Can I run with my dog?

[spikesgirl]

have a 3 year old GSD and she is very lazy! When ever we go for a walk my other dog runs round exploring but my GDS will just walk next to me and doesnt like running around. When we are at home she just lays down and goes to sleep. The vet has checked her out and said there is nothing medically or physically wrong with her, she is just lazy.

Since she was spayed she has put on quite a bit of weight and I am stuggling to get it off her because of her reluctance to excerise. I really want to start taking her running with me, which I do every day, but I dont know where to start.

Does anyone have any tips?

[lankeela]

Do as you would yourself, start gradually and build up the time/length of run.

There is a dog sport called canicross, where the handlers attach a lead to their belt and the dog runs in front of them, maybe if you both get fit you could have a go at this. I am sure if you run with her she will want to run with you, just don't overdo it until she is fitter.

[lankeela]

http://cani-cross.co.uk/cc_whatis.shtml

[wildwood]

I am not trying to be rude but if she has put on 'quite a bit of weight', why not cut down on the meal portions?????
Once she is down to being just a bit podgy, she will be more likely to want to run and enjoy the interaction with you while exercising.
To make her run while the dog is obese is as risky for a dog as it is for a human. I suggest you start with ball games in the park.

[spikesgirl]

She isn't obease she just put on weight since she was spayed which is quite normal.

She is on a diet plan from the vets and has diet food. She has the amount of food the vet advises. She attends his clinic once a month.

[fredpuli47]

Lankeela is right, and has it occurred to you that your dog is not keen on running for no obvious purpose? The GSD is an intelligent breed and likes to do things for a reason, not just because some human thinks it ought to like exercise for exercise sake ! Your individual sounds to be in that category.It wouldn't be alone.Even quite dopey dogs think that way. Everyone seems to think that big fit dogs, like wolfhounds, not only need but love exercise for its own sake. Yes, well take one down the shops and back and it's likely to give you a dirty look of 'What was that for, you mean you had me walk down, wait and come straight back?" LOL Now, give one sight of a hare and you may need a helicopter to keep up and find it again, but it won't think that was exercise, that was purposeful!