* The Leash: While some people are really into letting their dogs go off leash, I like to obey local leash laws for several reasons. First, not everyone finds your little Fido adorable, and some people are downright terrified of dogs. Now just imagine how they feel when they see you walking or running towards them and Fido is off leash! That's just not fair to your fellow citizens. Even though I'm a dog lover, I don't like running into off leash dogs. I've been tripped and knocked over numerous times by friendly dogs that wanted to play while I was trying to run. Keeping my dog on leash is the responsible thing to do.
Perhaps more important to me now is the risk of something happening to my pup if she is off leash. A brittany is a bird dog, and chances are good she'll try to flush birds if given the opportunity, but that could mean running into traffic, getting lost, etc. I'm paranoid about losing my pup so having her on leash gives me peace of mind.
As a "serious" runner, however, I didn't want to carry a leash. I researched numerous "hands-free" leashes and settled on an inexpensive one called The Buddy System. I'm absolutely thrilled with it. It has a simple design that goes around my waist. The leash loops around the waist belt and has a quick release clip near the waist (so you could use the distal part as a traditional leash). The end of the leash attaches to the dog's collar or harness just like a traditional leash. I like that the leash "loops" onto the waist belt so if we're on a back road or trail Uta can move easily from my left to my right side, and the leash moves with her. It's also a sturdy, high quality belt/leash that feels like it will last, and you forget you're wearing it when you run. I like to wear it even during walks, because then I can use my hands! My husband, Nate, has used the buddy system to shovel out a family member's driveway while keeping Uta close to him. We also used it when we brought Uta to a snowshoe race and a road race; it's much easier to navigate crowded areas, stand around, and cheer when you know your dog is attached to you. My husband and I jokingly call it the umbilical cord, but it's a great leash system that gives me peace of mind.
* Running "Shoes" for Uta: I never thought my dog would need footwear. Never. I don't like the idea of dressing dogs up or putting any sort of "shoe" on them. I feel like they evolved into the perfect creatures they are today and are suited to their environments. That was, until I got Uta. When we first brought Uta home, her paws were as soft as the back of my hand. They were pink. When we tried to take her for even a short walk, she would sit on the ground, hold up a paw, and cry. I would carry her home worried that something was wrong, only to put her down inside and see her start running around! She doesn't like the cold ground and she doesn't like the salt and sand on the roads. I initially tried Musher's Secret, a product that a number of my friends who run with their dogs highly recommended. It is a great product that's all natural, non-toxic, and forms a wax "barrier" on your pup's paws, protecting them from a variety of outdoor irritants. I definitely plan on using Musher's Secret down the road, but currently it's not enough for Uta's paws. She's able to walk a little further, but her paws are still sensitive.
A trip to Petco solved the problem. We found 100% rubber, biodegradable, disposable/reusable dog booties! They're called Pawz and they are amazing! They look like little balloons, and you just pull them onto your pup's paw. At first they seemed like they would be difficult to put on, but I actually find them to be quite easy to put on Uta. I hold her like a baby and just pull each one onto her paw. Not only does she let me do this, but she seems to enjoy it as well. She quickly figured out that her paws feel much better walking or running in her booties. She doesn't try to chew them off and they stay on remarkably well. With her booties on, Uta's able to walk or run for several miles.
Because they're more like a sock than an actual shoe, the dog is able to feel the ground and calluses still form, so Uta's paws continue to get stronger. Plus they're absolutely adorable; Uta gets compliments whenever we're out and about with her in her booties. Another plus is they keep her paws clean, so there's less dirt tracked in the house.
As you can see in the above picture, Uta is enjoying the snow with in her booties and winter jacket. Yes, I bought her a winter jacket. Brittanys only have a single coat of fur, not a double coat like most dogs. While this means she sheds less than most breeds, she gets cold much easier too. Without her jacket, she'll actually shiver when she's outside in the cold, but with her jacket she is comfortable and wants to play.
These few items have been invaluable to Uta and have allowed her to enjoy walking, running, and playing outside.
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