An exploration of the endurance capabilities of our canine companions
All dogs are amazing in their own way, especially your dog. Most dogs can participate, to some degree, in fun outdoor activities without much work or conditioning. Walking, hiking, jogging and skiing are all great activities for the average dog.
The fact that you have opened this article indicates that you may not be an average dog/human pair. My dog and I are training for Ultramarathon distance trail races and are figuring out our limits and together. My pup, Ranger, is a high energy medley of Australian herding breeds; red heeler and kelpie. Early on in our training I was focused on tiring him out enough to be calm at home without realizing that his paws and muscles will become sore and tired before his energy is depleted. I made mistakes with nutrition, training and conditioning while figuring out his specific needs and abilities. Over the past few years I have learned from veterinarians, canine behaviour specialists, dog trainers and canine nutrition experts to develop a holistic approach to target my ever changing goals with Ranger. If you have dreams of epic hikes, runs or rides with your dog but are unsure how to build up mileage, when to turn up or tone down the intensity, and ultimately how to keep your pup happy and healthy while on an adventure together, read on and you may collect some important information compiled from a variety of sources.
The best training program addresses the specific needs of your dog including training, conditioning, nutrition and health care.
Health for the hills
Training and conditioning programs should allow your canine to reach their individual potential without imposing your own expectations.
You should form a strong working relationship with a veterinarian to ensure your dog is healthy and capable of endurance excursions. My dog gets a checkup each year at his vaccination appointments and usually has a few other appointments throughout the year depending on my concerns. Some vets are specialized in working and athletic dogs. It may be beneficial to seek out a specialist if you are planning on competing or if your regular vet is unsure about your dog’s limits.
Your vet should assess your dog’s athletic level, body composition, gait, heart function and musculoskeletal system on a relatively regular basis. This base of knowledge will form a strong foundation upon which you can build an appropriate training schedule. Some dogs suffer from genetic conditions or injuries that may inhibit their ability to participate in ultra feats of endurance.
If you are in search of role models for your pooch who are pushing the limits of endurance, look North. Sled dog teams of huskies have been pushing the limits of endurance for centuries. A well conditioned team can complete massive feats of endurance. Each year, hundreds of expertly trained teams compete in sled races spanning hundreds of miles. The Iditarod, a 938mile race across the arctic attracts the top husky sled dog teams each year.
Often, huskie pups begin training at only 18weeks old. Many working breeds can handle some training as young pups while other breeds may need to wait until 6months to a year or older to begin training. A veterinarian should assess your dog’s skeletal system and heart and make a recommendation of when their training can begin. After assessing Ranger, my vet told me that he can start going on small jogs with the focus on proper leash skills at 10weeks old. It is imperative that you listen to your vet’s recommendations as not all dogs have the bone structure for running when they are young. A dog’s peak physical performance is from 3-6 years old
It is important to note that training is different from conditioning. Training includes task-oriented activities like proper leash walking, light jogging without pulling, and learning basic commands like sit, leave it, stop and go. Conditioning is done with a focus on building strength and endurance rather than building skills.
No matter the age, your dog’s first few experiences with training are delicate and should be positive experiences. Seek out soft surface like a dirt trail or a park and keep your first few adventures short.
From the ground up
Pay close attention to the terrain that you train on. Your pup will last longer on soft, non-abrasive surfaces than sidewalks or rocky terrain. Your dog’s feet will often be a limiting factor to your adventures, rather than their cardiovascular fitness. Often, when Ranger starts to slow down out on the trails, it is his paws that are the culprit, not his lungs. Not all paws are built equally. Some dogs have thick pads, ample cushioning and fur on their paws to protect them from rocks, pavement and ice. Other dogs, like Ranger, with delicate paws and are sensitive to abrasive, hard and cold surfaces. I try to stick to dirt trails and minimize our runs on gravel or rocky terrain, which tend to injure Ranger’s pads. We stay on snowy trails in the winter and avoid sidewalk running on the icy and salty pavement.
Northern breeds, like a pair Alaskan Malamutes I knew growing up, had no problem running for hours on gravel roads on the coldest days of the year. Their paws were massive, thick and hairy, perfect for winter running.
No matter the breed, it is important that you get into the habit of checking your dog’s paws and nails frequently. Pads can rip, get cut, slivers or bruise easily without you knowing. If you have a particularly high drive dog, they may show no signs of discomfort until you get home. It is up to you to stop and check their paws while out as well as after.
