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Running with Dogs: 6 Tips To Improve Your Workout When You Stop, Stoop & #ScoopThatPoop

4/21/2014

21 Comments

 
Typist: Bethany
Running with your dog is wonderful! It is great exercise for both of you, wonderful bonding time and just plain fun. Seeing more and more and more people out and about with their dogs when spring is in full bloom makes me very happy. I especially like to see runners with dogs. Correction. I like to see people out for a run with a dog if they are swinging a bag full of poop or they are visibly carrying a bag and are prepared for the inevitable. Nothing spoils fitness time with my own dogs than having to dodge piles of poop scattered along the sidewalk. And I know it is runners. How do I know? Well, these perfectly spaced dog droppings are almost always on popular running routes and trails. The volume of these movement dispersed dog poops increase during nice weather and during local marathon training times. So there you go runners. I know it's you. Everyone does. We're glad you are exercising with your dog. But stop messing up the neighborhood. Start scooping that poop!
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A perfect run with a dog- poop bag included!
As a former personal trainer and current fitness instructor, I know that no one wants their trial time wrecked or their workout wasted. But you don't have to spoil your workout to clean up after you dog while running. You can obey the law, take care of environment and be a good neighbor while actually improving your fitness level and running time. Here's how:
1. Give your dog a chance to poop before your run. If you warm-up properly with a brisk walk or jog and ask your dog to go, you improve your conditioning and allow yourself the chance scoop that poop before catching your stride. Maybe your dog needs time in the yard before your run. But even then...

2. Always bring more than enough poop bags. Bags are light. They take up minimal space in the tiny pockets of your running tights or jersey. There is no excuse not to have plenty of bags on you every time you run. I always carry at least three bags per dog every single time I leave the house, whether my dog has pooped recently or not.

3. Pay attention: I haven't personally seen it happen but I have a feeling that most runners don't clean up after their dogs because they don't notice their dogs lag a bit and drop poops while running. Fit dog time is always great but it should also be together time.
4. Lunge: stretch your hip flexors, increase leg strength and your stride width by lunging as you scoop that poop. Make sure you get a wide enough stance that your front knee stays behind your toes (a good measure is to be sure you can see your front toes around your knee.) Engage your abdominal muscles and keep your back flat as you stoop to pick up after your dog. Keep your head above your heart. Lunges are a great way to go back and get scattered droppings; you get a lunge on each side with a big sweeping step in between; excellent strength training! Stride length and, hence, running speed is always improved by lunges.
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Beginning a Scoop That Poop lunge- Jason needs a flatter back.
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Jason's Scoop That Poop lunge- excellent hip stretch, and upper leg strength training.
5. Squat: I am a big fan of plié squats. I always included them in client strength training workouts. My Pilates classes do them at the beginning of each and every class. A plié squat is an ideal way for those runners with dogs to scoop that poop, stretch and cross-train all at once. Like the lunge, be sure to have a wide stance so your toes stay behind your knees as you squat. Press your knees back so they stay stacked over your ankles (use your inner thighs!) Engage your abdominal muscles, hinge at your hips (the top of your thighs) and keep your back flat as your bend to pick up after your dog. Just like the lunge, keep your head above your heart.
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A plié squat to Scoop That Poop. Wonderful hip joint flexibility and upper leg strength move.
6. Stretch: If your dog poops towards the end of your run. you can stretch your hamstrings as you stop to scoop that poop. Simply put your feet parallel at hip width, keep your legs as straight as possible, engage your abdominal muscles, hinge at your hips and fold forward to the ground. You can also stretch your hips, strengthen ankles and improve your balance by cleaning up your dogs poop from afigure four stretch. Always keep your bent knee behind your toes and avoid resting your lifted leg on your knee cap. Be careful of putting your head below your heart if you are not in a cool down phase of your run.
Taking your dog running is excellent for you and your dog. But leaving poop laying about is bad for plants, our water supply and public health not to mention that it is just unsightly and rude. So while you are out getting a good workout for you and for your dog, improve your workout and the world; always scoop that poop!
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A cool down forward fold to Scoop That Poop.
Always consult a veterinarian before beginning a new exercise with your dog or prior to changing your dogs exercise routine.
Always consult with a doctor before beginning a new exercise or prior to changing your exercise routine. I always recommend having a fitness professional check your form on any sport you do, running, strength training, stretching, etc. Poor posture while doing any kind of work out can cause more harm to your body than good.
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Huxley loves a good run! He enjoys sniffing while we add to our workout, stoop and scoop his poop. Huxley especially appreciates not having to dodge other dogs poop on the sidewalk or trail.
Do you run or workout with your dog? What ways do you add to your exercise routine while you clean up after you dog?
A to Z Challenge: Saturday was Q for Quality: The #PawNatural Challenge To Improve Air Quality, Water Quality, Pet Health Quality, tomorrow is Earth Day and S for Seattle: Sunrise, Story Totem, Skunk Cabbage, Chief Sealth, Sunset.
We're joining in the monthly Scoop That Poop blog hop where bloggers join together to raise awareness of the need for dog owners to be responsible and clean up after their dogs. Check Scoop That Poop posts from the blogs below and please share anything that you like to help spread Scoop That Poop ideas and knowledge. Together we can literally clean up!
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21 Comments
Molly The Wally link
4/20/2014 08:12:55 pm

Never thought that scooping the poop can be good exercise. Good idea. Have a marvellous Monday.
Best wishes Molly

Reply
Bethany
4/21/2014 06:18:14 am

Jason is the runner in our family so for me scooping the poop is a nice stretch- I fold forward, lunge low, squat low (stretching my calves,) plié for an inner thigh stretch... ahh! With typing about those nice stretches, I now WANT to clean up poop!

