10 Important Things To Know Before You Go Running With Your Dog

Will Storie, Discover Editor

 If you lead an active lifestyle — especially when you want to keep your dog healthy too — running together is a great option. But, much like taking a good picture or trying on makeup, it’s best to do a little homework before you take the plunge. With credit to GQ’s conversation with Tom Moroney, from New York’s Team Running Paws, and backed by our friends Dina Fantegrossi, a licensed veterinary technician, and Shelby Semel, professional dog trainer, here’s a checklist of things to keep in mind before you start your jog with your dog:

 1. If you have a Bulldog (or a Pug, or a Frenchie)- Slow down!

Brachycephalic dogs have breathing troubles and short legs. They’re not the ideal breeds for taking on a long run. Moroney recommends that if you’re taking one of these dogs out with you, stick to a fast-paced walk. You can also try interval training – jog for a block, walk for two.

 2. If you have a puppy (or a wildcard)- Don’t run!

Puppies need at least eight months of bone development, so go easy on them! You should wait until your dog is at least a year old before you take her on a full-on run. Additionally, Shelby suggests that you perhaps shouldn’t run with your dog if they’re easily excitable and prone to dodge off course. In this case, your dog might need some more training before they’re ready to be your new running buddy.

 3. So, which dogs *are* best for running?

Moroney points out that the key factor isn’t the size of the dog, but the relative length of their legs to their body – with relatively longer legs making for better running partners. Moroney’s top five breeds for running: German Shorthaired Pointers, Golden Retrievers, Labradors, Border Collies, and Huskies.

 4. Use a regular leash and think about your harness & collar

Moroney suggests a regular leash rather than a retractable leash, because a retractable “teaches the dog to always ask for more length.” And a regular walking harness should be fine, but if you’re running regularly, you might consider going with a special running harness instead- to reduce your pup’s risk of chafing. Shelby points out that you better go with a collar that won’t tighten, when you’re running- ruling out a slip, a choke, a prong, or a martingale, for instance.

 5. Take care of business first

Dina recommends taking your dog out for a short walk before you go on your run, so that bathroom breaks don’t interrupt the rhythm of your dog’s workout (or yours).

 6. Learn your dog’s language

Moroney recommends you pay close attention to how your dog is behaving and reacting over the course of the run. If he’s lagging behind, tongue wagging, he’s probably tired, so slow down a bit! If his hair is standing up and his ears and tail are perked, he might be anxious about another dog in the area. The better you know your dog’s mood, the better you’ll run together.

 7. You can bring treats, but it doesn’t have to be the focus

For a lot of dogs, the run is all the treat they need.

 8. Vary the length and duration of your runs together.

Your dog should get probably get about an hour of exercise daily (some breeds more, some less), but that can take many forms — playing fetch, or tug of war, or just rocking out for hours. If you’re running every day, Moroney recommends a 5-mile max for your dog’s run, any given day. And if you run daily, follow up a 5-mile run with shorter runs for the next few days after.

 9. Remember, it helps keep your dog on her best behavior.

Running helps your dog get her energy out. When she gets a chance to run, she won’t be so tempted to get her exercise digging up the yard or chewing up everything you own or driving your car into a lake.

 10. Play It Safe!

Shelby suggests reflective gear on the dog or the leash if you’re running at night. And Dina reminds us that if you have any other questions and concerns about starting to run with your dog, you should check with your veterinarian first.

Runner Spotlight - James Hoagland

Favorite distance: I have always found the Half Marathon was my perfect distance. My purpose is to stay fit, but not let training take away from family time. 13.1 is just a distance I found that I was good at and I can improve upon. This Fall I will run my 100th half marathon

Your favorite running memory: There’s so many. The one that stands out is my first KDF Mini in 2008. That’s when I got the running bug. My neighbor said his fastest Mini was 1:40, so that was my goal. I finished in 1:39:53.

The other was this year’s KDF Full marathon, my first. I decided to try it the Monday before the race because I was turning 40 and it sounded good at the time. I finished in 3:34:10, on my first day as a 40-year old. What made it so special was my wife and son being so proud and being there to hug and kiss me.

