Exercise enthusiasts know that jogging is one of the healthiest forms of aerobic exercise - for both the human and canine jogger! A dog is a wonderful jogging companion but it is more fun for both if certain rules are followed.

Before the Jogging Begins
Just like with humans, dogs must gradually build up their exercise endurance. If you have a dog who is out of shape or older, this is especially important. Before training for that 25K run with your canine companion, make sure you both are in good health and extend the amount of exercise gradually over a period of time. It would be a good idea for you both to have a training schedule so that neither one of you overdoes it.

Jogging With Dogs
It is recommended that when starting your jogging routine, actually start out with a walk. This allows the jogger to warm up and allows the dog to sniff and urinate and explore the surrounding smells. However, once the jogging starts, the dog is not allowed to stop and must continue to jog as long as the person is jogging. During the jog with the dog, it is recommended that the person periodically stop jogging and slow to a walk temporarily. During this walking time, the dog is allowed an intermittent sniff and/or pee, and if the dog must defecate then the jogger has to stop and allow this to happen. Remember to take a baggie to dispose of the feces and put the dog waste in a receptacle, or in the curb if the city has regular street sweeping.

Stopping at Curbs
When jogging in the city, it is normal to cross many curbs. While walking or jogging, an excellent idea is to teach the dog to stop at every curb. The way to do this is to stop jogging (start walking or jog in place) when getting close to the curb. Just before the curb, tell the dog to "Wait." This command means the dog is not allowed to cross the curb without permission. If the dog does continue and steps off the curb, simply use the leash to pull the dog back or use a body block. Say "No!" followed by the command "Wait" and praise the dog for complying. If necessary, use the leash to make the dog wait. Do not do any heavy jerking; simply make it impossible for the dog to proceed once the "wait" command is given.

Don't hold steady pressure on the leash but do let the dog stand at the edge of the curb. If the dog steps off of the curb again (without being given permission), you just simply pull him or her back again or use a body block and say, "Wait." Then apply pressure to the leash or use your body to move the dog back an extra few feet on the curb. This may have to be done repeatedly. When the dog has been moved back several times, he or she will likely give up and not try to step off the curb. Look for this and praise the waiting at the curb, as long as the leash has no pressure. The goal is for the dog to stop at the curb because he or she understands "wait," not because the leash is holding the dog back.

After the dog has performed the "wait" command, say the release word (either "Go" or "Okay") and then step off the curb and encourage the dog to follow you. Practice this on every curb that you come to until the dog reliably learns the "wait" command. Once the dog has mastered the "wait" command (i.e., the dog waits at every curb when directed to do so), when coming up to another curb, you can choose to continue to jog without stopping by just giving the dog the "Okay" command before the curb. This means you have instructed the dog "at this curb it is okay to keep going." As you go, vary the expectation of waiting at the curb (by using the "wait" command followed by the release word) or proceeding forward without stopping (by using just the release word).