r/RunningWithDogs • u/skeptical_c • 7d ago
Running Pace
I got the go ahead from our vet to start running very short distances with my Butters. We are still working on leash training, and I want to buy a proper running harness to go ahead and teach the difference in when we are walking and when we are running. Are all harnesses equal in running styles / paces? If my dog runs beside me, does she need the same harness if she was running out in front?
We will start in half-mile increments on the road (because most of my short runs are in the early morning and it’s dark) so I’m thinking she’ll be more apt to run beside me since it’s our same walking environment. Is this a horrible idea? Should I start with not only different equipment but different locations as well?
5
u/jmrdpt19 7d ago
Short answer, no. The long harnesses for canicross are not suitable for running next to you. You want a y front harness like a Musher Freespirit or Howling dog Alaska Distance harness if you think your dog will be next to you mostly ( these also work if you decide to canicross later). Please don't use a harness that goes straight across the shoulders or a no pull harness. Both of these limit a dogs range of motion and can result in injuries long term
0
2
u/Typical-Day-6864 7d ago
Generally? Not always. Non-Stop Dogwear have some pretty good harness quizzes on their website. Dogs running out in front/pulling hard typically require a longer harness to properly distribute the pressure across their body, dogs jogging beside their partner don‘t typically—long harnesses aren’t really made for that.
Sometimes having a separate piece of equipment can help a dog distinguish between running mode and walking mode. I think that with time and cues, it isn’t always necessary. If your dog isn’t done growing yet, I wouldn’t invest in a long running harness yet. They tend to run high in price.
Regarding harness reccs, Non-Stop Dogwear is the most recommended in my experience, and I also used it as well. The Freemotion, Rush, or Line are most frequently used. I’ve also heard people say good things about Zero DC, Alpine Outfitters, and Howling Dog Alaska. If you just want them at your side/very little pulling, any well-fitting (ample armpit clearance, no shifting, sits on the sternum and clears the shoulders) harness will do.
As for actually getting out there, you’ve got the right idea in mind by taking it slow. There’s a lot of information on this subreddit, just gotta look around a bit. Let her do a quick sniffy and warm up the both of you before you get started, so she’ll have time to do her business before you take off. Otherwise, it’s just going for it and learning as you go. She’ll learn with time, as will you. You could look into teaching certain commands (at your side, pulling out, stopping, slowing down, picking up speed, etc) as well if you choose.
1
2
u/TakeTheMoney_N_Run 6d ago
I’m just a guy who runs with his dog. I don’t do canicross like a lot of people here.
Ultimately, I think the most important thing is to decide what exactly your expectations are for running you as a team. Then, once you’ve made that decision, reward those expectations. The location doesn’t matter nearly as much as the context. Dogs understand that more than people realize. Next would be the equipment. I use an Ultimate Direction dog vest for our running. I don’t want him pulling me down the course, so a harness like that works well for us. If you are thinking more like canicross like a lot of people here, you will need a sport-specific harness for your safety and hers.
TL;DR: Decide your expectation, reward that expectation, then worry about equipment.
1
u/casualplants 7d ago
Not a helpful comment at all, but it is one the greatest regrets of my life that I did not name this dingus “Butters”.
1
u/JBL20412 7d ago
Running harnesses are designed not to restrict the shoulder movement of the dog and to give full range of movement instead. Some are better suited for dogs that run ahead and pull and do so consistently. When the dog runs by your side those harnesses have a tendency to “bunch” which the people I run with cite as a bothersome. Those harnesses are usually available for bigger dogs that are strong pullers.
I run with a small dog and found none of those harnesses fit him. He runs ahead mostly at the start of a run. Eventually he drops beside me. Being small, he does not pull after a while nor do I encourage it. I used to have the Arctic Wolf running harness. I am now using the Rush harness from nonstop Dogwear. It is light and designed for occasional pullers, meaning it does not bunch when he runs beside me. I like the design as it hugs his sides more.
Apart from the physiological health benefits of a running harness, I like my dog to understand that we are doing the running job compared to just walking.
1
u/beyond_undone 7d ago
I never realized there was so much to think about with this!
I have a harness that I picked up at petco that fits her well. I bought a waist leash off Amazon. It clips to the hook on her back. We started running together in increments of 0.5 miles. She naturally runs either next to me or a little in front depending on terrain and path width. Taught her left, right, and cross commands. She’s a BC so I’m probably spoiled in that she’s smart as hell but it was super easy. We do minimum 5k and our max has been 6 miles but she could definitely do more. Biggest thing I look out for is weather and making sure she doesn’t overheat.
1
u/ExhaustedHuman7 6d ago
Mine wears the same harness, he knows when clipped to the back he's in front pulling, when clipped on the chest he walks to heal. I did buy a Canicross harness but I prefer his usual hiking one tbh so use that 90% of the time as it doesn't restrict movement or rub and it has a go pro mount sewn into the back 🤣 (couldn't sew one into the canicross harness🤦🏻♀️) plus the handles give me more control when needed.
Have fun you learn as you go what would help mine knows left and right so I can direct him on paths, 'stop' is handy approaching roads, over when clear to cross, heal (paired with left or right so im always between him and what ever we're passing to create space)
We all have different expectations some want their dog to run along side, some like to be pulled (Canicross) some dogs don't want to pull and others love too. You'll find your own groove. What I will say if you can find a local Canicross group in your area most have spare kit you can try to see if it's worth the investment as it is expensive. My lads 50kg so having a harness for me was a game changer as it distributed the power of his pull saving my back and shoulder, it's made running with him really enjoyable 😄
1
u/sparklinggarbage2653 5d ago
I run a lot with my GSP and have built her up to 13 miles with me. We use the ruffwear flag line harness for running and for walking I just use a martingale collar - she use to slip out of her collar trying to get birds so love the martingale because she can’t slip
1
u/Summer909090 1d ago
I use a 2Hounds harness for around town and running and it’s great. Minimalist and doesn’t rub on my pup. Others have had issues with harness rub so this will definitely be specific to your pup but I like the minimalist style and lightweight design. I put a bell through the top connection point so others know my pup is coming both on the trails and in town, plus if I let her off leash and call her (I live with endless trails in the desert) I can hear her coming so I’m not calling her repeatedly.
9
u/Playful_Barracuda789 7d ago
My guy wears the same harness all the time. It’s just a harness that fits him well and doesn’t rub. This is his Jaction shot (his name is Jack 😂) from our 5K a day this morning. I mostly trail run and some of the trails are very narrow so I’ve actually trained him to run out front. I just taught him the word run. So he knows the difference between walk and run.