running on cement..

[calpitgal]

is it bad for the dog to run on cement? like his hips later in life or something like that?? is grass better or sand?? My dog weighs about 95 lbs and we exercise by him pulling me on my roller blades, on cement. thanks.

[ParNone]

Hiya calpitgal!

Not too long ago, I started jogging around the neighborhood
with my Collie, to get in shape for agility (that is for me to get
in shape, not him). The pounding on the cement was making
my joints hurt, so we stopped. I figure if it's hurting me,
it can't be good for my dog either. We stick to grass and sand
now for jogging and running and only use cement for walking.

Par...

[lv4dogs]

I am not sure what proof they have but I agree w/ parnone. I imagine it would not hurt as long as you do not do it too awful often. One of my dogs pulls me on my rollervlades, we just keep it short under a half hour and only 2 x's a week. Also make sure it is a shady day or early am or late pm as the pavement gets hot & they do not wear shoes. I know it helps a great deal with keeping the nails short. Check the pads after every run & maybe feed a joint supplement just to help?

[Cataholic]

I really have to echo lv4dogs statment about the heat of the pavement. While it isn't the exact same thing as bare feet for humans, it is close enough. If the pavement, esp., blacktop is hot to the touch....be considerate, and keep the pup in the grass when the sun is out full blast.

As to the cement being hard on the joints...Parnone is right....it is harder on them, which is why people with knee problems are encouraged to run on tracks/grass.

So, keep it to a minimum for both reasons.....try to exercise them in the grass. And, for exercise purposes for people....try using your own strength to rollerblade...he he he...

[wolfsoul]

Timber runs on cement daily, unless it's too hot, then I prefer to run her on the grass (even if it's Hell on me). The cement is good for building up tough skin on the pads of a dog's paws. Flat ground is also better to run on than grass or rocks (so my chiropractor tells me). You just have to make sure that you don't go up and down hills too much, it's Hell on the leg joints.

[calpitgal]

Originally posted by lv4dogs
I am not sure what proof they have but I agree w/ parnone. I imagine it would not hurt as long as you do not do it too awful often. One of my dogs pulls me on my rollervlades, we just keep it short under a half hour and only 2 x's a week. Also make sure it is a shady day or early am or late pm as the pavement gets hot & they do not wear shoes. I know it helps a great deal with keeping the nails short. Check the pads after every run & maybe feed a joint supplement just to help?

That is what I do with my dog, he pulls me on my rollerblades, but he is still running (pulling) I dont encourage jumping and ask people playing with him not to make him jump on the cement. But the roller blade pulling is great exercise for him and me.
Thanks

[calpitgal]

Originally posted by wolfsoul
Timber runs on cement daily, unless it's too hot, then I prefer to run her on the grass (even if it's Hell on me). The cement is good for building up tough skin on the pads of a dog's paws. Flat ground is also better to run on than grass or rocks (so my chiropractor tells me). You just have to make sure that you don't go up and down hills too much, it's Hell on the leg joints.

great. sounds like we can keep skating. thanks for your post. (I was worried about his hips later on..)

[calpitgal]

Originally posted by ParNone
Hiya calpitgal!

Not too long ago, I started jogging around the neighborhood
with my Collie, to get in shape for agility (that is for me to get
in shape, not him). The pounding on the cement was making
my joints hurt, so we stopped. I figure if it's hurting me,
it can't be good for my dog either. We stick to grass and sand
now for jogging and running and only use cement for walking.

Par...

hmmm.. he never limps or acts sore. it is making him big in the chest. Thanks.

[calpitgal]

Originally posted by Cataholic
I really have to echo lv4dogs statment about the heat of the pavement. While it isn't the exact same thing as bare feet for humans, it is close enough. If the pavement, esp., blacktop is hot to the touch....be considerate, and keep the pup in the grass when the sun is out full blast.

As to the cement being hard on the joints...Parnone is right....it is harder on them, which is why people with knee problems are encouraged to run on tracks/grass.

So, keep it to a minimum for both reasons.....try to exercise them in the grass. And, for exercise purposes for people....try using your own strength to rollerblade...he he he...

lol. it is so much more fun when he does all the work. But you are right. maybe I can have him chase a ball in stead of pulling me. Then we could do it on grass...