Running With Your Dog

See Spot run. Spot's having fun...or is he? Just as running isn't the sport for everyone, it's not the sport for every dog. Even if your dog seems to love chasing things and running around the yard, that doesn't mean your pooch will take to running.

The pros of a canine running partner can be numerous. Many runners say their dog enjoys running and helps keep them motivated – after all, you might be able to shrug off your human workout partner's teasing when you skip a workout, but it's tough to ignore the expectant look of a canine workout partner (or their cold nose against your skin, which is much more effective than an alarm clock!). It can be great exercise and, given our two- and four-legged populations' trend toward being overweight, it's pretty clear we all need more exercise. Running can also be a good bonding experience for both of you.

That said, there is a downside to running with your canine companion. For one, running injuries aren't restricted to two-legged runners. Remember that you're most likely wearing well-padded shoes that provide support and cushion when you run, but your dog is barefoot. Being barefoot isn't that tough when a dog is running on grass or other natural ground surfaces, but running on concrete, asphalt, gravel or other hard surfaces can put a lot of stress on your dog's body and can put them at risk of injury to their legs, paws or paw pads. Read the entire article

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