How to Run with a Dog on a Leash?

http://www.yourrunning.com/forum-how_to_run_with_a_dog_on_a_leash

Q: I feel so sorry for my dog. She's not a mannered pooch -- she does well at most things but "come" is a skill not yet mastered and staying close to her guardian is not important to her -- so on walks or runs she has to be on a leash. But I find that I can't run with her on a leash, because inevitably I come home with a twinge of pain. I think what happens is that holding the leash throws off my gait and I run improperly -- and I have longstanding issues with shin splints that this seems to exacerbate.

Any suggestions, anyone? I've looked around for those waist leashes, but haven't found a good one. Have you had success with those? Even with a dog that's gonna pull hard away from you?

Please help me before Cocoa becomes obese. 8^)

Mark says:
I started running with a 6 month old German Shepard and struggled through 3 months of it before my wife stopped me sitting a vet that said you cannot run a dog until they are 2 years old (would love someone elses opinion on thi especially if you think running the now 11-month old is all good).

My overly energengized puppy was hell on a leash when we started out. With a normal collar and a 6-foot leash, the dog us unmanageable. I switched to a shorter leaser and one of those choker collars (with the teeth) and the earlier problems all but disappeared. I run early mornings in a dense urban area and even with the distractions presented by the city things were working great. Now if I can just get around the 2-year old thing . .

Jerry Nairn says:
I think you can safely ignore the vet who said to wait until the dog is two years old. That sounds like non-runner advice. I haven't been as susceptible to the problems described, but I have found the waist connection dog-jogging products to be way more comfortable for me than holding a leash in my hand. For a while I ran frequently with two large dogs that way. Some dogs take to this more naturally than others. Some take a long time to learn not to jump, stop, or change directions suddenly. Others go like your shadow from the first step. Of course, it is better to run with any dog some place where no leash is required. I wish I could do that.