Even elite, Iditarod-racing huskies may require booties or ointments to help their paws endure the rigors of their environment. Ointments can help to heal any abrasions that your dog may have and protect their feet from ice. A good bootie can offer protection from rocks, hot pavement, ice and hazards like cactus. Booties can also improve a dog’s ability to withstand running on hard surfaces. Like us, dog feet can get tired and sore from impact alone. If you can find a pair of booties that fit your dog properly, you may be able to extend your time out exploring with your furry friend.
Working within your dog’s capabilities to expand their limits of endurance.
Anytime you are out on the trail or road for longer than usual, I consider that to be an endurance event. Currently, Ranger and I are building a foundation of slow base miles in preparation for some summer races.
Increasing your dog’s conditioning needs to be done slowly and consistently. When increasing distance use a T shaped route (see figure, below) to keep adventures low risk. An example of a T shaped run is a 4km run broken up into four quadrants. From your starting point run 1km in one direction before turning around and running back towards your starting point. If you and your pooch are happy, continue for another 1km before turning around and running back. This format can be looped twice or adjusted for distance depending on you and your dog’s abilities. With a T shaped running route, you and your dog will stay within a safe distance of your starting point where there will be shelter and water.
Communicating with your dog
Ranger loves being off-leash out on the trail, especially if we meet other trail dogs. I often like to let him play for a moment, unless we are at the beginning of a particularly epic adventure. Because of our dog-human language barrier Ranger has no way of knowing if we will be out for 30mins or 5 hours. The best advice that I can offer is to set up a routine for your long runs or rides that your dog can learn.
Working service dogs know that when their vest goes on, it is time to work. I have built the same association with Ranger. When I bring out his backpack, he knows I mean business. When his little pack is on Ranger knows to conserve energy during the earlier stages of the run. He refrains from playing with other dogs and ignores (most) distractions along the trail. If I am planning an exceptionally long run, I will put something like a little water bottle in his backpack. When the bottle goes in, Ranger knows things are serious and sticks right behind me in a consistent trot.
Trot or stop
Dogs are typically most efficient at a trot. (See video.) Learn your dog’s gait and what they look like when they are in their groove. If out for a long ride, do not exceed your dog’s trotting pace until you know that they are fit enough to gallop for long periods of time.
If you have an athletic and healthy dog you may be able to condition them to gallop (video 2) for long periods of time. Some well conditioned sled dogs can gallop for over10kms at a time. A gallop requires not only more cardiovascular endurance but also muscular, skeletal and foot pad toughness. High drive dogs can become overly excited and obsessed with the activity, be it running behind a bike or playing fetch, and will keep running until they cause serious harm to themselves. I typically run more than I bike, so Ranger spends most of his time in a trot trying to get me to speed up. When mountain biking, I try to take quick water breaks every half hour or so check in and make sure things are still going well. When increasing distance or switching up terrain, your best bet is to stick at a trot and keep an eye out for any changes in gait or behavior.
Doggy language
Part of your job as an owner is the ability to recognize inconsistencies in your dog’s behaviour. Being able to identify changes in their movement patterns, appetite, bowel movements or energy levels may help you to catch an issue before it progresses. My dog is quite vocal and demonstrative and lets me know what he is thinking at all times. He makes sure to remind me that he is fed at 6 and 6, gets a snack after a run, and bedtime/lights off is at 10pm. He lets me know if he is ever too tired to head out by not coming to the door when I am putting my running shoes on or loading my bike into the truck. Ranger rarely skips an opportunity for an adventure and is typically energetic and begging me to hurry up and get going. I make sure to listen to changes in his normal behaviour and let him rest if he is not feeling up to an excursion. While out on the trails, changes in Ranger’s ‘normal’ pace and gait signals a developing problem. Dealing with issues like a thorn in his paw, a broken nail or muscle soreness or can be easily treated by stopping to rest and assess, addressing the issue and potentially cutting the run short.
Other signals are less obvious, like when your dog is beginning to fatigue on a run. High drive dogs will keep running until they collapse so it is up to you to monitor the subtle signs that they are beginning to fatigue.
Signs of canine fatigue
1. A “sigh”- the first sign of tiring. While exercising, the amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) being produced is greater than the ability of the body to eliminate it.
2. The rate of respiration and the volume of air inhaled and exhaled (minute respiration) will increase to meet Oxygen requirements and expel excess CO2.
3. Panting begins to address an increase in body temperature. If your dog is panting it means that their core temperature is elevated. If you are in the early stages of a long endurance event you may want to slow down or take a break to let your dog conserve energy for later in your run.
4. Dogs will begin seeking shade when they are overheating. If this occurs you need to stop, give your dog water and help them to cool down. You will most likely need to turn around if your dog has reached this stage of fatigue.
