The Rise of the Dog Runner

cordill g (0 an American Pct Producl<;
Association survey, we love :Uld treat
A
our dogs Ukc family, spending morc
'han SO billion a Y"''' on (IUali~
000, Irc'JIS, \~, hills, ,md assoncd pel
care ilems. We scour websilcs :Uld news feeds for
food r('Calls, create 1\\;IICr accounts for our pets,
;md sometimes care for thelll bellcr Ih:tn we care
for Qursch'cs. In 5ho11, il seems like Americans
are on a qucst for getting imd giving whm is best
for their dogs, no matter the COSI.
Along \\ith ~Iis urge to 1:1\;sh the best on our
pets, the number of people who have dogs in their
homes has incre::lSCd. ~OI only ~Jat , but dogs have
become a Ii\ing, friendly, wagging Ill~m~ 10 belter
}our own healdl while t:tking care of )'Olll' pup. With
all this in mind, it is nOI surprising that the newest
trend in dog t"are is the ri!JC of the dog runner.
Is die pel Silting industry about 10 c,xperience a
ch:Ulge in me way dogs arc ~xcrciscd?
WHO'S RUNNING WITH THE DOGS?
A Culture of Athletes
If you enjoy nmning, laking along a dog i:-.
a gratifying way 10 get exercise and a lucrative
profe
ional Pet Sitter
Wmtel 2012· H
proposition for some pel ~i uers . There is no
doubt that the concept of "dog running" is gaining
traction .Uld there arc probably multiple reasons
(or this trend. Many health professionals fuss m'cr
our nation 's obesity epidemic (whether it be in
humans or animals) and the gro\\;l1g marathon
craze lends itself to finding :I comp:Ulion \\~th
whom to nlll. ~~l'Jte\er dlC reason, dog ",Liking
culture as \\e know iI is cml\'ing. In fact. Or.
Jcs~ ica Vogelsang a vctcrillilri:U1 and popular
blogger based in California, has noticcd a recent
increase in people running with their dogs. She
Mates thai, "There arc people who have always
been interested in ha\;ng lhis healthy lirestyle,
but I do think Lilcre is a change in attitude," She
notes Ihal pcople often consider the qucstion, "b
our dog compatible with running and how can wc
incorporate them?"
JiIll lourihan, the owner of Running the
P:lck, Inc. and an acti\c ~API'S member, owns a
dog running, walking, :md pet sitting company
senicing the Greater Boston area since 2006.
Jill's SIOr') of running \\;th her clients' dogs began
org:lIli(:i:LiI)'. As a liretime nllHler, Jill discovcred
Ihal her dog truly enjoyed running wi lh her. Afler
j
16
Dogs enJoy running
as much as, or arguably,
even more than we do
this realil:llioll, she I)oSled flyers at her local
\'elerinari;Ul'Sofficc, alTering 10 rlln Other dogs in
her community. lIer busincss grew rrom Ihm one
posler 10 ~t comp:U1y thm services 20 lawns in lhe
Boslon
:LrC'J.
"I}eople were incrt'Clibly cllthusiastic about
LilC idea or dog running, jusl ovcr Ihe moon aboul
someolle gh;ng additional excrcise," Ilourih:Ul
statL'S. E\'cn from LilC inception or her hllsi ness,
cliellls laid her frequently thm Liwy Imcd the idea
of taJ...;ng dogs on mns. In reccnt years, she notes
111:11 she has "definjtely notiCl'<.i ~t real explosion in
pel c.xercise." She states, ''I'm really exciled Lilat
somcollC else has caught on."
April AMllar, also a ~AI'I'S Illember and
owner of Dogs on the RUIl . a pet Silting compan)
localed in thc San Diego area, offers dog nmning"
services as wellller company startcd wilh
pet silling, bUI she considers dog running an
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FIlii 111114..,.,1. OJl'lW" o/IY(lIi/I(III'\' I'd \t'fl'lCt'S, bJJtt,
ru/l'S Giro II PVI'/ll.l.:lII!St' It/lnkr. in prt1)arallfJfI
Iilr gom,!.! 011 Iflllg bUll". !'bolo I~l \lIlafl Hober'
import.ml, if slightly slower-growing, service,
The cu hure in San Diego is one of "cry active
people, Ilowe"cr Alvillar says, " We had some
cliems who w:mlcd us 10 push aCli\·c dogs.·'
Some of these dogs needed to be worn oul
to curb undesirable beha\;or. She nOied thaI,
"'W:llking just wasn·, enough for them. So people
were asking for th e I running I service. ,. Ah~ lI ar
was intrigued by these requests ~tl1 d after doing
extensive rcsl'arch on the subject, she ultim:ucly
began Customl7jng dog running services for her
clients' needs.
