Talk Canicross

We were very excited to have one of our DogFit Ambassadors on our podcast this week. Melissa, aka Chewy Barker Woof on Instagram, has a big following on social, particularly amongst Beagle owners as her own dog Chewy is a bit of a pin-up Beagle, who happens to love running with his Mum. Canicross has been a revelation and transformation for them both and in this episode, we hear about their exciting adventures and plans for the future. Follow ChewyBarkerWoof and Melissa on Instagram. Follow DogFit on Instagram to follow other Canicross adventures. Real people, real lives, fun times #canicross Want to start Canicrossing and like to find out more. Get in touch for help and guidance from beginners to improvers and advanced classes: email us hello@dogfit.co.uk

As Canicrossers, the health and wellbeing of our dogs is our main priority. We love getting out there and running whenever we can, whatever the weather. However, when the weather warms up, how hot is too hot? This is a question we are often asked, especially by people who are new to the sport. Our guests in this interview are canine researcher, Anne Carter, and small animal vet, Emily Hall from Hotdogs - heatstroke education for dog owners. You can find out more on their website,: www.heatstroke.dog whey they share their research into canine heatstroke and other heat-related disorders. More about our guests: Emily Hall MA VetMB PGCAP SFHEA MRSB MRCVS Emily qualified as a veterinary surgeon in 2007 then spent seven years working in small animal primary care veterinary practice. In 2014 she made the leap into teaching, starting at a further education college in the Midlands teaching animal health and welfare. In 2015 after moving to Nottingham Trent University to teach student veterinary nurses, and in 2021 joined the LIVE team at the Royal Veterinary College teaching veterinary education. Emily is passionate about animal welfare and strongly believes we can do more to prevent many diseases and much suffering. She is currently researching canine heatstroke, particularly exertional heatstroke – heatstroke caused by exercise rather than confinement in a hot space like a car. Anne Carter BSc (Hons) MSc PhD PGCEP SFHEA MRSB Anne has a real interest in applied research-things that make a difference in the real world. After she completed a PhD in canine behaviour and welfare in 2011, Anne moved to Nottingham Trent University in 2012 to continue my passion for all things research and all things dog. She has been a Canicrosser for about 8 years and inevitably her research and recreation have begun to overlap. One of Anne's dogs really struggles in the heat, and as a winter sport, she started to question the effects of unseasonably warm weather on dogs competing in Canicross.

One of the common questions we get asked is, 'Can any dog breed Canicross and are there some that are better than others'. Our answer is always yes, however we do find that there is one particular dog group that we know takes to the sport really well. The gundog group make popular family pets and are known as reliable and loving companions. However they are very active and can get easily bored if they are under-excercised and not using their heads. From Spaniels to Pointers, Viszlas to Labradors we've enjoyed introducing them and their owners to Canicross. We are joined today by Michelle Oseman, professional Gundog Trainer and expert handler. Having gained many Field and Trail Test awards running her spaniels in the shooting field, Michelle is now enjoying running with her dogs and Canicrossing. We are keen to learn more and understand how these two can work together. For help and information about kit, classes and all things Canicross you can find it here DogFit

Back in October 2020, Ginetta and I launched our first ever Podcast series. We kicked off with our episode 'Questions, Fun & Fears' that involved a really fun and interesting conversation with Carolyne and Kelly, two complete newbies to Canicross. We chatted about those first steps to getting started and then gaining confidence on the trails. Carolyne had just completed the DogFit Couch to 5k programme with her Vizsla Ted and she shared her experiences with us and told us how, as a non-runner, she had completely fallen in love with Canicross. For anyone new to the sport we highly recommend you take a listen to it as it is as relevant today as it was back then. We are so pleased that we have Carolyne with us today and we are really excited to find out what she and Ted have been up to since we last caught up with her. You can read about Carolyne and Ted here on our website

A top priority is for any dog owner is the health and wellbeing of your dog and when we introduce them to a new sport that ups their activity levels it is important to monitor their weight and nutrition. The same goes for dogs that have been Canicrossing for a while, or perhaps you have decided to focus on a goal, which might involve working towards longer distances. We are joined by Rebekah Thompson, who is a Senior Customer Services advisor at Skinners. Rebekah gives us expert advice and tips on how to measure, manage and monitor. For more nutrition tips for active dog, please visit our blog at www.dogfit.co.uk For information about Skinner's range of foods and nutritional products for active dogs, please visit their website at /www.skinners.co.uk They also have a helpful team on hand if you would like to give them a call: 01379 384247

