Running with my Doberman

romanfoster · 08-13-2008, 12:11 PM

I am getting a one year old rescue Dobe on Friday!! Very exciting. I am going to train the new dog to run with me. I am worried about Julie feeling left out but am concerned about how much running she should do. She is 7, almost 8, years old but has showed no signs of aging to date. She loves to run around the yard and can outrun me at the park any day. We've haven't done any structured (on leash at heel) running with her in years. If anyone else runs with their dogs, what are your thoughts on starting Julie on a running program and how far do you think she should go (of course we will start her slowly on short distances)?

**TracyJo** · 08-13-2008, 12:16 PM

I think she should be fine. Just remember the basics, like you said, start slow and short and work your way up. My girl is in her prime at 3yrs and will run 10-12 miles with me like it's nothing. She'd go longer if I'd let her but anything more than that is hard on me and I have to run alone so I can concentrate on myself and my own pace rather than hers

Run on grass as much as you can, make sure you frequently check her pads and most importantly pay attention to her - if she shows signs of fatique back off. I'd keep her to short loops around your house until she's conditioned so you'll be close to home in case she does get tired...
Good luck - there's nothing more fun that an early morning run with your Dobe IMO

Congrats on the rescue btw, I'd wait another 6 months before you started any serious conditioning for running with her though - want to make sure those bones and joints are fully mature before she starts pounding the pavement with you

**MIA** · 08-13-2008, 12:21 PM

What I used to do, when I ran was go to the off leash trail so the dogs did whatever and I just ran at my pace, worked out very well with the three dogs. Mocha would rip around like an idiot, Fawnzie tended to run by my side and Chopper well he had to stop and pee on everything so he caught up at his pace....

Julie W · 08-13-2008, 12:58 PM

I personally don't do any roadworking (which I do on a bike, not on foot) until a dog is closer to 2 years old and I always keep them off of the pavement for most of the way.

**reisende** · 08-13-2008, 01:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TracyJo

I think she should be fine. Just remember the basics, like you said, start slow and short and work your way up. My girl is in her prime at 3yrs and will run 10-12 miles with me like it's nothing. She'd go longer if I'd let her but anything more than that is hard on me and I have to run alone so I can concentrate on myself and my own pace rather than hers

10-12 miles!! now that's one healthy dobe and a healthy human being!!

**Colorado Dobes** · 08-13-2008, 01:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TracyJo

My girl is in her prime at 3yrs and will run 10-12 miles with me like it's nothing. She'd go longer if I'd let her but anything more than that is hard on me and I have to run alone so I can concentrate on myself and my own pace rather than hers

Good gosh. You are my new hero!!!

**TracyJo** · 08-13-2008, 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by reisende

10-12 miles!! now that's one healthy dobe and a healthy human being!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Colorado Dobes

Good gosh. You are my new hero!!!

It's really not that hard anymore - you just have to find a "happy pace" and mine is slow (5-5.5 mph) when I go on long runs.

**Colorado Dobes** · 08-13-2008, 01:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TracyJo

It's really not that hard anymore - you just have to find a "happy pace" and mine is slow (5-5.5 mph) when I go on long runs.

I can't run to my mailbox and back.

No seriously, I used to run track and I never was able to build up any kind of endurance. I was fast, but I couldn't go for long. That's really admirable!

dragonflyz · 08-13-2008, 03:07 PM

I have a friend who is a physical trainer. He adopted a Pit Bull that was a foster of mine about 11 yrs ago. She is 13 years old and he runs 2 miles a day with her. So I'm sure if you start slow and go at your dogs pace it will be ok. Good luck with your new dog.

Julie W · 08-13-2008, 07:34 PM

Quote:

It's really not that hard anymore - you just have to find a "happy pace"

My "happy pace" is on my bike. LOL Cher can easily go 10-15 miles at around 7 mph next to the bike. I've never gone longer, but she's not winded after that. (well, right now she would be because she's in season and a complete marshmallow)