Dogs all the Run caters to cliellls who
are Iypically already running \\1th their dogs.
"The people we're deaJing "ith :Ire ll~llC(cs
thcmsches," Alvillar States. She :~so notes that
clienb will insist that the company send :Ul
employee \vho is :uhJetic to work WitJllhcir dog,
San Dil'go is a region graced by con:-,Irult sun and
thererore il is ;1 communi!) which enjors :1 \'ery
active, athletic community. MolII) of Ihcse clien ts
are :~re.tdy on a funning routine, m;lybc (.'\'cn on
a training schedule, and w:uu their dogs 10 adhere
10 Ihis while tht'}' afe on hiatus.
GETIING THE POOCH OFF THE COUCH
Running Breeds
Dogs enjoy running as much as, or arguably,
C\'cn more than wc do. Ln fact, many breeds ha\'e
been bred for Jong-disLancc endurance nllliling.
An excellcnt cx:unple of this b ~Ie S:~uki. (h'er
the CCllluriC." people ha\'e chosen breeds based
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onllSsel~
which fil their Iife:.t} Ie. Toda) is no
different. Many dog lovers consider a dog tJl:U is
going to he :1good running or hiking companion,
Choosing the right breed 10 rlln wilh takes
some consideration. Not all dogs were bred for
the body shape or endurance of long distance
running, Dr. \ogelsang stmes, "If you look at a
Saluki or an Afghan hound, Ihey' re long limbed
and lean and hare a long nose and so breathing
is nOI an bsue with them." Thc~c hrccds ma}
be an c~ccJJcnt choice for a nlllning regime,
bUI other brced~ arc not suited to the t:L"ik.
Vogcl s~ll1g suggesl" you consIder, "The classic
e.xample or a dog wilh difficulty breathing: the
bulldog, a brachyccph:<lic breed with alilhal
soft tissue pushed up," In fact ~mc dogs are
bener anulomicaJly sujted ror running and if you
:Ire:l marathoner and ullra-m:lrathoncr, )ou'd
probabl~ \\anlIO consider the best hrced for tJlC
joh al hand,
Perhaps you or a client wanb 10 gel into
17
shape witJI a couch potato dog, Now\~hat? Dogs
Ihul arc bred for the hunt :md ha\·c ~le son of
high enel'!.'Y le\'els Ihal geflhem long dist:mces are
bener suiled for:t good long run , IIc>wC\'er, don 't
discouru Ilomraditionai dogs. Some clients Illay
rUIi wilh brecdo; you wouldn't CXpc..'CIIO do the
dbt:lIlce, I)r, Vogelsang laughs, remembcring, " I
saw Ihis woman the other day \\hi lc 1W;IS hiki[]g.
She was booking il dOll11lhe hill :md she had a
IHtic poodle that cOlildn'1ha\'c been more than
Il pounds jusl h:llIling after her. It ·~ :unating how
well some dogs can compcnsalc."
Allhollgh the I>ossibilities arc wide, if your
l>Ct sitting c1icnt is a marathoner, Ur. Vogelsang
wou ld recommend a whiPI>Ct .IS tJIC besl breed.
"We had some people on our last World \'ets trip
who nlll marathons ever) weekend, and the)
nlll with a whil>PCt "hich is a \c[') good choice
for them," 11 turns Ollt ~lat whlPPCll) have an
overabundance of energy and eU1 kt'Cp up wi~1
their marathon running owners with easc,
Prof
s'lonal
Pet
SIW~1
Winter
2012-13
DOES SPOT REALLY WANTTO RUN?
