Curious if people think there are advantages to using a running specific harness outside of pulling? My pup doesn't really pull, and when she does it's pretty mild and short lived. The Front Range doesn't cause any chafing and seems to be working well. Any reason I should think about switching?

This dog loves to run more than anything in the world, I couldn’t ask for a better running partner.

I have a 9-year-old shepherd mix who’s in great physical condition and loves to go on the occasional run. However, what exactly he wants to do while we’re out varies — sometimes he’ll happily run the entire time, and sometimes he wants walking/sniffing breaks or would like to visit the park. He’s also moderately dog-reactive, so a harness style such as an X-back that he can slip out of is a no-go. What style of harness would you all recommend that’s somewhat escape-proof (he’s never gotten out of his normal Chai’s Choice harness but just in case), good for both canicross and sniffy walks, and is somewhat lightweight for warm weather? Thanks so much! (I have provided a dog tax as payment for your informational services.)

Honest question do most people here actually enjoy the leash pulling or are people here just dealing with it? I read some comments about using the dogs pull to help go up hills too, what? Personally, I cannot stand leash pulling. I need my arms to be free to help me run with proper posture to optimize my run. And I definitely can't have an unnatural pull around my waist... I read tons of posts about which harness is best, safer, more comfortable but in my eyes the best way is too simply teach the dog to stop pulling.

Update: Thanks everyone for the clarification, I'm now aware and understand the point of Canicross.

The important thing is that whether we practice Canicross or not, we are out there running with our best friends. Happy Sunday everyone.

I have been taking my Chihuahua terrier mix (20 lbs) running with me like once a week if that. Possibly 2 to 3 miles at max. He has plenty of energy for the run, but we have noticed a slight limp when he’s walking. I think this was there before he started running with me too. But now I am worried that potentially my runs with him are putting too much strain on his joints. do you think I should not be taking him running? My husband is going to order joint supplements. He’s a normal weight & usually is very active during the day. Just not always running. Oh and he runs all the time/ moves around with no movement impairments all the time. Super energetic. It’s just sometimes when he walks we notice the limp

After 20 miles, Jerry happy to cool off in some shady grass. Jerry was at our local shelter for over 4 months. He is a wonderful dog and fantastic running buddy!

I started running with my pitbull mix a couple weeks ago after he turned a year old. We started off walk jogging a couple miles in the woods. Got up to 5 miles today at a 10 min mile pace. I'm worried about over exerting him and what the long term consequences might be. Hes fine during the run. He even usually tries to get me back going if we take a break. And we exclusively run trails. The part that worries me is how exhausted he acts afterwards. He'll walk like a drunk sailor swaying his hips and do absolutely nothing the rest of the day. He's fine the next day and excited anytime I pull out the running gear. My childhood dog had terrible hip dysplasia so I'm worried about that happening to him and how i might prevent that. Any special foods or starting vitamins early? Typically I'll run with him 3-5 miles 2 or 3 times a week.

Started running between 1.5-3.5 miles with my dog recently and her paw pads seem to be wearing a bit not sure if it’s normal any advice is appreciated!

She loves the trails!

My sweet aussie and I went for a run today. She is fairly new to running but has picked it up extremely quickly. She follows what I say and has almost learned how to keep the flow going on a run instead of trying to stop every 3 feet. About a mile into our run today (through our neighborhood) I noticed a woman in a lawn chair sitting in her yard. As we ran past her house, I heard this loud growl and turn to see a big ass American bully looking dog running full speed towards my dog. My first instinct was to grab my dogs vest, throw her behind me, throw my arm out towards the dog and yell "STOP" very aggressively. I must have scared it because it stopped. This all happened within like 3 seconds. It took the woman nearly 15 to get her ass out of the chair and come down to the road where she nonchalantly said "come here" to the dog. She had to say it multiple times while I just stood there with my arm out, still on the defensive and in disbelief. After a few times, the dog turned around and walked back up to her. She also turned and just went back to sitting in her chair. I had a million thoughts fly through my mind on what I wanted to say but I was frozen. So, I just turned, and started walking away with my dog.

I'm still angry at myself I didn't say anything but I truly had a "fight" reaction to the dog and once the threat was gone I wanted to get the hell out of there.

Which leads me to my question, has anyone had something similar happen? And if so, how did you deter it for next time? Should I carry some type of pepper spray?

We live in a city with a medium to high energy dog and want to start taking him on runs with us as a way to exercise him and also instill some greater confidence as he is generally nervous of the loud city sounds. I'd like to bring a chew toy or something similar to engage him at street crossings when he tends to get nervous. Does anyone have a recommendation for a dog toy that is easy enough to carry on a run? Or any success doing something similar while running with your dog in the city?

Trail was mostly loose sand and I think that tired us both out more then we expected!

Anyone got recommendations for a hyper packable, small dog bowl that could fit in a pocket, like the one on the back of my handheld bottle?

A ziplock bag would work OK, but it'd spring a leak pretty fast and be wasteful.

Anyone else’s pup occasionally jump up while running and if paused or sees an open grassy area get zoomies?

I posted a few long weeks ago about my dog / running buddy having to have his toe amputated because of osteomyelitis. It's been a long road to recovery and Jimmy has not been happy during it.

I don't know if you know many poodles, but they're pretty set. He hates to be left home. Once, during his convalescence, I went running, came home and took him out to do his outside time and he literally ran away from home, up the road - in a cone - heavily bandaged. It was sad.

He's been bummed and full of energy and grumpy, but also a little limpy. Today I figured we would try and he was game. We made 5 miles and he's doing fine.

This is a huge relief for me because I was worried I was going to have to get a puppy to motivate him and I don't want a puppy.

https://preview.redd.it/gn3q5zq6d9vc1.png?width=960&format=png&auto=webp&s=e692441a4bffaa925d0aa1788fab0a5bae4993f0

https://preview.redd.it/p3zwntd7d9vc1.png?width=960&format=png&auto=webp&s=6f26639212d8a1285a2a64b751ff16a1d395cfed

https://preview.redd.it/te7g4d58d9vc1.png?width=960&format=png&auto=webp&s=29eca54549f5be39c6061529883f6243107460ee

https://preview.redd.it/aazdx48id9vc1.png?width=864&format=png&auto=webp&s=df60b7be18f4043f2055a9dca6289eb0c6882bad