Running with your boxer

[hausterbaby]

Deuce is 8.5 months. I have been taking him on regular jogs (3.89 miles @ 10-11 min/mile pace) for about 2 weeks. He seems to be OK with it. It doesnt even tire him out. When he comes back he still wants to go outside and romp with the birds. We also make sure he gets to go to the dog park regularly to romp, and we play lots of back yard games. He must love the jogs because anytime I put my running shoes on he starts turning circles in the air. He looks like a circus clown! And once you grab the leash, its all over. He starts sprinting back and forth between me and the door! I cant imagine if the runs hurt him he would be so excited to get out there and go!

 

[Mama_Zookeeper]

Rocky & Mia walk with me in the mornings, fast walk for me and trotting pace for them. We cannot go out long as Mia is not too keen on exercise! In the evenings they walk with my husband who takes them to a nearby soccerfield where h sets them loose to run for 20-30 min. They do well with this though we do not do the evening thing too much when the weather is hot. Rocky is 1yr old and Mia is 3.

Dora

 

[courtney323]

Hausterbaby -

When Gmacloud (and others) say that runs are harmful for puppies, they do not mean that it is physically causing pain for him every time you take him out. Rather, they are harmful in the long run. They have the potential to severely harm is growing joints and bones.

Please reconsider taking such a young puppy out jogging. When I was a kid, I ran track in school. We got a pup with lots of energy and I took her jogging with me at about the same age (8 months). She incidentally developed severe hip dysplacia and arthritis. We later learned that we should have never put such stress on a puppy's body. I would really hate for anyone else to find this out the hard way.

Good luck

 

[kflanaga]

I've given up on running with mine (over 2 years old now). Apparently I have the only lazy boxer in the world.

I'm an avid runner. 40-50 miles per week. I've tried taking him on my shorter runs to get him started. He runs for about 200 yards, realizes there is no point to the running and then refuses to go any further. We once got to a mile together, but it was torture for both of us as he was as far behind me as the retractable leash would allow, and trotting as slowly as he could.

He'd rather sit on the couch while I run.

 

[Gus's Teah]

Clarification

I guess I should have been more specific in my earlier response... when I take Gus (6 mths) jogging with me, we never go more than 1 mile (he waits at home while I finish, and doesn't go with me to the gym ). He never is actually running anyways, he's just walking fast and making frequent stops to watch squirels and check out other dogs in fences along the way. When we take Gus backpacking, he doesn't pack in his food or water or even wear a pack yet, we'll wait till 18 mths at least before we train him for that. We are also making several stops for pictures and water/food breaks. He's just bouncing along for the entire 5 miles or so (as long as we've done with him so far) which takes about 3 hours.

In short, I don't think I'm placing my 6 mth old puppy in danger of hip-displacia considering that I'm jogging and backpacking with him.

Also, people on this board are way too fast to jump all over someone before they even know any details about any situation. My husband and I have 4 extremely healthy, athletic dogs who are better cared for than any other dogs I know (exculding anyone from this board because I don't know any of you or your dogs).

 

[daisyscrazy]

Ok... I have a 1 yr old boxer and I am in the AF and my hubby... We took Daisy on a PT run... I couldn't keep up with her... I would like to know when she gets to be 2 or 3 how do you keep up with them..> Because this dog runs faster than me and my husband...

 

[elbykitty]

What my vet said.

Hello
I also enjoy a good jog when the weather permits, I am in Michigan. I would have loved to bring along my 14 week old boxer Oscar, but after consulting with my vet I have changed my mind. Although she said it would be fine to bring him on walks, even long walks of a hour daily. She said it was a pretty bad idea to take him on jogs due to his bones and joints aren't able to handle the stess of jogs just yet and it may never be a good idea for him to jog, we have to wait and see. She did say that walking him has so many benefits such as strengthing his ligaments and would be excellent for his heart. So I have given up the jogging and now take long walks instead. At first it made me ansy,and my other dog Lilly seemed to really miss it, now I just enjoy the scenery and take it as an opportunity to relax and reflect on the day, and Lilly is now loving it because is gives her more time to sniff. So now everyone is happier and healthier.
Elbykitty
Mom to Oscar 14 week old Oscar
Mom to Lilly 3 year old foxhound