FAQs
Why dog running?
Dogs LOVE to run, it’s great for burning excess energy, and it does wonders for their mental and physical health. Dogs burn way more energy during a run than they would with a walk and the exercise is great for their mood! Running can help dogs with weight management, dogs who deal with separation anxiety, and it is a great alternative for those that can’t go to a doggy daycare. Letting us run your dog means less work for you and more fun for them!
How does it work?
The first appointment is a Trial Run that allows you and your pup a chance to get to know us and to make sure that running is a great fit for both of you. One of our runners will arrive at your home, leash in hand, ready to answer all of your questions. When you’re ready, we’ll take your pup out on a 1 mile assessment run to see how they do. After the run, we’ll let you know how they did and provide feedback about their exercise. After every run you get a report with a route map and mileage data, allowing you to track your dog’s progress over time.
HOW FAR DO YOU RUN?
We offer 30 and 45 minute services tailored to your pup, so mileage will depend on the weather conditions and how your pup is feeling. Typically we cover between 2 and 3 miles during a 30 minute run. We never push dogs past their abilities and we constantly monitor them to ensure that they are comfortable and enjoying the run.
When and where do you run?
We service all of Metro Atlanta (ITP), Buckhead, and Decatur, offering running services between 6:00 AM and 9:00 PM (subject to runner availability in your area). We plan a safe route that starts and ends at your home, and while we prefer to run in parks and other green spaces, we’re used to handling pups along busy streets, too. We will run in light rain if your pup enjoys it, but to keep them safe, runs may be cancelled or postponed for unsafe weather conditions like High Heat/Humidity or Thunderstorms.
What do you do to keep my dog safe?
We consider your pup’s health and safety in everything that we do and we believe that we have the best gear and training processes that will keep your dog safe, secure, and comfortable. Our leash system involves a harness that fits any dog securely and comfortably, which attaches to our runners via secure running belt that keeps them by our side at all times. Our runners are educated and trained to monitor your dog for signs of stress or exhaustion during the run, as well as avoiding environmental obstacles that may pose a risk to your dog’s safety. Ruff Runners has general liability insurance that covers your pup while they are in our care, and we have emergency procedures in place to prepare our runners for handling any situation.
Can my dog run?
We run with dogs of all shapes and sizes! We love ALL breeds and handle dogs with some strong personalities. Most dogs love to run, but there are some types that should avoid running long distances. Some dogs that may not be a good fit for our program are senior dogs, puppies younger than 8 months, and dogs recovering from injuries or medical procedures. There are some breeds of dogs, like pugs and bulldogs (brachycephalic breeds), who don’t do well with running due to their shortened breathing system. We will deny service to dogs that indicate behavior which may lead to endangering themselves, our runners, or others.
GET STARTED
HOW DO I GET STARTED?
It’s easy! Create a Ruff Runners account and request a Trial Run.
Still have questions?
Contact us using the form below, or send an email to info@ruffrunnersatl.com.