Running with my dog?

Question

I have a 5 month old female chocolate lab and I need her to run with me. I took her out this morning and she was pretty good but she still wanted to take off into the woods, go after other dogs, ect...but she would come back to me if I yelled. Can you recommend a good but cheap book I can buy to help me? Or do you have any suggestions? I want to be able to do a normal run without being paranoid she is going to jump out in the road at the same time. There arent trails around here o i am always road running. Thanks!

Answer 1

I have 2 labs, and up untill about a year, they wer hyper and bouncy.. i wouldnt let her off the lead at that age, but each to their own.

Labs are really easy to train, they are smart dogs, spend some time with her and teach her new things, make sure you award her for good things she does, try amazon, they have great books all at a descent pirce

xx

Answer 2

I have a chocolate lab that runs with me, she is now 7 years old.  Start by small runs, (carry a plastic zip lock bag - use for water for your puppy)  When "Lucy" was younger, I trained her to run beside me, not infront (so we don't fall over from each other) and used a leash (doubled it to make it shorter) and a Halti which is an anti pull gear (to put around the muzzle area) was very effective and does not harm your puppy.  Do not use a choke...half the time people put them on the wrong way and puppies get used to it and tighten the muscles around the neck so they won't feel it.  So it becomes useless.  Use short commands and repeat, repeat, repeat...(ex: heal, left, right,,,,) Treat your puppy and commend her when she does good.  They just want to please you.  Dogs/puppies needs to be conditioned when running too, that's why you start with small runs and gradually build up the mileage.  Always run with a leash it is safer for you and your dog.

Here is an article:

http://www.runnersworld.com/article/0,71...

Good luck!

Answer 3

It is cruel to take your dog out running. They were not made to do sustained jogging. Fine if you want to kill yourself, but don't kill your dog.

Answer 4

well, first off, typically dogs that age explore...ALOT, so i dont see you being able to control her well for a few more months, ater that, then you can train her to stay by ur side. But for now, i think its be best to either leave her back home, or just have a leeche (the ones that extend by themselves). have fun!

Answer 5

umm use a leash

Answer 6

It's the dogs age, they just aren't mature enough to control themselves during distractions.

I like retreiver fever.(the book or DVD series) they are specifically designed to train dog like yours, but any hunting dog training book should do.  Basically you are teaching them that you have a task to do and you are in control, until they understand that, they will go off hunting , exploring and defending you on their own.  Since your dog is a hunting breed, get a book designed for your breed as they are proven to work with that type of dog and their particular quirks they have developed through decades of breeding.

Untill then, you could take your dog running at an enclosed outdoor track at say a high school.  Or do what I do, I have  waist belt that attaches to a 6 foot leash.  3 miles and my dog is happy.  Honestly, he never even runs, it's pretty much just a trott for him.  if your dog pulls too hard for you to run, get a "gentle leader" or a "halti" and you'll have no problem.  Before long, your dog will really see you as the leader and follow you anywhere.

Answer 7

Im 13 and my parents wont let me ru n without my dog so what i did was but a super long leash and and then i would wrap it around my wrist and let my dog run beside me or in front or behind what ever he wanted to to but i could keep the same pace

Answer 8

you should use a leash until she learns commands and to stay right with you. you have to teach her...be persistent! good luck!

Answer 9

Why don't you use a leash ? Not only if you don't use a leash you are taking a chance that she gets hit by a car and she may injure someone or even get in a dog fight and get hurt . I say use a leash that has enough room for her to run and yourself .

Answer 10

If it's hard to hold her in, try a harness instead of a leash. When she starts to tug, pull her back and say sit.

If she sits, then feed her a treat.

If not, spank her lightly.