Go Cross-Country Running with your Dog
Was that you I saw the other day, wandering slowly in the park with your dog, pretending to get fit? I’ve got news for you: it’s not going to work! At that rate neither you nor your dog are going to become particularly fit, strong and healthy.
Perhaps you have both just got bored of the same old walk and are ready to take up challenge and do something more exciting and active? If so, you might enjoy cross-country running together.
Cross-country running for dogs and owners, known as Cani-cross, is an excellent idea and is popular in the US and across Europe.
Combat obesity
The European Cani-Cross Championships are being held next month in the Czech Republic and Eileen and Richard Cook will be leading the British team. This couple co-founded CaniX five years ago because they were concerned about obesity in owners and dogs and felt that Cani-cross was an ideal way of solving this problem. (See their website: www.canix.co.uk)
Tell me more…
Your dog wears a harness and is attached to your specially designed belt by a 10 foot elasticated rope with built-in shock absorption (like a bungee line.) This leaves your hands free and the belt helps to support your back when the dog tugs on the rope.
So there is less chance of you being dragged face down through the mud…
Take care
Obviously you should take things gently in the beginning and check with your doctor and vet before you start Cani-cross. Do short runs at first and then gradually build up from this.
Importance of commands
You can’t go cross-country running with a dog that doesn’t respond to your commands, so it helps to have a dog that has been well-trained and is obedient.
(No naughty dogs allowed – Beeble.)
Health and safety
Don’t run with a dog under a year old and avoid running in hot weather (over 16 degrees C). Use suitable footwear and the correct harness, lead and belt. Choose a wooded track rather than open fields as this will be cooler and always carry water with you and a folding dog bowl.
Beebleblog’s opinion
Dogs come in many different sizes so before you start this please don’t strap yourself to a 200 pound Mastiff and expect to live through your ordeal. On the flip side don’t strap a miniature dog to your belt and expect to get anywhere fast; it’s important to match your choice of dog to your own ability. If you are unsure then please check with your local veterinarian service.
Running is a good all-round exercise, excellent for the heart and helps improve bone strength and releases ‘feel-good’ chemicals which reduce stress levels. We have written several posts on the subject (see Get a dog and start exercising and Feeling old? Get running) The advantage of cani cross is that you are exercising both yourself and your dog at a fast pace and with the right choice of dog you will have your very own 4 legged motivator and pace-maker – but take care and only start this type of exercise after checking with your doctor that you can take part without causing yourself harm and your vet to make sure your dog is suitable for this type of exercise.
For more guidance and information see:
