Embarking on outdoor adventures with your furry companion can be an incredibly rewarding experience, providing both physical exercise and mental stimulation for you and your dog. From hiking scenic trails to swimming in refreshing lakes, exploring nature together can strengthen the bond between you and your four-legged friend. However, to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for both you and your dog, it’s essential to be prepared and follow some key guidelines. In this article, we’ll discuss how to plan and execute outdoor adventures with your dog safely, so you can create lasting memories in the great outdoors.

Choosing the Right Destination

When planning an outdoor adventure with your dog, selecting the right destination is crucial. Consider the following factors when choosing a location:

1. Dog-friendly policies: Research the area to ensure it allows dogs and familiarize yourself with any specific rules or regulations regarding leashes, waste disposal, or restricted areas.
2. Terrain and difficulty: Choose a trail or area that suits your dog’s fitness level and abilities. Consider factors such as elevation changes, surface conditions, and the length of the trail.
3. Weather conditions: Check the forecast and prepare for the expected weather conditions. Avoid exercising your dog in extreme heat or cold, and be mindful of the risk of heat stroke or hypothermia.
4. Natural hazards: Be aware of potential natural hazards in the area, such as poisonous plants, wildlife, or fast-moving water, and take appropriate precautions to keep your dog safe.

By selecting a destination that aligns with your dog’s needs and abilities, you can ensure a safe and enjoyable outdoor experience for both of you.

Essential Gear and Supplies

Before heading out on your adventure, make sure you have the necessary gear and supplies to keep your dog safe and comfortable. Some essential items include:

• Leash and collar with identification tags
• Harness for added control and safety
• Portable water bowl and plenty of fresh water
• High-quality dog food and treats
• Waste bags for cleaning up after your dog
• First-aid kit tailored for dogs
• Weather-appropriate gear, such as a cooling vest or dog boots
• Insect repellent and flea and tick chews for dogs

Having the right gear and supplies can help prevent potential issues and ensure your dog stays happy and healthy throughout your outdoor adventure.

Safety Tips for Hiking with Your Dog

Hiking is a popular outdoor activity that many dog owners enjoy with their canine companions. To ensure a safe and enjoyable hiking experience, follow these tips:

1. Keep your dog on a leash: Even if your dog is well-trained, it’s essential to keep them on a leash to prevent them from getting lost, chasing wildlife, or encountering other hikers or dogs.
2. Stay on marked trails: Stick to designated hiking trails to minimize the impact on the environment and avoid getting lost.
3. Be mindful of your dog’s energy levels: Monitor your dog’s energy levels and take breaks as needed. Be prepared to turn back if your dog shows signs of fatigue or distress.
4. Offer plenty of water: Ensure your dog stays hydrated by offering water frequently, especially on hot days or during strenuous hikes.
5. Check for ticks and injuries: After your hike, check your dog thoroughly for ticks, cuts, or other injuries, and address any issues promptly.

By following these safety tips, you can help ensure a positive and safe hiking experience for you and your furry trail companion.

Water Safety for Dogs

Many dogs love to swim and play in the water, making it a fun and refreshing activity during outdoor adventures. However, it’s essential to prioritize water safety to prevent accidents or injuries. Here are some tips for keeping your dog safe around water:

1. Introduce water gradually: If your dog is new to swimming, introduce them to the water gradually and let them set the pace. Never force your dog into the water if they are uncomfortable.
2. Use a life jacket: Consider using a well-fitting life jacket designed for dogs, especially if your dog is a weak swimmer or if you’re in a large body of water.
3. Avoid strong currents and riptides: Be mindful of water conditions and avoid areas with strong currents or riptides that could overpower your dog.
4. Provide fresh water: Discourage your dog from drinking from bodies of water, as they may contain harmful bacteria or parasites. Instead, offer fresh water from a portable bowl.
5. Rinse off after swimming: After your dog has finished swimming, rinse them off with clean water to remove any chemicals, salt, or debris that may irritate their skin or eyes.

