Everyone is out running on trails, especially this Saturday for National Trail Running Day.  Even dogs are getting into the sport of trail running.  Dogs have always been such followers.  Dogs have decided to call their new style of trail running, Canicross.  Canicross is a mix of cross-country running with running with dogs.  Canicross started in Europe as a off-season training for mushing dogs.  So it’s pretty much mushing without the snow…which is not mushing at all, it’s Canicrossing.

Runners attach one, or possibly two, dogs to their waist with a bungee chord connecting to their dog.  If you are running with a leash, then it doesn’t count as Canicrossing, you are merely running with a dog.  Sorry cool guy, maybe you should start mushing so when you go Canicrossing you can talk about how much cooler it would be if there was snow.

If you don’t want to mush, start getting hip to the Canicrossing scene by training your dog to pull you.  Dogs love to chase so start by giving them something to chase after.  Have a friend run in front of you and your dog with a tasty treat or get a friend that Canicrosses too and take turns letting your dogs chase after each other.  Just like with any training of dogs, you want to give your dog positive reinforcement.  Since your dog was a puppy he/she has gotten in trouble for pulling, so learning to Canicross can be difficult, make sure you give your dog positive reinforcement for pulling.  Also, never correct your dog for pulling while he/she is in the harness, your dog needs to associate being in the harness to pulling.  Start short Canicrossing on a well defined trail to give your dog positive reinforcement for being able to pull the whole time.  Not that your dog will wear out before you do, dogs are generally a good bit fast than humans.  I know, if you had 4 legs you’d be that fast too.

So if you want to feel more official, then check out the website for the official European Canicross Federation.

As more people are out on the trails (and sidewalks for that matter) to stick with their New Years Resolutions, running etiquette has become increasingly more important. Mostly everyone on the trail is out there for the same reason, to exercise while enjoying nature, so we should all do our part to make sure everyone is able can enjoy this. Here are just a couple of tips everyone can keep in mind:

1.  Don’t smoke. I know this seems obvious but we have all seen it, someone walking on a trail with a dog or something and a cigarette. If I wanted to breath in toxins I’d run along a busy road. Please do not smoke on exercise trails. I’ve even see someone in full road biking gear smoking a cigarette. It was pretty special.

2.  Make a Large Group Small. I support getting out and enjoying exercise with as many friends as possible, but if you are walking or moving slowly, you shouldn’t take fill up the whole trail. If you do take up the entire trail, at least consolidate your group to one side when other exercisers are passing. Also, do everyone in your group a favor, at the beginning of your workout establish a side that everyone will move to. I suggest the right side, but that’s just because I’m American. However, it is Internationally agreed that the worse thing for a passing runner encounter is a split group. It can get very messing and awkward.

3.  Short Leash for Dogs. If you are out exercising with your dog put it on a short leash. No one knows where a dog’s mind will lead it, including the canine, so please put them on a short leash. At least you know that they will stay close to you.

4.  Biking. As an experienced mountain biker I understand both sides of this argument. First off, if you really want to do some mountain biking, don’t go somewhere that people are walking dogs or in large groups, that’s probably not a real mountain bike trail. However, if you do find others on a trail (maybe riding horses along the trail or trail runners), then make sure you are experienced enough to maneuver around them. If possible, ride off to the side of the normal trail. Blazing your own trail! Now that’s extreme!

Let’s all just get along on the trail. We are all there for the same reason. Trust me, if you ever see me out on the trail, I’ll be the first to move out of the way of the faster exerciser…but that doesn’t happen very often.

Feel free to post any other rules I didn’t think of. Thanks.