As promised in my last post: Bert my running buddy.

Bert is a whippet, he’s got 2 speeds- very fast or stop.

Before I ran with Bert I had to take a few things into consideration:

• Is he the type of breed that can run? Yes whippets are able to run fast for short amounts of time but also able to run slowly for length.

 

• Is he old enough? Puppies are not allowed to go out for too long walks and certainly not running. You need to check what age the breed of dog can start to run and for how long- just like you wouldn’t go straight out and run 5 miles you wouldn’t expect your dog to. It’s a bit like the couch to 5k for your dog and my dog loves the couch!

 

• Conditions? Is it too cold, too hot, road surface etc. You put on a coat to run in the rain, gloves and hat in the winter, different shoes for different terrain so why wouldn’t you think about what your dog needs?

 

• Is he well? Unfortunately, Bert cannot tell me when he is poorly, stiff or not in the mood. Therefore, I need to pay close attention to how he holds himself, walks, general health and of course look at his diet and toilet habits. Check with your vet.

 

• Head for the trails- his paws will thank you for it and you are more likely to be able to let them off the lead.

 

• Water, water, water. Just saying.

 

• Poo- make sure that you have bags and know what you are going to do with them. You can get specialist poo carry bags or I walk my dog around the park before starting out on a run- this means that he goes before and we get to warm up before running which is also really important.

 

• REMEMBER IT IS FUN: if either of you are not enjoying yourselves then re-evaluate.

So back to Bert: he is a 6 year old whippet who has seen me through a shed load of training. When he was about 2 he would come out with me on short runs progressing to 6-8 mile runs for my marathon training last year. He comes out with me with the girls and their dogs, George and Bessie. Although he doesn’t chase as many pheasants as Bessie (but will chase her) and him and George tend to ignore each other. When I’m going out without him but have my running gear on he gets a bit stroppy and gives me the whippet look! Those of you who have sight hounds know exactly what I mean.

 

When we are out and about I try to aim for runs where I can let him off the lead, he is very good at recall and tends not to run off unless momentarily distracted by a squirrel, rabbit or the occasional pheasant. Of course he goes on the lead where there is a road or crossing fields with livestock. There are special harnesses/leads that can be purchased but Bert isn’t very good in a harness as it rubs under his armpits so he runs on his normal collar and lead.

This year he had a shoulder injury so unfortunately he hasn’t been out running with me for 3 months this has been hard on both of us. He sulks when not coming out with me: especially on a Sunday when he seems to know that it is a run with the girls. I feel guilty about not going out with him and of course it is a pain as I have to walk him first and then go out for a run which doubles the amount of time that it would normally take.

He should be back out with me this week but obviously we will take it easy and will evaluate during and after each run. I love running with him and yes I do talk to him on the way around!