Question:
I have recently noticed a young lady who brings her two dogs with her when she runs on the high school's 1/4-mile track. They are free to run while she jogs for 1-1/2 hours. They either follow her or "investigate" trees, etc., or just sit for a while.Also, a man on our block jogs five miles every other day with his dog on a leash. I asked him if he ever stopped to let the dogs rest. He said dogs don't need to rest.Do you have any suggestions about circumstances like these? St. Louis in the summer can get very hot. and I'm sure it takes a toll on dogs constantly running.
B.B., Manchester, Mo Oct 15, 2006
Answer:
I appreciate your observations and concern. The young lady had it right: She can run, and the dogs are safe off-leash and can do their own thing. I trust she is attentive and bags their poops.Joggers who do not give their dogs time out so they can sniff, investigate and mark their route are all too common. Selfishness and lack of consideration have no bounds with some who force their dogs to run with them without a break. It causes stress and distress in hot, humid weather, and on hot sidewalks and pavement.I strongly advise against running with dogs when it's hot outside. Nor should they be forced to run in subzero temperatures.All joggers' dogs should have a full veterinary checkup every six months. Too many people take better care of their cars than they do their dogs.
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