Trail running with your dog in the mountains: how to get into canitrail
Want to run wild trails with your dog? Here’s how to do canitrail the right way, with the key precautions to protect both your dog and the environment.
If you’re a runner and a dog person, the ultimate combo is hitting the trails with your four-legged sidekick. Canitrail has everything going for it, but it needs to be done with a bit of care, to respect not only your dog but the outdoors too.
If you haven’t yet, try this: hang around the finish area of pretty much any trail race in France and watch the crowd. You’ll quickly notice loads of supporters and runners with a dog in tow. And if you know a bit about breeds, you’ll also spot that Border Collies and Australian Shepherds are everywhere. Why those two trends? First, because running with a companion is extra motivation and, honestly, just more fun. The bonus when that companion is a dog: they’re always stoked to head out, even when it’s pouring rain or freezing cold. Second, Border Collies and Aussies are known for their athleticism and love of activity. They’ve also been very trendy breeds for a few years now.
Tip #1: make sure your dog actually likes running
Because animal welfare comes first, you need to be sure your dog actually wants to go running. If you have to drag them off their cushion the moment you lace up your trainers, ask yourself whether running is really something your buddy enjoys. For a run to work, it has to be enjoyable for them. Most dogs will be happy to come along if they experience it as playtime, freedom, a chance to sniff around, discover new scents, take a dip... In short: if running is a hobby and a pleasure for you, it should be the same for your dog and never turn into a chore, a source of stress, or a recipe for exhaustion.
Tip #2: train for trail running with your dog
Start at the right time
When you adopt a puppy, you need to learn what they need and the basic rules around training and physical activity. A dog isn’t fully grown until around 12 months old. So you really do need to wait a year before taking them running on trails, otherwise you risk joint issues later on. A puppy should be able to walk at their own pace, no more than 15 minutes when they’re very young. You wouldn’t ask a five-year-old to run 5 km in the mountains, right?
Build the workload gradually
Once your dog is a year old, you can start trail training. Just like with a new runner, the key word is progression. Start with very short sessions, then gradually increase the duration. Watch out with super high-energy dogs: they can look like they’ve got an endless battery, but you still have to respect a gradual build and prioritize recovery. Don’t hesitate to give your four-legged partner a rest day if you can see they’re tired. A dog isn’t automatically an elite athlete and even if they are, they still need rest like any champion who wants to stay healthy for the long haul.
Pick routes that suit your dog
Also, choose routes that fit your dog. In summer, when it’s hot, make sure they can drink and cool their paws regularly along the way (lakes, streams...) and try to run in shaded areas. Hydration is a major point for an active dog, sometimes even vital. Dogs don’t sweat like we do: they regulate temperature by panting and by cooling down through their paw pads. That’s why it matters to find water points and let your dog cool off for a few minutes by soaking their paws.
If you’re on technical terrain, watch out for rocks that can shred paw pads and often demand big physical effort from the dog. Where you can step, they frequently have to jump. The same goes in winter, if you take your dog on snow trails or ski touring outings. Running on snow, especially in powder, is brutally demanding for a dog, even more so if they’re small or medium-sized and the snow forces them to bound forward.
Adjust the distance if your dog is pulling you
If your dog is pulling you (that’s the whole point of canitrail), factor in how much energy it costs them and shorten the outing. To get a feel for what it’s like, try it yourself with a friend: tow them with a rope, especially uphill.
The golden rule? To respect your dog, put yourself in their shoes and measure the effort the outing demands from them.
Tip #3: a few canitrail safety basics
Canitrail, derived from canicross, means running with your dog while connected via a waist belt (for you), a bungee leash (between you and the dog), and a harness (for the dog). You’ll find all the gear you need in specialist dog-sport shops. Choose quality products, because you’ll both be spending long hours with that belt, line and harness.
Nutrition for an active dog is essential. Just like in humans, sport increases energy expenditure, tissue oxidation, and the load on the whole muscle-tendon system. Adjust their food and fluids, don’t hesitate to increase them, and consider kibble designed for active dogs. A supplement course (especially for joints) once or twice a year isn’t overkill.
Post-effort recovery needs just as much attention as it does for humans. You sometimes get sore or feel flat? Your dog does too. Apply the same principles you’d use in a human training plan: recover after a hard effort, either with a super easy outing (for a dog, that might simply mean a relaxed walk) or full rest. Pay attention to what your dog is telling you: if you watch closely, you’ll see when they’re tired and not keen to run. In that case, respect it and let them rest.
Respect for wildlife has to be a priority when you’re running in nature with a dog. Chasing is part of canine instinct, and it can be hard to stop your dog taking off after a deer or a marmot. If your dog has a strong prey drive, keep them on leash, especially in winter when wild animals need to conserve energy to survive. Also, if your dog chases a chamois, they could absolutely fall from a height and get injured (or worse).
Regulations in natural areas sometimes ban dogs completely (national parks, nature reserves...). Check before you go running and follow the rules to the letter!