Great article on turning your dog into a runner

[Nina, Phil, Harlow & Lacey]

My DD told me she had heard of a running group that is designed for dogs and their people but she couldn't remember the name.  I haven't found the group yet but in my searching I did come across this article from Runner's World that talks about how to start running with your dog.

http://www.runnersworld.com/article/0,7120,s6-238-527--13603-0,00.html

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Nina, Now you need to find an article on how to turn ME into a runner :) LOL Thank you for sharing! I always worry about a dog having to run along side their owner in severe heat and whether or not they are being given water. I like that the article said to start slowly.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

I was thinking the same thing, Laurie. 

[Camilla and Darwin]

That is exactly what I thought when I saw this discussion LOL! About me being a runner btw

[Nina, Phil, Harlow & Lacey]

Laurie, when I started this whole running thing I started out with 2 ladies who ran for 20 seconds and walked for a minute.  They made 3 miles, I maybe made a mile before a I gave up and walked back to home base.  I definitely recommend to start slowly.

[Marnie, Stanlee's Mom]

Run for 20 seconds and walk for a minute....I could maybe do that!  The 3 miles they made?  Yea, not so much.

[F, Calla & Luca]

Me four.

[Marnie, Stanlee's Mom]

HA HA HA you stole my thunder and took the words right out of my mouth.

[Barbara B., Sasha & Oliver]

Great article.... I just started jogging with my doodles and they love it :)

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

Great article and this is what I did and still do with my two. Now if someone would write an article on how to prevent the runner from tripping over doodle paws I'd be a much happier runner. And far less banged up one besides. I have tripped 3 times over my guys and the last time resulted in a mild concussion, just last January. I still run with such trepidation that I can't enjoy it. I need one of the arm extensions like you attach to a bike to keep them a safe distance from my legs.

Or maybe it's just me and no one else ever has this problem, now that's a thought .....

[Nina, Phil, Harlow & Lacey]

Sue I have had this problem in the past.  I do run/walk intervals and during the walking part I do inside turns so that the doodles have to get out of my way.  After a few turns they have learned  to stay out from under foot.

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

Haven't tried that. Great idea. Maybe if I do some controlled light stepping on paws by accident, they will learn the boundaries better. Thank you.

[Stephanie]

I help run and organize a "run with your dog" meet-up group locally in Charlotte, NC.  I started running years ago when I really wanted a German Shepherd but lived in a small apartment.  I adopted her from a shelter and the woman was very hesitant about letting me adopt her.  She said I better turn into a marathon runner if I want to have a happy Shepherd in a small living space.

So, I turned into a marathon runner.  I just completed my 8th full marathon last week and will be doing my 9th on October 27th.  With that said I only take my dog out on 4-5 mile runs, she can do up to 11-12 but she's getting older and Shepherds are known for bad hips, so I've been making her take it easy.

I can't wait until Darwin is old enough to go running with me.  It's great having a dog with you!  I've only done little jogs with Darwin on our local greenway after I'm done running.  My husband will bring him for a walk out there and when I'm finished with my run we will do little short jogs back and forth, he really loves it.