Humans are well suited for running in the heat because of our upright posture and ability to sweat. A beautiful, warm, sunny day may feel quite hot for your furry training buddy. By taking note of changes in their behaviour you will be able to increase your time spent out on the trail and mitigate the development of sinister problems.
Feeding your dog for endurance
Your dog may be a member of your family, but it is best if you keep your dinners separate. Dogs have different energy needs and metabolic pathways than humans. Like some of your favourite endurance athletes (2019 Lake Sonoma 50mile champion, Anna-May Flynn), canines are fat adapted and able to efficiently use energy from fats while exercising. Endurance athletes are dependant upon the oxidative energy systems and require a higher percentage of fat in their diet. Fats are slow burning and provide a constant, steady supply of energy without needing to consume very many calories while out. When the body is burning fat for its energy source, it delays muscle glycogen depletion. This action then delays the effects of fatigue. Burning fat is metabolically cooler than burning protein which can be beneficial to minimize an increase in body temperature when out on the trail. Adapted for the consumption of meat, dogs are more efficient at using fats and protein for energy than humans.
Upset stomachs and indigestion can ruin a nice run for anyone, even your pooch. Anatomically, dogs are not designed to exercise with a full stomach. Rigorous exercise too soon after eating may induce vomiting or lead to more sinister digestive issues. If you are heading out in the morning, have your dog skip breakfast. Because of their fat-adapted metabolic pathways they do not need to eat as frequently as humans. If your dog is eating a well formulated diet, high fat and protein diet (see other post by outside mag on eating raw) their energy stores will always be primed for adventure. A 2-3 hour break after a meal is standard for athlete dogs, like huskies, before heading out before for a rigorous training session. This break will allow your dog to properly digest their meal and pass it through their system. Keep track of your dog’s bowel movements to make sure that your dog is healthy and doing well with their training program.
Puppies may need to eat small meals, frequently throughout the day. Since puppies aren’t able to train vigorously anyway, timing of meals is less important during this stage.
Most humans, like myself, require a steady stream of carbohydrates and salts to keep moving while out for a long effort. Without a need for constant carbohydrates, dogs have that have fewer nutritional requirements than the average human during an activity. When Ranger was a puppy, he received most of his food piece by piece throughout the day as a reward for being a good boy. I got into the habit of keeping a pocket full of kibble on me at all times and it has proven to be an excellent training tool and sufficient energy boost for my dog when out on a run or ride. Kibble is typically relatively high in carbohydrates and an effective energy source for your dog to eat while running. Carbs are digested quickly, compared to fat and protein which can cause indigestion if eaten to soon to exercise. This pocket of snacks gives Ranger extra incentive to listen to me and not chase a rabbit that just ran across the trail.
It is common practice for human athletes to drink electrolytes while out for a long adventure to prevent excessive salt loss from sweat. Canines sweat less than humans and don’t suffer issues with salt loss like cramping or kidney injuries that human athletes deal with. Dogs should not be consuming high salt or sugar diets, so keep your energy gels for yourself. While they are fantastic endurance athletes, dogs still require adequate hydration so be sure that you pack water for your furry friend. Drinking water while out on the trail may need to be practiced if you have a particularly high drive or anxious dog. You can practice taking water breaks while playing in your backyard or while out for a walk in a familiar area. There are a variety or collapsible dog bowls, dog bottles and methods of giving your dog water while away from home. Trial and error will help you to determine the best method for you and your dog. Water should be offered every half hour if out for a hard ride. Since your dog cannot speak, it is best to offer water early and often. A forty-pound dog should be consuming about two pints of water per day. Keep water readily available at home and monitor your dog’s fluid intake as best as you can. A dramatic increase or decrease in water consumption may indicate an issue with your dog’s health or training schedule.
Make an effort to give your dog a snack when they get home from a hard session. Not only will this create a positive association with training, but it will also help them to recover and get ready for your next outing. Sled dogs are often given a hearty warm ‘dog soup’ of bone broth when they come back from a run. Other easy options that my dog loves include; a bully stick (high in protein and easy to store), a raw duck or chicken foot (best frozen, high in collagen, inexpensive) or a liver chunks. If your dog missed a meal to go for a run, sled dog trainers suggest waiting an hour or so after your dog has had their snack and some water to feed them their meal.
Cuddly conclusion
Your dog loves you. They want to have fun outdoors with you and look forward to hanging out with you each day. I hope that these tips help you to feel more confident while adventuring and allow you to extend your time spent outside. The most important thing is that things are kept fun and that you are enjoying yourself. If you are having fun, your dog will too.
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