I want to train my girl (14 week old) to run with me (on foot and/or next to the bike) starting soon if possible. I have read that running far with puppies is bad for their joints, but what about running just a few times up and down the street or something? Is all running bad for them, or just long distance? Can I ride with her on the bike for a mile, half a mile, or not at all? I definitely do not want to hurt her growing joints but want to be able to successfully train her at a young age. What do you guys think?

14 weeks is way too young for any sustained running.
You really don't want to hurt her and you will if she's running that early.
Dogs shouldn't run in a sustained fashion until they are ten months to a year.

Fetch or chase for short periods on grass is good.
Make it play. When she's pooped, she'll lie down.
Walking is good with bursts out to the end of a long lead.

Agreed. None for now. Our guy just turned a year, and it only took about three sessions before he learned to jog with us. You don't have to start young. Do what's best for the pup and wait.

Okay, thanks guys ! I will stick to walking her until she is older! I guess I am just antsy about doing everything with her but I must have patience!

What you can do on your short walks for now is start teaching turn directions and "on by." very handy while jogging.

Yep I agree 14 weeks is young. You can teach them on a leash. I didn't start running with mine until she was 9 months old. Hiking they can do, I actually hiked with her when she was 5 months. However mine is an oddball and the calmest thing!

What does "on by" mean? What other things are useful to teach for running?

on by means leave it basically. You don't want your dog going to see that other dog or animal, or any distracting thing.

Yep. Move on by. Ignore it. Keep moving.

Oh - other useful terms

Hike - go
Gee(jee) - right turn
Haw - left turn
Gee/haw around - U turn in the respective direction
Line out - keep the line taught
woah - stop

You can use any words you want as long as you're consistent. There's no magic with these words other than they sound very different from eachother so they are clear to the dog. For example Right & left are similar in their ending in a T - a dog may get that more confused in the thick of the race than gee and haw. Personally we use "Yip Yip!" for go.

I just say lets go for go. I say hike for faster.

Quote :

or next to the bike

I agree with everyone else 14 weeks is way too young. That being said when it comes time to start and you feel comfortable look into "The Walkydog".


By no means do you need it, I've biked plenty of times with Tika without it, but my wife swears by it. I've also seen Melissa using it with I think Mya.


Kelly's words not mine, "It's great, she never throws me off balance, and I never feel like I'm being pulled. Even when she sees another dog or a squirrel if she starts to head for it I still have full motion it just feels like I'm biking through MUD for a tiny bit until she re-focuses back on being beside me."

Wow I really feel like I'm just here plugging products tonight.


Anyways again by no means do you need it to bike with, but if you feel more comfortable then I would just look into it fast.

Kelly and Tika on a bike ride.


Just food for thought.
~Chris~

Thanks guys! Lots of good tips to prepare for when she's old enough to run