Enjoying our favorite sport in the company of our dog is, for many of us, a real dream to pursue. However, before embarking on this exciting adventure there are certain knowledge and practices that we should internalize to preserve our health and the health of our dog. We turn to the expert opinion of Oiane Bilbao Rubianes, Canine Instructor and owner of the canine education and psychology center Txiki-Eder, who will give us some recommendations and tips to start running with our dog.
"The main advice -and the most important- is to wait until the dog has his whole body, his whole physical structure formed", warns the canine instructor, "shortening the deadlines can generate a premature affection in the hips and ligaments". The age is the best indicator, although it is true that it will vary according to the type of breed, from a year, a year and a half, we can start practicing sports. But, how to teach a dog to run by your side? How long can a dog run for? All the answers to these questions and many more below!
Between 3 and 5 years of age is when the dog is at its peak for sports practice.
It is important that, before starting to run with our dog, we are aware of the capacity and limitations of his breed to avoid possible injuries or complications.
The mileage volume or training load will vary depending on the type of dog.
Avoiding troublesome breeds, using chondroprotectors -supplementsfor joints and ligaments- or taking care of their nutrition and hydration will be key for your companion to enjoy the sport as much as you do.
Canine Instructor Oiane Bilbao, owner of the canine education and psychology center Txiki-Eder, gives us 6 tips to start running with our dog:
I would opt, a priori, to run for a very short period of time, between 10 and 15 minutes, on a soft ground such as the beach and go, little by little, increasing the time and intensity of the exercise.
If you usually give him a good feed, a specific food that meets all the nutritional needs of the dog, it will not have to vary.
If you are a trail running lover and want to enjoy unforgettable outdoor adventures with your best friend, RUNNEA recommends that you take a look at the canitrail range: Raidlight x I-Dog. A kit created in collaboration with the specialist I-Dog, which will allow you to safely enjoy the best runs on the most uneven terrain and trails.
Our tester Ane Roldán and her inseparable Border Collie, Dai, have been able to test the harness, belt, strap and pocket that make up this Canitrail range from the manufacturer Raidlight and the sensations have been unbeatable. "Safety is paramount when it comes to choosing one product or another, and the truth is that with this kit - very easy to use - that feeling of reliability has been permanent from minute one," said the RUNNEA tester.
"The technical and lightweight products that make up this range allow for a customized fit that is practically millimetric, so that both Dai and I feel comfortable and well connected," says Ane herself. In addition, something that makes this product very different from those previously tested "the line of pull is very flexible, avoiding both of us strong pulls", again highlights our tester.
"I would also like to make special mention of the runner's belt, it has an ergonomically perfect construction that allows full freedom of movement without any deficit of protection," says Ane Roldán.
Age will be a clear indicator of whether or not I can start running with my dog. With a year, a year and a half, we can start with this preparation. "I recommend to make a plate to observe that, indeed, my dog has all its structure formed or if, on the contrary, I still have to wait. From 3 to 5 years old, the dog is at its best age", says the owner of the Txiki-Eder canine education and psychology center.
The mileage volume or training load will vary depending on the type of dog. "We will start alternating jogging with walks, CACO's method, until we get used to it. For me, from personal experience, training with the dog three times a week, would be more than enough in runs of about one hour", says Oiane Bilbao.
Just as we teach our companion certain rules of respect and obedience, when it comes to canicross, we should also mark the orders from the beginning. The simple fact that he vaya running, in work mode, that he has to go in front of the guide is part of a learning process.
At the beginning, in the first races and runs that we do with our four-legged companion, he will receive certain stimuli that he must internalize until he is able to make a good tandem with the guide and follow his indications. It is to focus little by little until the dog understands that he has to go ahead. We can use a fishing rod type stimulus.
"Using a key term that makes him associate it to the sport practice can be a good formula to put us in that working mode", recommends the Canine Instructor. Likewise, the change of material will also affect our dog's behavior.
Heat stroke
Keep an eye on the fact! Humans generally know when to stop, dogs, when they are too excited, stop when it's already bad. "Avoiding sports when temperatures are high will be vital to avoid a possible heat stroke. But how do we know he is suffering from heat stroke? Dizziness, very pronounced drooling and a lot of panting can be clear indicators that our dog is suffering from heat stroke," warns Oiane Bilbao.
Pads
In our case, Running shoes and trail running Running shoes guarantee extra protection against impacts and obstacles during the race, but in the case of dogs this is not the case. Hence the importance of paying special attention to the pads. There are sprays and/or creams that can be applied before and after training to moisturize the pad.
After we have finished our training, we should check that between the toes of the paws there are no splinters or stones that could cause discomfort. We should also check the nails.
In short, being able to enjoy our favorite sport in the company of our dog is a dream to be pursued by many of our runners. In order to preserve our health and that of our pet, we must follow certain key tips such as progression or supplementation, among others.
Photographs: @nereanoah
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