By taking these precautions, you can help ensure that your dog stays safe and healthy while enjoying the water during your outdoor adventures.

Wildlife Encounters and Etiquette

Exploring nature with your dog may lead to encounters with wildlife, which can be exciting but also potentially dangerous. To minimize the risk of negative interactions, follow these guidelines:

1. Keep your dog on a leash: Keeping your dog on a leash helps prevent them from chasing or harassing wildlife, which can be stressful for the animals and dangerous for your dog.
2. Give wildlife space: If you encounter wildlife on your adventure, give them plenty of space and avoid approaching them. Observe from a safe distance and keep your dog under control.
3. Dispose of waste properly: Always clean up after your dog and dispose of waste in designated receptacles or by packing it out. This helps keep the environment clean and prevents the spread of disease to wildlife.
4. Respect nesting areas and habitats: Be mindful of nesting areas or sensitive habitats, and avoid disturbing them. Stick to designated trails and areas to minimize the impact on the environment.

By following proper wildlife etiquette and keeping your dog under control, you can help protect both your furry friend and the natural world around you.

Conclusion

Outdoor adventures with your dog can be incredibly rewarding, providing opportunities for bonding, exercise, and exploration. By choosing the right destination, preparing with essential gear and supplies, and following safety guidelines for hiking, water activities, and wildlife encounters, you can ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for both you and your furry companion.

Remember to always prioritize your dog’s safety and comfort, and be prepared to adapt your plans if necessary. With the right preparation and mindset, you and your dog can create unforgettable memories in the great outdoors, strengthening your bond and appreciation for the natural world.

So, grab your hiking boots, pack your dog’s gear, and get ready to embark on a tail-wagging adventure in the great outdoors. With a focus on safety and preparation, you and your furry friend can explore the wonders of nature together, creating lasting memories and a deeper connection along the way.

In this day and age when people are concerned about their diet, health, and fitness, it’s only natural that dog lovers would also want to make sure their dogs are staying fit, too. Enter fitness trackers for your dog. Depending on the brand or model you purchase, a fitness tracker for your dog might have GPS features, track the intensity of your dog’s activity during the day, and even monitor how much food and water your dog consumes. Some fitness trackers can even provide high definition video from your dog’s collar. It just depends on how much money you are willing to spend.

Fitness Trackers and Pet Technology

Fitness trackers, also called activity monitors, are part of a growing industry of gadgets for pets that includes GPS trackers, automatic feeders, ball throwing machines for dogs to fetch, and self-cleaning litter boxes for cats.

According to the American Pet Products Association, people in the U.S. will spend $72.1 billion this year on pet products and care, up 3.6 percent from last year. Sales of pet products have been growing steadily since the mid-1990s. Spending on pets worldwide in 2017 was $109 billion, according to Euromonitor International.

Pet technology is a surging part of the pet industry in recent years. It typically uses innovations that were developed for humans and turns them into helpful ways to care for your dog or cat.

Pros and Cons of Fitness Trackers for Dogs

Like any gadgets that you can buy for your dog, there are always pros and cons. Here are things to consider about fitness trackers for your pet:

Pros

• Fitness trackers can provide lots of information, especially if you aren’t home with your dog during the day. Again, depending on the brand or model you choose, a fitness tracker can tell you about your pet’s activity, rest periods, how many calories he’s burning, his food intake, and more. This can be helpful even with a small dog if he doesn’t eat regular meals and you’re concerned about how much food he eats. If you have a high energy dog, you can get an idea of how much exercise your dog is getting when you’re out – and how much more exercise he might need when you’re home.
• Fitness trackers can monitor changes in your dog’s activity and eating habits. Changes in your dog’s activity levels and eating habits can be an indication of a health problem so knowing about these issues as soon as they start to appear can let you catch problems early.
• Some fitness trackers also have a “lost pet” mode, in case your dog goes missing. The lost pet mode and GPS tracking can make it easier to find a missing pet as long as the tracker and collar remain on your dog.
• Fitness trackers can be especially helpful if you have an overweight or obese dog. If your dog needs to count calories and get a certain amount of exercise per day, a fitness tracker can help you keep track of how your dog is doing. It’s a good way to manage your dog’s weight loss.

