without the right preparation, that day or week of fun can be more hassle than it’s worth. Here are a few tips for preparing ahead of time so you can get down to the business of having fun.

Trail Etiquette

You love your dog; your family loves your dog; your friends love your dog. But the general public may not. It can be hard for other hikers to know whether or not your dog will be a friend or foe, particularly if they’ve had a bad encounter previously. It’s good etiquette to keep your dog on the leash, or at the very least under voice control, in accordance with any park rules posted at the trail head. This helps not just reassure other hikers, but to help maintain the often fragile, high-trafficked ecosystem around the path, which dogs can inadvertently destroy when they sniff and frolic a little too aggressively. Always yield the right of way to other hikers, letting them pass first, and either carry out or bury any waste at least 200 feet away from the trail or a water source.

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Running Buddy of the Month for August 2012 – Mara and Cleah

August 22, 2012 by Admin

Mara and her Leonberger Cleah live in New York City. This is their story. It’s awesome.

Pooch to 5k was a vital part of an effort to get in shape after a seven-year stretch of bad times–lot of deaths in the family–that had taken a toll on my body and mind. I’ve always been athletic, involved in such sports as bicycle racing, running, and triathlons. But, when times are bad, I go to seed, stop exercising and gain a lot of weight.

One of the worst blows of my life came in March 2011, when my beautiful Lisa, a dog I had adopted from a shelter 8 years earlier, was diagnosed with hemangiosarcoma. She died in April 2011. Lisa’s early years had been very hard, and when she came to me, she had a lot of fears. Running in the woods helped her become more confident, and it became our weekend ritual, almost a religious experience.

When she died, I remember that I kept asking people, “Who will run in the woods with me now?” Not all dogs become good running partners, I knew from experience. When I got my first dog, Maggie, 11 years ago, I was still involved in long-distance sports. She was a very wild youngster, and I believed she could just come out with me and do five miles, with no preparation.

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Exercises For Running With Your Dog

by Admin

We use all sorts of muscles when we run. Leg muscles are the obvious ones but we need a strong midsection (you may hear people refer to your core when talking about muscles in this area) to maintain good running form or posture. These muscles act as a corset around your entire abdomen, carefully holding in place your internal organs. Our core muscles and our back muscles support our spine and we need good spinal alignment in running as well as day to day life to avoid referred injury and/or back problems. And finally we need good upper body strength. We use our arms in synergy with our legs as we run; we pump them to generate leg lift.

There are plenty of ways to strengthen these groups of muscles and being a personal trainer, I have a lot of experience in working with people to develop optimum muscle function. In this post I will be discussing how to hit all of the muscles you need to improve your running form, capacity and times whilst out running with your dog.

Plan your run so that you know what exercises you are going to perform at each stop and how many stops you are going to make. Perform a brief full body stretch and then try the following:

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Things to Know Before Running with Your Dog

by Admin

There’s no better workout buddy than your ultra-supportive best friend. All the more so when that best friend nearly jumps out of his skin with excitement every time you reach for your running shoes or get halfway through the phrase, “Do you want to go for a…”

But running with your dog doesn’t come without its hazards. Here are a few issues to consider before hitting the trail with your canine companion.

Evaluating Your Dog’s Suitability

It’s been a long time since dogs were wild animals, and some breeds are as far away from their wild running roots as can be. A Chihuahua, for instance, probably won’t make the best running partner, and even an exercise loving Border Collie or German Shepherd won’t be great at long distances if your individual dog has any sign of hip dysplasia.

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