How To Get Started In Canicross: A Beginner’s Guide
WHAT IS CANICROSS?
Canicross is a form of cross-country running for dogs. Looking to add some more excitement to your dog’s jogging routine? You’ll want to consider Canicross. The sport originated in Europe Canicross Practice, where mushers introduced Canicross as a way to exercise their sled dogs during the off-season. Today, any dog that’s healthy, fit and able to run is also able to participate – but working breeds tend to pick the sport up particularly quickly particularly because they usually undergo behavior training for specific uses Canicross Practice e.g search and rescue much earlier as puppies and in groups helping them adjust easier to group events than home pets. However,with proper training any healthy and adult dog can be taught to participate in canicross activities.HOW DOES CANICROSS WORK?
In Canicross, a dog is attached to a human by a harness and bungee-cord leash designed to minimize pulling and shock. While the dog is in front, the human issues a command from behind to direct the dog through the course. By following these commands, the dog is able to successfully navigate the course.WHICH DOG BREEDS ARE BEST SUITED FOR CANICROSS?
Any dog – even small breeds – can engage in Canicross. However, remember if you have a dog that’s been bred for endurance, they’ll get the most out of Canicross. Of course, it doesn’t have to be competitive, so you can just take your dog along for fun.As long as your dog’s in good physical condition, chances are they’ll love the challenge of Canicross. So get out there, get running and watch your dog get the most out of every moment!
WHICH DOG BREEDS ARE LEAST SUITED FOR CANICROSS?
While most dogs enjoy and benefit from regular runs, not all are equally suited to the task. Brachycephalic (short-nose) breeds like Pugs, Boxers, Bulldogs and Shih Tzus are more prone to breathing challenges How brachycepahly affects dog's lives and might be happier watching from the sidelines than jogging for long distances. That doesn’t mean they can’t try to do Canicross with you for a short time; it just means they may not be able to keep up for long. Given that you have to train them, it makes sense to try a different activity with them instead.
HOW TO TRAIN FOR CANICROSS
To get started in Canicross for beginners, your dog needs to be an adult, healthy and with basic obedience commands and good on-leash manners. Let’s now have a look at everything you’ll need to know to get both of you up to speed with this exciting sport.GEAR UP
To try Canicross for yourself, you’ll need the right gear. Canicross harnesses are relatively inexpensive and can be purchased online. Like any cross-country sport, Canicross is primarily off-road, so you’ll also want to invest in the right running shoes for the terrain.The other key pieces of equipment you’ll need include Canicross Practice:
- Canicross belt/harness – to make sure the weight is evenly distributed across your dog’s body
- Bungee leash – to keep your dog secure, while giving them a certain amount of freedom of movement.
BUILD ENDURANCE
Just like humans, dogs need to build endurance, so start small and increase distance and speed over time.To get fully prepared for the challenge, start by slowly stepping up the intensity of your dog’s daily walks to help increase their endurance levels. For example, if your standard walk is 2 miles, try stepping it up by half a mile per week. You might even consider taking them on some hillier terrain or simply try walking them for longer without a break.
Even five minutes a week added to their walk time will substantially build up their muscles, which will give you the chance to get them track-ready. It won’t happen overnight, but they’ll get there eventually!
TEACH YOUR DOG TO WALK WITH YOU
It’s often said that you have to “walk before you can run,” and this holds true when prepping your dog to be your jogging companion. Though, the most important lesson of all is teaching your dog good leash manners before setting off on your walk together.Once your dog walks well with you (keeps up with your pace, ignores distractions and stays to one side), you can introduce short bursts of jogging or running into your routine. Simply give a cue, briefly increase your pace and then reward your dog with treats, toys or praise. It is equally important to teach your dog how to remain calm in a group of other dogs such as when it is overtaken by other competitors. This is a crucial behavior that if not learned may have your team disqualified in group events Canicross Practice.
TEACH YOUR DOG COMMON CANICROSS COMMANDS
To maximize your Canicross experience, you should learn some specific commands. Some of the most common commands used in Canicross include:- Let’s Go
- Forward/Hike On
- Left, Right
- On By – Use this to overtake another team without interference.
