Running with pup?

Basenji Puppy Pen

  • Hey all, I'll be getting my first basenji pup January 7th, she'll be about 18 weeks old by then. I've done a ton of reading and whatnot and my only question (at this point at least) is how long before I can start taking the lil troublemaker for runs alongside me? I know they're fast so I'm wondering if this is even possible since I'll definitely be slower than she will be at top speed ha ha. One of my books said waiting 8 months before trying to jog/run with the puppy since her body won't be fully developed and prepared for the stress of running til then. I'm also concerned she might get the idea that every time we go outside is running time, which I certainly don't want to be the case. Thoughts?


  • I would certainly wait until she's fully grown.. about 9 months?


  • Welcome, and congrats on your new "addition", lol. I'm not sure what the right age is to start running, but you can start getting her adjusted to the leash, and to your commands, right away, in my view.

    Do you have pictures? Have you named her yet? :)

    Welcome to our insanity. Definitely a good insanity, but insanity nonetheless. :)


  • Have no particular knowledge for Bs (how's that for a statement on a basenji forum? :p) but I have always run/jogged with my dogs when they were puppies (deerhound/lurcher cross, collie, lab). I start taking them when they're about four months, just to get them used to the idea that when running on leash, they can't sniff everywhere, and we start running properly when they're about five and a half months old. I think the important thing is not to let them run flat out for sustained periods: a trot is OK, however. You jog, they trot. They shouldn't be running at speed for more than short bursts until they're at least 9 months old to a year (depending on the breed, the line, etc.).
    My twopence-worth…


  • @Pakman32o:

    Hey all, I'll be getting my first basenji pup January 7th, she'll be about 18 weeks old by then. I've done a ton of reading and whatnot and my only question (at this point at least) is how long before I can start taking the lil troublemaker for runs alongside me? I know they're fast so I'm wondering if this is even possible since I'll definitely be slower than she will be at top speed ha ha. One of my books said waiting 8 months before trying to jog/run with the puppy since her body won't be fully developed and prepared for the stress of running til then. I'm also concerned she might get the idea that every time we go outside is running time, which I certainly don't want to be the case. Thoughts?

    Welcome to the Forum…who are you getting your Basenji from? Many of us are related by our Basenjis here on the Forum. Are you in No or So Cal? If No California, consider joining us at some of our club functions, visit at www.norcalbasenjis.org


  • I wouldn't run with a very young puppy as I tend to allow mine as much (or as little) exercise as they want. They know better than us when they've had enough. When one is running it's difficult to assess this.


  • @Patty:

    I wouldn't run with a very young puppy as I tend to allow mine as much (or as little) exercise as they want. They know better than us when they've had enough. When one is running it's difficult to assess this.

    and if you run on pavement it can be hard on their growing bodies.


  • I started running with mine at about a yr old. I used to run 5K races with our first basenji girl keisha in Tx on a regular basis, she loved it and never had a problem, I would let her have a drink at each of the water stations along the run.


  • To start at about a year sounds about right to me.


  • ….......


  • I have been told that you shoudn't exercise your puppy until it has grown up.
    I would say 10-12 months would fit for jogging several km.

    But from 4-5-6 months you can start learning the pup the commands that you want,
    example powerwalk a few 100 meters instead of jogging just so she/he learn how to do :)

    Good Luck :)


  • I walked Paco even when he was just a few months old because he was so full of energy…I tried jogging short bursts, but he was so prone to random stops to sniff and cutting across my path that I stopped for fear of falling over on him.

    He seemed to love the walks, as long as they weren't too long. Once I took him on a long walk and carried him around my shoulders back home after he laid down and refused to go on.


  • I would definitely wait a year before the running. You want to let your puppies bone plates solidify before you have him/her start pounding the pavement.


  • In sweden they say at puppyobedience class that 5 minutes walkning / month of age.

    So if the puppy is 5 months you can walk about 25 minutes just walking in leash/day (It doesn't count the playing and other thing you do with the puppy.)

    Thats not printed in stone but maybe a guidance of who to exercise a puppy :)


  • Thanks all, Olive just arrived. She's a bundle of awesome :)


  • Aaahw.. she's very pretty! Congratulations!


  • a pretty girl!


  • I agree with a lot of people in regards to this thread- a year seems right to me, I run in the morning nowadays but when the puppy comes a walk will do..


  • Gorgeous! I have a soft spot for brindle Basenji's. :) Congrats on the new addition!


  • Oh my god. Shes adorable!

    I Love that dark brindle :)

Suggested Topics

  • Looking for a Brindle Pup

    Basenji Puppy Pen
    11
    0 Votes
    11 Posts
    8k Views
    D
    You do not have to ask BRAT. Did you get her from a foster on the East Coast-possibly SC or from MO? Was she with her mom and her littermates? Jennifer
  • What age for nursing pups and what mix?

    Basenji Puppy Pen
    7
    0 Votes
    7 Posts
    5k Views
    tanzaT
    Once the eyes open, I start mine on food, however I grind up kibble into a powder and mix with milk replacement till it is like thick, thick soup. Then I let them lick it off my fingers…. they catch on pretty quickly. Then by about 3 1/2 wks they are pretty good at eating this a few times a day. Try and time it so that they are offered the food before they nurse.
  • Basenji Pup!

    Basenji Puppy Pen
    6
    0 Votes
    6 Posts
    4k Views
    crazybones16C
    is there any chance someone could post me the link please
  • New pup

    Basenji Puppy Pen
    10
    0 Votes
    10 Posts
    6k Views
    tanzaT
    @sbaker: Is this something we have a chance of him over coming so he we be able to show in the breed ring Exactly like Nemo says.. you need to take your time and get him used to strangers without forcing him…. But it will take time .... and you can not force the situation Who is his breeder if you don't mind sharing?
  • Feeding young pup?

    Basenji Puppy Pen
    7
    0 Votes
    7 Posts
    5k Views
    MantisM
    My teething toys of choice? My leather belt (he loves because it is long and moves around) and the bleached cylindrical bones that have peanut butter inside for licking. That settles down his teething urges a bit. A little spray of the water will stop any unruley behavior pronto! He was chewing my floor mat in the kitchen.
  • A question about socializing a pup

    Basenji Puppy Pen
    22
    0 Votes
    22 Posts
    20k Views
    V
    Socialization and puppy training are of utmost importance as puppyhood is the most important and critical time in your dog's development. What you do and do not do right now will affect your dog's behavior forever.