I just can't understand how some people go out running for fitness - and leave their dogs sitting at home. It seems perfect logic to me, that you can exercise yourself and your pooches at the same time. It also gives you the chance to bond with your dogs, in a way that benefits all.
Canicross (Cani-X), is the activity of simply cross country running with a dog or two, harnessed to your body. The dogs wear suitable activity harnesses (I swear by the Manmat H harnesses over the X back style), attached via a bungee enforced line, with clips to a runner's canicross belt. The trick is to train the dogs to trot ahead at your comfortable running pace. Strictly speaking, it is organised as a competitive event, but there is no reason that it cannot be enjoyed purely for pleasure and fitness.
I first started running (and competing) canicross, years ago with a Siberian husky, and also later, with a dalmatian. I ran this style for around four years. Things happened in my Life, and I became separated from my dogs. Without them, I lost my pack, my confidence to run, and slowly, my fitness. Over the past four years, my health has started to go, I'm aging, and I'm overweight.
I started canicross running again at the beginning of December. We've completed twelve runs now - each three and a half to a little over four miles long. I'm feeling so much fitter - and younger! With a healthy living plan, I've so far lost 22 pounds of weight. Meanwhile - the dogs are looking fit and happy.
The above far too lengthy GoPro video was recorded last week on Run.11.