Some dog owner questions

[bct15]

I have a 7 month old Australian Shepard who needs lots of exercise so I take him jogging 4-6 miles every other day. Does anybody else run with their dog?

There any other ways to burn this guy out?

Also when running my dog likes to put his leash on his mouth and pretend he is pulling me, anybody know why he does this?

 

[SeahorseKeeper]

Doggie day camp is awesome if they have it available in your area. Pretty much the dog plays and socializes with other dogs all day. Get a bucket of tennis balls and a ball launcher and launch the balls for 20 minutes and then go on your run. You may want to do agility training with your dog. It is awesome way to put their minds and bodies to work.

 

[EmilyXLC]

I have a Pembroke Welsh Corgi who is FULL of energy. To run him down we go outside & play LONG periods of fetch. He also gets puppy play dates with some of my friends' dogs, too! It's a GREAT way to tire out a little herder.

 

[_Alex_]

Yea we go for 5 mile walks nightly with our 4yr old boxer. If we don't he gets a little rambunctious in the house lol. Dog parks are also good cuz they can run wild and play with other dogs. We also throw a frisbee for him, use to jump and catch them but he sprained his knee last year so we don't do the jumping part. Keep them nice and low so they can chase it down and catch it.

 

[KJAG]

My dog gets worn out just running her down to the beach!Then again, she weighs 9 lbs. On that note, sand wears them out quick and is easy on their joints. Sounds like your dog gets some solid run time though regardless. Nice job. It kills me when people get dogs and never take them out.

 

[Tabasco1]

I have two energetic boxers. Love taking them for hikes, that does a great job of getting them tired out. If I am able to do a long hike, say 10 miles ish on Sunday then I get a couple days of tired pooches. But nothing compares to aussies. I had an aussie/collie mix in college. They are designed to run and work all day. My big trick for gettin him tired out is taking him to the lake to swim. Do you have anywhere he could swim near you? I also take them for mtn. bike rides. Nothing that is going to be too fast, and if so I just ride the brakes a bit for them to keep up, but they do just fine on the uphill.

Not sure what the deal is with leashes, I think they just love to hold stuff in their mouth. My aussie LOVED carrying stuff. Would even carry my milk home from the store. With the boxers the younger one loves to take the older one "for a walk".

Best advice ever-a tired dog is a good dog

 

[Cjscott]

I have a German shepherd who we think is around 18-24 months. I run about 3 times a week and have built up from 3-5 miles each time. I was concerned about too much running for my dog too and my research online found that the dog will tell you if it is too much. If the dog doesnt jump up to go give them a day off.

 

[FishLipz]

If you are just looking to get out of running yourself you can train him to run on a treadmill. Otherwise playing fetch is good at wearing them out because its more of a sprint workout than a long jog.

 

[bct15]

If you are just looking to get out of running yourself you can train him to run on a treadmill. Otherwise playing fetch is good at wearing them out because its more of a sprint workout than a long jog.

Not looking to get out of running as I enjoy it and I exercise a lot, just don't think it is enough. This dog has a LOT of energy...Today we ran our first mile in 5:06 but it slowed down after that. I think a treadmill might be nice for the winter.

I want to do some agility training but I'm still just trying to get the basics down.

 

[Tabasco1]

U ran a 5:06 mile??!! That's pretty impressive.

 

[FishLipz]

Not looking to get out of running as I enjoy it and I exercise a lot, just don't think it is enough. This dog has a LOT of energy...Today we ran our first mile in 5:06 but it slowed down after that. I think a treadmill might be nice for the winter.

I want to do some agility training but I'm still just trying to get the basics down.

I know what you mean about high energy dogs. I have two Belgian malinois and they just never quit. At least the one goes to work with me

 

[bige]

I have a 2 year old pit bull Shepard mix and we have a farm. We drive on our mule at 25 mph for a couple hours on Saturdays. The dog then sleeps for 3 days. She loves it. We drive around looking for critters for her to chase. Jack rabbits are a great tool. My dog can run super fast (over 25 mph) and the jack rabbit is about as fast but can turn on a dime. So my dog can't catch it. But it is fun to watch. I think the rabbit even enjoys it. Comes out when we drive by.

 

[bct15]

@tabasco good suggestion on the bike, took him with me on the bike today and was able to run him a lot harder. I was just worried about him pulling the bike over, but he ran next to it like we've been doing bikes for years.

 

[Saltgator]

When I lived on 30 acres, I'd take my catahoula out to the pond and let him swim his energy out. I knew he wouldn't get overheated, so he'd swim until I called him in or he tired out. Now I just bring him out when I cut grass (he follows me everywhere) and the heat down here takes the energy out of him, me, and anything else every week!

 

[E.intheC]

I've heard that it's not good to take puppies on longer runs because it can damage their legs/muscles.

Swimming knocks my dog out quickly, and he loves it. Lots of good ideas here.

I was walking my dog yesterday and wondered if it's bad for their pads (on their feet) to run or walk long distances on pavement. He doesnt seem to mind, but it was a thought...

 

[bige]

I've heard that it's not good to take puppies on longer runs because it can damage their legs/muscles.

Swimming knocks my dog out quickly, and he loves it. Lots of good ideas here.

I was walking my dog yesterday and wondered if it's bad for their pads (on their feet) to run or walk long distances on pavement. He doesnt seem to mind, but it was a thought...

I don't think running on concrete is bad unless it's hot. My doggie just burned her pad off from walking down the street. It heals fast though.

 

[chort55]

I don't think running on concrete is bad unless it's hot. My doggie just burned her pad off from walking down the street. It heals fast though.

Why wouldn't it be bad for them, I believe it has been proven to be bad for our joints and muscles even..... unlike even harder dirt/ground concrete has 0 give to it so our body absorbs the full impact with each step.

 

[reefaholic420]

Me and my boxer go to the dog park everyday for about an hour or so, living next to it sure helps. Remi does the same thing with the leash too, I think its just a playful thing..

After the dog park, this is how is how she is the rest of the night...PERFECT DOG

 

[bige]

Why wouldn't it be bad for them, I believe it has been proven to be bad for our joints and muscles even..... unlike even harder dirt/ground concrete has 0 give to it so our body absorbs the full impact with each step.

Well honestly I was thinking of when I use to run with my dog, she would run next to me. Which put her on the grass. I would agree running often and long distances on concrete would not be healthy for us or dogs. But if I walk my dog mid day here in Texas, her little pads bubble and fall off. So I always try to warn of this.

 

[M@!]

I have two french bulldogs. They get tired from eating.