It’s simple, right? You dust off your trusty Umbro shorts from middle school, put Spike on a leash, and off you go. You’re running with a dog! Easy! Only then you go to do it, and you find yourself faced with questions you never ever knew you wanted to ask. Such as: “Wait, do I need a certain kind leash? And should I bring treats? How many? Does Spike even want to run? Can Spike run? Did I really, actually name my dog Spike?”
To guide you through the process, we called up Tom Moroney from New York’s Team Running Paws, an organization of dog-fitness experts whose team of marathoners, ex-marathoners, personal trainers, and ex-military dog-runners can be hired to get your pup some exercise. He walked us through everything you need to know before taking your slobbery best friend out for a jog.
Soooo... How do I know if my dog is a runner?
All dogs like to run, especially after squirrels, steak, and other dogs. That's science. Still, some breeds are going to make for better exercise pals. And, somewhat surprisingly, it's not just about the size of the dog, but about the length of their legs in relation to their body. Which is why Shih Tzus, while slower than a big dog, make for pretty good runners. Tom's list of 5 best breeds for running? German Shorthaired Pointers, Golden Retrievers, Labradors, Border Collies, and Huskies.
I have a Bulldog. Help.
"If your dog is louder than your spouse snoring at night, they're not gonna be ideal runners," Moroney says. (Maybe your Bulldog is your spouse. That's okay, too.) But Bulldogs—of all nationalities: English, American, and French—have short legs and breathing troubles (hence the nocturnal noise), not ideal for runs. Since they still need exercise, try a fast-paced walk, or some interval training: Jog a block, and walk two. Your Bulldog will have a beach-bod in no time, and would be a real catch if it weren't for all that farting and snoring.
What about a puppy?
Yes, puppies are full of energy, and yes, a puppy may help you find a girlfriend that isn't your Bulldog, but take it from Moroney: Don't run with your puppy. Most breeds need at least eight months for bone development. Then your dog might be ready for a light mile. After a year, you can get into more serious runs. But, really, all breeds are different so check with your vet. We're better at turtlenecks than we are at dog physiology.
Not a puppy. Not a Bulldog. Good to go. What leash am I using?
First of all, don't use a retractable leash, which teaches the dog to always ask for more length. And while your usual walking harness is serviceable, you’ll want to get a running-specific harness if you're doing this frequently. These things chafe less and give your dog a wider berth under their front legs. Tom recommends a Stunt Puppy bungee leash, which attaches to your waist, keeping your hands free to toggle between songs on your Goo Goo Dolls Pump-Up Playlist.
What if my dog is more of a Netflix type of dog, and when we get to the park, he sits in place, unwilling to move?
First, check to make sure he is, in fact, just being lazy, not sick or injured. Give him a light tug to get him going. And, if that fails, turn around and pretend like you're heading home to trick him into moving. Dogs may have more legs, but we still have bigger brains.
Okay, we're off! What am I looking out for during the run?
Moroney says the most important part is "learning the dog's language." Is Spike lollygagging behind you, tongue out, breathing heavy, dead weight on the leash? He's probably tired! Maybe walk a little awhile, especially if it's hot (Moroney’s team won't take dogs running when it's hotter than 85). If his ears and tail are perked up, and the hair is standing up on his back, you may want to watch out for another dog. As Moroney says, "Let the dog tell you."
Do I need to bring a million treats with me?
You can. But as Moroney says, "Some dogs don't want any treats. They just want to run. The treat to them is the run." This was proven when, in reporting this story, I went for a run with a six-year-old mutt named Koda (which is how we ended up with the shot above that looks a lot like an ad for early-onset ED). Koda didn’t need treats—but he was certainly happy I had them. (Also, for what it’s worth, I found that three to four feet of lead was ideal, and that the most important thing is keeping a steady pace—every time you speed up, the dog assumes you’re chasing something, and, trust me, you can’t keep up with a dog who’s chasing anything other than his tail.)
How often should I be doing this?
Your dog should be getting a full hour of exercise every day. Of course, that doesn't have to come from runs. It can be at the dog park, or at a human park, playing fetch by repeatedly throwing a ball into various groups of cute girls. But if you are running daily, make sure to vary the lengths. Moroney says you probably don't want to take your dog more than five miles on a daily basis (and if you do go 5 one day, only do 2 or 3 the next).
And why am I taking my dog on this run again?
First of all your dog gives you a friend to run with, which beats being alone with your thoughts. But let’s say your dog is always humping you, or peeing on you, or chewing your shoes—running can help with that, too! "Behavioral wise, it’s like a light switch," Moroney says. "Cause what happens is dogs don’t get their energy out and they become destructive because they need to get that energy out one way or another. So either they’re eating your couch, or they’re out running."