Dog runners offer more than pedestrian play

By Erin Sullivan, Times Staff Writer
Published July 13, 2007

Lola, a 9 month old chocolate lab, rests after exercising along Bayshore Boulevard.
	[Times photo: Carrie Pratt]

ADVERTISEMENT [Times photo: Carrie Pratt] Max, a Weimaraner who is almost two years old, plays with Cassidy Braak, part owner of Barks n' Wags, during a rollerblading run along Bayshore Boulevard.

After a two-year sabbatical, Christine Holloway decided to go back to work. She worried, though, about Sheena, her black Labrador. Sheena is 60 pounds and a little more than a year old.

"She's spoiled," Holloway admitted.

Without enough exercise, Sheena gets bored and into trouble. She was kicked out of doggie day care because she was in heat - at the same time Holloway was returning to her restaurant job. Both Holloway, 34, and her boyfriend John Oliva, 43, work long hours. Walking Sheena wasn't enough. Sheena needed to run.

So, a month ago, Holloway called a professional. A doggie personal trainer, of sorts.

Now someone from High Tail It Pet Sitters comes to exercise Sheena every day at noon, 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. They run her hard. They do agility training. They throw balls. It costs $13 per visit.

"It's been a big relief," Holloway said. "They wear her out for me. I wish I had known about this sooner."

Requests for dog runs, rather than walks, are up with pet sitters in the Tampa Bay area and nationwide.

Some companies, such as Barks n' Wags in Tampa, offer to skate with your pooch. Owner Jason Kelly said clients stop laughing at the idea when their dogs come home worn out and happy.

"Dog running went from unheard of to uber-hip," said William Sharp, a part-time dog walker in San Francisco. "People like telling their friends, 'I have to leave a key for Fifi's dog runner.' It's far more sexy than 'dog walker,' which is so yesterday."

Though running is generally thought to be good, be extra cautious before starting a program.

"Big, stupid, young dogs - Labs, Dalmatians, goldens - can never get enough exercise, but dog runners aren't for every dog," said Dr. Monica Clare, a critical care specialist at the Animal Surgical and Emergency Center in Los Angeles.

Before hiring a dog runner, Clare says, pet owners should have dogs examined by a vet, who should check for bad knees, bad backs, bad hips and breathing problems.

Pet owners should send their dogs only to runners who are trained to monitor their charges, especially in scorching weather. If you want to be insane and run at noon on a Florida summer day - fine. But don't make your dog do it.

[Last modified July 12, 2007, 12:51:39]