Should Humans Run With Their Dogs?

 CornerCube Goes Animal Rights 

Wonder if the dog had time to down a protein shake?

The canine has been called, “man’s best friend” for centuries. It appears that dogs have been attributed this title for the very fact that they are willing to do anything to please their masters in return for, well, life. Dogs derived from wolves who over time learned to gain food from humans, not by being violent, but by begging, and over time these wolves became “domesticated” and the dog was born. In modern times, dogs are willing to do anything for their masters. They take pictures with Santa at Christmas, wear “hot dog” costumes at Halloween, allow the toddler to ride it like a “horse” all to please its owner in hopes to receive its next meal. The CornerCube would like to investigate another phenomenon that has been going on for decades but is hardly discussed – dogs going on runs with their owners.

It’s well versed that dog walking is good for the dog and owner, yet can the same be true about dogs going on runs with their owners? At first appearance, the answer seems to be a raucous “no!” Before going for a run, the human knows how far they plan to run. That poor dog, as the leash is latched to its collar, only knows it’s going somewhere beyond the door that opens to another world. The human knows it is going on a run so it preps by hydrating, eating, stretching, and dressing appropriately. On the other hand, Fido in the corner may not have eaten since the morning, probably forgot to drink twenty-four ounces of water prior to its unplanned mile run and has no way of dressing appropriately for the elements without the help of its owner. In other words, just like so much in its life, a dog going for a run with its owner is at the mercy of its owner. In reality, the CornerCube believes that a bystander can gauge the overall level of one’s compassion just by observing if they run with their dogs. What are the factors to look for?

1.       Breed

      Some dogs are meant to run for long distances, some are meant to run in short sprints and some are not meant to run at all. Large breeds, with long legs are better at running long distances. So, if you see an owner running with the likes of Golden Retrievers, Siberian Huskies, Poodles or Border Collies, judge them kindly as these dogs are most likely enjoying this long steady run. Now other dogs are simply built for short bursts of vigorous activity (i.e. fetch). Think of these dogs as your sprinters, not your marathon runners. These types of dogs are the Greyhounds, Pit Bulls, and English Setters. If you see a jogger with one of these dogs, judge them moderately, as they may be jogging in short bursts and then walking. Finally, there are some dogs that under no circumstances should be running. If you see an owner running with this dog, call animal control, tackle them, or somehow separate them from their canine before they run it to death. Assume these owners have absolutely no heart and are the son of Satan themselves. Pugs, French Bulldogs, or any other brachycephalic (dogs with short noses) are not to run at all. These dogs have compressed respiratory tracks and so by running they could easily overheat themselves.

      General Rule: The larger and longer the legs of the dog, the more suited they are to run for long distances. The smaller and shorter the legs of the dog, the less the dog is to run for long distances or at all.

Not a good running mate

2.       Age

      A dog shouldn’t run before it reaches eight months old and should not run after the dog reaches old age. The former is because a puppy’s joints are still forming and running could disrupt this development.  The latter is because, cue the common sense, older dogs have lower stamina compared to their younger years.

      General Rule: You wouldn’t make a five-year-old child run a mile nor would you expect your eighty-year-old grandma to run one either, so don’t expect your puppy or senior dog to rune one either.

3.   Health

 

Well, duh. This section may seem obvious but ever since Donald Trump was elected President the CornerCube has realized to never to assume everyone else sees the obvious.

 

Dogs, like humans, cannot simply start running long distances just because, from appearance, they look healthy. It is important to “warm up” the dog by going on a short walk prior to diving into the full-blown death march. Also, just like the owners ensure they hydrate; it is important to ensure that their dogs are hydrated too. A dog needs a half an ounce to an ounce of water per pound to be successfully hydrated on a run. Secondly, don’t run your dog right after they eat. This can cause future gastrointestinal problems Lastly, if your dog has underlying health conditions, be smart and caring - don’t run your dog.

 

General Rule: Would you like to run on a full stomach, lack of hydration, and right after being diagnosed with hip arthritis? No, and your dog wouldn’t either, so don’t do it.

 

4.       Weather

 

Dogs constantly wear a winter coat (it’s called fur) and don’t wear shoes. So, if it is hot outside for you (say 90 degrees) while wearing athletic shorts and a tank top, just imagine how it feels for your dog. More importantly if the pavement feels hot to the touch, just imagine how it feels on your dog who has four paws touching that hot ground. Likewise, if it is cold to you outside while wearing long underwear, three layers of sweatshirts, a hat and gloves, just imagine how it feels for your dog and its paws. Sure, you can put a sweater on your dog, but remember when you start running that air resistance becomes like little daggers nipping at your skin, and that nipping is also pecking at your dog.

 

General Rule: If you think it’s fairly hot or you think it’s fairly cold, best to assume it is worse for your dog.

 

Overall

Running with your dog, as these factors have shown, is a matter of common sense. That’s good and bad. It’s good because common sense takes no extra skill, education, or learning in order to grasp. The bad news is that because common sense requires no skill, education or learning in order to grasp, it is entirely naturally acquired. Therefore, there is no guarantee that everyone will have the same level of common sense or have any level of common sense. So, the next time you are out and about, and you see a person running with their dog, stop yourself and think, “that poor dog”. There is a reason your subconscious said that. That is common sense speaking to you.  Unfortunately, that same common sense is either never reaching the dog’s owner or, and even worse, is being deliberately ignored by the dog’s owner for some unknown reason to you.

Think of deciding whether to run a dog like the 2020 Presidential Election. If common sense tells you that running your particular dog is entirely irresponsible, unhealthy and life threatening, like voting for Donald Trump, then use that common sense and don’t do it. Ignoring this common sense displays your lack of compassion for others and highlights your own short-sighted self-centeredness.   Like your dog, your fellow Americans are depending on you to look out for both theirs and the country’s well-being.  Just as your decision could contribute to the death of your dog, your vote for Donald Trump could contribute to the death of more Americans or even its institutions.  

The Face of America? We can do better.

                                         

Be smart America. Vote Joe in November.