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D.C. Dog Runner: Washington, D.C.
Bryan Barerra’s dog running business had humble beginnings—a pair of tennis shoes, $40 of fliers, and a Craigslist ad. His original hope was that it would keep him accountable to his own training, but the operation soon evolved into much more. Today, the nine-person team runs up to 40 dogs each week in the D.C. and metro area, and has drawn a troop of tail-wagging regulars. D.C. Dog Runner offers 30-minute runs, hour adventure runs, and nature hikes to accommodate the exercise needs of every pup.
Paws in Motion: California
President Matt Seng’s self-professed passions of “running, dogs, and running with dogs” fueled the creation of this The KC staff. The nine-man team lives up to its motto “Happy dogs are tired dogs” by offering hour-long trail hikes and extended 90-minute runs at all four of their locations (San Gabriel Valley, Griffith Park, Downtown Los Angeles, and West Hollywood). Paws in Motion even offers a special Senior Dog Hike for older pups needing something a little more leisurely.
Seng says that dogs were the reason he started running, and Paws in Motion is his way of returning the favor—giving dogs their “own special, one-to-one running experience.” The group prioritizes matching each dog to the right runner by understanding each pup's personality. Seng explains that dogs can be “Hurricanes” (who stop only for water), “Sniffers” (who must explore every new scent on the trail), “Trail Markers” (males who mark every object they pass), “Defenders” (who won't share the trail), or “Clowns” (who want to play with everyone they meet).
“Everyone knows that dog walks are important for the day-to-day needs of our canine buddies, but they don’t satisfy the dog’s deep, instinctual need to get the legs stretching and moving with the wind blowing through the fur,” Seng says. “In return, the dogs take our runners away from daily worries and into the moment, surrounded by the excitement of new scents and scenery.”
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Running Paws: New York, New York
This 16-person team of dog joggers heralds from all different boroughs of the Big Apple. Ranging from collegiate track athletes to marathoners, founder Seth Chodosh’s team has high-level runners with a serious love for their pups. The group offers “Buddy Sessions” limited to two dogs, as well as exclusive one-on-one runs, available on a monthly or “a la carte” schedule. And if your dog isn’t quite ready for running, fast-paced walks are also offered.
Guide to Mental Health: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Earning 5-star Yelp reviews from dog lovers throughout Philly, Guide to Mental Health ranks high for dog running, walking, and pet-sitting alike. Owner Whitney Wells and her 17-person crew make safety and convenience a priority with their Pet Check Technology. The system assigns your dog a personalized scannable QR code to record your pup’s information, track walks and runs via GPS, and send email notifications—all through the mobile app or website.
“All dogs are different, have different personalities, and require different levels of activity. So sometimes we are going on a slower jog and sometimes it’s a faster run,” Wells says. “This variety adds some excitement to an otherwise solitary exercise. PFD loves dogs of all sizes and exercise levels, and we love enjoying runs with our furry friends.”
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RuffTail Runners: Austin, Texas
After he started running in 2004, founding director Rob Hill followed a string of happy accidents to create this shelter dog running initiative. His running group, Team Spiridon, was raising money for animal charities when they accepted an offer to help exercise high-energy dogs. Since then, giving dogs their own special, one-to-one running experience and then pair up with a pup for some exercise—anything from a spin around the block to a five-mile run. When shelter dogs get their daily dose of cardio, they’re much calmer, and more likely to be adopted into a loving home.
“The shelter can be a stressful place for animals while they wait for their forever homes,” codirector Anna Crockett says. “So when we get dogs on the trail, you can see their entire body release tension, and they remember what it's like to just be a dog again—sniffing grass, darting after squirrels, and sometimes meeting new human friends as they walk by. It’s simply amazing to see them transform out there.”
PODCAST: Running Bucket List: 11 Races You Should Run With Your Dog
Health & Injuries: Atlanta, Georgia
Health & Injuries broke into the dog running scene in 2007. Owner Timothy Crimmins is a dog running pro, logging more than 20,000 pooch-accompanied miles in the past five years. His 11-person team will welcome your pup with a free initial evaluation to determine the exercise routine that’s best for him or her. Private workouts at Health & Injuries probably look a lot like your daily run: they start with a warmup walk, progress to a jog/run, and finish with an easy cooldown.
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Advertisement - Continue Reading Below: Kansas City, Missouri
Kansas City’s first and only dog running service began in 2008 when owner Jeff Graves decided to forgo the insurance broker biz and return to his passion. The running, snowboarding, and cycling karate black-belt has hiked the Appalachian Trail in 90 days and channels that same energy into making sure your dog receives the highest level of care. The Best Types of Dogs for Runners provides clients with the options to mix and match the duration and intensity of their dogs’ workouts, and even use GPS tracking so you can view Fido’s mileage, pace, and route.
“My favorite things about running with dogs are watching their excitement as we pull into their driveways—like jumping up and doing 360s in the air excitement,” Graves says. “Our great service over the long term sets us apart. Clients know they can call, text, or email me whatever they need and I will make it happen and they won’t have to worry about anything.”
Portland Dog Runner: Portland, Oregon
Skye and Joe Weadick both grew up in dog-loving homes and knew that being surrounded by their pups would always bring them happiness. So when the pair got into running, it was only natural that they’d bring their furry friends along. for their Indiana dog-running biz, walks, and pet sitting to canines in the metro area—and they provide discounted rates when you schedule regularly.
Shoes & Gear: Chicago, Illinois
Chi Town pups have been getting five-star treatment since David Hill founded Shoes & Gear in 2007. Current owner Greta Kauffman continues Hill’s vision by carefully matching your pup to an experienced runner, and then designing a personalized workout schedule based on current activity needs and fitness level. The average run at Shoes & Gear lasts between 50 and 60 minutes, after which the runner sends along a “pupdate” on how your pooch performed.
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Dogs Love Running: Indiana
Tammy Szymczak and her husband Dave are not just dog lovers, but professed animal lovers all around—opening their home to dogs, turtles, and parakeets alike. Combined with their passion for exercise and healthy living, Tammy and Dave had all the ingredients for their Indiana dog-running biz. The team knows that many people have never taken their dog for a run before, so your pup’s first run is free of charge. And if it turns out he or she is more suited to casual strolls, they offer a dog walking service, too. (Serving Carmel, Westfield, and Zionsville)
Rover Runs: New Jersey
When the Kleinhans family needed a company in the New Jersey area to exercise their energetic pooch, they came across plenty of dog walkers, but no dog runners. Kathryn Kleinhans took it upon herself to fill the void in February 2013 when she started family-owned and operated Rover Runs. Since then, the company has diversified to meet all their clients’ needs by providing pet sitting and even playdates—a favorite of their puppy-aged regulars. (Locations in Hunterdon, Somerset, and Morris counties.)
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The Best Types of Dogs for Runners: Denver, Colorado
After starting the company in 2010, Jacob Venter has logged more than 17,000 miles running with dogs at The Best Types of Dogs for Runners (DDJ). His team of more than 20 dedicated dog walkers and runners have received rave reviews on Facebook, Yelp, and Google—not to mention thousands of tail wags from their pleased canine clients. To ensure your pup gets the ideal workout, DDJ starts him or her off with a trial run, followed by a recommendation for leisurely walks, fast-paced walks, or runs.