Cons

• Cost. While basic fitness trackers cost around $30-50, if you want a fitness tracker that has some of the more advanced features, be prepared to pay more – often a lot more.
• Necessity. If you have managed all this time to take care of your dog, feed him, and provide proper exercise without a fitness tracker, you may ask yourself if your dog really needs one. This is a perfectly legitimate question. Pet tech isn’t for everyone.

Functions to Look for in a Fitness Tracker

If you decide to get a fitness tracker/activity monitor for your dog, here are some features to consider. You may not need all of these features. In general, the more features a fitness tracker has, the more it will cost.

• GPS pet tracking

This feature lets you monitor the precise location of your dog if he happens to wander away – great if your dog gets out of your yard or house. Allows you to make full use of extended GPS systems.

• Bluetooth connectivity

Since Bluetooth relies on devices near it, this allows you to see who is near your dog at any moment. You can also determine if your dog is still in Bluetooth range.

• Management apps for veterinary records

Many fitness trackers come with apps that allow for the integration of veterinary and other pet-related health records so you can mange your pet’s care more efficiently.

• Organizer functions

Organizer functions are now standard on many fitness trackers. They allow you to track your dog’s progress relative to other dogs of the same size or breed and keep track of his previous physical information.

Finding a Good Fitness Tracker for your Dog

Apart from choosing the specific features that you are looking for in a fitness tracker/activity monitor, there are also some boxes that any good fitness tracker should tick.

• It should be accurate. It won’t be any good for you or your dog if it doesn’t provide accurate information. Read customer reviews to see if people are pleased with the information it provides.
• It should track your dog’s health status. Even most basic fitness trackers will provide some feedback about your dog’s health. This is valuable information.
• It should be easy to use. If a fitness tracker isn’t easy to use, you won’t use it. It’s wasted money.
• It should be durable and waterproof. We all know that dogs can be rough (or is that ruff?) on products. Make sure you buy a fitness tracker that can stand up to daily wear and tear from your dog. Plus, it needs to be waterproof in case your dog decides to dunk his head in the bathtub or jump in the pool.

Read customer reviews and product information carefully when choosing a fitness tracker so you can find out about the product.

Conclusion

A fitness tracker for your dog can be a great way to know how much exercise your dog is getting during the day, how much he’s eating, and even track him if he wanders off. There are lots of positives about getting a fitness tracker/activity monitor for your dog. The biggest downside can be the cost, especially if you are interested in some of the more advanced fitness trackers. Check them out and see if a fitness tracker is a good investment for you and your dog.

If you are the proud owner of a home with a fully fenced in yard, you might think that your dog has access to all of the exercise he needs. But you’d be wrong. While dogs do love to have recreational space of their own to enjoy, there are benefits to taking a walk with their beloved owners that they just can’t get any other way.

Taking your dog for regular walks is an exercise that does you both good. Yet with today’s busy schedules, many owners find it challenging to secure even a half hour for a leisurely stroll with Fido. Can your dog get by with romping around your yard, or does he really need to go for a walk?

5 Reasons Why Fido Really Needs a Walk

Just like human beings, Fido craves a change of scenery. His yard provides a bit of that, but in truth, there really aren’t that many interesting new smells to explore, and it’s not a whole lot of fun chasing yourself around. Even though our couches seductively call our names after a long, hard day of work, Fido really does need to go for a walk, and as much as we hate to admit it, we could benefit from one too.

It helps Fido maintain a healthy weight

Our dogs are little canine opportunists.  Most dogs love food, and they will use every tool at their disposal to convince you that they are starving and could benefit from a few extra treats.  The truth is we all fall victim to their wily ways, and if we do it on a continual basis, it won’t be long before those few added treats per day combine to make a few extra pounds around Fido’s middle. We don’t like to have to refuse Fido because he’s starting to pack on the pounds, but we do need to address the problem to prevent unhealthful weight gain and potential problems as a result of it. Walking is the ideal solution to allow Fido to have his cake, and so long as he takes a daily walk, he can get to eat it too.