0ne of the most common questions we get asked by our customers, is 'how old should my dog be before they can Canicross?' We always advocate waiting until your dog is fully grown before they do anything too rigorous as their growth plates are still forming but we thought we'd get an expert in to explain in more detail why this is so important. Grace Bird, who is our guest today, is a radiographer and DogFit Trainer, so she not only has the knowledge but she can relate it to this sport we all love so much. Grace also has experience working with reactive and anxious dogs, so we thought we'd take the opportunity to ask her why she feels Canicross is such a great outlet for them. To read the full transcript of this podcast you can find it here: DogFit Blog For help and information about kit, classes and all things Canicross you can find it here DogFit To find out more about The Forces Wives challenge that Grace mentioned you can find it here: Forces Wives Challenge

We've all been there…as we close one year and another fast approaches we start to think about what we want to strive for in the new year. For many of us we tend to reflect on our health and fitness goals. But how do we find the motivation to get started and, most importantly, how do we stick to a plan beyond the first month? Well, fear not, help is on hand. We are joined by DogFit Trainer and Personal Trainer Cat Batson who has plenty of advice to help you set your fitness goals in 2022 and stick to them! Cat Batson offers DogFit Canicross Classes in the Marlow area and you can read more about her here: Cat Batson We mentioned our DogFit Planner in the podcast which you can find here: DogFit Planner If you would like more information about Canicross and how to get fit with your dog, please visit www.dogfit.co.uk

It's nearly Christmas and at this time of year many of us enjoy the festivities and the treats it brings. We all want our dogs to join in too, but what is safe to treat them with? In this episode we chat with Zoe Russell, Nutrition Officer at Skinner's about foods that your dog can and can't eat. Zoe's answers some of those FAQs about which delicacies you can spoil them with. For information about Skinner's range of foods and nutritional products for active dogs, please visit their website at /www.skinners.co.uk They also have a helpful team on hand if you would like to give them a call: 01379 384247

One of the great things about Canicrosss or Canitrekking is that you can run absolutely anywhere with your dog. Through trails, farmland and finding new places together and enjoying the countryside - you are also safe in the knowledge that you are attached to your dog, so you won't loose each other. It's one of the great joys of the sport and seeing areas that you would have missed if you had just been driving by. There is nothing quite like just discovering a new route, but how do you go about planning which way to go? Especially if you are going on your own, you will probably want the reassurance that you are not going to get lost. Also what should you take with you, especially if it is going to be a long day. There are a number of Apps around that can help you plan out a totally new area, so drawing on our own experience and researching with our DogFit Trainers and customers, we thought we would talk about what is available and what you might want to consider before you set off with your dog. We joined today by Lara Trewin, our DogFit Trainer in Bude who also enjoys those fabulous coastal trails, which come with their considerations too. Lara plans and recce's her routes prior to her DogFit classes and has made good use of the some of the Apps new are going to talk about. Join us on Strava: Canicross Runners. Tracking and Route Planning Apps in this podcast Kamoot What Three Words GB Outdoors For help and advice with Canicross and Canitrekking kit, please visit us at www.dogfit.co.uk

We all want to make sure that our dogs are getting the right nutrition, especially if they are increasing their activity or out Canicrossing regularly. We chat with our partners at Skinners about their new Get out & Go range, specific ingredients that are beneficial for our dogs and their new energy and recovery bars. With over 50 years of experience of fuelling active dogs, so understand the energy requirements and nutritional support that dogs need. We are pleased to welcome Hiedi Hutchinson, Marketing Director and Zoe Russell Skinner's Nutrition Officer to help guide us. For information about Skinner's range of foods and nutritional products for active dogs, please visit their website at /www.skinners.co.uk They also have a helpful team on hand if you would like to give them a call: 01379 384247 For the Energy & Recover Bars - you can find those here.

