Meet Queenie
Queenie is my seven-year old German Shepherd mix. We rescued her from a bad situation about three and half years ago. She has been running with me for about six months now.
I just love hitting the trails with Queenie. Today we ran a little over nine miles of mostly very technical terrain at Cleburne State Park. She is great company and helps me keep my pace low. Aside from that, she gives me an excuse to just stop and enjoy nature. Queenie seems to see trail running as work and naturally focuses on the task at hand. That is in contrast to our walks during which she stops every ten feet to sniff something.
First steps
While it may be tempting to just go out for a run with your furry friend, there are some things you need to consider first. Think of the prep you need to do before you start a running program.
You’ll want to make sure your dog is in good health and able to run. Puppies are not good candidates for trail running but are better suited to walks and plenty of free roaming play time in the backyard or dog park. You’ll want to make sure your dog has all the required vaccinations and consider one that is not always that common – the leptospirosis vaccination. This will protect them against a potentially life threatening bacteria found in water, soil, and urine of some wild animals.
You’ll also want to ensure your dog has mastered the basic obedience commands. Ideally, you’ll want to know that your dog will sit and stay calmly in the presence of other hikers, bikers, and dogs on the trail. Queenie and I have encountered all of these as well as horses and a host of wildlife. While I know that I can keep her from running off due to her leash and harness, I don’t want to be a bother to others on the trail and, more importantly, I don’t want her to be in danger. An obedient dog is a happy dog.
Depending on the terrain, the weather, and length of your run, you may want to use equipment besides the traditional collar and leash. Many people who run trails with their dogs use a harness and this is my choice as well. If you choose to use a harness, you will want one that distributes and pressure evenly and fits snug but not tight. I prefer to carry all of my dog’s supplies and water and don’t expect her to – so her harness doesn’t have pockets to carry things. We’ll discuss what those things are shortly. I also like to have a longer elastic leash attached to a hands-free belt around my waist.
Other equipment that I consider a must are poop bags, a portable dog bowl, and something to carry water for Queenie. Yes, I stop and pick up Queenie’s poop if she does her thing out on the trails. Thankfully it is rare for us. I also carry water and a dog bowl. Depending on the run, we will stop once or twice for a water break. If you’re going out for a long run and won’t want to stop for a water break, you should just leave your furry friend at home for that run. Dogs don’t sweat like humans and have less capacity to dissipate heat. This is a really big issue here most of the year in Texas where I live. I carry her water in collapsible water bottles that I hold in my running vest while I use a larger bladder with electrolytes added.
Start slow and progress slowly
Most typical dogs are not prepared for a long run straight out of the gate. Just like people, dogs need to work up to the duration and intensity of a long trail run
Start with short slow runs such as a mile at a recovery pace. Evaluate how your dog handles things. Even if it seems like you pooch want to keep going, hold off. Their muscles and other soft tissue needs to adapt and it may not be obvious if your dog is hurting. I know Queenie would push way past that point just to have the fun time with me on the trail.
I don’t think there is a one-size-fits-all formula for how fast a dog will progress. Some things you will want to look for include limping, slowing down and getting pulled along, or even vocalizing pain. If your dog’s behavior, eating habits or even their facial expression changes, those could be signs of pain.
Enjoy the time together
Getting out on the trails with your dog probably should not be about getting a PR (personal record) or FKT (fastest known time). This time is about enjoying nature and each other. Have fun and be safe (both of you!).