The Benefits and Risks of Dog Running
All pet parents want the dogs in their care to
be as healthy and happy as possible. So how do
PCI carc professionals help their clients decide
the best regime for their dogs? Every Si lllalion is
differcllI, but there can be bcncfil~ to the extra
exercise.
Alvillar notes thai, "The running is slich :I
healthier option than just kind of going out for a
cruise in the neighborhood. A rClllly, fe-.uly fast
paced walk to gel the stimu lation lip and the heart
rJte going is good, but run ning allows the dog to
feel free witHe on a 1C'J.Sh." To AJvillaf, the biggest
benefi ts incl ude health and men ial well-being.
"Gelting that hean rate lip and freedom. (.cILing
them feel free to run, :Uld run , and play. Thai'S the
bigsesl lhing. Because I feci like espedalJy here,
even though it's beautiful San Dit'go, they ClUl feel
tr.lpped in the house or trapped in the backyard,
:U1d there's nothing beller than being able to get
olilthere in the fresh air ,U1d run , ~' She may be
right.
According 10 the media, dogs cnjoy running
as much as :my long~di s tml{:e running human,
Astudy pubUshed in April lO 12 in the Jou rnal
of Experimental Biology, nOles thai people are
hardwired 10 run. Scientists tested a group of
people to discover if running and its "feel-goad"
effect was .uso hardwired in odler active animals,
including dogs. After exercise, analysis of blood
sam ples re\'~dcd dUlllUlandamide incrC'Jscd in
all of the dogs iUld people tested, Anandamide is a
type of cndoc;ulnabinoid; these chemicals aclivate
the part of the brain associ:ued with feeling good
after moderate 10 in tense aerobic exe rcise. Dogs,
in effect, experience Ihe heiglllcned sense of
awareness and intensity provided bya runners'
high, much like their human companions. Dr.
Vogelsang says that this makes sense. "Wh en you
read about the hislOry of the hunting breeds,
Financial
success comes
in second place
to the benefits of
enjoying a long
run with a Willing
and joyful canine.
these dogs would nlll over 20
mi les a day, the owners would
go along on horses, There arc a
lot of characteristics that make
a dog potentially well-sui ted La
distance t'unning."
It can easily be argued dlat
most dogs are naturally runners,
but in today's households 1Ill.'Y
:lrc typically not accustomed
to prolonged acti\'ity o\'er
extended periods of time, The
I>csi way Lo prepare your dogs
to be running com pan ions is to
PI)fJ/(I/~r ROlf!.)' Fisk
introduce the process slowly.
"One of the things we do is a.l1
endurance (Cslto sec what the parents' routine is,
[lOVe! where lhat's really going to be!l concern."
how far IIwy'rc running them, how hard arc they
IIe'Jt is definitely a factor to consider, especia.lly
pushing them,,. says AIguillar. "If a person wasn't
in sunnier places likc Mi:uni and San Diego,
a runner we wou ld 51.<11'1 slowly to build lip their
Iiourihan recommends lailoring dogs' r lillS to the
endumnce." Like all good things, "it takes some
10 the shadier parts of the day, either early in the
time."
dllY or after temperatures fall below 85 degrees,
Pct parents new to the concept of dog
runners might be dubious aboul getting their
dogs OLlt runnjIlg :lIld worry about over-exCIti ng
them. Dr, Vogelsang says generally, it's not a
problem, "Most of us aren't exercising at a
A Few Great Breeds for Running
Every dog is an
,nd,vidual and not all
dogs will be a suitable
running partner.
However, here are a few
breeds thai Runner's
World suggests might be
a good companion for
a jog.
long Steady Runs:
• Weimaraners
• Goldendoodles
• German shorthaired
pointers
• Vizslas
• Jack Russell terriers
Brisk Shorter Runs:
• Greyhounds
• Pit bulls
• English setters
• Beagles
• Golden and
Labrador retrievers
Sprints:
• German shorthaired
pOinters
• Weimaraners
• Greyhounds
• Whippets
• Vizslas
\
Professional Pet Sitter W1I1ter 2012-13
18
www.petsitters,org
-... -•
..
