Pooch to 5K?

[OHenry]

Anyone here tried the "Pooch to 5K" program? It is a owner-dog fitness plan based on the Couch to 5K program. Henry (2 year old brittany mix) is in good shape, but I'm not! I know he would love to go for a run instead of having to plod along at my current pace. Only question is, will the changing back-and-forth (short time jogging, return to walking, back and forth) be confusing for him? We are still not perfect at LLW. Should I use different commands or other signifiers?

Thanks

[emmabeth]

I am not familiar with this so you'd need to give us more details on what is involved.

If you aren't quite there with loose leash walking youd need to work more on that first, OR find a way of incorporating it into the program.

It is possible, if the dog is required to run/walk in a slightly different style to normal walks, to use a distinctively different harness and leash and they will learn over time that one set of equipment means 'walk nicely' and the other set means 'running'. This is how it works with people who have sled dogs or cani-x dogs... one set of gear means no pulling, the other set means 'pull is ok'.

[OHenry]

The full description is here: http://poochto5k.s3.amazonaws.com/progr ... 0timed.pdf but the basic idea is for couch potatoes like me to slowly build up their endurance by alternating walking with increasing spurts of gentle jogging.

[Mattie]

Be careful if you are going to jog, I was stopped from this by my orthopedic consultant, he told me if you have any problems with your joints like arthritis the pounding on the hard surfaces will speed up the deteriation. I have had a hip replaced, my other is going as well as both knees. He also said that power walking has the same workout as jogging but doesn't do the damage to our joints.

[kato]

Hi OHenry

Firstly - I'm Francis, the author of the Pooch To 5k program. I have trained dogs in obedience and agility, and I run with my Australian Cattle Dog.

I'd like to encourage you to begin the program you've linked in your post. It's a great start into a healthier, more active lifestyle. We designed Pooch to be a very gradual transition to running, as it's impossible to know how well you - or your dog - are doing, and the easier the program, the more likely you and your dog are going to make it through.

I would recommend anyone taking up an exercise program to get the all clear from their doctor. Certainly any pre-existing conditions need to be considered carefully before lacing on the shoes and running out the door. Having said that, there are very few activities that can lead to fitness gains and weight loss like running. The flip side to Mattie's comment is that if you have no joint problems then running gets a thumbs up from orthopedic medicine.

Some journal articles on the subject are linked below:
Is running associated with premature degenerative arthritis of the hip? A systematic review
The association between sports activity and knee osteoarthritis
Long Distance Running and Knee Osteoarthritis
Does Long-Distance Running Cause Osteoarthritis?
The effect of running on the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis of the hips and knees.
Does running increase the risk of osteoarthritis?

Dogs do enjoy a gentle jog, and a dog like Henry would be an ideal companion. Please, though, start him as slowly as you start yourself, don't just hand his lead to the nearest marathoner and expect him to be able to keep up! So many people I've spoken to confuse "slim" with "fit" when looking at dogs.

I'm pretty sure Henry will be able to handle the pace transitions easily, too. Don't treat your jog as an obedience session, and he'll adapt just fine. Maybe introduce a command like "Whoa" just before you slow to a walk and a different one just before you run so that he gets a warning.

Other than that, I wouldn't even bother with specialist gear for Henry. Dogs are more clever than we give them credit for. You will be dressed differently, smell different, and be acting differently from when you take a normal walk. Your pre-jog routine will possibly involve a couple of stretches, a little specific heeling (to sharpen up his reflexes should you have to go around a pedestrian or similar) and you may want to use a shorter lead than normal so you don't both get tangled.

Last but not least, don't forget to have some fun.

Best regards

[Mattie]

Kato I never said running caused arthritis.

[Noobs]

Murphy (3-yr-old Lab/Whippet) is more fit than I am, but I've started working on doing a similar program, except without the guidelines. I just sort of decided to do it one day and started jogging for part of my walk. I would do a slow walk to let Murphy do his business, then I would walk briskly for 2 blocks, then jog for 1 half-block, then back to brisk walk. Any time Murphy got excited at my quickening pace and would run ahead of me, I would give him a vocal cue like "oops" or "over here" and turn around and walk/jog back several feet until he was back at my side, then go again. It is like a faster-paced version of Mattie's loose leash training. Most times it only takes three repetitions for Murphy to get himself situated to stay by my side, then he gets a good trotting pace going while I jog. Without any actual "training" aside from turning and going back any time he got too far ahead of me, he is able to keep himself paced with me no matter what speed I go.

It's been raining lately and I don't like to jog when the ground is wet (I'm clumsy), but I've gotta get back into the swing.

Best of luck to you!

I haven't read the guidelines yet but I just want to add that it would be a good idea to do at least 5 minutes of cool-down slower walk at the end. That way your dog has also cooled down and doesn't get the zoomies when you come inside. I learned this the hard way when I used to take him running with my bike.

[Fundog]

What you are describing is also termed "interval training"-- walk a couple or three minutes, then jog a minute, then walk a bit, then jog a bit.... it is highly recommended by many sources, including Prevention Magazine. Aaaand...... this is something dogs actually do naturally when they are off-lead, as they walk along, then stop to sniff, then run to catch up, then slow as they smell something else, then run to catch up... It's great, and I wouldn't worry about it confusing your dog or interfering with his "rhythm" or anything like that. I do it with my two sometimes, especially when we see birds, hold point for a bit, then run up together for the flush.

[kato]

Kato I never said running caused arthritis.

Mattie - I know you didn't. You correctly cautioned about the risks of running when there is a pre-existing medical condition. Some of the links I posted also do.

@Noobs - keep it up!

@Fundog - the point and group flush made me smile