I know a lot of you go running with your dog or dogs, and I was wondering about those running belts. How does running while the dog is pulling change the way you run? I want to take Snoopy running with me after he's trained not to pull while running. He's a dream on a leash but once we start to run he gets excited and wants to GO. Anyway, I always thought that you weren't supposed to let them pull you because it was bad for you, but I guess I never actually checked. Can somebody clear this up for me?

i think it can put stress on your back. Im currently looking into buying a leash line that's got a built in shock absorber because even though we arent running yet, kiba can pull with the best of them. Obvioulsy that doesn't solve the root issue of pulling but it may be helpful. The ones we are looking at are the Ruffwear Roamer leash and Alpine Outfitters mushers belt with Joggers leash (has a shockline built in). Some mushers belts also come with leg loops which is supposed to help take strain off your back if your dog pulls. Sorry im not much help about if they should or shouldn't pull you. I think unless you are doing canicross then pulling may be discouraged but i'm not terribly educated on it either.

I jog with both of mine and they definitly pull, but not as bad as you would think, they tend to match my pace once they get their initial *out of the gate* rush done. If he's good on a leash you should have a similar ability to control him while running. The weight that you have also sort of limits their pulling, if I could run as fast as they want then I'd end up flat on my face, but at my speed, they cant knock me over given the center of balance is where the leash is. It isnt as hard as all that. I found it much harder jogging with a leash in my hand than with it wrapped around my waist. If you get a shock absorbing leash you shouldnt feel too much strain or pulling.

I would say on a side note that it is recommended that you wait until they are at least 1 year old before doing any running with them. It has to do with their joints and development.

Hope this helped.

I run (or did. I am injured right now) with Bodhi.
He's in a harness with a 20 ft. lead.
I started just holding the lead, but have gone to a waist belt.
I agree with what Kelly said about the pulling.
It's bad at first, then he calms down and adjusts to my pace/.
All is good unless he sees Mr. Squirrel.
I find that the waist belt actually keeps me more upright.

I've got a SASS walking belt, it's got built in shock absorbers. I just started running Cloud on it, and although he doesn't pull that bad, it is a LOT easier to run on it than it would be with the leash in hand. I also second waiting until he's a year, Cloud is turning a year in 6 days and that's the only reason I'm starting to run him (short and slow spurts about 2 minutes at a time in our walk to get him used to it), I won't run Yuki until she's a year as shes only 7 and a half months.

I just got one from nordkyn. I usually just hold the lead. It is harder when I run trails because maggie will pull me up the hills and I almost tripped so I decided to get a belt. It is so much easier to run being hands free.

Erica how do you like it so far? Every time i think im ready to buy one i see another online and im not sure which one i want to buy. I was almost about to purchase the Apline Outfitters Mushers belt but these look very similar and are less expensive (by a small margin).

I love mine. It takes a little bit getting used to having a dog running in front of you than by your side. I am not really a fan of alpine anymore. I don't like how long it takes for them to ship out. I recommend getting one from nordkyn if your looking for a good inexpensive one.

Agree with Maggie.
I got mine from Nordkyn.
It's the recreation harness with skijor attachment.
Quality goods, relatively inexpensive and fast service.
Here's the whole set-up.



I have modified the purchased belt by changing two plastic buckles to perlon loops.
Also dumped the quick release for a locking carabiner.
Never had it release, but I worried about doing it inadvertently.
Then I switched out the line for tubular webbing.
The line burned my hands when Bodhi shot out to the end.
(Even with a waist belt, you will be handling the line.)

yes im figuring that i'll buy a shockline with a handle like the one alpine sells if i can find one that fits my needs. Thank you very much for the input on Nordkyn. I have read a lot about Apline being slow but the products being fine. To be honest if the quality is similar then i look at the price and Nordkyn is lower (by a small amnt.) and would arrive faster. I appreciate the helpful reviews!!!!!

jalepeno wrote:

Agree with Maggie.
I got mine from Nordkyn.
It's the recreation harness with skijor attachment.
Quality goods, relatively inexpensive and fast service.
Here's the whole set-up.



I have modified the purchased belt by changing two plastic buckles to perlon loops.
Also dumped the quick release for a locking carabiner.
Never had it release, but I worried about doing it inadvertently.
Then I switched out the line for tubular webbing.
The line burned my hands when Bodhi shot out to the end.
(Even with a waist belt, you will be handling the line.)

Im Erica maggie is my dog.
Anywho I switched to the recreation harness too. Maggie's body is too werid for x-back harness. I have the same belt as you. I however got my line from Adanac Sleds. I had a line from alpine but it snapped. I found Adanac Sleds's lines are thicker. Yes I know how you feel about lines burning your hands. When I am running or hiking, I prefer to have a horse lead or something like that cause it won't burn your hands while you are running/hiking.

You didn't have the joggers line w/ shockline from alpine did you? A few other members have said good things about it but if this is the line you have and it snapped then i don't even want to chance it. It looks perfect because it has the handle on it which i really need but ive had a leash and harness break before and i never want to experience it again.

I had this one.


It was so scary, I grabbed maggie's harness so fast.

Where did it break on the line?

I feel like it couldn't have just broken. It's one solid piece of rope, so I feel like it had to have worn down.

Didn't mean for that to sound rude Erica! Just curious. Don't want my girl getting away from me!

Oops, sorry Erica. I knew that too.
Your dog is named after the Rod Stewart song.

Your picture of the line shows the quick release I replaced.
Just didn't trust it.
I guess if I was skijoring and I went over a cliff, I'd want to release myself from the dog.
Otherwise, a secure connection is mucho important to me.

katiesham wrote:

Didn't mean for that to sound rude Erica! Just curious. Don't want my girl getting away from me!

It's all good. I was in class. It might have been but I dunno. All I remember it snapped. I told maggie wait and she sat thank god!

Thanks guys, that was a lot more thorough than I expected

I know it's generally better to wait until he's a year old, but I figured since I can't even run a 1/8 of a mile before I get to winded he'd be okay. I'm so out of shape lol
And I was only planning on running once or twice a week anyway, possibly alternating with Nunya so Snoopy would only run once or every other week.

You guys made the gear sound pretty cool, I might have to invest in some when I'm not poor

I run with Sky and Carter almost everyday. I've been just using their normal leads. Just like everyone said before, after their out of the gate explosion, they match pace with me real well.

I need to have more control over them, as my run's take us past business entrances and I need to have immediate control if any idiot drivers make some bad desicions.

The best thing thats helped me is teaching them left, right, stop, slower, faster. Just basic directional commands so they have an idea of where I want to go.

Control is a big issue with me as well which is why i was looking into some leashes that have a "traffic handle". I need that capability to pull her close if i see a car turning or even just to move over and let a faster runner/biker go by us.

Caitlin i know exactly what you mean about being poor lol. If i wasn't paying off stupid student loans id totally have purchased one of those really nice $60 canicross setups by now. But sadly, i'm scouring the internet for the cheapest one i can find that can still handle a husky :-p .

Money won't always be an issue, hopefully anyway, and over the years you tend to acquire multiple different set ups for different applications.