Do you have any running/walking advice you'd like to offer?: I’ve always believed in preparing, listening to your body, and finding the love of running through purpose. My purpose is to be a role model for my son, a good husband to my wife and a positive influence in our community…… and I like food and bourbon so it balances me out! 

Why do you like running River City Races events?:  I love River City Races because of the inclusiveness atmosphere and diversity of the participants. No matter your physical attributes, everyone is supported and welcome to participate for their own reasons. The staff at RCR is so nice, welcoming and supportive from start to finish of each event.

Anything else you'd like to share?:

I have been selected as an ambassador for the 2020 KDF mini/Full marathon (please select me as your ambassador when registering) and I pledge to support our community in getting up, getting out, and getting active. Please look me up on Facebook or Twitter (@jameshoagy) and ask any questions you have about KDF, running or the best places to eat in Louisville  I will have promo codes for the KDF and other community races to share. Here is the first:

Get into the KDF at its cheapest price: Save $5 in the Kentucky Derby Festival mini/full Marathon by registering today!

Use code: RERUN20 valid thru 11/15 - be sure to select me (James Hoagland) as your race ambassador when registering! Click here to register!

FIT4LIFE, #kdfambassador #derbyfestivmarathon #derbyfestivalmini #derbyfestivalrelay

Runner Spotlight - Cooper's Story

The last two days Cooper has been taking good care of me. I started thinking a lot about how far he's come in just two months and how he even ended up with us in the first place. I saw Cooper on Petfinder a lot for about a year (maybe longer), he stood out because he looked like Tilly but I was never particularly interested in him. I don't know why I finally decided to send his profile to Edwin but I'm glad I did. I know it sounds corny but I kind of feel like he was waiting for us. I got really introspective tonight and wrote this.

"I want to talk to talk about Cooper, but to talk about Cooper I have to talk about Tilly. One of my earliest memories takes place in a shelter. I used to remember it so vivdly but I haven't thought about it in so long, the details are becoming fuzzy. I remember a chain link fence, the ground was either grass or gravel, maybe both, but most importantly I remember two puppies. Two puppies playing together in a tiny fenced in area, one blue one red, chasing each other in circles. I pointed at the blue one and said "that one." That's where the memory ends. There's no before or after, just that little yard, those two puppies and me picking the blue one. I was three or four and that little blue puppy and I grew up together.

My mom says we went straight to the local pet store and people kept stopping us to tell us what a beautiful blue heeler we had. My parents had never even heard of a blue heeler. She said they bought a few books and read as much about the breed as they could. They learned that the dogs were Australian and decided to name her "Waltzing Matilda" to honor her roots. I didn't know any of this until recently, I just knew we called her Tilly.

Tilly was beyond special, even people who didn't like dogs liked Tilly. Tilly ran countless miles with my parents. My parents were both competitive runners and my dad says that Tilly would run 100 miles a week with him. We had to be careful, we always had to spell out "R-U-N" in our house, otherwise Tilly would go crazy and wait excitedly by the front door. It wasn't herding cattle but running was her job and she loved it. Everyone in the local running community knew Tilly. She was there for us almost until I graduated high school when in less than a week a sudden and unknown illness took her from us. We took her to a specialist hoping to find answers but she was in pain with no answers readily available so we made a hard decision in her best interests. I remember that day with almost perfect clarity but that's not relevant to this story.

Tilly and Jim, five time Werewolf Run Champions. We retired her after the fifth to give someone else a chance, LOL!

What is relevant is Tilly's spirit. She was intelligent and loyal and up for anything as long as she got to be with us. Tilly has been and will always be the epitome of dogs in my mind. I likely look back at my time with Tilly through rose colored glasses. I don't remember her puppyhood where she likely was hard to housetrain. I don't remember the times where she was probably under stimulated and destroyed everything in sight. I don't remember how difficult she was for my parents, who were first time heeler havers, to train. I just remember the end result of all the struggle and hard work and how amazingly it all paid off.

Tilly is how Cooper came to us. Having a dog was almost a part of my identity and when I was finally in a place where I felt I was ready for a dog of my own I really wanted a heeler. Through a series of events we ended up with a pug. A pug was the last dog I thought I'd end up with but he has turned out to be an incredible companion and I can't begin to imagine my life without George. At the time he was exactly what we needed. We lived in an apartment, we worked long hours and weren't especially active in our time off. As time went on and our circumstances changed I started getting that heeler itch again.

I frequently looked at Petfinder, searching for heelers and falling in love but the time was never right for one reason or another. About a year ago I was casually cruising Petfinder when a happy heeler face jumped out at me. "He's cute," I thought, "he kind of looks like Tilly!" I read about him and moved on. I looked at other dogs, fantasizing about the day when we were ready to add another dog to the family. I sent a few to Edwin, thinking maybe this was the one but we both always agreed the time wasn't right. The middle of that summer I found out I needed surgery to repair my hip that had been injured years prior. With my upcoming surgery and recovery I knew that another dog was out of the question but I kept looking just for fun. That happy heeler face was ever present on Petfinder.

After my surgery I started searching Petfinder again hoping to find the perfect heeler to help me get back in running shape. Happy heeler was ever present but for some reason I always dismissed him. I sent Edwin many dogs and still we agreed the time wasn't right. About four months into my recovery I did my regular search on Petfinder and there was happy heeler face as always, but this time something connected. On a whim, I sent his profile to Edwin. He immediately replied and said to talk to our landlord. I didn't think he was serious but he started wondering what our camping trips would be like with two dogs and speculating about our new life with four more paws. This was new, usually when I sent dog profiles I was met with "cute" and nothing more. We talked it over, spoke with the landlord, contacted the rescue and decided to go meet happy heeler face.

On our way to our first meet and greet we excitedly talked about how great it was going to be for George to have a brother and for me to have a running buddy the whole way there. Our first meeting was anything but great. Our happy heeler excitedly leapt out of the shelter into the yard living up to everything that we had seen and been told, we were eleated! He ran over to us, sniffed our shoes, looked up at us....and ran away. He was terrified. We took a break and tried again in a different area but he still wouldn't get close to either one of us. We spoke to the rescue coordinator and decided to come back and try again but we left completely heartbroken.

We remained positive and made another appointment to try again but I wasn't feeling great about it. This dog, who looked so much like the dog that shaped my life and formed my perception of what a dog should be, didn't like me, he was afraid of me. "It's not going to work," I thought. "Why should I try to force a relationship with a dog that is clearly terrified of me?" Edwin was in love with this dog though so I decided to keep these thoughts to myself and try again. We arrived to the second appointment, this time with George. The rescue thought that if happy heeler saw another dog interacting with us he'd be more willing to give us a chance. Meeting number two went much better, but I still didn't feel good about it. We scheduled a third meeting where the two dogs could play off leash. The third meeting went great so the happy heeler, Cooper, came home for a trial.

I was incredibly nervous. How could we be expected to integrate this dog, who wouldn't even let us touch him two weeks ago, into our lives? That first week and a half was awful. Cooper wouldn't eat, wouldn't go outside and would cower in fear any time we walked in his direction with an object in our hands. He barely slept and spent most of his time panting and pacing. We were so convinced that he hated us and being with us that we called the rescue with our hearts fully broken and our minds firmly made up that he had to go back. We were certain that he was miserable and would never be happy in our home, we thought we were acting in his best interest to give him back. After probably close to three hours on the phone with the rescue we still weren't fully convinced he could be happy with us but we agreed to try some different approaches. I still wasn't convinced that he'd be a good fit for our family but Edwin seemed to love him so I decided to try.

We followed the instructions given to us by the rescue and Cooper began to come out of his shell. Even though we were still nervous around him we started taking him on walks in the park and to the local dog park and amazingly he began to flourish. The more we got him out of his comfort zone the better he adjusted to life outside of the shelter. With each day Cooper improved exponentially and we finally began to know the happy heeler we saw on Petfinder.

Cooper is three years old. He has been at the shelter for two years. For two thirds of his life he's lived in a kennel surrounded by 30 other barking dogs with insufficient mental stimulation and outlet for his energy. He came from an amazing rescue organization, they take better care of their dogs than any rescue I've ever seen, but even they said that their environment is not a healthy one for any dog long term. They're volunteer run and give their dogs as much outside time as they possibly can but are understandbly limited by their resources. They do amazing work with the resources they have.

