Take an exercise you already know and love and apply it to training your pup with the help of this guide on how puppies are just like runners.
I’ve been a new mom to the cutest fur baby there ever was for about a month and half. Mr. Moose brings me so much joy and happiness, but he can also be a handful. We have great training days and days where I feel like we’re taking five giant steps backwards, but I’m starting to learn about all his needs and little personality quirks.
I’ve noticed that Moose and I have a lot of similarities, and a lot of those similarities come down to the fact that I’m a runner. I guess that theory about people choosing dogs who are just like them is true!
Since I know that having a new puppy can be overwhelming at times, much like starting a race training cycle, I thought I’d put together a quick-and-easy guide on what you need to know about owning a new puppy based on the fact that they’re just like runners!
We get antsy if we can’t exercise
Puppies need to get exercise. If they don’t get it, they’ll find other ways to expend their energy, which usually means some form of destruction to your home. Moose is a big fan of eating walls.
Runners are the same (not with the wall eating… unless you like walls. You do you.). Sometimes we complain about having to get in a run, but whenever we can’t run (bad weather, lack of time, or injury) we don’t know what to do with ourselves. Moral of the story, be sure to spend a few minutes each day playing with your puppy and getting him/her to run around a bit. Once your pup has had all their shots, take them to a local dog park and let them be social.
We need our rest
After we get all that good exercise, we need to rest up. Runners need to give their muscles time to recover. Puppies need to do the same if they’ve been running around a lot, but sleep is also when your pup’s brain really develops. New puppies need a TON of sleep, so don’t be nervous if it seems like they’re sleeping more than they’re awake for the first few weeks.
We need to fuel properly
I notice a HUGE difference between runs after a week of eating well and runs after a week of eating poorly. I have more energy (mentally and physically) when I run after properly fueling. I feel stronger. I run faster. Dogs need adequate nutrition, too. So many dog foods are filled with chemical preservatives and ingredients you can pronounce. I wouldn’t eat that stuff, so why would I want my dog to? Lately, I’ve been giving Moose Freshpet. It’s refrigerated, all natural pet food made with fresh ingredients – no artificial or chemical preservatives.
When I first opened up the bag of Freshpet Select Home Cooked Chicken Recipe with Garden Vegetables and Antioxidant-Rich Cranberries, I was tempted to try it myself. It smelled so good! I read the ingredients and honestly thought, “Seriously, I could probably eat this.” I refrained, but honestly guys, I wanted some! It’s like a home-cooked meal for your pup. What better way to fuel his active life?
We’re food motivated
I know some people say, “Don’t use food as a reward for working out,” but I’m definitely not one of those people. I love knowing that a delicious smoothie bowl waits for me at the end of a long run or that I’ve earned a big old glass of wine. Puppies are the same way. Moose loves Freshpet Select Grain Free Tender Chicken with Garden Vegetables so much, I’ve been using it as treats for when he does something really good or does his tricks. It’s amazing how much better he listens when yummy food is around. He even learned to high five:
Finding a treat that your puppy loves will help significantly with his training. He’ll know that certain good behaviors means he’ll get a tasty treat, just like I know that I’ll get yummy chews every time I run another two miles or that I’ll get wine at the end of a long run!
Running makes us poop
Running gets things moving in our digestive systems. No secret there. If you aren’t able to poop before your run, odds are you’ll have to poop a few miles in.
Exercise makes puppies poop, too. Before heading in after a long walk or time at the dog park, see if your puppy will go before bringing him back inside. On the other side of things, if you’re inside and notice your pup has a sudden burst of energy and starts running around and around like crazy (see the video below), he likely has to go. Recognize this signs and take him outside before he has a chance to go in the house.
We love recognition
We run for bling! A race isn’t really complete without a nice shiny medal at the end. While puppies don’t necessarily want medals (unless they’re tasty and chewy), they do want praise for doing good things. Whenever he goes to the bathroom outside or does something well. Pet him. Tell him he’s good. Give him lots of love. Puppies respond much better to positive reinforcement than negative, so praise him when he does something right instead of bopping him on the nose or yelling when he does something wrong.
Improvement takes time
You can’t expect to go from zero to marathon in a day. It takes practice to build up mileage and improve speed. You can’t expect your puppy to learn everything overnight, either, as awesome as that would be. It takes time to teach him tricks, how to walk properly, how to not chew on wires, and how to not pee in the house. It also takes progressions. Your puppy can’t go from being crated to having full range of the house. You have to give him a bit at a time until he’s comfortable and you’re sure you can trust him. We’re still working on making sure Moose is ok alone. He won’t pee in the house when we’re not home, but he does think the walls are tasty. It can get very frustrating at times, but I know we’ll get there.
One day, when Moose is bigger, I hope he’ll be able to come running with me, too. Then we’ll have even more in common!
Let’s Chat:
Dog owners – what tips would you add?
Would you judge me if I try Moose’s dog food?
I was selected for this opportunity as a member of CLEVER and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.
Mr. Moose is SOOOOO cute! I cannot handle his cuteness!
Also, how true are all of the things you mentioned? Especially that we’re both food motivated, we get antsy if we don’t exercise and running makes us poop š
hahahaaa! How much fun! this looks like a great food. Makena is quite a handful too. I’m sure we could compare some crazy stories!
