Jogs with Dogs

The comical image of a little Chihuahua dog jogging with his pet parent, Sasha Worsham-Brown in her column titled "Running with Rocky" inspired me to more seriously entertain the idea of jogging with my own Borzoi, Tatsu.

I have thought from time to time that it would be good exercise for both of us, as well as one more way for us to bond and spend time together.  Really, what's the point of jogging alone on treadmill in a gym when I could be jogging with my dog, enjoying fresh air and nature? I got as far as buying appropriate shoes months ago when this idea first struck me, but I'm ashamed to admit that they still sit pristinely unused in my shoe cabinet.

What serendipitous timing to get a call from Chris Ricciuti of Doggie Jogs, a dog walking and dog jogging company that offers service to Arlington and surrounding towns. He was looking to network with other pet related businesses in the area, and I jumped on the opportunity to pick his brain about dog jogging. What a concept?  Someone to jog with my dog for me.

I have to admit that my lazier side was pretty intrigued by this service for selfish reasons. But then I started to consider some of my dog training clients who struggle to siphon off a reasonable amount of energy from their particularly energetic dogs.  Dog walks and doggie daycare don't always seem to be enough activity for some of the dogs I work with. And although I personally have no excuse for not putting my dog running shoes to use, some of my clients simply wouldn't be able to jog with their dogs.

During our meeting, I found out that Ricciuti has two boxers of his own. Perfect. I've lost count of how many boxers I've worked with for whom jogging would have been an excellent daily activity. In fact, I think any of the working, hunting and herding breeds, including Border Collies, Australian Shepherds, Vizslas and Dobermans to name a few, would be excellent candidates for dog jogging, in addition to daily doggy play groups and wildly fun play sessions with their pet parents. 

Such breeds were bred specifically for the stamina to work long days with their masters, so they can sometimes develop behavior problems out of boredom when they live a pampered life in an urban environment such as ours. Then again, I'm reminded of Rocky the Chihuahua whose life has been enriched and behavior has been tamed by running with his doggy momma, although I wouldn't usually think to recommend such vigorous exercise for a toy breed.

Still, it's important even for energetic, athletic breeds to gradually work up to an actual jogging routine. Ricciuti explained that incessantly pounding the pavement isn't good for the joints. He often sticks to softer surfaces such as wooded trails, and begins dogs with interval training—jogging for a while, then walking for a while, as he helps a dog develop the stamina to safely run for longer periods. You might think of Ricciuti as personal trainer to the canines, helping them to realize the cardio and weight management goals of their owners and veterinarians.

As for my jogging goals with Tatsu, maybe I'll at least put on my running shoes for our stroll around town tonight.  That's gotta count as one tiny step in the right direction!