It was hard at first but I am so grateful that they took the time to educate us on dog behavior and where Cooper came from and asked us to give him more time. Someone did a number on Cooper and he just needed someone to give him the opportunity to see that not all people are bad. This dog that was terrified of men, going outside and even eating in our home now does a full slide into the back door every morning to go out, a happy dance at breakfast and dinner, and tonight he even slipped out of the front door to say hi to the man delivering our food. I feel guilty now that I waited so long to contact the rescue that had Cooper. I also feel that maybe he was waiting for us to be ready for him. I wonder if that similarity to Tilly that I saw in him is what drove my hesitation to let him in. He looks like Tilly and I wonder if I was scared that he wouldn't live up to her, or worse, that he would take her place in my heart.

My parents struggled with Tilly and we are going to struggle with Cooper. He's only been with us for two months so we're at the beginning of our struggle and hard work but I see Tilly's spirit in him. He won't ever be Tilly, it's not fair to any dog to expect them to live up to the standards of your childhood hero. He can live up to those standards in his own way though. I see the good dog in Cooper. I could always see the good dog in Cooper, I think I was just scared to open my heart. He's got a long way to go but I know that if we put in the work with him like my parents did with Tilly he'll be amazing. Tilly was the dog that made my childhood, and I feel in my heart that Cooper is going to be the Tilly of my adulthood."

About Tyson’s Chance Animal Foundation

Tyson’s Chance Animal Foundation Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit animal rescue based in Shelbyville, KY. Our primary focus is the rescue of special needs animals.

A majority of our adoptable animals are seniors, medical cases, and those with social or behavioral issues. We also provide hospice care to terminally ill animals who have been relinquished to shelters or given up by their owners.

 Tyson’s Chance rescues all breeds, sizes, ages, and temperaments. We love to heal the sick, rehabilitate the misunderstood, and provide safe haven for those in their golden years.

 Tyson's Chance is a special needs animal rescue located in Shelbyville, Ky. Our focus is seniors, medical, behavior, and hospice cases.

 Nine years ago within a small boarding and training facility in Shelbyville, KY, a very special organization got its start. The owner of the boarding business was passionate about rescue work and several areas in her facility were dedicated to rescuing dogs and cats. A group of likeminded animal lovers became involved and wanted to see this idea grow into something more. One evening a large, beautiful pit bull from another rescue checked in to stay at the facility and take part in the training program. His name was Tyson and the rest is history. The demand for rescue work was high and it was decided a separate entity should be formed under the same roof to support this lifesaving mission. Tyson’s Chance was born. The mission was to help with the less adoptable animals, and it quickly became apparent that those would be seniors, behavior cases, and medical cases. The program grew, and grew so quickly that within a few years the owner relocated her business so the entire facility could be dedicated to saving lives.

 The work at Tyson’s Chance has been so successful because of having the facility we now call home. Home to over a thousand animals that have temporarily lived here with us while searching for their forever families, home to many that were sick or old and never found a place outside of these special walls, home to some that can’t be adopted out because of the things that we feel makes them special. Any animal that comes through our doors is home.

 We are so blessed to have this facility and to have rented from a very special landlord all these years that believes in us and has allowed us to make it our home. Now we have the opportunity to purchase our home and truly make it our own! We need your help now more than ever. This project means everything to us! Not only purchasing the facility, but remodeling it is going to make such a big difference in our program. Tyson’s Chance can do more lifesaving work and improve the quality of life for our long term residents and medical cases by completing this project. Please stay tuned for opportunities and information on helping us make our home our forever home.

 https://www.facebook.com/tysonschance/

http://www.tysonschance.com/site/

Runner Spotlight - Lindsey Freibert

I moved back to Louisville in November 2018 after being gone for 17 years. Aside from my family and a few close friends, I didn’t really have any social life left in the city where I grew up. A chance Facebook post caught my attention in April of this year about a group of ladies who needed another person for their team to run the Ragnar trail race at Otter Creek this past May. I told them I was game, never realizing that simple “I’m in if you need me” would change my life.

Fast forward six weeks from the Facebook post and I found myself camping in the woods with seven strangers- women from different walks of life, with different levels of running abilities, and not a single one of us had known all of us before that weekend. Some were connected through a shared work history, some had kids together at the same school, some were related...and then there was me. The random Facebook lady.