Taking Fido for regular walks can help combat weight gain from added treats or even a sedentary lifestyle. Moving is good for Fido’s joints particularly as he begins to age, and keeping him fit and trim reduces excess pressure on his hips and knees, leaving him far less prone to pain and injury.

It encourages proper social behavior

While walking is an enjoyable bonding experience for you and your dog, it also provides many different opportunities for your dog to engage in social behaviors and to learn how to appropriately behave politely in society. Where else would you run across people jogging, babies in strollers being walked by their parents, or even other dogs?

Yes, a good dog walk affords your dog the opportunity to experience new social situations and to practice his manners.

It is an excellent bonding time for you and Fido

Sometimes your dog just craves a little one on one time with you. When you’re out on a walk and enjoying your neighborhood together, you aren’t focusing on anything but the beauty of nature all around you and how great your dog is.  Taking Fido for a walk provides an opportunity like no other. You get to connect with your dog and the outdoors in a way that you both enjoy.  After all, being with you is always Fido’s favorite thing to do, but if you partner that with a little bit of running and some new exciting smells, you’ve just taken fun to a whole new level!

It provides mental and physical stimulation

Your backyard is great, and no doubt your dog appreciates it. But, it’s pretty much the same day in and day out. Your dog likes to go out there and check things out.  After all, even minute differences are still fun to note, sniff, and mark, but with no one to play with and nothing different to do, your dog gets bored pretty quickly.

But taking a trek in the great outdoors with you affords Fido the occasion to stretch his legs and his brain at the same time. Who knows what exciting things might await you? There could be a cat to chase or a dead bird carcass to roll in, and OH, THE POOP!  There will be lots of poo and pee-mail awaiting Fido at all of his favorite walking haunts. Yes, a walk is a great thing for a dog indeed.  Best way ever to productively “wear out” both his mind and his body.

It is an excellent time to work on training issues

Got some training you’ve been hoping to do? Dogs don’t generalize very well, and because of this, commands they have learned at home aren’t always strictly obeyed in a different environment. Taking a walk allows you to practice behaviors you’ve been working on at a home by requesting them in a different setting to help Fido learn that a command must be obeyed regardless of location. This can help in shoring up basic manners training that needs a bit of refreshing or can work as “proofing” for dog performance sports where your dog may be required to comply with an exercise via verbal cue or hand signal.  As with all training, the key is to keep things fun.

Choosing to train while on a walk is also a great idea because of the distractions. It is a great way to help your dog build focus and to learn to look to you for direction. This also helps to intensify your bond as dog and best friend.

Some Precautions to Observe

It is important to note that not all dogs are comfortable with the social aspects of a walk.  Some dogs might be shy or fearful, and exposure to too many new things might cause them to shut down or even become reactive.

Here are some things to bear in mind when out for a walk with Fido:

Let Fido’s comfort level be your guide

If you have a dog who is experiencing a fear period or who can become reactive around dogs or other stimuli when out on a walk, you need to let your dog be your guide.  Your dog does not have to meet every dog or person who wants to meet him.  In fact, if your dog is letting you know that he’s not comfortable doing so, it is your job to advocate for him and protect him from prying people and dogs, no matter how well-intended they may be.

If your dog displays leash reactivity, you would benefit from a consultation with a reputable and qualified professional dog trainer who can assist you with formulating a strategy to help Fido learn that new experiences don’t have to be scary. With some time spent working on desensitization and counterconditioning exercises, Fido can learn to appreciate new things.  As with all training, these approaches take time, and progress can only be made when your dog indicates that he is ready.

Always take poop bags with you

Most city by-laws mandate the picking up and proper disposal of all dog waste. Because you never know when nature is going to call, make certain that you have numerous poop bags with you when taking your dog for a walk. We all must do our part to keep our environment safe and clean for all to enjoy.