Julie @ Running in a Skirt recently posted…Motivation to Move
I just cannot get over how cute Mr. Moose is. Love the sound of that pet food. Poor Mr. Duke could use something softer since he’s currently suffering from a collapsed trachea š
Annmarie recently posted…Chocolate Espresso Stuffed Cherry Bites
Mr. Moose is so precious! We have a giant white lab who sort of likes to run lol. He mostly likes to swim in the lake and chase golf balls. He’s older so he gets tired quickly!
Chewing walls…oh dear! Our dog is almost 7 and still needs to have a rawhide or something around that she is allowed to chew on.
Hannah recently posted…Favorite links: long reads
Great timing for us! Nice guide. My 8 year old girls really want a puppy. : )
Lauren O’Connor recently posted…Power Up with these Hi-Pro Smoothies!
What a GREAT post! I miss my furbaby so much. Mr. Moose is so dang cute. I love how you tied in your post with running. The similarities are great!
Gina recently posted…Grandma’s Marathon Training – Weekly Recap – Week ONE!
Your puppy is so cute! We had a retired sled dog, so we ran often together when she was with us. Love all of this.
Anna @ Piper’s Run recently posted…Snowy Weekly Wrap Up
Awwwww, what a cutie!!!! I had never thought of the similarities,but they do exist! We adopted max when he was 5 years old (two years ago), so we have no idea of any tricks he already knew. He’s been a quick learner….sit, shake, dance (stands up in hind legs and “grooves” with his front paws LOL), lie down, and rollover. Currently, we’re working on “sit & stay,”,,,that’s been a little tougher…
Kimberly Hatting recently posted…Back outside…it never felt so good!
This puppy is so darn adorable!!
Rachel recently posted…Maple Coffee Popcorn Drizzle
I dont have any pets, but my parents got a puppy last year and it was so challenging to train him! Great tips, and it really does sound similar to running.
Lisa @ Mile by Mile recently posted…The Weekly Rundown Without Any Running
Mr. Moose is absolutely adorable! And you’re right, there’s a lot of similarities between dogs and runners. Hopefully he’ll make a good running partner for you sooner than later.
Kathryn @ Dancing to Running recently posted…Rock ānā Roll DC Half Marathon Training Log ā Week 6
Moose is so cute! And I love his name!
I think you covered the biggies! Puppy training is hard but the results are so worth it!
Jenn recently posted…weekly wrap: 2.5.2017 – 2.11.2017 + publix savannah women’s half training week 1
He is super precious! Almost makes me want to run out and get a dog
Deborah @ Confessions of a mother runner recently posted…Polenta Eggplant Parm Pie
That high five! I should have taught Cocoa how to do that! Moose is so cute!
Today, Cocoa was running around with a rolling thingy I have, whipping it and hitting herself with it. She’s so crazy!
Wendy@Taking the Long Way Home recently posted…Trusting the Process: On and Off the Road
What a cute puppy – and great tips!
Coco recently posted…Playing Running Tour Guide In Washington D.C.
I give people who have pets so much credit, I could NOT take care of one – I can barely take care of myself, hahahaha! My parents have 6 German Shepherds though and those things are CRAZYYYYYY TOWN! hahahaha! Wayyyy too much barking and begging!
GiGi recently posted…āMeatā Your Valentine!
What a cute pup! He totally deserves all the best food.
I should check if they make cat food. My cat would probably not eat it though – she’s a lover of the kitty equivalent of cheetos.
MCM Mama recently posted…A love letter to my BFF, Running
What an adorable puppy! We miss our dog so much that we actually went to the SPCA this past weekend to look at the dogs. It’s been a year since our dog passed and I know it’s going to take us a few years to find one that fits our personalities.
OMG, Moose is adorable!! What a great post — just shared on Twitter @MRhealthyliving š
Michelle Rogers recently posted…First class marks end of long road, beginning of new chapter
This so makes me want a puppy! and those products- wow! No ordinary dog chow there!
Mary Beth Jackson recently posted…Run Utah Valley Half with MB this summer!
Mr. Moose is an angel! Awww he’s such a cute Pudding-Pie, makes me want to go and get a breed dog just like him, very health little doggy!
Hello Nicole, all your mentioned points are true. It is also important for our pets to exercise and feed. We get antsy if we donāt exercise. Thanks a lot for this blog.
Hi Nicole!
I love this analogy you’ve made here. And it’s all so true.
As someone who trains daily I think another similarity is pups need training. Just like us, if they don’t train they don’t develop. They definitely need that mental stimulation.
Training is a 7 day a week thing for my lot, they get really peeved if we miss a day. And a 3 pm, they start loitering around me waiting for the treat pouch and clicker.
So now when my crew lay at the door while I gym I’ll be thinking thinking about all these ways we’re so alike!
Rosemary recently posted…The Best Tug of War Toys for Dogs
Iāve been getting really frustrated trying to train my dog by myself. I think that means itās time to take him to a professional dog trainer since I really have no idea what Iām doing. I also like how you suggest to be positive and have fun because if itās not fun for you, itās not fun for your dog. Iāll have to keep that in mind as I keep working with him and his training. Thanks!