What age or signs that my puppy can run with me?

[Yo Armendariz]

So many mixed messages about dogs and running. Even my vet says is if my dog doesn't show any signs uodf discomfort that it's ik to run. My dog is an Aussiedoodl they are definitely endurance running dogs but not sur what signs to look for if he's doing too much. My dog is 11 months and we run 2-5 miles a days three days a week. I started him off with just a half mile and he's gone up a little in distance every two weeks but have never taken him more the. 6 miles I think it's too much for a dog his age but he seems to want to keep going and Ofcourse I don't run as fast as I know he can. anyone have any suggestions or signs I maybe missed that I should look for or should I just meant until he's 2 to go up anymore or should I back off. Thanks you and please help

[Roy]

One of the breeders I considered would void her health guarantee if you ran w/ one of her pups before age 2. It's supposedly bad on their joints like going up stairs consistently is bad too.

[Yo Armendariz]

Thanks for your reply

[Maryann,Roo and Tigger]

I believe the latest opinions from vets are dogs of a year can run with you.  Endurance running for dogs is not quite the same as human endurance running.  Dogs, horses,  and other animal runners do not run everyday for miles.  You have chosen a good dog to run with and you seem very careful and organized about how much he runs.  Two things to remember are feet and heat.  Your dog does not wear shoes, so watch his pads for undue wear carefully or fit him with shoes, although you will still need to check his pads everyday for wear. 

When it warms up you dog can only cool down with his tongue hanging out and with his feet standing in cool water.  Even with light heat you will always be more comfortable than he is, so when he runs with you always bring water and go for wind sprints or something that day.  Again paws on hot surfaces like a track, blacktop, concrete will burn, so watch those pads.  

[Stephanie and Ragley]

I have heard to wait at least 18 months before going on runs because of how hard it is on the dog's joints. 

[Yo Armendariz]

Very good advise th an you for taking the time to answer I'll definyelybkeep an eye out nf be careful. Thanks so much

[Marie and Hoka]

We made sure Hoka seemed to have stopped growing, then our vet gave us the green light for 3 miles at a visit around 13 months old. She felt he was done growing and that a 30 minute run was nothing for him. Our vet grew up with standard poodles and has one herself, so she seems to understand Hoka's energy level.

I try to stay on soft trails in the woods as much a possible. Hoka wears a padded non-pull harness by Sporn that comes off his back and doesn't mess up his gait. (He wears the kind off the front of his chest on walks.)

I started slow with him with plenty of walks, then slow runs about 12min/mi.  We now usually pace about 10.5 mim/mi, but he always wants to go faster. I am definitely the limiting factor.

He is very sad, because I messed up my own hip a few weeks ago. Just some bursitis... resting, icing, etc. Hope to be back on the trials with my buddy soon. Going stir crazy here in Chicagoland.

[Yo Armendariz]

Thank you so much for taking the time to respond. Think I may back off a little on the mileage and wait until he a tad bit older. I do make sure he runs on soft sand or grass but he's running one day 5-6 miles, one day 3-4milrs and one day 2 miles at a 8:30 pace and like you said he would go faster if I could go faster. I think from all the posts that I may be doing too much along with his other agility training and stuff. Thank you again so helpful

[Yo Armendariz]

When you do run is it everyday or every other day? Do you also go on just a walk or does the run take the place of your daily walk?

[Lori, Winnie, Bob and Indie]

My breeder and my vet said to wait until about a year old- when the skeletal growth is complete. Winnie just turned a year, and I'm looking forward to running with her once my knee injury is healed.

I think what you are doing with your dog sounds reasonable- fairly low mileage with recovery days in between. The only thing I would add is if you are a sidewalk runner, you might want to consider having your dog run in the grass for a majority of the time- easier on the joints. 

[Yo Armendariz]

Yep grass and sand good advise. Thank you I'm gonna back off a little better to be safe then sorry later

[Jessica, Loki and Moose]

Hello! My breeder told me that they recommend not taking them for a run until 18 months as well. Loki is s bernedoodle so he's a big guy and she told me that in bigger (heavier) dogs it's really important to watch running. On that note though I have no idea what classifies as a "big dog" in relation to that. I'm a runner too so this is hard to leave my future running buddy at home! I was told it can really harm their joints from all of the impact but really long walks (the same distance I would run) are fine so it's a compromise for now :)

[Yo Armendariz]

Thank you I'm gonna cut his running down for now and go back to walking only. Thanks again