[nagdu] Running

[Tami Kinney]

Tina,

My dog could run 5K. I'm still working up to 100 yards. /lol/

I started getting myself into a little jogging when Mitzi was a pup and 
needed all sorts of running most of the time. /lol/ I needed the 
physical therapy and walking, so... It worked. I could consider her run 
play time multitasking for me. /smile/ So she would see me attempting to 
jog on nice, friendly turf and losing my nerve and forgetting to 
breathe. Sheesh! It took me forever to get past that part.

Anyway, she likes to make a game -- which turned into honest task 
training -- of helping me orient while I jog so that I could get used to 
that feeling again and build up some endurance and, you know, nerve. 
/lol/ Actually, it's that thing of ours I call jingle guiding or squeak 
guiding (if she has a squeaky ball) that comes in handy on hikes in some 
places. Since Mitzi is owner-trained and was pack-raised until 7 months, 
running around with a big family of dogs, I was able to just start with 
her off leash training really quickly.

I don't recommend at all that anyone take their program-trained dog out 
and turn them loose. First, most programs will get real bent out of 
shape about that. Also, puppies being raised to be guide dogs are rarely 
given the chance to run wile run free in their formative years, so then 
starting off leash training for them means working very, very carefully 
because the dog doesn't know the dangers and is likely to go nuts with 
freedom in a way that will end badly. I'm just talking about how I've 
worked with my own dog within our own context. /smile/

Anyway, I've finally worked up my nerve to run on the walking trails 
with Mitzi on leash or in harness. She does amazingly well, which is 
good of her because of my issues with nerves. /lol/ Then with my own 
psyche because I am *not* -- I repeat *NOT* -- a nervous little old lady 
to scaredy-cat to jog. Not me, no how! /lol/

Mitzi seems to think this is very amusing and is happy to just lead her 
weird handler down the trail for fun. Whew! Gotta love this poodle. /grin/

For jogging and even hiking, I really prefer my sport harness because it 
allows for a whole lot of independent movement while giving good 
communication. I haven't tried even a tiny jog with the Laveau style for 
comparison, but I love that for most things that aren't wild and crazy. 
/lol/

I don't know how holding the harness handle would really work out for 
something like the 5K, though, because of how it would affect your one 
arm and running motion. I've heard of people running distances with 
their dog for guidance, so maybe we will find out. /smile/

If you can be sure the running route is clear of underfoot obstacles and 
large gaping holes -- and I would hope it would be! -- some sort of 
modified leash guiding might work. The dog could give you orientation as 
you run without hampering your movements. Like I say, I'm just working 
out the jogging with dog thing, but that is how it seems to me. I think 
a lot would depend on you and your dog both.

This is really interesting! Let us know what you decide and how it works 
out!

Tami

On 02/08/2012 10:57 AM, Tina Thomas wrote:
> Hey folks, Has anyone had experience with running a 5K and or a half
> marathon using a guide dog as a partner? Any tips and or and.
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> nagdu mailing list
> nagdu at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nagdu_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for nagdu:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nagdu_nfbnet.org/tamara.8024%40comcast.net
>