Click on a question to learn more about our most commonly asked questions
A. Lure chasing is not a class. It’s a fun exercise for any dog who likes to run and chase. Most dogs can figure out how to chase the lure in about 10 seconds, but some dogs may need more time to figure out what is expected of them. Periodically we may have private events though. Our online schedule will display when these events are.
A. You can see our calendar schedule and hours on our website using the schedule link at the top of the page.
http://www.rundogrun.us/schedule.html
Please check the calendar before heading over as sometimes we need to make last minute changes for various reasons.
A. No, we don’t schedule dogs. You can come at any point during the hours we are open. If there are dogs ahead of you, you just have to wait in line. If your dog isn’t good with waiting in a line, you can let someone know you will be ahead of them, but want your dog to wait out of the line. You can enter through the exit gate when it’s your turn.
*Tip – It’s normally busiest when we first open and less busy later, or towards the end.
A. You can purchase them from us, at the course field, or you can purchase them from Willow Run Feed and Supply, located next to the field.
A. Our course is outdoors in a large open field.
A. Yes. We try to be open 4-5 times per week, but being an outside business, there are times the weather, or other unforeseen circumstances, could cause us to be closed. If there is snow on the field, we will not be open. It’s not safe for dogs running up to 40 mph to hit a patch of snow and possibly slip and injure themselves. If the field is considered too wet from rain, the ground can be too soft and again it may be considered unsafe for the dogs. We post our schedule on our website up to 6 months in advance, so sometimes we need to make a last minute change. *Always check our schedule prior to getting into your car to drive over for any last second updates.
A. Yes, our field is completely fenced in. Plus, if we are involved with an offsite event, such as a charity walk, we also make sure our course will have fencing.
A. Our field is a couple of acres, and one lap is around 400 yards long.
A. This depends on the dog running. Not all dogs are in the same physical condition, or even peak physical condition, so some dogs may tire from running faster, or slower, than other dogs. There is no time or distance guaranteed. We watch each dog carefully to see when they begin to slow down, or become tired. When a dog is chasing the lure, they typically go 100% in the beginning, but soon that begins to slow down to 90%, 75%, etc, and this indicates the dog should end its run. Some dogs are in very good physical condition, but even those dogs’ lungs and hearts are working as hard as possible, so after a couple of minutes of sprinting as fast as they can, they should stop so they can return to normal. Think in terms of a human athlete. Yes, people can jog at 25% of their ability for a long time, even hours, but there are very few who can sprint at 100% for more than a minute or 2. Our goal, and the goal of owners, should not be to make your dog run until it injures itself from complete exhaustion. Telling us that you bet we can’t wear out your dog is not an offer we will take you up on. You would lose that bet and maybe even the life and health of your dog. Your dog can’t tell us if their lungs are burning from the thin Colorado air, or if they feel so exhausted they feel nauseous and are in pain. Their mental drive to chase will keep them running until they injure themselves. At Run Dog Run, our goal is to offer dogs a fun, and instinctual, option to get quality exercise.
A. The answer is yes, but we prefer the dog to have run our course a few times previously so we can learn about the physical condition of your dog, as well as allow you to monitor the dog’s recovery time over the next 48 hours. Just like humans who aren’t use to doing a physically strenuous activity, dogs can also become stiff and sore the next few days as their muscles recover. You may think it’s great that your dog is being calm and sleeping a lot, but it might be your dog’s way of telling you it is sore. There is no need to overdo it with your dog. You are only increasing the risk of injury to your dog. We try to be open multiple times per week, so consider returning you’re your dog another day when it’s fresh. Your goal should be to give it fun exercise, not risk injuring it. Eventually, your dog will be use to this activity and then you can allow it to run multiple times in a day. Please allow at least 15 minutes of rest between runs, and please walk your dog during this rest to help it cool down and not have its muscles stiffen. *We also don’t recommend multiple runs on hot days. Dogs don’t sweat to cool down, so they take longer to recover after a run when the temperature is higher.
A. No, you can use punches on your card for any dog. They can be your own dogs, or someone else’s. People often bring friends, or family from out of town, and pay for their dogs to run.
A. Basically, the answer is yes, but it could also be no. We prefer each dog to run individually the first time. We want to make sure each dog has learned to chase the lure as opposed to going into dog park play mode with the other dog. If we determine each of your dogs run at about the same speed and have similar stamina, we can allow multiple dogs to chase at the same time.
A. If a dog is running, it’s a run for that dog. If 2 dogs are running, it’s considered 2 runs need to be paid for. 3 dogs at the same time means 3 total runs. Each dog is getting exercise, so that’s why you need to pay for each dog. You can use one punch card to pay for any number of dogs you have running.
A. No. Not unless your dog knows this other dog and they get along. You have to request this. Otherwise your dog is kept separate from other dogs as much as possible. We have a gate system where you wait in line in a small gated holding area before entering the course, you are the only one on the course, and you leave the course through another exit gate.
