Taking long runs with dog.

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smac

Boxer Pal
Is it safe to take a long run with a boxer?
I would to like to take my dog with me for a 2 a half mile run. Can someone please give me some info on doing this.
THANKS ALOT
 

Jazzmin'mom

Boxer Booster
Sorry I don't have an answer for you - I would just like to add a question to your post. What about biking with your dog. My Jazz requires loads of running daily and we have no off leash parks so I was thinking of riding my bike while she runs beside or poss. rollerblade.
 
If the dog is old enough it's no problem - and the dog will love it. But if the dog is still physically developing it can do damage to the joints to run on pavement. So it really depends on the age of the dog! frogicon
 

tugger

Super Boxer
My only concern is where you live. The climate will be the deciding factor. I take Brit on runs all the time. 2 and 1/2 miles is nothing for her. Work the dog into this. You did not start out running 2 miles at a time.
When summer hits and the humidity creeps up no way. She decides when it is too hot and humid.
I always take a small water bottle with us also. She is trained to drink from it and not touch it with her mouth so I can drink from it too.
I wear a weight belt and loop her leash through it and wear it around my waist. It keeps my hands free and we really travel well together. People in our small town see us and crack up. Here is this physical fit looking dog dragging this chubby lady down the street. What a site but it works well for us. We usually run about 4-5 miles at a time. 2-3 times a week.
 

Tulsa-Dan

Your Friendly Moderator
Weather is a concern. Also, be sure to wean your dog to the 2.5 mile run. Don't expect the dog, just like any person, to be ready to run a marathon the first time out. It takes gradual conditioning just like you. Warm up, cool down, etc.

Keep an eye on your dog when you run for signs of fatigue and rest if they appear. They will rest a short while and then be ready to go again. Also, water is a good idea, but don't let them drink too much at a time if you are running, so as to avoid any risk of bloat.

Many people jog and bike with their boxers with no problems at all. Mine run like the wind (with each other in our park) and it is one beautiful sight to see.

Have fun!!
 
Jazzmin'mom:

I don't bike, but do hike and backpack in the National Forest nearby - and when there in the day hike area, I frequently see dogs running alongside bikes, including Jasper, a brindle boy that my boy plays with. He is not allowed off lead, so his ownwer has a device mounted to the rear axle that holds the leash (and allows for breakaway for safety reasons)and Jasper seems to love it, as do all the dogs I see. My boy Baxter seems interested, and has almost guilted me into buying a bike with those sad, pleading eyes :LOL:!

We are in training for his first, (my annual) 10 day trek on the Appalachian Trail, so for now he'll have to content himself with hiking. But biking does look interesting, and enjoyable for both dog and owner - give it a try and let us know how it goes!
 

iluvboxers

Super Boxer
In florida where I live it is ok to take them early in the morning but not in the heat of the day, the pavement gets hot enough to fry an egg on so you have to watch for the pads on their paws not to burn. I have a friend whose dog got heat stroke and almost died. He felt so bad, he had his cell phone and called a friend and they came and picked her up and took her home and put her in the pool, she is a lab and it just was to much for her. It took a week for her to recover. I love taking my male and he will drink out of the water bottle also but wants to put it in his mouth, tugger, you have your Boxer trained well! I will have to try that, I usually get my drink and he gets the rest.
 

vaboxer

Completely Boxer Crazy
Hook and I go for 2 mile walks, twice a week. He's 4 and a little overweight so I have to keep my eye on him. If he had his way he would run the entire time, but once I see him start wobbling I stop and walk for a few blocks...then when he's ready we start running again...stopping every few blocks so he could rest a bit.
He loves it more than anything...and he's good without a leash so most of the time he is just on his own running along side me...running into the woods every now and then to chase a squirrel.
 

Kellie

Boxer Buddy
Tess and I run about 8km (aprrox. 5miles) every week. She is only 8 months but does a lot more running with Breeze (our friends Weimy(sp?)). She is extremely fit but I still watch her closely and don't do more than that with her. I still run 10km about once a month without her.

We go to the beach at least twice a week and she runs (of her own accord) for about an hour at a time. She loves running, but I did build it up slowly with her. Good luck!
 
Ive been rollerblading with stanley every day after work...we don't go very far but it definately tires him out...he loves to bark at the skates and try and bite them but once we get going he is fine...and there is grass next to the jogging/bike path so that I can skate and he can run on the grass...I hope to get a picture of it soon and put it on my website...
 
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