RUN WITH YOUR DOG | CANICROSS Q&A WITH BEN ROBINSON - Flora Beverley

Quick Summary

This is a quick summary of RUN WITH YOUR DOG | CANICROSS Q&A WITH BEN ROBINSON from Flora Beverley. It’s a great watch — we’re breaking it down so you can try canicross today. Be sure to check out the full video for all the details.

Key Points

• Canicross = running attached to your dog with a bungee line; any breed can do it, from pet dogs to purpose‑bred sled‑type hounds.
• Start simple: increase walks, add short jogs, then progress to a structured “couch‑to‑5K” program built for you and your dog.
• Essential commands:
  • Line‑out (stay at the start line)
  • Left/Right cues for turns
  • Keep right / keep left for passing other runners
  • Behind for downhill safety
• Training age: don’t run a dog before it’s ~1 year old (18 months for larger breeds). You can teach commands earlier.
• Gear basics: waist belt for you, ~2 m bungee line, full‑length free‑motion harness for the dog. Avoid front‑chest harnesses that restrict shoulder movement.
• Health tips:
  • No solid food right before a run; feed 45 min‑1 h after.
  • Watch temperature and humidity; soft trail surfaces protect joints.
  • Hydrate both you and the dog; include water stops.

Sample Workout (5 km Canicross)

1. Warm‑up – 5 min brisk walk with the dog on a regular leash.
2. Transition – 1 km easy jog, using the left/right cues to practice turns.
3. Main set – 3 km run at a comfortable pace while attached to the bungee line. Focus on:
   • Pulling together (use the free‑motion harness).
   • Applying the behind command on any downhill sections.
   • Maintaining keep right/left when passing other runners or dogs.
4. Cool‑down – 5 min walk, reward the dog with treats and water.

Adjust distances and paces to match your own fitness and your dog’s ability. The Pacing app makes it easy to customise the intervals.

Closing Note

Give canicross a try this week – start with a short walk, add a few minutes of jogging, and work up to a 5 km run using the commands and gear Ben recommends. Customize the paces in the Pacing app to fit your own speed, and enjoy the extra motivation a four‑legged running buddy provides! 🚀

References

• RUN WITH YOUR DOG | CANICROSS Q&A WITH BEN ROBINSON - YouTube (YouTube Video)

Workout - First Canicross Command Practice

• 5min @ 12'00''/km
• 1.0km @ 7'00''/km
• 3.0km @ 6'15''/km
• 5min @ 12'00''/km

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