Thinking of trying to race a 5 or 10K and don’t think you
can do it alone? The Peninsula SPCA is here to provide you with the perfect
running buddy, and this one has a tail and positive attitude.
So why run with a four-legged partner instead of a
two-legged human? For one, dogs won’t judge. You can run at your own pace,
breath as obnoxiously as you want, sweat as profusely as possible, and your dog
will remain content. Also, no need to worry about holding a conversation while
you’re trying to seem like you’re not gasping for air.
Dogs aren’t worried about how many calories you’ve burned,
how fast you ran that last mile, or what your form looks like. Running with a
dog allows you to have the freedom to take your mind off of the stress and
focus on putting one paw, or one foot, in front of the other for as long as you
like.
You’ll also grow closer to your dog. Spending an hour on the
trail, side by side, and conking out on the couch together post-workout will strengthen
the bond you have so that he or she will never leave your side and will always
be begging for another trip outside, which in turn keeps you more active.
It’s not a
good idea to take very young or old dogs with you on any kind of run. Runners
World magazine recommends that puppies be between nine and sixteen months old
before they venture out for a jog. Also, before you strap on your sneakers and
take your dog out, make sure she or he is healthy and capable of being active
for a long period of time in extreme hot or cold weather. Start off slow,
building up miles or minutes gradually over a few weeks. Use a leash and keep
your dog within three feet of you during the run. When encountering people on a
trail, Christie Aschwanden, contributing writer
for Runners World magazine, suggests that you pull off to the side to let them
pass without interacting with your dog. Lastly, make sure your dog stays
hydrated and cool during the summer.
The following breeds of dogs are perfect for all different
types of runs:
1.
Long, steady runs (over 10 miles): dogs with a medium build, such as
Weimaraners, Goldendoodles, and German shorthaired pointers
2.
Runs shorter than a 10K: Sprinting dogs with a
muscular, lean build such as Greyhounds, beagles and pitbulls
3.
Long, slow runs: dogs with bigger bodies, such
as dalmatians and labrador retrievers
4.
Running on trails: calm, obedient, people-friendly
dogs like labradoodles, golden retrievers and border collies.
To find your perfect running buddy, visit http://www.peninsulaspca.org/petango/
or stop by the Peninsula SPCA today to see all of our adoptable pets. You may
find a dog that fits your running lifestyle completely..
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