Running in spurts?

**rpost7786** · 06-29-2011, 11:06 AM

I guess the antibiotics and anti inflammatory meds have worked their magic. His lump on his neck has dwindled down to almost nothing in a matter of a day and 1/2!! Thank god. He's also back to his normal lunatic self. I took him for a 2 mile walk yesterday to the creek to go swimming and then back home. Once we got home I put him on the 40' lead and he ran and ran. I call it his Zoomies. He didn't want to go back inside. We were grilling dinner and played with him in the mean time. My question is, is it ok on our walks to do a little running? He's 8 months old, I know it's young but he runs on his own anyways. I'm a little out of shape and probably cant run far. It's more of a run, walk (catch your breath) then run again.... etc Is that bad to do? I read on here they have to be over 1 to go running but I'm telling you it's not long spurts of running. Is this ok?

**BauersMom** · 06-29-2011, 11:45 AM

When he runs around the yard, he can stop whenever he wants. When he runs on lead he can't (even if it is just a short spurt). Labs will rarely tell you if something hurts or is wrong, they love to please. I am a runner, and didn't start running with Bauer until he was 2 (I had heard that 18 months is when it is safe); I wanted to make sure that I wasn't going to hurt his growth/development or cause any injuries.

**Tanya** · 06-29-2011, 12:59 PM

it is not recommended.

but more importantly - if you are looking to tire him out, that won't help. Give him more time on the long lead running around as he wishes. or set-up playdates with other dogs or find a place he can run offleash (dog park, baseball field, etc)

I do want to say - it really really depends what you mean by "little". if you are in a field and you jog for a minutes as he runs, then you walk for 10 minutes, that's most likely fine. but if you mean more like a couch to 5k type of running on pavement, I wouldn't do it. I will run with a puppy to catch a traffic light now and then!