WHY YOUR DOG MAKES THE BEST RUNNING BUDDY – by Richard Thorpe
Finding the motivation to keep pounding out the kilometres can be tough, especially alone.
It’s a frigid, blustery winter’s morning, and the rain is driving against you. You’re a few kilometres in, and you’re flagging. You’ve not gone far enough to justify going home, but the will to hammer out the rest of the run is slipping away. Maybe you’ve not even left yet, and you’re standing in the porch hearing the wind that won’t let up and dreading the drop in temperature when you set foot outside? Maybe you’re sat inside, thinking about running…
Luckily, there’s a way to keep your spirits up, and also keep your dog fit in doing so.
Benefits of Running With Your Dog
Motivation
There are many benefits to running with your dog, one of them being motivation. Sometimes we just need a nudge from a warm, wet nose belonging to someone who’ll never lose their drive. For a sport like running that relies so much on motivation, there’s no better alternative to having your own personal trainer. Someone who’ll be at your heels, to urge you on and to keep you on your toes. Someone who’ll switch between having their nose to the floor to chasing squirrels and darting through bushes picking up scents. Someone who’ll run beside, before, behind and around you.
Loyalty
What matters most is your that dog will always run back to you. There’s no better partner; someone who’ll run through brick walls for you, and won’t stop going until they can’t anymore and will just fall asleep. As soon as they’ve recharged, they’re ready to go. They’ll never cancel your plans, and they can adapt at the drop of a hat, simply because they live to do things with you. Running can be a chore, even for the most athletic among us.
Advice for Running With Your Dog
There are a few things that are important to remember when running with your dog, of course. Like their owners, dogs need time to find their rhythm. All runners develop their own style, and the same is true for our dogs. It might be that you’re an experienced runner, in which case you should be careful not to wear your dog out. Puppies and growing dogs are at risk of damaging their ligaments through demanding exercise.
Similarly, if you’re not a regular runner, you don’t need to play catch up with your dog. The first rule for new runners — and this applies to starting off with your dog — is not to over-stretch yourself.
Want to see a good gauge of your dog’s recommended safe distance to run? This is an interesting graph on the best dogs to run with that shows virtually every breed of dog that can double as a training partner, and also the kind of running they’re best suited to.
Working with each other
It’s also useful to note that, like us, dogs have joints and muscles that need to be taken care of. Miles and miles on hard surfaces will contribute to accelerated wear and tear. Ultimately, you know your dog. You know what they’re capable of: how far they can go, their temperament, and their needs. Keep them hydrated, and make sure they don’t get too hot. Apart from that, and the other tips mentioned, the rest is down to you and your dog. If you bring the sport, you know they’ll bring the commitment.
Richard Thorpe copywriter, visit his Website to read more.
