Joggers be dog aware! Owners be "jog" polite!

Jog and dog…unless this is as a team with the owner jogging with their dog then it is not a good combination. Dogs see jogging as a human running which can inspire a dog to give chase -, they see the jogger as running away which is what a weaker/fearful animal may do so they chase and this activity is self-rewarding. If they were to catch up the outcome could be an attack though as I said before and stress this is not a normal reaction.

So - what to do if you are the jogger? In my experience if you are a calm assertive person who pointedly ignores dogs and carries-on-confidently by not focusing on the dog at all, then keep on jogging. This though would rely upon you giving plenty of space to the dog so avoiding any inadvertent interaction, the dog not being aggressive towards people and the owner having total control over their dog….not always something a jogger can be assure of though hey?! The energy of the jogger is key here, anything such as nervous energy will encourage a dog to give chase - and you can’t fake it they can read energy even from a distance! Of course this said there is still a risk that a dog will give chase!

If in doubt then to stop is the best course of action, but don’t turn this into a challenge - do not focus on the dog, turn away, leave space, claim your own space by standing still and tall - I have found that folding your arms can help a human to feel assertive and “own” their space. Do not run up behind a dog, or pass close-by running - dog walkers don’t always see/hear you coming and surprise can provoke an unwanted reaction from a dog and us owners don’t have eyes in the back of our heads! Give the owner a chance to get their dog on a lead and under control, which in my opinion is what all owners should do when joggers are close - that is polite dog ownership! Sometimes it is necessary to say to the owner that you are waiting to pass - do this calmly and do not make any contact with the dog.

What should dog owners do? Get your dog back to you - remember they shouldn’t be off lead unless you have a good recall anyway. Put them on their lead and let the jogger pass on by. Make sure they are not in your dog’s sights - the dog is not focusing on the jogger before you let them off again.

I always lead-up when joggers are about - but they don’t always give me a chance before shooting on past which is a bit inconsiderate and dare I say a risk - as this is a large pack of up to 8 loose dogs on the beach and they don‘t know that I have total control! Just a thought - joggers and dogs…maybe that is where the expression “run the risk” comes from - over to you on that one Dad :-)

So why do dogs chase joggers this is the psychology bit: mis-directed prey instinct - human runs - dog gives prey chase - adrenalin surge in dog is a reward - they don't need to catch up with you and many won't bother! Or territorial chase off: they think human is running away from them - that is what the dog wants to happen - there is the reward the dog has chased off the intruder on their perceived turf!! Or - as in the case of some herding breeds such as Collies they could be herding you even though you are not a sheep :-)

Bottom line - it is up to the owner to control their dog - no human can control the environment e.g. other dogs, joggers etc. Unfortunately some owners don’t or can’t, keep yourself safe jogging at all times and do not run from a dog they can out-run us - change direction or stop! If the dog is on a lead then pass-by but slowly and by giving space. Remember the “chase thing” is instinct in dogs and we can’t fight nature only work with it.

Judge each situation as you come upon it - every instance of “jog and dog” is different - get in tune with your instincts and go with them.

See the next posts on how to meet a dog and how to stop a dog approaching you!