When we talk about Canicross we tend to focus on the three main pieces of equipment; the belt, harness & line. But what is often overlooked is what you should be wearing on your feet. We've all been there, and just gone out and bought a pair of trainers that we think will do the job. Then when it gets muddy and wet we start to wish we had gone for something with better traction, especially when there's a dog pulling out in front! Or worse still, we pick up injuries. But when it comes to which trainers you should wear, especially for off-road running, it can be a minefield; there are so many brands out there, all claiming to do different things, whether it's the amount of cushioning and support you need or the best tread for the terrain you run on. So what should we be looking out for when buying our trail shoes aside from whether they come in our favourite colour?! Well, thankfully we have elite Canicrosser and co-owner of Alton Sports Running Shop Georgie Lambert with us today so our feet are in good hands, so to speak! If you would like to read our blog with links to Georgie you can find it here For help and advice with Canicross kit and classes - from Beginner to Advanced please visit our website here

We were talking the other day about how we first got started in Canicross, many moons ago now. It occurred to us how much the sport has grown and evolved in that time. It's like any other sport really, with so much to learn. When you first take it up and you're a complete beginner, it might seem quite straightforward to just get your dog in a harness, put on a waist belt and go off for a run. Actually, there is so much more to it, as we have discovered in the years that we have been Canicrossing. So, we thought it would be a really good idea to talk about all the things we wish we had known when we first got into Canicross and then found out over the years we have been doing the sport. We hope you find the following useful. This episode is featured here on our blog. For more information about Canicross equipment including our popular starter kit visit our website. You can also use our free harness consultation form to help you select the best harness for your dog.

Are you one of thousands of people who took on a lockdown puppy, then realised they were lacking some fundamental socialisation skills through no fault necessarily of your own. And on top of that you had a very energetic young dog with excess energy to burn off, that wasn't going to relent even when they turned into a young adult! Well fear not, help is on hand. Today, we are very pleased to welcome experienced DogFit Instructor and Dog Trainer Matt Blackbourn, who is with us to share his personal experiences and advice for introducing Canicross to young dogs in a positive and effective way. You can read more about Matt and his training on our blog here. For help and advice with Canicross Kit and classes, we would love to hear from you. Please visit www.dogfit.co.uk.

When we take our dogs to the vet for their annual check-up, it's always reassuring to hear that they are in good shape. If you're a Canicrosser already, it's normally at that point that you'll have a conversation with your vet about Canicross. Did your vet know what Canicross was? In the past, there have been many vets who have never heard of it. However, that's now changing. As the sport continues to grow, it's also an activity that many vets now recognise and are seeing the benefits it can bring to dogs and their owners. Small animal vet, Morgane Bitane is also a keen Canicrosser who has first-hand experience of running with her own dog. Here, she offers her views and thoughts from a vet's perspective. To read the full transcript of this podcast please click here For more information about the right Canicross kit for your dog, classes or support and information, please visit our website: www.dogfit.co.uk

We are delighted in this episode to welcome Susie Chan, one of the most recognisable people in the UK Running Community. Susie took up running in her late 30s, initially be to be a bit healthier and built up from half marathons and marathons and then on to compete in some of the world's toughest ultra-marathons and endurance races. We've followed Susie for a while, and when she started to include her rescue dog Manny, along with her training we were pleased to see him enjoying free running alongside - and in a DogFit harness too. An inspiration to many, we are delighted to welcome Susie and hear first hand about her run training and trail adventures with Manny. You can find Susie's Instagram here and her website is here Manny wears a DogFit harness when he is freerunning and you can find that here

Many people may be surprised to hear that children can get take part in Canicross but so long as the right guidelines are in place there is no reason why they can't. At DogFit we actively encourage juniors to get involved as it's a fun way to introduce them to running and general fitness. We even sell a Canicross belt that is designed especially for children to fit their smaller hip measurements. In this episode we're joined by two of our DogFit Trainers, Steph Bishop and Marianne Mulder. As well as coaching Canicross classes for adults, they actively encourage children to take part. In fact, Canicross is a wonderful hobby that families can enjoy together…and for some children it's much more exciting running with their dog on the trails than being dragged out on a long, boring walk by their parents! For more details about local Canicross classes, you can find out more here: https://dogfit.co.uk/pages/classes For our Children's Canicross belt, you can find them here: https://dogfit.co.uk/products/childs-canicross-belt