- Easy/Steady – Canicross is exciting for your dog, so this one will help bring them back to your pace if they’re surging ahead too much.
- Whoa/Stop/Stand/Line-Out – If your dog’s going too fast on the course, use one of these to slow them down.
- With Me/Heel/Behind/Back – Say one of these commands to get them running in sync with you rather than pulling you
TRAIN YOUR DOG TO PULL
Now that you’ve taught your dog to run comfortably beside you, it is time to teach them a pivotal step in Canicross: pulling. While some dogs have a natural talent for pulling, others need to be taught.For this, you'll first of all need the right equipment Choosing the right canicross equipment which include; a lanyard (draft line or traction line) equipped with shock absorbers which forms a link between the owner and dog, abdominal belt for owner (2 m in extension and 7 cm wide) adjusted to their morphology, a long (with lanyard attached to point at base of tail) or short (lanyard attachment at middle of back). The lanyard specifications help distribute traction evenly and harmoniously to the dog harness while it is important to ask your veterinary about your dog’s anatomy to find the right harness for your animal’s morphology. Why is this important? Well because: Firstly the point of the shoulder, the dorsal edge of the scapula and the back for the elbow must be free to move. Secondly, the ribcage and trachea must not be compressed and lastly the hips must be uncovered and free to move. Taking these precautions will help avoid chafing and injury and since this activity is supposed to be a great experience for the dog, it should be comfortable. Once you have the right equipment then you can safely proceed to teaching the dog how to maneuver for effective accomplishment of the canicross exercises. o.
- The first step is simply teaching your dog to go forward - This is where your Canicross commands come in handy. By associating a common phrase such as “go” with your desired action, you’ll be able to educate your puppy on what you want them to do. Though, to start things off, if you’re finding your dog needs a bit of extra motivation to keep surging forward, rolling or throwing an intriguing object (e.g. a ball) in front of them will do the trick.
- Once your dog’s mastered the above, it’s time to move on to teaching them how to pull consistently on the leash – an essential skill for a Canicross course. Because your dog won’t be immediately comfortable with pulling, a helper’s indispensable here. If you position someone else at the other end of the garden, you can ask them to call your dog (perhaps holding a treat, to make sure they’re enticed). As soon as your dog bolts for the other person, recount your chosen command (e.g. “Go!”), so they learn to make the connection between the command and the movement.
- After that connection’s been made, you’ll be able to really get your dog into the swing of things. Get your dog used to being tethered to you by walking short distances while gradually increasing speed and length. As you let out the leash over time, your dog will feel increasingly comfortable running longer distances in front of you without having to look back.
RUN WITH A TEAM
To help your dog get into the unique rhythm of Canicross, a great tactic is to bring a dog who’s done it before to your training. Or, join a Canicross team. When doing Canicross, it's a great idea to run with a team. Because Canicross is a social sport, this will make the experience more fun and help your dog learn the sport more quickly with experienced dogs around them. You could inquire with the Canicross organization to see if there are any teams who’d be able to fit you both in. The best thing is, when your dog starts running with other dogs on the course, they’ll have some experienced guides to pull them along! As with all group events it is important to ensure that your dog as well as others have undergone their recommended vaccinations and are in good health. A visit to your veterinarian and proof from other owners about their dog’s health would help ensure healthy and active interaction.ENTER A RACE
After you’ve both got all those points under your belt, your next move is the most exciting part – entering a race. With Canicross getting more publicity and recognition these days, it’s as simple as finding a Facebook or equivalent group listing events near you, enrolling and heading down to the course on the right date and time. Your dog will help you do the rest! There are official organisations Canicross and how it is organised within different countries that govern the support. Check within your country and get to know how the support is supported.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF CANICROSS?
Canicross is a sport that benefits dogs and humans alike. We’ve named a few of the reasons below:Improve Your Bond - As an intensively cooperative activity, Canicross will bring you and your dog closer together. There’s really nothing like the trust you place in each other during this oftentimes thrilling activity.