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Oz the Terrier link
4/20/2014 11:07:42 pm

Hmmm, I did not realize you were a fitness instructor. GREAT advice for runners on how to cross-train while scooping the poop. Those are also excellent exercises for people who are doing brisk walking too. There's no reason not to stop for 1 minute (or less) to pick up after one's dog!
Oz

Reply
Bethany
4/21/2014 06:21:04 am

Sadly, too many runners think that one minute (or less!) will wreck their workout and their training time. But instead runners and, yes, walkers too, can get cross training in during their run or brisk walk with their dogs. It's a win, win, win for the human, the canine and the environment!

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Cathy Bennett link
4/21/2014 02:30:51 am

I'm smiling, now I'm laughing. I would have never thought in a million years that I was the neighborhood poop scoop patrol agent. But I am. I carry extra bags to embarrass that pet parent who doesn't think anyone is looking. I relate so well about those piles that are left behind. I shall bend and stretch while scooping and think of you next time I offer up a bag to a total stranger. Thanks for starting my Monday off with a smile...

Reply
Bethany
4/21/2014 06:26:03 am

Glad to oblige, Cathy. Instead of grumbling about how awful and irresponsible someone is that left poop behind for me to clean up, I (try to) cheerfully lunge or squat down and enjoy the extra workout I am getting because of someone else complete laziness! How sad for them that they don't want strong or flexible legs like mine, right? :)

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Me, You and Zu link
4/21/2014 04:17:21 am

I always carry 3 bags for Zu and usually just tie the bag around the leash. That way they're always there and I never have to worry. I'm going to start focusing on lunges or pile when picking it up; that's such a good idea!

Reply
Bethany
4/21/2014 06:29:03 am

Tying bags to the leash is a great idea, Ruby. Untying them can be cumbersome for those timing a run for marathon training, though. But any way that works to scoop that poop is a good thing. Enjoy your lunges! You'll be surprised how quickly your stride will improve with just a few lunges daily.

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Ann link
4/21/2014 04:28:19 am

Thanks for joining the blog hop! Huxley does look pleased with his workout. Great tips too. Running with a dog on a poopy trail sounds a lot like an obstacle course.

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Bethany
4/21/2014 06:14:55 am

Yes, all that scattered poop makes for some not fun or safe obstacles. But instead of turning an ankle trying to avoid old poop, runners can get a workout cleaning up as they go!

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Golden Woofs: Sugar link
4/21/2014 07:06:49 am

PAWsome. We saw many runners that are so inconsiderate. They don't want their run to be interrupted so they don't pick up. Golden Thanks for continuing to help us spread the importance of picking up your dog's poop #ScoopThatPoop Golden Woofs

Reply
Bethany
4/21/2014 07:18:37 am

It is so disappointing when someone trying to do the right thing by taking their dog with them on their run, ends up doing the wrong thing by not stopping to pick up poop. Hopefully this post will give ideas to runners that, while it's still annoying to have the rhythm of the run interrupted, you can improve your overall workout and future runs by lunging or squatting your way to being a fully responsible pet owner!

Reply
Dolly the Doxie link
4/21/2014 11:22:09 am

Very good advice! Of course we will never have to worry about that but there are things to consider making it good to know. Love Dolly

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Bethany
4/21/2014 05:12:36 pm

Even if you are not a runner, it is good scoop that poop info to pass along- especially if you see some irresponsible runner run on and leave poop behind!

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Clowie link
4/22/2014 01:59:52 am

No one likes dodging poop. It only takes a moment to scoop.

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Bethany
4/23/2014 02:06:54 pm

And even when you think the dog poop is somewhere no one will ever step in it, it still leaches deadly germs into the ground and our water supply. Scooping is SO important! Everyone should do it- must do it! Runners. Walkers. Everyone!

Reply
Sand Spring Chesapeakes link
4/22/2014 12:58:44 pm

I love it, great post! I love how you incorporated fitness in with scooping that poop it is all true and easy to do.

Reply
Bethany
4/23/2014 02:10:55 pm

Thank you! I am glad to share ideas that will help people be responsible, obey the law and do the right thing for the environment and their neighborhood. And if it helps people (and dogs) get a better workout then that's even better!

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Kimberly Gauthier link
4/23/2014 12:06:31 pm

This is a fantastic post. I just started running with Rodrigo and it's been slow going. One thing I learned pretty quickly is that when it's the 2 of us, I can't have my iPod, because it's too distracting. I need to focus on my form, Rodrigo, and everything around us.

Reply
Bethany
4/23/2014 02:15:02 pm

Thanks Kimberly. Leaving the iPod at home is definitely part of #3, paying attention! I'm glad you get the bonding time with Rodrigo when you run. Here in the city, the sidewalks and even the running trails are just too crowded and dangerous to not be able to hear everything that is going on, including the possibility of somebody shouting (helping to let you know) "your dog just pooped!"

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Emma link
4/24/2014 05:10:10 am

Great tips. We always run in the morning, so we need to do our business and usually have it done in the first few blocks, so it is done and Mom keeps it until the first trash can is passed. We also learned not to pee much while running. If Mom is seriously training, then she runs alone anyway.

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