For many of us, Canicross is more than just a hobby and way to keep fit; it's a special way to bond with our dogs and build long-lasting friendships with like-minded people. But once we've got the Canicross bug, it's natural to look for a new challenge…that may be to run a bit further or it may be to get that elusive 5k PB! You may even fancy entering a Canicross race. Well, we're really pleased to have Sarah Gillam joining us in this Episode. Sarah is a DogFit Trainer based over in Germany. Not only is she an experienced Canicrosser, competing at European and International level, but she is a Personal Trainer with a particular passion to help others improve their running, and of course avoid injury! Sarah was ranked number 1 in Germany in 2019 for canicross and is currently top 10 in Europe. As well as loving the 5k ‘speed' races she also has a passion for the multi-stage mountain events. She has been running canicross for the last 7 years and before that was running in dogless events on the road and trails up to marathon distance. A qualified sports nutritionist and is also completing her Level 4 Personal Trainer qualification. Her background is in the sports footwear industry, where she has gained much experience about the anatomy of the foot, biomechanics of running and footwear selection. She currently coaches from beginner to advanced runners and canicrossers from across Europe to help them reach their goals. You can find out more about Sarah's Intermediate & Competition Canicross courses here: https://dogfit.co.uk/pages/intermediates-competition

Pilates has been around for close to 100 years. Founded by Joseph Pilates, a German physical trainer fascinated by the balancing of body, mind and spirit, the discipline is all about strengthening the body, toning the muscles and improving posture and flexibility. This makes it a perfect companion for Canicrossers. Pilates has grown exponentially over the past 12 months as people have more time to spare to try out new activities and more fitness instructors are moving online to give classes and physical training sessions. Someone who can tell us more about this highly effective form of exercise is DogFit Canicross trainer and Pilates instructor, Louise Humphrey. She also explains why Pilates is a great form of exercise for Canicrossers and general runners alike. Then add the same links used in the blog: Find out more about Louise and the classes she offers below: Website & online classes | YouTube | Studio 44 Pilates Facebook | Instagram | Paws4running Instagram You can also visit her DogFit page for Canicross classes >> here

Are you interested in taking up Canicross but concerned you have a reactive or anxious dog? Do you worry about how your dog will react to the Canicross kit, sounds and smells, not to mention the other people and dogs running ahead, behind and alongside them? Well, experienced dog trainer and DogFit Canicross instructor Christine Barber, is on hand to reassure you that you and your dog can safely and confidently take part in this wonderful sport. She shares her personal experiences and invaluable advice for making the experience a positive one so you and your dog can concentrate on enjoying the trails. Visit Christine's website for more information about her training and Canicross courses, or on the DogFit website here. For more information about canicrossing with your dog wearing a muzzle, please click here Our full blog post on this podcast is here For help with Canicross kit, advice and classes please visit www.dogfit.co.uk

We are often asked about the right nutrition for canicross dogs. After all, our dogs are the priority and we want to make sure we are providing the best for them, especially when are upping their activity and distances. So who better to ask than our friends at Skinners. They have over 50 years of experience of fuelling active dogs, so understand the energy requirements and nutritional support that dogs need. We are pleased to welcome Zoe Russell to Talk Canicros. Zoe is a qualified Dog Nutritionist and Skinner's Nutrition Officer and helps guide us through some of those FAQs. For the Body Condition chart that Zoe mentions, please visit our blog post here. For information about Skinner's range of foods and nutritional products for active dogs, please visit the website at https://www.skinners.co.uk.

It's a new year, and for many of us that also means a new fitness goal. If you are new to Canicross (and possibly running too) you may be looking to complete your first Couch to 5k course, or you may already be an experienced runner looking to improve your speed or endurance. Whatever your goal, there's no doubt that we can all improve as runners...and much of that starts from the way we run, not just how far and how fast! In this episode of Talk Canicross, we chat to experienced Running Coach and Canicross Instructor Michelle Mortimer. Michelle shares her top tips for improving our running form and also gives us a bit of much needed motivation to start 2021 as we mean to go on! Visit Michelle's website Miles with Michelle for more information about her coaching and training plans. Michelle also offers DogFit Certified Canicross classes in the West Pennines area. Find out more here. Read our blog on Motivational tips for reaching your running goal. For help with canicross kit, advice and classes please visit www.dogfit.co.uk

