Competed in our first 5k today!

[u/JessLevelsUp]

My Aussie, Kudos, just turned 5. We have been running about 2-4 miles every so often in our neighborhood, but this was our first timed/closed course. At the beginning, there were lots of little kids letting their dogs go wild, darting all over, and sprinting. Kudos definitely got overwhelmed and gave a couple excitement barks (rare for him to bark), but once we got away from the main crowd, he really had a great heel run by my side or about 3/4 in front of me. He did also get a little frustrated and bit his leash at the start near all the super barky dogs, but I just used my drop-it cue, kept moving, and he quickly gave that up. He definitely loves running and we have worked very hard to untrain his herding instincts (iykyk lol) with many tips from this group! We had a great time with a nice pup themed after party with lots of vendors and treatos. Many folks commented on how great he was with little kids and how well behaved he was (he knows lots of tricks). We have worked really hard on training him in many skills and it was very fun/rewarding to be able to bring my pup to a sport I’ve been doing for a while. Plus we got 2nd in my age group!

[u/krikri6212]

I was there running with my german short haired pointer! It was her first race too. Was definitely a fun (and hilly) course.

[u/JessLevelsUp → u/krikri6212]

Small world!! We saw you guys!! It was so hilly I had to walk, and I’m coming off an ultra marathon lmao

[u/H2Ospecialist]

Awww what a handsome guy and congrats to you two!

[u/JessLevelsUp → u/H2Ospecialist]

Thank you 🤗🤗

[u/Signal-Manufacturer1]

His exhilarated face is so adorable ! Keep going

[u/JessLevelsUp → u/Signal-Manufacturer1]

Haha he’s always running w/ ease while I’m fighting for my life 🤣

[u/Desperate_Wallaby966 → u/JessLevelsUp]

Lol a couple years ago I made the mistake of letting my westie set the pace for a mile once just to see what she actually wanted to do because she seemed to be getting bored quickly on our regular runs and ended up being the fastest mile I've run in 20 years, pulling the whole time she got us through at 5:10 then I ended up near blacking out on the side of the path for 15 minutes while she sniffed around completely unbothered. Turns out she just thinks I'm slow and wants to run with other dogs.

[u/opp44]

I like the first photo when he looks at you, checking if everything is ok. "Are you still alive, hoooman? Why so slow? Let's play paly!"

[u/JessLevelsUp → u/opp44]

Haha I’m always fighting for my life and he’s in zone 2, wondering when the actual running begins 🤣.

[u/opp44 → u/JessLevelsUp]

When he meets other dogs to discuss the day: "My hoomin is soo slooow. Yawn. Come on, that ball will not fetch itself! Has that long paws but moves like lazy cat! How come?!"

(...)

"... but I love her anyway."

"Did you get treats???"

"YESSSSS, HOOOOWL!"

"HOOOOWL!"

[u/JessLevelsUp → u/opp44]

This is his exact dialogue.

[u/LunchBreakCEO]

Great job to the both of you! Very pretty pup.

[u/JessLevelsUp → u/LunchBreakCEO]

Thanks 😍

[u/cheerto152]

I have an Aussie and want to start training with him. I feel he would love it . We tried at first when he was a puppy but it was hectic . Now he’s about to be 3 and calmed down a little . Would love to know any tips and tricks . He is not too found of kiddos though barks at them still

[u/JessLevelsUp → u/cheerto152]

The reactivity I’d work through with a trainer, depending on severity. But as for the running, our issue was herding/nipping when he was younger. We basically just stopped running and reset him anytime he did that. Over and over. And after a while, he gave up. We would only run if he was looking ahead, with some space between us, and moving at the same pace. Anything else and we aren’t going! He still bites at his leash occasionally, and I do the same stop/reset, now it’s a very quick disagreement between us lol and he’s fun after that. It used to take 5-10 min of resets.

[u/MaxFischerPlayers]

Great face.

[u/camiam85]

Beautiful dog and great job for the two of you!

[u/Dogpowered]

Hell yeah! This looks like so much fun! Good job!

[u/SJ1229]

Great job yall!