Our weekend wasn’t without strife- we had several rolled ankles, not a lot of sleep, one team member had to go to the hospital to be treated for dehydration...but there was no arguing, no cattiness, no drama.

We ran our 120 miles of trails in a little over 29 hours, came in last of the all women’s group, and finished near the bottom overall. But it didn’t matter one bit. Once the weekend was over, we each found that these women have become our community. The group texts haven’t stopped- we use them to offer advice, pump each the up, share achievements, or set up our next outing. During the Otter Creek event, we were the Ragnar Shieldmaidens. This is a title I’m proud to hold and a sisterhood I couldn’t have imagined when I moved back to Louisville less than a year ago.

Compression Socks and Sleeves

“Compression socks and sleeve are something every runner and walker should have in their arsenal. I use them for so many different things, from muscle support on a long run, to recovery after a hard work out. I also like that I am able to use them in daily life. After a long day on my feet at work, I put them for a few hours at night and I wake up feeling  much better. I even wear them when I fly on vacation. A good pair of properly fit compression socks/sleeves can last you for years.”

Derek Ingersoll-Customer Service Manager, Pacers and Racers Running/Walking Store

You can try out compression products this week and save. Head on over to Pacers and Racers Running/Walking store(3602 Northgate Ct., New Albany, IN 47150) and through July 15th save 15% on any CEP compression product.

Compression socks and sleeves. You can see them on a variety of athletes from Olympic athletes to your average runner on the Lakefront Path. They sure look cool, but are they just for show? With some help from the professionals over at CEP Compression, we look to break down the fundamentals of compression, how it works, and what that means to you.

SOME HISTORY

CEP Compression is the industry leading compression apparel company carried at our Fleet Feet Sports Chicago stores and is owned by medi, one of the global leaders in medical compression manufacturing for over 80 years.

medi began as small family owned company in the small German town of Pausa in the 1920s. They continued to operate with a primary focus in orthopedics, prosthetics, phlebology, and lymphology. By investing in research, education and innovation, and providing the latest technologies, medi was able to launch CEP in 2007, their sports division focused on improving athletic performance and shortening the recovery phase.

BASICS OF COMPRESSION

To fully understand the functionality and benefits of graduated compression it's important to understand the basics of circulation in the human body.

Veins fight gravity and transport de-oxygenated, CO2 rich blood back to the heart for regeneration. Arteries utilize the heart to deliver oxygen & nutrient rich blood to every cell in your body - including your muscles. The capillaries connect the arteries and veins.

Compression and Bloodflow

By applying graduated compression, a higher rate starting at the lowest point (ankle area), compression stockings help support the blood vessels by decreasing their diameter.

This in turn helps improve valve function, muscle pump efficiency and the velocity of fluid transport back to the heart to recirculate.

The Role of the Calf Muscle and Circulation

The muscles in the calf play a crucial role in the transport of de-oxygenated blood back to the heart and out of the lower legs. When the calf muscles contract they squeeze the veins and open up the proximal valves allowing the transport of de-oxygenated blood back to re-circulate again. Think of the calf muscle as the 'heart' of your lower leg.

The Role of the Foot and Circulation

The bottom of your feet contain the Plantar Plexus - a valveless network of superficial veins in the bottom of the foot. This network plays a crucial role in the process of venous return.

This vein network is critical because when you take a step the pressure beneath your foot pushes the collected blood in the plexus and forces it up into the deeper veins of the foot where it can then be transported up the leg. This process in the foot is the beginning stage of venous return when you are moving and in some instances standing.

Why is this important?

·         Compression over the foot can assist the venous system and help to engage the first stage of venous return in an athlete.

·         Compression over the foot can reduce superficial swelling of the foot, improving shoe fit and biomechanics.

·         Compression over the foot can assist with circulation, reduce swelling and improve circulation to injuries in the foot (plantar fasciitis)

THE LEVELS OF COMPRESSION

Compression is measured by mmHg [millimeters of mercury].

Anything below 20mmHg is considered OTC (Over the Counter) and not an Rx level of compression. For some people a lower compression level might alleviate minor symptoms but most patients experience results from 20mmHg or higher.

