When Can I Start Running With My Dog?

[Ron]

I heard/read that you are not supposed to run with a puppy prior to a certain age. Just wondering what everyone else thought about this.

thanks

[JoeV]

Originally Posted by Ron

I heard/read that you are not supposed to run with a puppy prior to a certain age. Just wondering what everyone else thought about this.

thanks

Honestly, he looks big enough now to run with you. I just wouldn't let him tire out during the run...

[Ron]

yeah. "now" the issue is the heat. Maybe i'll take him tomorrow morning for a bit of jog

[AussieGirl]

No offence but I disagree about it being okay to run now. There are many articles and vets who recommend that you should not run (or anything similar like bike riding) until they are 12 months old. Their body is still developing and growing and while they may seem to cope with it and "okay" at the time they may suffer the effects later on in life.

# Regular, moderate exercise (puppy play, scheduled walks and swimming). Do not over exercise the puppy. No extensive jumping or jogging/running) before 1 year of age.

Source Beechmount Animal Hospital

Avoid injuries. Exercise the dog only moderately until dog growth plates have closed (~18 months of age but sometimes as late as 2 years of age) and daily thereafter. Puppies up to 6 months of age don't need much exercise and heavy exercise such as jogging will hurt them permanently. Keep exercise sessions to under 40 minutes and exercise on leash for at least the first 6 months. Until the growth plates close, do not let your puppy do any form of repetitive motion such as jogging or any activities that involve any twisting, jumping up at or over objects

The above is from a Labrador Breeder's Puppy Info Pack

Environmental influences would include overweight condition, injury at a young age, overexertion on hip joint at a young age, ligament tear at a young age, repetitive motion on forming joint (ie. jogging with puppy under the age of 1 year).

This section is from info on Hip Dysplasia

[JoeV]

Originally Posted by AussieGirl

No offence but I disagree about it being okay to run now. There are many articles and vets who recommend that you should not run (or anything similar like bike riding) until they are 12 months old. Their body is still developing and growing and while they may seem to cope with it and "okay" at the time they may suffer the effects later on in life.


Source Beechmount Animal Hospital



The above is from a Labrador Breeder's Puppy Info Pack


This section is from info on Hip Dysplasia

I respect each own's opinion, but can't believe that it is a health concern. Think about if they were growing up in the wild - they'd be running around all of the time. What difference does it make if you run with them on leash or if they were to run naturally? Of course, just use common sense and don't tire the dog out. I'd always alternate run... walk... run... walk, so it isn't just straight running the whole time you're out with the dog.

[Ron]

i'm with Joe. I just can't imagine a simple (slow) run 30-40 mintues will harm a dog. It's barely a run for them.

[Ron]

thinking of starting a few short runs with him in September....

[Marylou Mader]

Originally Posted by JoeV

I respect each own's opinion, but can't believe that it is a health concern. Think about if they were growing up in the wild - they'd be running around all of the time. What difference does it make if you run with them on leash or if they were to run naturally? Of course, just use common sense and don't tire the dog out. I'd always alternate run... walk... run... walk, so it isn't just straight running the whole time you're out with the dog.

In the wild, dogs don't run with people, they run only to take prey. or to play as puppies, so I agree, wait for at least one year for the bone development...

[Erin251]

i 100% agree with ausiegirl. i dont think it would hurt them at the time but i was told that it increases the risk of getting hip dysplasia. and after all canines in the wild dont live as long as house dogs. once in a while running shouldnt hurt but i wouldnt do it more then once a week or less.

[Scooby]

Dogs shouldn't go running too vigorously, like more than a mile or so, until they're over a year. Since they're still growing, the constant pounding of the running will compact their bones at their growth plates and that doesn't do them any good!