So have had a new puppy for about two months - Running?

[supernova]

We are getting along well. He was about five weeks old when we got him. Moby we were told is a rat terrier/shi tzu mix, though he looks like a black rattie through and through. Floppy ears, though. Very cute. And hasn't met a person or dog he isn't instantly BFFs with. :rofl:

Because the SO works, It's usually Moby and me for walkies every day. The past couple of days, I've noticed he lights up like a christmas tree to see ME run! :crazy:

I've never been a dog person before. Not a runner either.

But, somehow it feels right, he and I trotting down the road together. :rofl:

I'm not a great endurance athlete, at all. I've done walking before, sometimes for 5 or 6 miles. But this is a bit different.

I guess what I want to know is are there any special considerations about training with a dog?

edit: He's about 16 weeks old and I'm guessing about the size of a min pin.

[roody]

1. Be sure to have fun!

[TorchTheWitch]

2. He was taken from his mother at only FIVE weeks???

No puppy should EVER be taken from it's mother until after at LEAST eight weeks. You may be in for health and/or behavior problems because of this down the road especially since even at eight weeks they still need to be kept away from as many people and animals as possible since at even that age they still aren't quite old enough to have their third round of protective shots. In fact, at that young of an age it's likely particularly with his physical health. Where did you get this dog, and do you have any idea why it was separated from its mother at such a terribly young age or why it was sold or adopted out and mixed with people and other animals THAT young?

Yes, there are special considerations about endurance training with a dog, and the first consideration is that random people on the internet isn't the place to find that out. The second is that at 16 weeks it's FAR too early to consider. Many MANY dogs have outright dropped dead in their tracks trying to keep up with their masters who didn't PROPERLY address doing such a thing with a dog and were unable to recognize symptoms and conditions that were too much for the dog. Instinct drives a dog to follow their master where they lead even if it literally kills them. This is a small dog who is going to have to put out FAR more energy than you when traveling together just because of its size, and it's just WAY too early in his life to be thinking about this. The training he needs now is obedience and socialization, and he needs a chance to grow up first. He's a baby, so of course he gets along well with other dogs and people at his his age.... a year from now may be an entirely different thing.

I'm so sorry to tell you that you may very well be in for a disaster with this dog. At five weeks a puppy's immunity is VERY fragile and without being raised properly in the first 8-12 weeks with their mother and littermates in the confined environment they MUST have can NEVER be acquired later in life. A puppy at 5 weeks cannot have had it's scheduled protective shots and shouldn't even be allowed outdoors at ALL because of their fragile state at that age much less sold or adopted out. Are you SURE the pup was that young when you got it? What has your vet instructed about this, and do they agree with the age estimate?

[supernova]

4. I'm going to assume you mean well

but I have to make you aware your tone is off-putting. You shouldn't assume some random people on the internet are mistreating a little dog.

We got him through a rescue group that specializes in rehoming pets whose owners are too sick or dead so the animals don't have to go to our county shelter. Would you rather he have gone to the shelter? It's a kill shelter too. We were aware he was young. The rescue foster home "mom" had already had him for two weeks. If you could ask him, I bet he barely remembers his doggy mom, if at all. Sad, but a reality. He was already exposed to many many germs before I even met him.

I have three cats, the two original ones were 5wks old when we got them too. They were part of a feral litter. They are all healthy and thriving adults now. One loves the puppy, the other two tolerate him. LOL.

As for shots, we have his records and are keeping up with them. And yes, the vet knows his age too.

And for extra measure, I have a professional dog trainer next door. He and I have discussed involving my puppy in some organized activities in the future. He's not only a trainer, he competes professionally in working dog competitions. I was asking about jogging with my dog because even at two months, I've realized that whatever else he is, Moby is a HIGH-OCTANE being. He will need an outlet, believe me.

[Coyote_Bandit]

9. When I was a kid

my folks adopted a pup that was 3 DAYS old. All the pups in the litter were adopted out at that young age when the mother dug out of her fenced yard and was struck by a car and killed.

That pup grew up on the farm and lived to the ripe old age of 18 without any significant or debilitating behavior or health issues. One of my most memorable pets.

Sometimes what seems to be a bad thing really isn't. We make assumptions and jump to conclusions. Maybe first we should learn the details.

[MiniMe]

3. I work with a lab rescue, and we tell people not to run with dogs when they are pups

It can cause joint problems. Of course, I don't know if that is true for smaller dogs too, but their joints and bones are still growing now.

[supernova]

5. I was asking

more for future info. I'm thinking down the line when he is bigger. Though, probably not much more than now. He's a large-ish small dog, if that makes sense.

I've learned you should wait about 6 months at least. That's fine. Like I said, I'm not planning on running a marathon or anything, but I think a mile or so every other day, might be a good thing for both of us.

Thank you for your reasoned reply.

[get the red out]

6. I started running with my dog

My pup was really hard to train on a leash, but she's an active little hearding mix mutt so when she got around a year old this spring, and after two obedience classes, I started running with her. Considering I was 46 and had never been a runner, the pace was unlikely to be too much for her, LOL. I had always exercised but never ran, this transition has been very good for both of us.

We walked all winter though, and I played tennis ball fetch with her for her to get her energy out. When we took her to the vet for annual vaccinations recently she commented on how muscular her legs were. I felt very good since I was so worried I wouldn't be able to fill her exercise needs.

My dog is only 30 lbs, bigger than your dog will be, but not huge. I'm sure your little dog will be quite active as well with terrier mixed in, so it will be a good thing to run some with him.

[supernova]

7. Thank you for sharing

your experiences. It's more what I was looking for.

I've never run either, so there's no danger I'll be outrunning him. LOL.

[iscooterliberally]

8. Don't step on him!

:rofl:
I would make sure that he understands how to heel really well before you do too much running. Also keep in mind that human beings in general can run for longer without stopping than any other animal on the planet. I proved this theory when I was a child. I had a black lab that could get out of anything, and I would chase her for miles. You might not be a runner, but he will need more breaks than you. Stay out of the dog park until your vet gives you the OK. Other than that, have fun! :yourock:

[supernova]

10. Heeling

Not so much right now.

:rofl:

He's all over the place. In front, behind crisscrossing my path. :crazy:

We're working on it.

THanks, we are. :D