When people stand, the blood pressure in their feet can be high. Pressure in the lower legs is close to 200 mmHg (millimeters of mercury). Compression that falls below 20mmHg will not functionally increase venous return in the deep veinous system. 20-30mmHg is considered ‘medical grade’ compression and is the most commonly used by physicians in the USA. CEP Products are considered Class 1, medical grade 20-30mmHg compression.

CEP Compression vs. Medical Compression

The key difference is in CEP's progressive+ compression profile. CEP's socks start with a 24mmHg in the ankle and gradually loosens to a consistent 18mmHg in the calf. This truly graduated compression profile is slightly different then our standard medical compression and was developed for the athlete. Let's take a closer look at CEP versus a competitor.

BENEFITS OF COMPRESSION

Alieve Shin Splints

Shin splints usually result from overuse. Repeated movements of the foot can cause damage where the tibialis muscles attach to the tibia. Soon the edge of the muscles may begin to pull away from the bone. The injured muscle and the bone covering (the periosteum) become inflamed. Your muscles and bones almost begin a sort-of tug-of-war. Shin Splints are the result.

Compression socks help reduce that tug-of-war by working to stabilize all of the muscles and ligaments in the foot and leg. At the same time compression reduces swelling and strain to muscle fibers.

Reduce Heel Pain

Plantar fasciitis is the most common type of plantar fascia injury and is the most common reason for heel pain, responsible for 80% of cases. Plantar fasciitis is estimated to affect 1 in 10 people at some point during their lifetime and most commonly affects people between 40-60 years of age.

The arch of the foot functions like a bow (as in a bow and arrow), and the plantar fascia is like the string of the bow. The tension in the “bow string” holds the shape of the arch. But every time you step, the “bow string” stretches… and when stretched too hard and too often, it gets irritated, and then it’s like a bow shooting you in the foot.

This is where the graduated compression really comes into play. The tighter compression at the foot and around the arch reduces that tension and helps eliminate the stretch.

Reduce Muscle Trauma

Muscles are constructed from densely knit fibers, which are provided the nutrients necessary for their function by the capillaries in the arterial system. Muscle fibers are bound into bundles, called fascicles, to form a working unit. Think of them like elastics bound together to make one thicker elastic.

When you run, every step creates muscle and tissue vibration. Over time this can cause micro injuries in muscles which lead to injury, cramping and fatigue. Compression helps to reduce vibration like a shock absorber supporting and stabilizing the muscle fibers. This in turn helps prevent injury and allows the muscles to perform more efficiently

Prevent DVT When Traveling

Deep Vein Thrombosis is the formation of a blood clot ("thrombus") in a deep vein. Caused by decreased blood flow, damage to the vessel wall or hyper-coagulability. (Increase tendency of the blood to clot). A DVT can occur without symptoms, but in many cases the affected extremity will be painful, swollen, red, warm and the superficial veins may be engorged.

The most serious complication of a DVT is that the clot could dislodge and travel to the lungs, which is called a pulmonary embolism (PE). DVT is a medical emergency. All limb swellings however trivial, should be regarded as a DVT until proven otherwise. Untreated lower extremity DVT has a 3% PE-related mortality rate. About 85% of air travel thrombosis victims are athletic, usually endurance-type athletes like marathoners. (www.airhealth.org)

Compression reduces the risk of blood clot because its patented technologies help increase the above mentioned circulation in the calves and feet.

SOCKS VS. SLEEVES

Socks

·         No use of time restrictions because of the capture foot

·         Most efficient product in terms of increasing circulation and decreasing swelling

·         Use full socks if:

·         If you have swelling in the ankles or lower leg.

·         You are looking for a product for recovery.

·         You have a history of circulatory issues.

·         You are suffering from plantar fasciitis

Sleeves

·         For use only during activity - 3 to 4 hours of active use

·         Use during inactivity or extended periods can lead to foot and ankle swelling

·         Allows customer to run with their preferred sock

·         Ultra runners can wear a calf sleeve and change out their socks mid way through the race

·         Triathlete can wear sleeves under their wetsuit

·         High School Track and Cross Country athlete that prefer to be barefoot in their spikes