How to Run with a Dog

Having a dog as a running buddy is not only fun but also motivates you to maintain a consistent exercise routine. Despite their enthusiasm to run alongside you, it's crucial to understand certain factors before you start running with them. This article sheds light on one of the most overlooked aspects affecting your dog's health - their gait pattern.

Understanding Dog Gait Patterns

When it comes to running with your dog, many factors come into play - the terrain, the harness, and the weather conditions, to name a few. However, one aspect that is often overlooked is their gait pattern.

Why is this so important? Firstly, different gait patterns produce different impact forces on your dog's joints. To illustrate this, picture yourself running and walking. The impact forces when you run can be up to two and a half times your body weight every time you strike the ground. This principle applies to your dog as well. As they transition from a trot to a canter to a gallop, the impact forces increase, transferring larger shocks through their body.

The second and arguably more important reason pertains to your dog's breathing, particularly during a gallop. When a dog gallops, their breathing synchronizes with their stride pattern, a phenomenon known as locomotor-respiratory coupling. In hot temperatures, this can lead to exhaustion as they can only gallop for so long before needing to rest.

The Benefit of Trotting

Given the reasons mentioned above, it's generally beneficial for your dog to settle into a trot during a run. In a trot, their diaphragm can move independently from their gait pattern, allowing them to maintain the pace for longer periods without overheating.

A case in point involves Bo, a hunting dog that can work tirelessly in the bush searching for birds. Despite his stamina, Bo nearly succumbed to exhaustion during a local 5k race because he galloped rather than trotted, leading to insufficient cooling and buffering of the byproducts from cardiovascular exercise.

Conclusion

Before you take your dog out for a run, take the time to assess their gait pattern and try to encourage them to settle into an easy trot. Not only does this reduce the impact forces on their joints, but it also allows them to breathe independently. Understanding these factors can significantly enhance your dog's health and your shared running experiences. Remember, running with your furry friend should be enjoyable and safe for both parties involved.