Keep the duration of your walks moderate

As with all things in life, it is possible to over do it.  Keep Fido’s walks moderate in length and difficulty and stick to a schedule that is manageable for you both.  Better to decide ahead of time that you will do three half hour walks a week and stick to it than to attempt the Boston Marathon the first day and not lace up your walking shoes again for six months.

Work up to lengthier or more vigorous walks over a period of time and always be sensitive to weather conditions and your dog’s age as they play a factor in your dog’s enjoyment of a walk as well.

Bring high value treats

It’s always a great idea to have high value treats with you when out on a walk. Accidents can happen, and high value treats can help you prevent problems. For example, if your dog accidentally slips his harness and attempts to run away from you, a tasty treat might be all it takes to lure him back to your side, so you can get his harness securely back on him.

Treats are a great way to reinforce training as well as to refocus your dog’s attention on you if necessary.

Yes, Fido really does need to go for a walk. The mental and physical benefits of communing with nature with his favorite person by his side are undeniable.  Grab your running shoes and Fido’s leash and head outside for some fresh air with your favorite canine pal today!

If you’re a dog owner, you never leave home without your trusty poop bags. In the good old days, your dog just did his business in the great outdoors whenever natured called while you turned a blind eye. Once Fido was all finished, off the two of you went on your merry way. But times, they have a-changed! Today, most city by-laws prohibit owners from leaving unsightly feces on any public or private property. Poop bags are now a necessity if you want to avoid a hefty fine as well as the scorn and contempt of your neighbors.

What’s the Problem with Poo?

Some dog owners are mystified with their city’s seeming obsession with poop removal. Many people think that poop is biodegradable and even good for the soil. After all, no one cleaned up their dog’s poop fifty years ago, and miraculously, people lived to tell about it, so just how harmful can it be?

You might be surprised.

Here are four reasons why removing and properly disposing of your dog’s feces is important:

It’s courteous to other citizens

Let’s face it; poop stinks. While you may not necessarily notice its smell wafting through your kitchen window, you definitely can’t miss it if you find some attached to your shoe. While it is always important to watch where you walk, you shouldn’t have to navigate what feels like poop landmines.

It is only polite to pick up any waste materials produced by your dog. Not only is it unsightly and smells bad, but it also is a nuisance to clean out of clothing and footwear. If you wouldn’t like to step in it, you shouldn’t leave any where others might either.

It actually ISN’T good for soil and grass

Contrary to popular opinion, not all poop is created equally. Because of this, not all poop is suitable as a fertilizer spread to encourage the growth of grass and provide nutrients for our soil. Different species process foods differently, and only certain feces is helpful for our environment.

Bear in mind that the diet of a canine differs dramatically from that of a cow. Diets that are rich in meats and other proteins contain materials that are actually caustic to the earth. Leaving your dog’s feces precisely where he deposits it can actually hurt the ground. To help protect the earth, it is important for all dog owners to do their part in cleaning up their dog’s poop.

It contains disease-causing bacteria

While most dog owners are careful to ensure that their dogs are regularly de-wormed and receive appropriate protection against parasites, not every person who owns a dog is quite as fastidious. Feces is an agent that is rife with harmful bacteria. Many of the diseases that can be transmitted through feces can also affect human beings such as e coli and salmonella, so it is not just our dogs that are at risk. We too could contract serious illness as the result of feces that has not been removed and properly disposed of.

Worst of all, some bacterias do not just remain in the feces; they also infect the soil they rest on. Many of these disease-causing culprits have a long life span, resulting in earth that could be contaminated for several years before losing its efficacy.

Dogs generally come in contact with this bacteria when they engage in prolonged sniffing of feces they encounter while out on a walk. The bacteria enters the dog’s system through the nasal membranes.

To help prevent the spread of disease, it is critical that everyone do their part in proper feces removal.