Increases Fitness - Canicross is the perfect way to get fit with your dog. The sheer level of physical exercise involved in Canicross will tone you and your dog’s muscles like few other activities – essential when you’ve got a dog with an extremely high need for exercises, such as a Husky or Border Collie. Due to its variety and excitement, Canicross makes exercise significantly more appealing – which may benefit you even more than your dog!
Run Everywhere - You don’t need to be on an official course to play. In between official races, you and your dog can do Canicross in virtually any location where you’d otherwise be running together.
Builds Confidence - Chances are, you’ll notice a measurable confidence boost after your dog’s completed a Canicross course. The adrenaline-filled nature of Canicross racing will help your dog feel like they can do anything … and with good reason!
Reduces Behavioral Problems - Just as regular exercise and focusing on a challenging task can reduce anxiety in people, the same is true for dogs. By stretching your dog’s abilities without making them stressed, Canicross is a great way to improve their behavior.
Mental Stimulation - To be successful in Canicross, your dog will have to use their ingenuity. They’ll love learning to respond to your complex commands, which will help to increase their mental stimulation and improve their ability to focus.
All these great aspects of Canicross make it one of the best bonding experiences you can have with your dog. It’s exhilarating and exhausting, so get involved!
CANICROSS SAFETY TIPS
Ensuring you’re properly prepared for Canicross will make for a more enjoyable experience for both you and your dog. Just as you wouldn’t stumble out of bed after a long night out and run a marathon, you don’t want to throw your dog straight into Canicross. Building up their (and your) fitness over time is essential – so try going for progressively longer walks, steadily upping the pace each time to get those muscles toned. (Trust us, this will benefit you as well!)Here’s a few tips to get your canine companion on the right Canicross track:
1. HYDRATE!
Hydration is key. Monitor your dog for heavy panting, carry water with you and avoid running with your dog in extreme humidity. Remember that Canicross is a heavier exercise than your dog’s probably used to, and they may get carried away with the activity. That’s why you should regularly check whether they’d like a drink before, during and after the activity. By the way, that advice goes for you too – so make sure you have plenty of freshwater on hand.2. MONITOR PAVEMENT TEMPERATURE
Pavement can be extremely hot on paw pads in hot weather, so keep your dog off of asphalt in heat. Most Canicross tracks aren’t on pavement – but if they are, you have to be really careful not to put them onto the pavement if the temperature exceeds 32°C, or they could burn their paws. Additionally temperatures and distance covered for proper and safe practicing are less than or equal to 16°C (7 to 9 km), 16 to 25°C (5 to 7 km), 25 to 30°C (4 to 5 km) and greater than 30°C you should not carry out the activity (Safely carrying out Canicross).3. LOOK AFTER PUPPIES
Puppies are still developing, and running can be hard on their bones and muscles. Wait until your dog is an adult at about 12 to 18 months old depending on the breed to introduce running. They’ll still be highly energetic but will have built up enough strength to be able to really get out there and run a Canicross track to their heart’s content.Make sure your veterinarian examines your dog and gives the okay for running, and always stop when your dog shows signs of fatigue.
NUTRITIONAL NEEDS OF CANICROSS DOGS
Whether it’s Canicross or jogging, your dog’s ability to perform will come down to training, body condition and nutrition. A gradual training program is the first step in building up your running dog’s endurance. Once your dog’s ready to run the course, consider Eukanuba™ Premium Performance 26/16 Exercise, which was made specifically to deliver the nutrients that running dogs need in this strenuous sport.This high-caloric diet contains high levels of calcium and phosphorus plus essentially fatty acids such as EPA/DHA for added joint support and antioxidants to help protect against oxidative stress caused by free radicals.
As we’ve explained, Canicross is a full-on yet fun activity for you and your dog to enjoy. Remember, dogs need basic obedience training in order to compete in Canicross competitions – so don’t just start from scratch! But if you have a relatively well-trained dog, chances are they’ll jump at this challenge.
So, now you’ve got the rough guide to Canicross, give it a go – your canine companion will love you for it!
