[vkschoch]

Thought I'd share a funny realization I had today. My vet told me that I could start taking Squeegee running with me when he was 8-10 months old since that's when they anticipated his skeletal growth to be done. I took him running for the first time today and was nervous and planning to take it nice a slow with him. Well, I take off running and look over to find that Squeegee is comfortably trotting along beside me. He doesn't have to run at all to keep up with me!! Haha, all this time I've been holding off and trying to be careful for nothing.

Anyway, as I said in my earlier post, we are considering getting Squeegee a playmate and I was wondering if anyone runs with two dogs. Seems like it would mean a lot of leash untangling.

 

[Mollys Mom]

I have slow-jogged with two, not much of a problem if you don't have a wanderer that runs in front of you. You can get one of those split leashes that hold two dogs and just keep them to one side of you.

 

[Pack Leader]

I very strictly trained Henry to heel because when I adopted him I wanted a jogging buddy. I would recommend that you do this, and only allow the pups to sniff around when you give a command. Otherwise you might be jerked all over the place. I also bike and rollerblade with Henry.

 

[vkschoch]

Melissa, how did you teach him to heel while running? I've tried techniques that I've found online and he doesn't seem to get it. I understand the pack walk principle where you are alpha and they walk behind you because they know they are not top dog. Is that the key?

 

[beaner]

I find it easier to jog than walk most times as
when they are running they stay right with you and dont take time to sniff along the way or daddle at all, they just keep moving. I have one on each side and they rarely cross over or tangle. Good luck.

 

[Mollys Mom]

Vicki, if you keep them at your side on a shorter leash they will learn to heel and behave better on the walk. I used to let Molly go ahead and she was all out of control. The sniffing is the only problem. I used to roller blade with my last beagle and he would stop short to sniff!

 

[nmartin32]

Originally Posted By: Mollys MomVicki, if you keep them at your side on a shorter leash they will learn to heel and behave better on the walk. I used to let Molly go ahead and she was all out of control. The sniffing is the only problem. I used to roller blade with my last beagle and he would stop short to sniff!

I agree, along with jogging not running. I once tried running with Coco and landed flat on my face as he pull on the leash really hard

 

[Tucker]

I tried rideing my bike with Tucker once.....ONCE.

 

[nmartin32]

Originally Posted By: Tucker's DadI tried rideing my bike with Tucker once.....ONCE.

hehe, ditto on the ONCE.

 

[Pack Leader]

Vicki, I was really really strict about teaching the heel. It was the very first thing I taught Henry, with a the slip lead from the animal shelter (cheapo but it worked!). I bought a choke chain about a week later and now use it. I've done a lot of obedience training in the past, so I taught the heel with the leash high on the neck and gave 'pops' when he even thought about sniffing. Within a couple of days Henry was heeling perfectly, and he rarely ever needs a correction. I make him sit quietly for a few seconds when we get to grassy spots before I release him with a ok, go sniffs. For me, teaching the heel was the most important thing, because my idea of having a great dog/relationship is lots of walkies, jogs, traveling, etc. Can't really do that without proper leash training.

Hope this helps.