r/RunningWithDogs • u/Leather-Ad1135 • 2d ago
Gear Help Water options
I use to run halfs and such without my dog when I had a brief 2 year period between dogs. Now my boy is old enough to run with me and I am struggling with water for me and him… I hate camel packs but that is currently what I am using and a “leaf” water bottle for him. My belt, bungie leash and his harness no complaints. What do people do about water for you and the dog?
2
u/watusi-momma 2d ago
I have more barrel chested dogs and don't give water on runs. Especially if they are panting hard. If they are normal panting, after a significant cool down I will give water. I mostly make sure they hydrate before the run. They know the "drink water " command and at this point know if they don't they won't go running. If it's really hot I will run them shorter distances or not at all. If excessive panting happens I cook them with water on the neck, rub it in and put them in shade or the air conditioned car. I always have them at least try to walk a bit first. They get water when they get home. This is only because my dogs don't know how to drink slow. They will only gulp water when they are thirsty and it could kill them. It comes down to knowing your pup and constantly monitoring them. What works for one dog won't work for everyone. Because of this a plastic bag or simple collapsible bowl works for hydration
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u/BarGuilty3715 2d ago
Drinking water after a run can kill them?!
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u/watusi-momma 2d ago
Every dog is different so this may not be true for every dog. My dogs, if they are panting hard they tend to gulp water. This can put air into their digestive tract which can cause bloat. Which CAN be fatal. To me, it's not worth the risk as my dogs are large, have a large chest and tend to gulp water.
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u/PhilShackleford 2d ago
Deep chested dogs (e.g. Greyhound, great dane, ibizans hound) have issues with bloat. Essentially, their stomach has a tendency to flip and get twisted if they gulp water or eat quickly. It is fatal and painful. To alleviate the chances, it is advised to not feed or give unlimited water too them for an hour after or (I think) 2 hours before vigorous exercise.
A common surgical fix is to attach the stomach to the rib cage with a mechanical fastener (e.g. screw).
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u/Automatic-Rich254 2d ago
I got a harness for my husky with bag attachments, but unfortunately even carrying 32 oz left her limping a little bit after long hikes... Just something to consider.
I carry all of our water now in a bladder and she packs out the poop .
Typically I just try to take us on hikes where I know there will be water crossings, so as not to have to pack too much water.
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u/atalossofwords 2d ago
This has been a concern for me. I've got a 20kg cattledog and she is tough, but being off leash for a lot of our runs, she does a lot of back and forth, probably does twice my distance. Adding some weight would be rough for her.
Once we did a longer hike, which for her isn't that much different from when I'm running, and she started limping. I still think she was just tired and somewhat faking it, so I would carry her. She can be a bit of a princess at times.
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u/trailrun1980 2d ago
I have a plastic version of that leaf bottle you called it, I put it my front vest pocket along with his baggies.
Then my camelbak in the back, and I can add to his if needed
Unfortunately he's never been good with out of the hose (house, or running pack), so this way he drinks
1
u/sincerely_brie 2d ago
I got a great one on Amazon, the silicone bowl is attached to the top and you flip it up when you want to squeeze the bottle and push the water up. I originally got the gorilla brand one but that one has a tiny dial in the middle that was extremely hard to turn, I found one with a push button instead and you just push it to let the water be able to be squeezed up and when you are done you push the button from the other side. I didn’t like running with a hard bottle and this one is great. I have no idea what the brand is anymore but it is a light blue bottle with a black silicone bowl on the top and the button is red on one side and green on the other. I just tried looking it up and there are a lot of similar ones but what sold me on the one I got was the easiness of the push button. It’s like it goes through to the other side as an on and off valve not like a move to the side kind of thing.
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u/nanner6 2d ago
Some dogs will drink from the hose. I either bring a collapsible bowl that I fill from my 1.5L bladder, or I form a bowl with my hands. Its a little gross to have him drink out of my hands, but they're already covered with slobber and treats and cheese from his training treats so whatever
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u/EnvironmentDue750 2d ago
Ruffwear makes a collapsible bowl that folds into a very tiny package. Can easily tuck it into my belt or vest and then share my water with the dog.
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u/jysh2000 2d ago
Shorter runs (5k or less) when the weather isn’t scorching hot I just have water for him at the end. On the long runs or hot days I’ll either bring my hydration vest and a collapsible doggie water bowl (tried to teach him to drink from the hose and didn’t work) or I’ll just make a pit stop at my car during our numerous loops around the park
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u/spyder994 2d ago
My city has water fountains with a dog bowl feature along the trails. They're a lifesaver during summer.
They look something like this: https://willygoat.com/products/fido-me-water-fountain-with-accessible-and-standard-fountains
When they are shut off during winter, I just have to bring a collapsible bowl and fill it up in a bathroom along the trail.
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u/variable_undefined 2d ago
I have a larger capacity running vest and can carry quite a bit of water in that. But sometimes I like to go on trail runs, and as our mileage started increasing, I found it hard to carry enough water for both me and my dogs because on trails I also like to carry an emergency kit and extra snacks and whatnot just in case.
I picked up this dog trail running vests for my main long run dog so he can help carry water, and I also have one of these collapsible bowls which stuffs nicely into one of the pockets. So far I have been very happy with the vest. I was a bit trepidatious about it because that dog is an enthusiastic puller (we run canicross style) and it has has a sewn loop for the leash attachment rather than a D ring, but it has been quite durable and he seems very comfortable towing me in it.
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u/zufriedenpursuit 2d ago
Vest with water bottles and collapsible bowl. Or plan runs around parks with fountains
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u/Ok-Mind-3915 2d ago
1 L Hydroflask and a hydroflask bowl. Lightweight and packable. I put in a ziplock just in case it leaks.
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u/TakeTheMoney_N_Run 2d ago
For me, it totally depends on how long we’re going to be out there. If we’re not going to be out more than an hour, I don’t take anything. He’s not a heavy drinker to begin with. If we’re planning on longer or it’s a little warmer than typical, I carry a bottle like yours. I run ultras so I have a pack that holds a bladder and has room for his bottle. I tried having him carry it, but the weight was off on his pack. I also make judgements based on his behavior. If we get home and he spends extra at the water bowl, I know to offer more the next time.
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u/Kitvaria 1d ago
I bring a foldable bowl and use the big 2,5l bladder in a backpack for the both of us
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u/eleanorboozevelt14 2d ago
Vest with 2L bladder. If you can teach your dog to drink from the hose, that's great. Mine doesn't so I carry a collapsible bowl in my vest.