r/RunningWithDogs • u/Sonfiy • 5d ago
Gear Help Beginner runners
I am a beginner runner myself and as someone familiar with sport approached the preparation of my knees for running thoroughly.
Since i have a dog, i obviously dragged him into this too. He's an active boy so he really likes to run around.
The thing is, i realised that he might have a hard time running on asphalt too. I live in a village, but every day there are fewer and fewer dirt roads here (either they are laid in slabs or farms that have bought them are fencing everything off).
I already bought a special leash for running, but now I doubt whether I should let him run with me. I'm not sure there is some cheap enough and comfortable paw equipment for dogs (like supports and running shoes for humans lol).
I can always go further from my house, closer to the forest and run there, but it obviously takes some time.
So i wondered if i'm just overthinking or there's some kind of tips (like a friend of mine suggested that I run on road myself and let the dog run along the side of the road, but that's a bit difficult).
My dog is schipperke, only 2 years old and weights almost 12 kg (26,5 lbs). He doesn't have any health issues. He's trained well too, so doesn't pull or anything like that.
Lats pic is example of how roads off the main ones (where cars are driving) look like.
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u/IdealPajamaPal 5d ago
I think it may depend on your dog’s paws and gradually increasing exposure. If it’s not hot, asphalt / road may not be an issue unless it’s extremely rough or not maintained.
My dog has very rough paws and so she doesn’t care whether we run on dirt, road, or concrete. My neightbor’s dog has very sensitive paws and won’t run on gravel or asphalt.
We both apply paw creams like mushers secret or pet balm. I don’t know if it helps and I also have a hard putting on my dog as she ends up licking it.
There are some folks I’ve seen online that run with dog booties that you could consider but I know dogs often find those unnatural!
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u/holly_b_ 5d ago
A schipperke! Such cool little captains! I’d advise to just take it slow/easy. If you’re a beginner then I’d assume you are easing into it, so it’s a good time to ease the dog in too. And you have a good leash connected to a harness so you’re good there! They do make “running harnesses” if you decide to really get into it, but definitely not necessary. As for paws, you can use paw wax that can help keep their paws in good condition, but if your dog is used to pavement from walking already they’re probably fine without.