It doesn’t break down easily

Unfortunately, feces stands up really well to inclement weather. Many people think that harsher climates will wash away their feces woes. Not so!  Poop breaks down at an amazingly slow rate sometimes taking up to a full year before it finally disappears. Colder weather acts as a preservative, meaning the poop sticks around even longer, giving all of those parasites a little extra time to leech into the earth and promote the spread of disease.

What Is the Proper Way to Dispose of Poop?

The good news is that dog poop is relatively easy to clean up. Most dog owners carry poop bags with them at all times for simple removal of their dog’s feces. To remove the poop, simply insert your hand into the poop bag to protect it so that you can pick up the poop. Once you have the feces securely in the bag, you can then pull the bag up over the feces, thus extricating your hand. Tie the bag in a knot and discard the entire package in the nearest waste receptable. Gross? Yes.  Necessary? Yes.

Since your dog uses your yard most frequently when he needs to do his business, it can quickly become a museum of poop artifacts. We generally don’t tend to clean these messes up as often because they originate with our own dogs, and we are aware of the precautionary measures we have taken to ensure that they are healthy and protected against disease. Most dog owners like to do a thorough cleanup on an as needed basis. Pooper scoopers are an ideal tool for this job, particularly if you have a large breed dog. Poop bags often aren’t up to the task of large dog messes. That’s where a pooper scooper comes in handy.

One final precaution for owners to consider is the proper clean up of a dog who seems to have some “will nots.” If your dog seems to carry around poop remnants in his coat or paws, it is important to get him cleaned up right away.  Little bits of poop can easily become matted in fur, making them very difficult to remove. They are also uncomfortable for your dog, and of course, carry disease.

For solid pieces of poop, sometimes it is easiest to use some shears to snip out the piece entirely. For more liquid poop or poop that covers more surface area, it may be necessary to give Fido a complete bath to rid him of the feces and its smell.

Yes, dog poop removal is a way of life for all canine owners. To help fight the spread of disease and preserve the beauty of our earth, keep poop bags with you at all times to allow you to quickly pick up and dispose of any of Fido’s waste materials. The earth, and your neighbors, will thank you for it!

The best way to take your dog’s relationship with you to the next level is to enjoy shared activities that stimulate your dog both physically and mentally.

Dogs have evolved to travel long distances in packs, and running with them on a regular basis can help to satisfy their deep natural instinct and desire to stretch their legs and travel as a pack animal.

Running with your dog is a great form of exercise for you too, and it will release happy hormones, making you and your dog feel more bonded.

Is Your Dog a Suitable Running Partner?

It is important to analyse your dog’s suitability before you start running with them. All dogs love to run, but not all dogs are great running partners.

There are many things that can affect your dog’s ability to be the perfect running partner for you. Some of these things may be to do with how well matched you both are to run together in terms of pace, or your dog’s age, breed, build, fitness level and temperament could affect their suitability.

Observe your dog carefully at home, with other people, and out on walks. Check out their temperament – Are they calm or easily excitable? Do they give you their full attention in public places or are they easily distracted? What is their favorite thing to do on walks – Do they like spending time with you or prefer to be off doing their own thing or playing with other dogs?

It can take time to train a dog to want to run with you, and to run with you effectively, especially if they display characteristics like being over-excited, easily distracted, bored with your company or stubborn. Some dogs will require you to spend more time investing in them as running partners before they can actually be your running partner.

Check That Your Dog is Fit and Healthy for Running

Often a visit to the vet before embarking on your running program can reassure you that your dog is fit, healthy and good to go.

Book your dog in for a general check-up and let your vet know that you are interested in taking up running with them. They can have a look at your dog’s health history, make adjustments to your dog’s diet, and answer any questions you might have.

Is Your Dog’s Age Suitable to Run With?

An important factor to consider is your dog’s age. It is not recommended to start running with a dog that is too young. This is because their bones are still growing, and running can put a lot of strain on muscles and on joints that are not fully developed yet.

If you start running with a dog that is too young you can cause many problems for them later on down the line, which is not only a shame for the dog, but could also be a big strain on your wallet.