A. We try a lot of options to get your dog to chase, but sometimes a dog just won’t chase the lure. If this happens with your dog, we don’t charge you for the attempt. (at non fundraising events). Basically, you have nothing to lose, to let your dog try, except for your time. Many times a first timer will initially go after the lure, but then turn around and come back to its owner. This is a common response for dogs that are used to being recalled for running away when off leash. Their instinct tells them to chase, but their past experiences, or indirect training, tell them to stop. Most dogs will stop chasing that day no matter how many times the see the lure, but we have found that most of these dogs will actually chase the lure farther and longer each time you come back on new days. Some dogs only know they are supposed to run and play when off leash in a large field. Others think they suppose to go to the bathroom. Some want to explore and sniff and mark where other dogs have been. They think they are at a dog park. Sometimes our new dogs have to be trained that it’s ok to run at our location, and by repeating the process a couple of times, they learn that their owners are ok with their chasing the lure, and this is what is expected of them when they see the lure moving around the field. Consider most dogs don’t fetch repeatedly and perfectly the first day they try it, but they do get better as they learn over time. Trainers often recommend not overdoing training the first day and let them try again another day after they have had time to mentally refresh. It can be the same with dogs new to chasing the lure. Sometimes it takes coming back a couple of times before they figure out what they are supposed to do.
A. Not necessarily. Your dog already has a prey drive because it’s a predator by nature. Does your dog chase animals more because you play fetch with it? Some dogs actually chase the lure because it’s like playing with a toy. Dogs notice objects that move, and because the lure is moving, they tend to want to go after it. They don’t care what it is. What they are allowed to chase, and when, is up to you as their owner and the rules you establish for them. Hunting dogs are often trained to stay with the hunter until they are released. Consider teaching your dog that chasing the lure is a reward and not a goal.
A. No, the lure is unscented. Dogs are attracted to motion, and this is what causes them to chase. A dog can learn the scent of whatever they are chasing and actually pick up on the scent of the lure if they want, but really, this game is geared to utilize their sight.
A. Yes, dogs should be 1 year old so they are close to fully grown. Puppies have loose joints and as they mature, they strengthen and tighten up. A puppy is actually at risk of injury to those joints if they run too long or put too much pressure on those joints. You puppy is welcome to visit us, but we will only allow it an introductory run. This means a very short distance and mostly straight lines. The puppy can learn what the lure is, and to see if it has any interest in chasing it. When the dog is fully grown, they will remember the game of chasing the lure, and be physically and mentally ready to lure chase. We don’t charge for a puppy to play with the lure.
A. No, shot records are not required.
A. Yes, we accept Visa, Master Card, and Discover. We also accept cash and checks.
A. No. The only time you can’t use them is if we are working with a private group as a form of a fundraiser for them. For these events, we ask that you purchase runs at the run prices they are offering.
A. Most greyhounds and whippets love lure chasing, but there are some things to be aware of with them. Greyhounds and whippets are obviously very fast, but they also aren’t the most agile dogs at such high speeds. It’s not easy for them to be running 40 mph and then having to suddenly slow down and turn. They put a tremendous amount of force onto their front feet and paw pads. This can easily cause their pads to tear from this pressure. This especially means the top pad on the back of the leg that’s a couple of inches off the ground. We don't recommend greyhounds and whippets running during the Summer months of July, August, and September, as the sun and lack of moisture in the ground cause the ground to become extremely hard. The likelyhood for fast dogs like greyhounds and whippets to injure their front paw pads is almost 100%.
Greyhounds and whippets have a unique running style that uses more than just their toes. We recommend having their legs wrapped from the foot to over the top pad with something flexible and able to resist the abrasion they will get from contact with the ground. Vet wrap is a good option. It’s flexible and sticks to itself to stay on. We also recommend waiting for a day or 2 after a rain or snow so the field is a little softer on their pads.
Greyhounds and whippets also use up a lot of energy in a short amount of time. They are like a dragster in the dog world. We will also keep the run time shorter for this reason, in addition to limiting the stress on their feet. Most greyhound and whippet owners actually mention their dogs pant harder than they are use to seeing, even with a short burst style of run. They aren’t bred for stamina like a Husky. Typically a half mile or less of distance is perfect for these fast sighthound breeds
A. Brachycephalic dogs or short nose dogs such as Pugs, English bulldogs, Boston Terriers, and French Bulldogs are definitely at risk for heat exhaustion because they can’t cool down as efficiently as other breeds can. We will try to make sure you are aware of this before your dog runs. We will let them run, but we won’t let them run as long as other dogs. The best time to bring them for lure chasing is when the weather is cooler, like fall, winter, and spring.
A. No, our lure chasing is just for fun and as a way for dogs to get exercise doing something they instinctually enjoy.
A. Yes. We offer group sessions for groups of 10 or more dogs. Our course is available for a minimum of 2 hours. The fee is $200 and dogs are allowed unlimited runs during this period. For additional hours, the fee is $50/hour. 4 hours is the maximum session length. Sessions are available on mornings of days we aren’t already scheduled for public lure chasing.