Frida and I do canicross, where we run together connected by an elastic line. I often get asked how to get started, and whether the sport is "something"? - because what if you're not a fast runner, have a dog that wants to sniff all the time, or the dog has a bit of a hard time with other dogs?
I am a trainer at the club, Dirty Paws, and our motto here is that "active dogs are happy dogs" - and that canicross is for almost all dogs. Over the three years the club has existed, I have seen so many dogs enjoy getting out and running and having new experiences with their owners. The vast majority of dogs just love to move, and if you meet other canicrossers, the dog quickly learns what it is all about.
We have runners of all levels, and also people who do canihikes, i.e. powerwalking instead of running. The most important thing is to get out and get exercise and shared experiences. I meet people again and again who have started running - and kept going - precisely because their dog is with them. Our dogs are the best running companions and are always ready. It's just more fun to get out when you have a four-legged friend with you, and many also tell us how the run becomes easier because the dog helps when it runs in front and pulls on the leash a little. Dogs who "sniff" a lot often have to learn that they are "at work" and not on a sniffing trip. But they usually learn it quickly, and they get so excited about the runs that they don't have time to sniff at all.
Dogs that have difficulty with others are also often helped through canicross. Everyone has a leash on their dog, and we run at a distance. And then something "magical" happens when the dogs start running together in the same direction. A sense of belonging is created, and they relax more in each other's presence. It's fantastic to experience. That's why we also have several owners who say that their dogs have become much better with other dogs after they started canicross. Your cooperation and understanding of the dog is also developed when you have to teach the dog to work in front while also having it listen to your signals. Over time, a fantastic team feeling can arise, where you almost feel like one when you run together.
If you want to be active with your dog and get even better teamwork - and have a lot of experiences together in nature, then I can only recommend trying canicross. There are clubs all over Denmark where you can meet up and get good advice on getting started. It is important to get help with special equipment for the trips, such as a running harness for the dog and an elastic line and belt for yourself, to find the right one. And it is also just more fun to run together with other canicrossers. If you feel like taking part in exercise races, there are also many fun and exciting races where you compete, have fun and have a great day together.
Read more here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/dirtypaws.klubhus/
About the blogger:
Karoline is 46 years old and lives in Birkerød with her boyfriend and the golden retriever, Frida, 6 years old. Karoline is a trained veterinarian and dog trainer and is co-founder of the dog running club Dirty Paws, where she is also a trainer/rope keeper in the local club in North Zealand. Frida and Line love running canicross together and have participated in many competitions at home and abroad, including the European Championship and the World Championship. Their most important motto, however, is "Better together" - that the trips are about teamwork and understanding for each other. And that everyone can join in. In addition to canicross, they also participate in K9 biathlons (obstacle races with dogs) and do dog fitness. And hiking both in Denmark and around Europe is also a hit.
Frida is a super fast runner when it comes to running. And can hike for hours in the Alps. But she also just loves to be petted on the stomach and sleep for a long time. She can be stubborn as a donkey if there is something she doesn't like. On evening walks, for example, she is the one who decides the route. And she "talks" a lot by purring, for example when she thinks she has earned an extra treat.
Frida and Karoline can be found on Instagram with the profile @teamgoldenpower
Is dog racing something for us?
Frida and I do canicross, where we run together connected by an elastic line. I often get asked how to get started, and whether the sport is "something"? - because what if you're not a fast runner, have a dog that wants to sniff all the time, or the dog has a bit of a hard time with other dogs?
I am a trainer at the club, Dirty Paws, and our motto here is that "active dogs are happy dogs" - and that canicross is for almost all dogs. Over the three years the club has existed, I have seen so many dogs enjoy getting out and running and having new experiences with their owners. The vast majority of dogs just love to move, and if you meet other canicrossers, the dog quickly learns what it is all about.
We have runners of all levels, and also people who do canihikes, i.e. powerwalking instead of running. The most important thing is to get out and get exercise and shared experiences. I meet people again and again who have started running - and kept going - precisely because their dog is with them. Our dogs are the best running companions and are always ready. It's just more fun to get out when you have a four-legged friend with you, and many also tell us how the run becomes easier because the dog helps when it runs in front and pulls on the leash a little. Dogs who "sniff" a lot often have to learn that they are "at work" and not on a sniffing trip. But they usually learn it quickly, and they get so excited about the runs that they don't have time to sniff at all.
Dogs that have difficulty with others are also often helped through canicross. Everyone has a leash on their dog, and we run at a distance. And then something "magical" happens when the dogs start running together in the same direction. A sense of belonging is created, and they relax more in each other's presence. It's fantastic to experience. That's why we also have several owners who say that their dogs have become much better with other dogs after they started canicross. Your cooperation and understanding of the dog is also developed when you have to teach the dog to work in front while also having it listen to your signals. Over time, a fantastic team feeling can arise, where you almost feel like one when you run together.
If you want to be active with your dog and get even better teamwork - and have a lot of experiences together in nature, then I can only recommend trying canicross. There are clubs all over Denmark where you can meet up and get good advice on getting started. It is important to get help with special equipment for the trips, such as a running harness for the dog and an elastic line and belt for yourself, to find the right one. And it is also just more fun to run together with other canicrossers. If you feel like taking part in exercise races, there are also many fun and exciting races where you compete, have fun and have a great day together.
Read more here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/dirtypaws.klubhus/
About the blogger:
Karoline is 46 years old and lives in Birkerød with her boyfriend and the golden retriever, Frida, 6 years old. Karoline is a trained veterinarian and dog trainer and is co-founder of the dog running club Dirty Paws, where she is also a trainer/rope keeper in the local club in North Zealand. Frida and Line love running canicross together and have participated in many competitions at home and abroad, including the European Championship and the World Championship. Their most important motto, however, is "Better together" - that the trips are about teamwork and understanding for each other. And that everyone can join in. In addition to canicross, they also participate in K9 biathlons (obstacle races with dogs) and do dog fitness. And hiking both in Denmark and around Europe is also a hit.
Frida is a super fast runner when it comes to running. And can hike for hours in the Alps. But she also just loves to be petted on the stomach and sleep for a long time. She can be stubborn as a donkey if there is something she doesn't like. On evening walks, for example, she is the one who decides the route. And she "talks" a lot by purring, for example when she thinks she has earned an extra treat.
Frida and Karoline can be found on Instagram with the profile @teamgoldenpower