Rebecca Davis has an interesting new business in Philadelphia called Run Philly Dog Run, which helps dogs get the exercise they need. Many dog owners don’t have the time or ability to give their dogs a good workout, and a simple daily walk or two usually won’t be enough exercise for an active dog. We know Rebecca because she and her team have been running with Hank (the official dog of Oh My Dog Supplies) for the past 6 months & he loves it.

Run Philly Dog Run has been getting lots of publicity in Philadelphia recently, and we were able to spend some time with her and ask a few questions.

Why is running better for my dog than walking?
Urban dogs tend to be cooped up, and their owners often work long hours. The dogs just get a walk here and there. Those random walks, or even regular ones, don’t quite quell all their energy. When their energy isn’t quelled, anxiety starts to set in. Running releases a lot of energy and that helps curb bad behavior and assists weight loss, which is a common veterinary concern these days.

Dogs think it’s really fun because they like to run. In my opinion going running is better than going to a dog park because at dog parks there is generally stop-and-go action – the dogs will walk, then run, then sniff – and if dogs aren’t appropriately socialized they can run into trouble at dog parks. Running one on one with a person allows a dog to burn off more energy and more calories. The dogs don’t stop and sniff like they do when they walk; it’s a straight out effort and that helps release more anxiety and energy. It’s healthy to have aerobic exercise. Walking is almost a way to just go out and do business, but running is a whole new level. I’ve found that they usually want to be running.

So what happens when you take a dog running?
We ask what the dog’s usual walking route is, and we begin there and then extend it. That way the dog has some familiarity and a comfort level. We start off the run with a warm up, then we run, then we cool down with walking. What we do also depends on the dog’s fitness level; if they’re starting off in good shape, the cool down takes less time. At the end of the run, we give the dog water.

My dog is a bit out of control and kind of wild on walks. I’m trying to fit in time for more exercise, but will I really help calm him down?
Yes, running will definitely calm him down. It’s the same as with people, it calms us down and releases bad energy. Running exerts far more energy than walking; think about how much effort it takes you to run compared to when you walk. Besides burning off more energy, dogs sometimes get crazy when they’re walking and they pull because they want to go faster and further and running allows them to do that.

What if my dog isn’t trained to run?
All of our runners are trained by a dog behaviorist who gives strategies and techniques, and teaches the runners how to handle leashed dogs. Most of the dogs we work with are already fairly well trained, but even if they’re not, after 10 minutes or so they’ll fall in step with you. Running will definitely cut down crazy dog energy level.

My puppy is insane, she runs all over the place like some kind of perpetual motion machine. She has two speeds: asleep and full throttle. When will she be old enough to go to go for runs?
There are no clear cut answers to that. I don’t know of a specific age where a dog is ready and able to run, and much depends on the dog’s breed. Your veterinarian should have the final say on whether or not your puppy is physically ready. We don’t like to work with dogs who are less than a year old because they’re still developing. When they’re close to a year old, they’re better able to understand commands and understand the concept of going for a run. Somewhere around a year of age is when they get it, and realize “I like to run by this person.”

What do I need to do before my dog can participate in running programs?
When a new client calls, we schedule an orientation. We get all kinds of information: their contact numbers, veterinary information, health history, whether or not the dog has been on a leash, do they go to the dog park, and so on. The client needs to get approval from their veterinarian.

If my dog is overweight, how can he run?
The best way is to start out slow. We build up endurance with a walk/run program, and then gradually increase speed and distance as well as the time spent running.

Do you accept all breeds?
We’ll take any dog depending on his health history. We have a lot of boxers, pit bulls, and border collies. We don’t discriminate amongst breeds.

Will you take both of my dogs together?
The only way we do run with more than one dog at a time is with similar dogs from the same family. I want each dog to have undivided attention from a runner for an hour; this isn’t a social exercise, it’s exercise.

What happens in bad weather?
Sometimes we cancel because it’s too hot, or we switch to running early and late. If it’s too cold or icy for the dog or human to be safe running, we cancel and reschedule. We take serious precautions because we don’t want anyone to get hurt.

Who runs with my dog?
All of our runners are athletes training for marathon or triathletes training for some level of triathlon.

If you live in the Philadelphia area and would like more information on how to get your dog involved in a running program with Run Philly Dog Run, you can contact Rebecca Davis at 215-385-0186, or visit their website at http://www.runphillydogrun.com