Re: Jogging

[Gina Heitz <brier@oregonsbest.com>]

At 07:25 AM 4/30/02 -0700, you wrote:
> Hi all,
>  
> Question about jogging with your dog. 
> I've been taking Echo out for runs a couple three times a week.  I
> started her at just 1 mile and she now goes 2 miles.  I expect to
> take her 2.5 tomorrow then up to 3 miles next week.  My question is
> should I limit her, or can she go for like 5 miles?  It's obvious to
> me that I will collapse long before she does, but I don't want to over do
> it with her feet on the pavement or overheating her.  Her paws don't
> show any negative signs so far.
>  
> ACE
>  

Hi Ace, et All,

Echo is from the "One" litter and is now just about 16 months
old (hard to believe)  and this is a good time to start training for
running, but until goldens are 18 mos old it's best not to do too much
regimented running.  IE:  keep it to softer ground  when
ever possible asphalt over concrete when ever possible and best is dirt
or grass.  Just like with humans it's also best to work up
slowly.  I think a 1/2 mile to 3/4 a week is a moderate
increase.  I also would not run a dog more than 2 to 3 times a week
for the first 6 months via leash.  Additional free exercise too is
important, to limber up so to speak, dogs don't take kindly to doing pre
stretching so before take off (or blast off) :-) toss the ball a few
times just to get the blood flowing.  

So directly Ace, I would limit her to max 2 miles 3 times a week until
she is 18 mos.  As far as overheating it's fairly safe to say I am
sure that you are not running at high noon, keeping it to cool mornings
and or evenings is best  for you both!  

Also just to note, it's getting warmer during the day, yesterday I was in
Salem with dogs in the car making several stops.  I needed to limit
time in the car as it actually was warm enough that after just 15 minutes
of being parked with windows down just a bit the dogs were panting a
bit.  I know you all know not to leave your dogs in the car but also
this time of year it's odd in that some days we take off in the morning
when it's cool and by 11 it's not so cool in a parked car. 

Best,

Gina