The same applies for an older dog whose joints are weak. As a general rule it isn’t a good idea to start running with any puppy under 6 months of age, and your vet should definitely check out an older dog first.

Do You Have a Good Breed of Dog to Run With?

There are some dog breeds that are more suited to running than others, because of their natural instincts, body type and stamina.

Most working dog breeds are perfect for running long distances with because they were bred to be active for long periods during the day, like hunting and herding dogs.

Flat-nosed dogs like bulldogs and pugs are prone to overheating and may also have difficulty breathing, so they are much less suited to running.

It is important to do some research on your own dog’s breed to make sure they will enjoy running and exercising with you.

Are You and Your Dog Compatible Running Partners?

You may find that the pace of your dog is simply not compatible with your own. There are some great running/jogging “dog walkers” that you can hire to run with your dog a few times a week, or even every day.

Alternatively you could find or start a running group for fellow dog owners in your local area, and swap dogs with each other during the circuit until you find a good match.

If you don’t have your own dog to run with you might also like to volunteer at a dog shelter that needs the rescue dogs to have an outlet for exercise.

What Do You Need Before You Can Start Running With Your Dog?

When you go running with your dog you will want to make sure that they are safe and that you have control of them during your run. If you do not have your dog on a lead, they are probably not going to stay by your side, at least not to begin with.

It is a good idea to start off running your dog on a normal hand-held short lead, especially if you have a larger dog. Holding the lead in your hand will give you better control over your dog as you will be able to communicate through the lead until they know what is expected of them.

If you use the more common hands-free dog leads that are popular with runners, and you have a big or strong dog that is not used to running with you yet, they could do you some serious damage if they decide to bolt off after a squirrel pulling you with them from the waist. Smaller dogs are also much more likely to zigzag on a longer lead, easily cutting in front of you and legging you up.

There are some awesome hands-free dog leads that are perfect for more experienced runners and dogs. Commonly they are worn around your waist and clip onto your dog’s collar, although you may prefer your dog to wear a harness when running for their safety and comfort.

It is best to keep the lead fairly short so that they do not have the room to stray too far from your side. The closer they are to you, the more control you have. The better running dog leads have a flexible band to absorb shock from sudden pulling or stopping. This can make your run more comfortable for you if your dog tends not to have a steady pace that matches your own to begin with, or if they drag behind you, it will coax them to keep up rather than jerking them along.

Manage Your Expectations

When you start off running with your dog it is important to have realistic expectations. Start out slow and don’t forget to warm up with some brisk walking and slow jogging to get into the rhythm. If you dive in head first and expect too much of your dog or of yourself there is more risk of injury.

You have to make sure the activity is fun and that your dog is enjoying themselves too, if your expectations are too high to begin with, you are more likely to be frustrated with your dog, which they will easily pick up on and associate with the activity, making it more stressful for them in the future. Dogs are very intuitive, and if you are not relaxed and enjoying yourself, they won’t be either.

Be enthusiastic and stay positive, with lots of verbal encouragement along the way. Be careful not to excite your dog too much though, as this can distract them from what they are meant to be doing, and they may think you want to play instead.

Plan Ahead When and Where to Run With Your Dog

Choosing a good location can get you off to a great start running with your dog. Go for a park that has a clear route to follow, at a time of day when there are less people, children, dogs and other distractions around.

Check the weather beforehand and make sure it is just right – if it is too hot the sun may have baked the pavement making it too hot for your dog to run on and they will burn their paw pads. If the weather is too wet and windy it may make it less enjoyable and more difficult or strenuous for you.

Make sure that you are comfortable, wearing the right clothing and footwear, and have enough water for both of you. You can get collapsible dog bowls that clip onto your belt or bag.

Take Your Dog’s Personal Needs into Account

Don’t forget to give your dog some time before you start your run to sniff around and go to the toilet. Then you won’t have to worry about having to stop too often for breaks.

If you prepare yourself well, do your research, and have plenty of patience, you will enjoy developing a new kind of relationship with your dog – one that keeps you both fit, healthy and happy. Have fun!