Running With Your Dog

For those of us who love running and love dogs, running with our dogs is a normal progression of two loves. It is exhilarating on a beautiful morning to slip in to the running shoes and attach the dog leash to his collar�.well; you know how dogs are about running! It’s as if he’s saying, �Run, run, I can’t wait to run, run, and run. Hurry and slip my dog collar on, so we can RUN!�
That kind of exuberance can be thrilling but it can also be a challenge for the human at the other end of the leash. A poorly trained dog ruins the pleasant experience. It’s no fun running with a dog that is pulling or yanking the dog leash out of your hands. Even worse, his bad manners can cause you to stumble or trip, making a run which was originally fun and exhilarating become painful and dangerous. Therefore, what do you do when you have a tugging, pulling, and out of control running buddy? There are several options available. First is training him to be a good running companion. The second option is buying a dog halter to stop his pulling. We will discuss both of these options.
A well trained dog on a leash is a joy. To train your dog, he must understand that pulling on the Dog leash or darting from side to side or tangling the dog leash up under his owner’s feet is totally unacceptable. He must learn to travel with his shoulder level with his master’s leg.
To train your dog properly for running, you’ll need to start with the walk first. Reprimand him when he crosses in front of you. Reward with a dog treat when he walks by your side.
If your dog gets behind, encourage him to �come’. If he doesn’t know this word, you should teach it to him first before you start running. It’s one of the first basic commands. (Link to article Puppy talk) When he �comes’, reward him with a dog treat.
If he pulls forward, give a quick jerk on the dog leash and then release the pressure. This should bring your dog back to the correct position for running. You should immediately reward him with a dog treat or a pat. Your dog will quickly learn he can receive Dog treats or praise as he stays at your side.
Remember to reward quickly with dog treats or reassuring pats so he understands that he did the right movement. Give your dog practice learning to anticipate your moves. As he moves with in response to your movements, praise him and reward him with dog treats. When he is walking confidently at your side without pulling or tangling the dog leash, he’s ready to run at your side.

What if your dog doesn’t respond to this training? Some dogs are very head strong and may not respond to the leash as well as other dogs. Fortunately, there are ways of helping even the liveliest dog learn to run without pulling, tugging or lugging you off your feet. There are dog collars especially designed to check this impulsive power and turn him into an easy running partner. They are a type of dog collar called dog halters. These dog halters give you superior control over your dog. He becomes manageable and easy to run with because he can’t pull hard against his Dog halter. The dog halter provides manageability over your dog while providing maximum comfort to your dog. Check for proper fit on any dog halter you buy. They need to fit properly to be effective. A good dog halter will check the dog without choking him. It should not put pressure on the larynx and trachea. It should restrain without hurting him. Moreover, with any training device, remember to reward his good behavior with dog treats or praise so that he knows that what he is doing is right.
With a dog halter and proper training, you can venture forward with even the most exuberant dog running obediently by your side. Take your dog running. You’ll both love it!
Julee Wing
3653 Nicklesville Rd NE
Resaca, Ga 30735
706-624-8909
fox-wing2@msn.com