What happens when your dog runs free!?

There’s been a lot of discussion on social media lately about dog owners letting their dogs run free. Most of the conversations stress the importance of being in full control of your dog and taking responsibility to ensure that it doesn’t run over to other animals or people. And I completely agree!

BUT here’s something important to consider: 

Running freely is incredibly beneficial for your dog. In terms of exercise load, the difference between walking on a leash and walking freely is massive.

You might have noticed that when your dog is off leash, it tends to run back and forth much more than when it's on a lead. In fact, I know of someone who placed a GPS tracker on their very active dog’s collar, and the dog ran almost ten times on the same distance that they walked!

Why is free running better for your dog’s health?

Running freely means your dog isn't constrained by a harness or leash, so it can move more naturally. This type of movement allows your dog to get much more out of every walk. Your dog can wear itself out at its own pace and use each of its gaits effectively.

Plus, if your dog runs freely in the woods or fields, it will gain even more benefits from training on uneven terrain. This helps improve coordination and gives a more complete workout.

What to watch out for:

However, if your dog is new to running freely, be cautious about increasing its exercise load too quickly. For most dogs, suddenly being allowed to roam free will dramatically increase the amount of exercise they get. If you notice your dog seems sore after these outings, take a step back and ease into it more gradually.

This is especially important if your dog has any pre-existing conditions like hip dysplasia (HD), arthrosis, or other issues. Dogs don’t always know what’s good for them, so it’s up to us to make sure their exercise routine increases at a safe pace.

Enjoy the benefits of free movement – with care:

With that said, I hope you and your dog have the opportunity to enjoy some free movement! It’s incredibly beneficial as long as you’re mindful of increasing the exercise load gradually.

Have a great day,
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