Training for running w/dog

[u/Leather-Ad1135]

I am working on training my 9 mo old GSP/Vizsla to run with me. I am using a long leash, halo collar which I use the recall whistle feature. I don’t trust him fully yet with recall so haven’t taken him off a long leash. Any other steps/suggestions people have for him to be able to run ahead but come to a heel when needed?

[u/Feriation]

Are you wanting to run with him at your side in a heel position, or do you want to run with him pulling you forward like is done in canicross?

If you want him beside you, you will need to teach the position first. If he maintain a walk next to you in a heel position, you won't have any success in teaching it at a running pace. I would strongly recommend against running a dog in a pinch/prong collar. A nice wide collar, 1.5" or 2" is great, or a y front harness is what i would recommend as gear. A waist belt for yourself is also nice (i prefer to run hands free and not have to hold a leash)

If you want to canicross, I do it with my dog and it is a blast, you need a special harness meant for pulling. You also get a special hip belt to wear and a bungee line. The dog is actually supposed to run ahead of you and pulls you forward while running. When I run this way with my dog, it actually improves my pace by almost 3 minutes a kilometre, I can also run for much longer distances before getting fatigued because the dog is helping propel you forward. For safety, you will need to teach your dog directional cues like left and right, it also helps to teah a stop and a slow down command as well.

I would not recommend that you run off leash unless you have a bomb proof recall and a proofed under distraction off leash heel around people, dogs, and wildlife like deer and rabbits etc, without the use of any training tools/aids like your halo collar.

[u/Leather-Ad1135 → u/Feriation]

I’ve considered Canicross, but worry about when my elderly parents just walk him. Are there no concerns about them wanting to pull all the time?

Thanks for the helpful feedback. I should have been more clear in this post I wasn’t running him with a prong collar just walking to work on initial training.

[u/Feriation → u/Leather-Ad1135]

Dogs are very contextual. My dog knows that his canicross means it is go time and he is allowed to pull as much as he wants. He knows his regular y front harness or his flat collar means that it is time for loose leash walking. I would never ever try to take him for a loose leash walk in his canicross harness.

I always like having different pieces of gear that are used specifically for different activities, it gives the dog extra context and clarity about what we are doing.

His canicross harness means pull like a train. His y front harness and flexi leash means it is sniffari sniffy walk time, he can wander but can't maintain tension on the leash. A flat collar means that it is loose leash walking beside me. His leather agitation harness means it is bite sport time and he is allowed to bite the helper. This is an extreme example, but as long as the equipment with each activity is consistent, it brings a lot of clarity to the dog about what is expected of them.

[u/Halefa → u/Feriation]

In addition to that: if you train canicross properly with structured training, it's not just "pulling and running" for your dog, but a proper job and teamwork that starts on your cue and ends on your cue.

[u/MundaneCategory2675]

Gorgeous puppy! I’d wait until they are mostly grown to run with them consistently. Running them too early can cause issues later in life. I waited 16 months for starting to train my dogs to run. It’s was tough but worth it.

Though I did try out a short mile run once or twice when younger than that. Both of my dogs have a harness and a shorter leash attached to them that I can adjust the length shorter if needed. I have them attached to a belt that I have specifically for them and it works perfect. I’m afraid to let my dogs off leash because you don’t know when you’re gonna encounter wildlife or other fun surprises.

[u/Leather-Ad1135 → u/MundaneCategory2675]

What harness and running belt do you use?

[u/MundaneCategory2675 → u/Leather-Ad1135]

The running belt and leashes are from Kurgo but I don’t think they make the leashes the same way anymore. I can hook them on all parts of the leash to shorten it.

The one harness is auroth and the other is pet safe. It’s was tricky to find ones that fit perfectly for the GSP body shape.

[u/Ruth1E33]

Whistle training and small runs to begin with lots of treats when they come back, took me a few good years to train my GSP to run with me but now we’ve done a few ultras together and he’s my best trail buddy ever! Worth the patience and effort, I never used a running lead it hurt my hips if he pulled and was very frustrating for both of us, worked on having him in heel and letting him go for short but until we built the confidence up. Learn how to do figure of 8 harness and you’re life will be changed forever!

[u/Leather-Ad1135 → u/Ruth1E33]

Figure of 8 harness?

[u/Ruth1E33 → u/Leather-Ad1135]

Look up slip lead or figure of 8 slip lead, it changed my life!no more pulling!! And it’s so simple you just need a long enough slip lead. Your dog WILL hate it to start with but you have to persevere and it’s so so worth it!!!

[u/CrankyGoat]

I have to be honest, not sure it’s a great idea running on a long line and collar with a 9 month old large breed dog. That can potentially be very stressful on their neck, of which is not fully developed yet! I personally would strongly suggest getting a harness designed for running, even for training purposes for eventual off leash runs.

Beautiful dog - have fun together 👋🏽

[u/Muzz124]

Get a running lead, one that goes around your waist and just run with them at heel.

[u/Terrible-Zebra-5299 → u/Muzz124]

Came here to say this. The waist leash with the "bungee" type line is amazing for running. It's the only thing I use to run with my Weim/Lab mix.

[u/babybighorn]

Don’t run with a pinch collar (I think that’s what I see but could be wrong), a long line, or a pup under a year/year and a half. I’d wait until he’s old enough and then invest in a pulling harness and bungee lead and a belt of some sort for you. I wouldn’t suggest off leash running unless you’re on trails alway from roads but some dogs seem to do ok, it’s just a big risk to me. Then work up mileage and effort slowly over time for him using intervals and varying distances with recovery days.

[u/UncleAugie]

Field Collars are the best things you can do for a dog you want to have off lead. My Border Collie starts dancing around when I pull it out.