Water requirements when jogging

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levic

Boxer Buddy
I want to start training my 3 year old boxer to start jogging with me. I do early early mornings as I live in the tropics and I know the heat can be too much for a boxer (and me!). My question is, should I run with water for Heidi? and if yes, how often should I have her drink?
 

Bathel

Super Boxer
Good question and one I too am interested to find out...

If I could tag onto your post... at what age can you start running with your pup? I've heard you need to wait until 1 year old at least to give the growth plates time to do their thing.... I do most of my running on the road/sidwalk... so there is a lot of pavement for my pup to run on.
 

levic

Boxer Buddy
Thanks Darby White

Thanks for the tip...that does make sense. I heard about a dog (not a boxer) dying from heat stroke after a run with it owners so I was wondering if they didn't keep the dog hydrated enough during the run or if the time of day was too hot.....no details were given at the time but it made me concern for Heidi.
 
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LILYLARUE

Boxer Insane
I would also start to condition the pads for runing on concrete or other hard surfaces. A good paw wax & conditioner in the morning and at night will start to condition the pads. Then apply a silicone wax before your runs to protect the pads from the hot surface and any oils, or other contaminants on the surfaces. Just like you wouldn't run in your bare feet without conditioning and protecting them first.

And remember, if it's too hot for you to stand on the surface in your bare feet, it's too hot for them to be on it too! Test it and stand on the surface for atleast 1 minute. If your feet are burning, the dog's feet will be on fire during the run. The last thing you want is a dog with burned pads. It's horrible for them and then they blister and peel off, exposing flesh and potential of infections.

There are several websites that sell little tubs of paw conditioners and emolients. I use them daily on my dogs cause I get so tired of being scratched up by their rough pads. Also had to use it for over a year to get Buster's pads recovered and healed from extreme urine burns before I got him.

Musher's wax is a great product to use as a protectant for the pads before going out for any running, biking or even walking. It's silicone based so it really protects from snow, hot surfaces and even keeps mud from sticking!! It also helps to keep them supple and soft. You can find it on ebay, amazon and several dog supply websites.
 
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levic

Boxer Buddy
Just bought it!

Thanks for those tips, that was really informative.....and I just bought the mushers....I will surely keep an eye on her feet.
 

CoraBoxer

Super Boxer
I would think that at 3 the paws are significantly more conditioned then your bare feet that never or rarely touch pavement. If you're running 'early early' pavement is most likely fine. You can tell by touching like was said but from my own experience pavement that is a little warmer isn't a problem unless it gets really hot like mid-day in the sun. Its weird when I run with Kahner he doesn't like to run on the grass next to the bike lanes. Sometimes I start him off there as a precaution (evening jog) and he wanders back onto the pavement.

I think letting them condition the paws gradually is better than always waxing or putting on booties. You want the paws to get a little tougher (vs puppy paws). Obviously don't force or hurt the dog.

When I run lets say ~3miles I usually bring 1 runners bottle which is about 10oz give or take and hydrate additionally after the run as well. On more humid days/summer i'll bring 2. Try to keep it to morning and evenings. Now with temps around 50F in the morning and evening I still bring one but he's usually fine, so i'd normally offer it after the run. Both of mine understand 'water' (which I repeat when taking it out). When they're in their groove running and I ask if they want water they lick their chops, slow down and sit on the grass. If they're ok they usually look back down at the ground and keep running. Its hard to describe the routine we have, probably makes no sense. You could stop and pinch the skin or check the gums at the beginning before you get to know how your dog reacts to the running. Offer more water rather than less and learn how much yours is comfortable with.

I think its also important to pay attention to breathing. You don't want them hyperventilating/panting or foaming up at the mouth.
 
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