Peter Russo, center with white shirt and dog on his lap, and a few of his running friends.

Recently, an adopter asked for information on how to teach her dog to run with her. She was interested in participating in a half-marathon, and could her new GSP friend accompany her.

Peter Russo, a long-time GSP Rescue NE volunteer, and a runner, says yes, absolutely, any dog who's willing can be taught to be your running companion.

Here's the advice he gives:

"I really only had to teach my first GSP Kona to run.  After that she taught Silas how to run and then when she passed away and Gunnar came into our lives Silas taught him how to run.  I hope that Gunnar will be as good a teacher as Silas was now that he is gone.

"All three of these dogs loved to run.  The minute I put on running clothes and shoes they get excited to have me put the leash on and get going.  GSP's are creatures of habit.  ...  My dogs have always been very prey driven so I never run with them off leash.

"As to how far these dogs can run, they can run farther than you can anytime.  I have run my dogs as far as 21 or 22 miles and it makes them sleep a little better at night but it is really not taxing for them at all.  When we are running, they are trotting. Now, of course, I have had only 3 GSPs so there may be some out there that do not like to run. I have never met one but there could be some out there.

"Auggie [the new adopter's GSP] could probably go out today and run 20, but of course you wouldn't want to do that, you do want to build up slowly, just as you have started out.  I think that it is important that he knows some basic heeling commands to get started with.  

"As long as Auggie has no weight or physical issues I think 1 mile runs are very conservative.  I think a 25 or 30 minute run is a good place to start. Just build up from there as you would for yourself, a little at a time. I don't think you need to go to every other day running as long as you keep a very close eye on [the pads of his feet].

"Conditioning and endurance are not really big concerns for a 5 year old dog.   On an average training run I am in the 7:00 to 7:30 per mile pace.  That is a trot for them.  If I am doing speed work, I am in the 5:30 to 6:00 per mile pace.

"All the advice I am giving is for an adult dog.  Not a puppy.  It is very different with a puppy and these rules do not apply. As puppy bones are still growing and you have to go much slower and let them fully develop.

"1. Paws.  I have never gotten any of my dogs to run with booties on. 

"This is where the run buildup is important.  These dogs were born to run, maybe just not on pavement.  You need to be very cautious and build up the paws to take the pavement, kind of build up a little like a callus.  You will need to keep a close eye on his paws for the first few months or running him.  I know there is a product that you can stick little pads his pads, but I have never tried them and do not know how effective they are.  Some of my runs are on dirt, but still more than 60% of all running is on the road.  The paws will build up, like I said, just keep an eye on them.

"2. Heat. This is probably the biggest issue you will have, especially coming into summer.  I usually don't run really early or really late so I go by a bunch of rules that involve temperature and how sunny it is.  A 70 degree cloudy day is not the same as a 70 degree very sunny more humid day.  If you don't run in the sunshine much then you need to go more with just temperatures. If you do both you, will have to keep both in mind.  Anytime it starts getting in that 75ish degree range I usually hose the dogs down really well before I get started to get their body temperature way down before I start the run.  I have a house or business or school about every 25 or 30 minutes on my running routes so I can stop and re-hose them if they are getting warm.

"The first 2 dogs had a very heavy undercoat.  That made them a little warmer, but once they were hosed down they held that water better.  

"Anytime I am over 6 miles on a run I carry water [for the dogs]. I use a Fuelbelt.   All my dogs learned to drink right from the water bottle.

 I have never had an issue with their paws being too hot on a run.  You are running, so their pads are really not resting on the ground. If I stop for drinking or whatever I always do so in a shady spot so they are not standing on the hot pavement.

When it starts getting really hot and humid, above 85 degrees I usually hose them first and then keep their part of the run to 30 min or so and then just drop them back at the house and go out for some more if I am scheduled to do that. 

"If you are ever out and running and Auggie just sits down or looks too hot, just stop and find a hose and hose him down for a long time.  They are very resilient and will bounce back.

"Most people out there are happy to let you use their hose for the dog.  I also run by some lakes or reservoirs and let them jump in if they are hot.

"3. Bloat.  I never let any dog run within 2 hours of eating.  Look up bloat and know the signs and know what to do. Eating and running can possibly cause bloat and you want nothing to do with that.

"4. Rain.  My dogs always ran in the rain with me.  It is really not an issue for them. It will make them filthy and need a bath but other than that, not a problem.  If it is a cold rain, I had rain jackets for them.  It has to be pretty cool though because the jacket can make them a little too warm. Again, some of this comes down to the individual dog.  My dogs have always been very thin.  A dog with a bit more meat on him will do better in the cold and worse in the heat.  You have to know your dog.  

"5. Cold.  It has to be pretty cold for the dogs not to run.  Again, based on individual dog. I have jackets for them and I have to say unless wind chill is way below 0 they always run with me.  Snow is not a problem either.  My dogs have always loved to run in the snow, it makes them crazy, they love it.  Now the problem becomes when it has snowed, sidewalks are impassible and you are running in the road and the salt is down, it is slushy.  This is bad for the paws.  The salt is bad for their paws and the salt in the slush actually takes the temp of the water well below the freezing point.  Salty/slushy roads are one of the few things that I don't let them run in.  A little bit is fine, but that day or so right after a snow storm when it is all slush they usually stay home, or I drive to a path or some place I can just run in the snow.

"6. Age.  This is really [determined] by the dog.  

"7. Running in the dark: I have a very reflective leash and a light that flashes that attaches to his collar.  There are also reflective collars that I use.  Most of this is available online or at your local running store.  

I hope this is helpful and not too long and involved.  Auggie and any other GSP you own will be the best running partner you will EVER have.  They are always happy to go, they never show up late, and they don't care if you are late.  You never have to make idle chit chat with them if you are tired and don't want to talk.  They are just the best there is."