New for 2018 Canicross Workshops in York!

Canicross means running cross country (on trails) with your dog in harness. Sounds straightforward enough, right?

You could just grab some shoes (and a harness & leash) and head out the door with your hound. But just like with regular running, starting without preparation or wearing badly fitting kit can quickly lead to injuries and spoil your fun. Worse still, it can turn your dog off the idea altogether.

We’re not just asking our dogs to run with us or near us, we’re asking them to learn a whole new set of skills and behaviours. Doesn’t it make sense to train this stuff carefully just like you’re going to build up your fitness?

Morag has been canicrossing with her own dogs for over ten years now, and along the way she has qualified as a professional dog trainer, community running coach, remedial human & canine massage therapist and more. In March 2017 Morag successfully completed the Hardmoors 55 mile ultra with Freya-UltraCollie.

If they can do it, so can you!

NEW Workshops on Saturday January 27th 2018

Shipton By Beningbrough

Introduction to Canicross (10am - 1pm)

Don’t waste precious time buying harnesses on the internet, only to return them when they don’t fit your dog properly.
We offer a specialised introductory session where you and your dog will be fitted with the right kit and try it out on the trails with us. We’ll help you teach the basic commands to your dog or dogs, and get you running together as a team.
Book your kit fitting and introduction to canicross session here:
Book Intro to Canicross Workshop


Boosting your canicross teamwork (2pm - 5pm)
A 3 hour class to check your choice of harness and running belt, test out more options, boost your teamwork and techniques, plus learn how to work smarter not harder!
Refreshments provided.
Kit checking in a warm indoor hall. Training and running outside no matter the weather!
Book your workshop here:
Book Improvers Canicross Workshop



Tutors: Morag and Laura are keen canicrossers, and qualified community running coaches with Run England. They have the knowledge and practical skills to help you love canicrossing with your dog!

Safety note: Running in harness at human speed is quite different to the kinds of running that dogs do off leash, so please consider a thorough vet check before starting and follow a good couch to 5k type training plan even if you already run frequently.

Would your dog still love the vet?

Three trips to the vet in two days.

Having three types of liquid dripped, squirted and squeezed onto an inflamed and swollen eyeball. 

On every visit.

Holding open the sore eye, and moving the third eyelid around.

Poking things that should never be poked, and probably shouldn’t look like a peeled tomato!

You could understand if that dog didn’t really enjoy their weekend, and wasn’t thrilled by the idea of yet another check-up visit in a couple of days.

And yet, Bronte has continued to be delighted to see the receptionist, vet nurses and the night vet every single time. On Sunday morning she even fell asleep while we waited for our appointment.

I’m thrilled that Bronte loves visiting our vets, and her tolerant nature shines through even when she is clearly in a lot of pain.

But it’s not just good luck that she loves the vet.

Bronte has a remarkably gentle, sociable temperament despite a dodgy start to life. Temperament and genetics play a big part in how your dog approaches the world.

And she’s always had regular social trips to sit in the waiting room, snuggle the nurses and beg for biscuits from the receptionists.

Plus when any of my other dogs needs a vet trip (Farah has had regular acupuncture and other treatments) Bronte or Freya come along too just for the ride.

So most of the time when my girls go to the vet, it’s a fun experience and a chance to practice our mat settles and earn treats.

Dogs don’t have to be scared of the vets. It’s a lot easier for the vet to examine and treat your dog when they are relaxed and calm.

And even if your dog is a bit worried now, you can definitely change how they feel.

Get that social visit to your vets planned now, and don’t forget to ask for help if your dog or puppy doesn’t love the vet.

Wishing for a less eventful week,

Morag and the collie girls

PS We still don’t know what Bronte managed to do to her eye. She definitely traumatised her non-seeing eye somehow and while things are improving it’s not back to normal yet. 

PPS I've saved you from seeing the really icky pictures!