Remind me again when Ollie can run 5-6 miles with me?

[Ollie's Mom]

I only run outside 1, maybe 2 times/week. Can Ollie run with me? OK CONFESSION! I had to run last weekend at 5:15am and it was dark outside so I brought Ollie with me. We jogged slowly and even walked a bit. He did fantastic!  Is it ok to take him if it's only once a week?

[Elizabeth Boychuk]

Oops *stinking HOT, not how....

[Laura and Angus]

I'm very happy to hear this because I think Angus would really love to jog with me. I wouldn't take him on long runs with me probably, but when he's old enough I'd really like to have him as a jogging buddy! He always wants to move much faster on our walks than we're going. Like if we start to jog across the street he seems to enjoy moving at a faster pace than I'm able to walk.

[Jessica, Loki and Moose]

I have been told 18months for larger dogs, Loki is 75lbs and just over a year old. In addition though my vet has cautioned me against taking him on my long runs ever. I'm a distance runner so he said my distance runs (usually for me grester than ten miles) are never a good idea. He also said that fast running isn't a good idea either at any age to prevent health problems- thankfully I'm slower so this doesn't apply to me lol! I usually will take him on really really long walks and once he's old enough I might take him on shorter runs with me but being that we've been doing as is for almost a year we kind of have our routine now :)

[Jessica, Loki and Moose]

Greater not grester- sorry! Also I should mention the caution against really long runs might differ from different types of doodle. Loki is an F1 bernedoodle so Bernese are very slow growing and so prone to many hip/other joint problems. The advice I received might have been more tailored to Loki even thought he is currently fine and his parents both had health checks etc... :)

[Katie]

My vet said at a year we could start building up slowly. I got Bonnie as a running partner, that was the whole point! I often run where Bonnie can be off the leash ( not yet...she's only 6 months and got stitches anyway!) so she can stop start go at her own pace and it's better than pounding pavements then on a leash. That's why I went for an F1b ...more poodle, better runner. We picked a long legged, active girl.

If we think about it, collies and hunterways run all day on the farm. They run alongside ATVs as well. They are not on a lead however and not on pavement. Trail runners...assuming dogs can be off the leash on your trail...get a definite advantage here.

I expect to be able to run up to 20km with Bonnie eventually. I always carry water for me and my dog...it's good training for back country races when you have to carry gear.

I looked into jogging strollers when Bonnie was a pup, but she is such an active girl I think she would find them frustrating. We normally walk on the beach daily and Bonnie chases seagulls and pounces on clumps of seaweed and runs and runs and runs! I think she would HATE a stroller. This time next year (18 months) I hope to start serious running, having built her up slowly after a year and her vet check.