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Beginning an exercise regimen with your dog has a multitude of benefits: weight control, cardiovascular health, and mental happiness. So whether you prefer the trails or the city, there’s no excuse; starting a routine is as easy as 1-2-3:
1. Start with a Clean Bill of Health. The first step to starting a running regimen is to get an okay from your doctor and the go-ahead from your canine’s vet as well. There are special considerations for each dog regarding a running routine, such as age, breed, genetics, and weight. It’s always a good idea to have all these factors checked out prior to starting a fitness routine.
2. Get Your Gear In Check. Don’t forget about Fido’s gear as well. Remember, he’s not equipped with those super-cushy, gel-filled sneakers. If your dog’s pads are soft, you may want to consider using dog boots to prevent paw injuries. But just like any shoes, they will require a break-in period, so start slow. Other things to check out before going include a sturdy leash, current and well-secured identification tags, and a harness. Harnesses are better options for running than collars because they prevent strain on the delicate trachea and disperse the dog’s pull over a larger surface.
3. Start Slow. To begin, ease into your exercise program with long walks of about a half-mile or 20 minutes every other day. After about a week or so, add periods of running into your walks, gradually increasing the amount of running over the next week or two until the entire program consists of running. Once you are both conditioned to run, add about 10 percent to the distance every week.
Though collars are much more common attire for dogs than harnesses, many trainers, veterinarians, and dog experts are beginning to see the benefits of using a harness in some instances. It can be confusing deciding which is more appropriate for your dog and activities, so here are some tools to help you decide which makes more sense for you.
Uses for a Harness
Use a harness for leashed activities, especially if your dog pulls, is not well-trained to ignore distractions, for extra control, or if your dog has respiratory or trachea problems (common in small dogs and short-nosed dogs).
Harnesses are better for small dogs and dogs that pull
Advantages of a Harness
Safe Leash Attachment. Because a harness secures around the dog’s body and distributes the pulling force on stronger parts of the dog’s anatomy, the likelihood of injury on the neck, spine, and windpipe are greatly reduced. Even if your dog is not a puller, he or she could be injured wearing a collar if they make a quick move to chase a squirrel, dog, or person.
Security
Running with your dog can give you an added sense of security. They are very aware of their surroundings, can warn you of other people/dogs on the trail, and bark if threatened.
Dependability
A dog is the most dependable and motivated running partner you will ever find. Their tail will wag at the mere mention of a R-U-N.
Health
Not only does running help you get fit, it will help control your dog’s weight, muscle tone, cardiovascular health, and endurance.
Happiness
Running is also good for a dog’s mental health. Allowing a dog to get outside to experience the sights, sounds, and smells of nature will make your dog happy.
Energy Release
Some dogs have an overwhelming amount of energy. Running a dog on a regular basis helps release energy that would more than likely otherwise be vented on your furniture, carpet, or innocent chew toys.
Many start off the New Year with a resolution to get in shape, and often that regimen includes some form or running or jogging. This year, we encourage you to get both yourself and your dog in shape by beginning or continuing a running routine with your canine. What better motivator than a bright-faced, panting, four-legger with high endurance whose tail wags at the mere sight of tennis shoes and a leash?
If you’ve never run with your dog before, keep in mind that if you’re out of shape, your dog might be too. Dogs need to be conditioned for long hauls just as humans do.
Start your resolution out right with this guide to “tail blazing” that will have you both back in shape in no time!
- Take your dog for long walks of at least a half-mile every other day. This gets them used to the leash, their surroundings, and your commands. This also gives your dog’s paws a chance to toughen up.
- After a week or so, add in periods of running into your walks. Gradually increase the amount of running over the next week or two until you are running the entire time.
- Once you and your dog are conditioned to run, you can add speed or distance. It is recommended to increase your distance about 10 percent each week, but if your dog starts lagging, slow down and let them catch their breath.
- Finally, while in training mode, allow your dog a day off for each day ran.
Happy Tails!
Just as our collapsible bowls have come a long way over the course of Ruff Wear’s 16 years, our Bark’n Boots™, which originally debuted prior to 1999, have also come a long way.
Original Design of Ruff Wear Boots
Original 3D Bark'n Boots™
Designing a boot that would protect and stay on a dog’s very narrow, straight and delicate paw was no easy task, and it required years of research and development in order to produce today’s version of the Bark’n Boot™ Grip Trex™—one of Ruff Wear’s top-selling selling products!
This January, we are starting the new year by taking a look back at our heritage. We thought we’d start with the story of how Ruff Wear began: through the inspiration of our president, Patrick Kruse, whose ingenuity began as a young child.
Humble Beginnings
At the age of 12, Patrick Kruse built his first dog pack out of navy surplus gas mask bags for his dog, Mariah. His early passion for dogs, product invention, and the outdoors paved the way for Ruff Wear’s humble beginnings.
Young Patrick designs a dog pack from Navy surplus supplies
The Challenge
In the summer of 1992, Patrick took a mountain bike ride in the Los Padres National Forest with a friend and her dog. This adventure inspired Patrick to figure out a better solution for watering dogs during outdoor adventures.
Patrick is challenged to come up with a solution for dogs on the go
The Collapsible Bowl is Born
Patrick experimented in his Southern California garage with some tent fabric and a sewing machine to create a dog bowl that was waterproof and easily portable.
The original collapsible bowl—The Quencher™— debuted at the 1994 Outdoor Retailer Trade Show to an intrigued crowd who were amazed a fabric bowl could be waterproof. Soon after the Quencher was invented, Patrick relocated to Bend, Oregon. Ruff Wear® performance dog gear was born.
Patrick invents the original collapsible bowl
A Company is Born
Bend, a high desert mountain town, proved the perfect testing ground for new product designs. Otis, Patrick’s Australian Cattle Dog, became Ruff Wear’s first product tester, joining Patrick for many hiking, exploring, river, and travel adventures. Ruff Wear’s passion was, and continues to be, providing innovative solutions to real customer needs, resulting in products that inspire and facilitate outdoor adventures for canines and their human companions.
The first Ruff Wear logo
Our Commitment to the Future
Guided by our mission, “To build performance dog products that enhance and inspire outdoor adventures for dogs and their human companions,” we understand that our success requires an environmental commitment to protect the lands we recreate in. Ruff Wear is an active member in the Conservation Alliance, a group dedicated to ensuring that future generations have open spots to enjoy (after all, dogs live to run free of a fenced yard!).
Ruff Wear team volunteering with the Conservation Alliance
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