Running with your boxer

[boxerprincess]

I run with my monsters as well. They are both active swimmers and are super fit dogs, but still they max out about 4miles - and then sleep peacefully ALL DAY. *generally* we hydrate before and after - living in arizona you kinda get used to being a bit parched at all times.

They love love love to run, so the first mile can be a bit of a challenge - they love to compete with me to set the pace - but I'm usually draggin them miles 2 and 3 and then they pick back up for 4 - so we all make a good team. On the really crazy days, I'll bring a pocketful of treats to keep their attention on me rather then on running like banshees.

 

[amt15811]

Thanks for all the great replies - Max is just over a year and is about the same as your boxers - all out for the 1st mile or 2, then I'm dragging him mile 3, and mile 4 he is ready to get home. Love him to death, and love to see how carefree and happy he is when we first start running. Keeps me smiling the whole run! It calms him down for about an hour and then he's ready to play again. Gotta love 'em!

 

[Boxer_21]

Originally posted by amt15811
Max is just over a year and is about the same as your boxers - all out for the 1st mile or 2, then I'm dragging him mile 3, and mile 4 he is ready to get home.

As previously mentioned, it's not recommended to strenuously exercise a boxer until they're at least 18 months old. It's definitely not good for their bones and joints as they are still growing and developing up until this age.

With that said, if Max is showing signs that he's to tired to go on willingly (you said you're dragging him on the 3rd mile), maybe this is actually his way of telling you that 2 miles is more within his limits. I'm sure you're not literally dragging him, but if he's showing such signs that he's exhausted and just tuckered out, I personally would at least cut the length of the trip down so as not to force him to keep up with you. Just my personal opinion.

 

[Matt S]

First of all I agree with Mandy, I wouldn't be running him too much or for too long before he completely matures.
Also, if he's lagging that's pretty much his way of saying,
"Oi!!, give us a rest will ya."
A search on "running or exercise" will result in many previous threads on the topic.

Having said that..... I do run with my 2 (Ali 5 & Eric 4).
We run 2 maybe 3 times a week & we go about 3km (approx. 2 miles).
They run with their leads on which was a little tricky at first but once we got a system going they've been excellent running companions.

 

[Rowdy Boys]

I run with my boys too. They are great jogging companions because they never want to stop and walk - they pull me along and keep me going.

They go nuts too when it's time to go - especially Omar. They know the difference between just going out in the morning or going for a run based on what shoes I put on. If I put my flip flops on, they know they are just going out, but if I put my running shoes on, they start kidney beaning - I don't even have to say anything. Omar even starts woo-wooing (not good at 5am if hubby is still in bed ) because I'm not getting dressed fast enough for his liking. Or, I just have to ask, "you want to go run?" and he goes nuts.

Brenda

 

[coveyjt]

Boxers are great jogging companions. Powder and I run up to 3-4 miles a couple times a week. However, I do listen to her when she wants to stop or slow down. But most of the time she makes it through the entire run. Then they are those lazy days where I have to stop and walk the rest of the way because she is too tired.:rolleyes:
I read in "Training your boxer" that one of the prerequisites for breading in Germany is an endurance test of trotting 12 miles with only brief breaks.
Even if my little girl wasn't white, I don't think breeding her in Germany. After 2-3 miles she gets bored and starts looking for cats to chase. :p

 

[adeinert]

That's why I started running!

I have gotten a form of whiplash thanks to a few critters in the dark early morning hours.

After I lost Jagger to cancer, my two furbabies were too young for jogging (under 18 months) and quit myself!

Now all three of mine are over 18 months so back to jogging we go!
:cool: Ashlie