Running With Ruffwear
Despite losing an hour of sleep (and on Mother’s Day too!) I felt very excited by the clocks springing forward. Don’t you just love the lighter nights and longer days?
Everything just seems more relaxed and I’m not desperate to hibernate in the house, under a blanket, as soon as I get home from work! Instead, I like to plan things that I can do before it gets dark and one of the things I’ve been looking forward to, is getting out running with the dog again. Fresh air and exercise after a day in the office, what could be better?
It’s not always practical for Yogi, our very handsome Hungarian Vizsla, to be off the lead for the duration of a run as even when running on farm tracks we often have to call him back when tractors or bikes are coming. He’s also what I would describe as a very sociable dog, meaning he’s very unlikely to resist stopping for a play with another dog or meeting and greeting every person we pass. Keeping him on the lead is the solution to this problem. However, we currently use a slip lead which would be no good for running as if either one of us stopped suddenly I could really damage his neck. So, I reached out to the guys at Ruffwear to ask their advice as to the best product combination for this type of activity. They recommended the hi and light harness with the Roamer lead and of course the look wouldn’t have been complete without a lovely new collar to match.
The key to success with this type of product is first of all, measure your dog correctly before you order. Don’t just guess. Yogi is classed as a medium breed but his chest is so deep that he actually needed an XL harness. This guide is very useful to understand which points to measure and determine what size your dog needs. Secondly, when you receive your products, take plenty of time to adjust and fit the harness and collar to your dog before your first trip out together. Yogi is a very patient dog anyway but the products were also incredibly easy and comfortable, making it a simple process to get the fit right .There’s plenty of room for adjustment on the harness so keep adjusting a small amount until it is a snug fit but not too tight.
You can’t be at Yogi’s level and not expect a kiss!
He’s all ready! So why was I looking forward to go out running with the dog? Well, it actually offers a lot of benefits.
First of all and possibly the main one for me is that it totally kills two birds with one stone, which is actually a pretty awful phrase but you know what I mean. The dog needs a walk and I need to exercise so combining the two is a great time saver. It also makes me run that little bit faster and that little bit harder, because my dog can move! It therefore gives me a much harder, intense work out than if I’d gone out on my own.
The stretch section of the lead is great for the times when there’s a mismatch in speed between us. The lead is long enough to give Yogi the option to drop behind or pull in front but the stretch zig zag section means neither of us are getting a sudden jolt, just a gentle spring. There’s two options on the lead too, hand held or alternatively adjust the strap to waist size.
I love the waist option as it gives much more flexibility for moving hands free.
Other benefits include the increase in exercise for your dog. The increased speed to your normal walk will improve your dog’s stamina and give them a great work out too.
It can also improve your relationship with your K9 companion as dogs love to run so essentially you are taking them out to run and play with you, forging a stronger bond.
Dogs can also offer an element of protection. Obviously you hope to never need it but running with a dog rather than alone can give you a feeling of protection and boost your confidence when running. Yogi is very gentle natured and friendly, however, if he suspects someone is somewhere they shouldn’t be or senses that I am anxious, he definitely slips into guard mode. As a lone female runner this can be very reassuring.
I think Yogi had enough now, ha!
Ultimately running with your dog should be fun for you both. Whether it’s a quick jog around the block or a long distance run together. Enjoy your new running partner and reap the rewards of a fitter you and a fitter, healthier pooch.
Do you run with your dog?
*Disclaimer: This was a collaborative post with Ruffwear and I was given the products above to give an honest review. All words and opinions are my own.