Sean Laidlaw was working as a bomb disposal expert in Syria when he discovered an abandoned puppy hidden amongst the rubble. This was just the beginning of what was to turn out to be a life-affirming moment for both of them. In this edition of Talk Canicross Sean takes time out of his hectic schedule to share his special story with us from the moment he first met Barrie, to the long and arduous process of bringing her back to the UK with the help of the amazing charity War Paws. He explains how Canicross has particularly helped deepen their bond. Sean also opens up to us about his personal struggles with PSTD and how Barrie rescued him as much as he rescued her. This is a remarkable true story with a very happy ending! If after you have listened to this podcast you are excited to learn more about Sean and Barrie, you may want to check out their book Barrie: How a rescue dog and her owner saved each other, available to order online. Barrie is now a qualified Personal Trainer based in the UK - for more details visit his website www.beyondlimitscoach.co.uk or contact him on Instagram at @sean_lilo You can also follow Barrie on Instagram here: @barriespaws For more information about the charity War Paws visit www.warpaws.org For help and support with PTSD visit www.mind.org.uk For help with canicross kit, advice and classes please visit www.dogfit.co.uk You can also read more about Sean and Barrie on our blog here DogFit Blog

DogFit Trainer and experienced Canicrosser, Cat Everard, talks opening and candidly about her personal battle with mental health and recent diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis (MS). We discuss how looking after both her body and mind has been an important factor in how she lives with MS and manages her mental health, and the positive impact Canicross has had on her life. Whether you can directly relate to Cat's experiences or know someone struggling with mental health illness, such as depression or anxiety, this is an episode not to be missed. Read more about Cat's story in our popular blog series My Story http://blog.dogfit.co.uk/2018/05/2001/ For more information on MS we recommend the popular MS forum https://shift.ms and mstrust.org.uk If you need advice regarding mental health then Mind.org is great source of information. To follow and support Cat on Instagram, you can see her adventures here: @miles.of.ms For help with canicross kit, advice and classes please visit www.dogfit.co.uk

Join us as we chat with Dog Trainer and Behaviourist, Clare Grierson. We talk through getting the best from our dogs whilst out Canicrossing. How to keep your dog focussed and challenges that some of us come across when starting out. Claire explains how to work with your dog so you both get the best out of our sport. Happy Canicrossing! SPECIAL NOVEMBER OFFER If you are new to canicross and would like to join our online self paced couch-5k course, now is the time! Throughout November, we have discounted from £49.00 to just £9. You can find the course here: www.https://dogfit.teachable.com/ For help with canicross kit, advice and classes please visit www.dogfit.co.uk

Ever wondered what it's like to compete at top level Canicross? In this episode we're joined by Georgie Lambert, British, European and World Championship Canicross competitor. ** British Silver Medalist *** European Bronze Medalist •••• Ranked 10th in the World 2020 Georgie talks about her amazing journey from a DogFit intro session to competing at top level with her rescue dog Benson. Sharing hints and tips as well as hopes for the future with her new Eurohound, Queen Bee. A truly inspiring story of teamwork and fun times! Happy Canicrossing! SPECIAL NOVEMBER OFFERIf you are new to canicross and would like to join our online self paced couch-5k course, now is the time! Throughout November, we have discounted from £49.00 to just £9. You can find the course here: www.https://dogfit.teachable.com/ For help with canicross kit, advice and classes please visit www.dogfit.co.uk

In our first episode, where better to start than at the very beginning! We are joined by two newbies to the sport, Carolyne Cross and Kelly Satchell. Fabulous to hear from them both and help answer their questions, as well as hearing their first hand experiences. If you've heard about Canicross and want to know more, listen in for all those FAQs that run through your head, before you've even put a harness on your dog. Happy Canicrossing! SPECIAL NOVEMBER OFFERIf you are new to canicross and would like to join our online self paced couch-5k course, now is the time! Throughout November, we have discounted from £49.00 to just £9. You can find the course here: www.https://dogfit.teachable.com/ For help with canicross kit, advice and classes please visit www.dogfit.co.uk

We're here to talk all things Canicross and hope you will join us by listening as we hear more about the sport we are all so passionate about and dogs of course. Each month we will be joined by a special guest (or two). We'll hear from professionals, regular canicrossers and also dog and human experts in their field. It will be real people, real stories. We hope you'll join us, whether it's for training tips, dog talk or just for fun and encouragement. This is Talk Canicross, bought to you by DogFit, and don't forget, hit subscribe and keep in touch with all things Canicross. SPECIAL NOVEMBER OFFERIf you are new to canicross and would like to join our online self paced couch-5k course, now is the time! Throughout November, we have discounted from £49.00 to just £9. You can find the course here: www.https://dogfit.teachable.com/ For help with canicross kit, advice and classes please visit www.dogfit.co.uk