Dogs will keep going long past the point where they should stop, which puts the entire responsibility for pacing on you — and a dog that seems enthusiastic is not the same as a dog that is conditioned for the distance. Here is why they get over-exercised, how to build their fitness, and what to watch for.

Why Dogs Get Over-Exercised

Enthusiasm is not conditioning: the the-they-will-not-stop-themselves (the dogs continuing well past sensible limits from the running-with-dog logic — the will-not-stop-themselves), the the-enthusiasm-is-not-fitness (the eagerness not indicating conditioning from the running-with-dog logic — the enthusiasm-is-not-fitness), the the-they-cannot-tell-you-they-are-struggling (the dogs not being able to report discomfort from the running-with-dog logic — the cannot-tell-you), the the-heat-affects-them-more (the dogs overheating far faster than people from the hiking-with-dogs logic — the heat-affects-them-more), the the-joints-and-age-matter (the age, breed and joint health limiting what is safe from the senior-dog logic — the joints-and-age), and the reframe (the running dog as entirely dependent on your pacing — because they will not stop themselves, and enthusiasm is not the same as being conditioned).

How to Build Their Conditioning

Progressing properly: the the-start-short-and-build (the starting with short distances and building slowly from the running-with-dog logic — the start-short), the the-check-with-a-vet-first (the a vet check before starting a running programme from the running-with-dog logic — the vet-check-first), the the-wait-until-they-are-fully-grown (the waiting for growth plates to close in young dogs from the running-with-dog logic — the wait-until-grown), the the-build-gradually-like-any-athlete (the progressing their distance as gradually as your own from the running-with-dog logic — the gradual-progression), the the-rest-days-for-them-too (the giving the dog rest days as well from the exercise-with-your-dog logic — the rest-days-too), the the-surface-matters-for-paws (the softer surfaces protecting paws and joints from the hiking-with-dogs logic — the surface-matters), the the-breed-and-build-set-the-ceiling (the breed and build determining realistic limits from the running-with-dog logic — the breed-sets-the-ceiling), and the the-water-on-every-run (the carrying water for the dog on every run from the hiking-with-dogs logic — the water-every-run).

The Warning Signs

When to stop: the the-lagging-behind (the dropping behind being an early signal from the running-with-dog logic — the lagging-behind), the the-excessive-panting-that-does-not-settle (the heavy panting that does not recover from the hiking-with-dogs logic — the panting-not-settling), the the-lying-down-or-refusing (the stopping or lying down meaning stop immediately from the running-with-dog logic — the refusing-to-continue), the the-limping-or-altered-gait (the any limp or gait change ending the session from the running-with-dog logic — the limping), the the-paw-checks-after-every-run (the checking paws after each run from the hiking-with-dogs logic — the check-the-paws), the the-heat-signs-are-an-emergency (the treating heat distress as an emergency from the hiking-with-dogs logic — the heat-is-emergency), the the-avoid-running-in-heat-entirely (the avoiding warm conditions altogether from the hiking-with-dogs logic — the avoid-heat), and the frame (the running dog as needing their own conditioning programme — vet-checked, built gradually with rest days, on suitable surfaces, with paws checked and heat avoided entirely. Check with a vet, build their distance gradually with rest days, carry water, avoid heat entirely, and stop at any limp or panting that does not settle.)

Dogs will keep going long past the point where they should stop, which puts the entire responsibility for pacing on you — and a dog that seems enthusiastic is not the same as a dog that is conditioned for the distance. They get over-exercised because they will not stop themselves, enthusiasm is not fitness, they cannot tell you they are struggling, heat affects them more, and joints and age matter. Build their conditioning by starting short and building, checking with a vet first, waiting until they are fully grown, progressing gradually, giving rest days, choosing surfaces that protect paws, respecting breed limits, and carrying water on every run. Watch for lagging behind, excessive panting that does not settle, lying down or refusing, limping, paw damage, and heat signs — which are an emergency.