••
SliU, in Dr. Vogels~Ulg 'S experience, "It's
prcuy UllliSUallO sec a dog with e:..;ercisc-induccd
11(.'3.1 stroke. I do think the son of person who b
conscious of {heat stroke symptoms I is prell)'
good al slaying on lOp of it It's much more
common (0 see it either \';Ih flCOplc 1~I\'ing their
dogs in lhe'car or people who arc juSt not paying
allcntion and lill')' leave their dogs OlllSidc \\itholll
adcqumc ~hcltcr.·'
To :l\oid lUlY risks it is illlponanilo be aware
of the wanting signs of a dog's CXh:llIstion. TIlis is
especlally true of heat stroke. l11(~rc are \\laming
signs and ignoring dlcsc signs lU1d pushing the dog
pasl them is dangerous. According to Dr. Vogelsang
"Once you hit thaI point of no rc!Um and their
bodies go into meltdO\\1llllodc, it's \'cry difficult
for them to rceo' cr without some serious d:ullagc.
Once the body temperature hib about 106 you're
in trouble," 11 is imponantto take dlcir breed,
age, ami ht:,'a1th issues into account, as wcll. GiiUlI
breed. . tcnd toward joint issues and dark coalS
attrad more sunlight, for c\umple. t-..\'cry dog is an
indhidual and should he considcrt-d on a case.. byCtSC basis. It is a good idel for the dog's O\\1lcr to
talk their \etcrinarirul :15 wcll before clearing their
canine for:1. nUUling regime.
www.petsitters .ora
~
-.
Pbolo I~I' Emi(J' fisk
- ~
To avoid any risks It IS
Important to be aware of
the warning signs of a dog's
exhaustion
IN BUSINESS AND HEALTH
00 You Need Someone to
Run with the Dogs?
Of course, the qucstion for prores..'iionai pel
sitters tunlS 10 whedlCr a dog rUll ner i.s required
ror your c1icnt't, Ahillar's dog rumdng client~ are
all ~uhlelic and already run lnlils widl their dogs,
Iler c1ient's conccrn~ are whether or not dl(~ sitter
can kccpllp with the dog, "For us :.llot of times
thc)"Uquestion: Are you sure you're a mil ner? Do
dley nlll rIDlt enough? Do they nlll hard enollgh?
Do tht') run lhb lrail?" So if you are thinking or
adding dog running scnices, you will eilher need
to be up to Ihe I:l')k )oursclr or hire someone who
is suitt.'<ito it and enjoys nlIlIling or biking.
AccorcUng to lIourihan, dlerc arc two
fUJld:uncnt:~ tr'Jit't that make a good dog runner.
The firsl, and 1110st ob\iolls. is thai a good dog
19
nllmer must ,dsa be an ;:uhlete themselvcs. Fo r
their o\\-n persomd exercise, bodl Alvillar ruld
Iiourihan run 011 !.heir own. The requirement of
an adliete who can rlln 10 miles a day definitely
narrows die field of who can run a 10Ilg-disl:UlCe
dog. There are certainly business owners who
are lip to die task and those who are sllccessful
:u it love it. Financhd success, howl.,\'er, conlt's in
second place 10 the benefits-of enjO)iJlg :llong run
wil h a will ing :md joyful canine, The dog's ph)'SicaJ
well ..being comes firsl,
"''helher ciicnL' looking ror dog running
services arc athletes or simply people wiUuing
their dogs 10 release some PCIII-UP encrgy,
PCI 0\\11Crs are increasingly choosi ng dogs to
suil more active Iifcsl)I~. The adwtion or dog
nlllning 5C.nices 10 a pet sitting bll~illess may be
a good choice for pet professionals in the right
communities. Times may be changing 10 be more
active and perhaps pel sill.crs should lake nOle, •
Frrmkll! /1l,-/i 1"',, jref!lllllce unler lIud /let,\'7/1t.,-
based III /x:llultjul 1/llIm; She unrks jol' Eqllip(/Il :~
Pe/"Iert'I'cfs.
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do}!, rt/lll11ll}!. (llIti/)£" sill/lI.1f com/kill)'
(~' lheir :.YXUII flU'C/ill
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ProfeSSional Pet Sitter Wlntel 2012-13