September and October mark the big return of canicross. The mornings are getting cooler, the trails are clearing, and the duos that eased off during the intense heat are eager to get going again. Yet, this is precisely when veterinarians see a spike in avoidable minor issues: damaged paw pads, lameness, muscle soreness, and sometimes actual heatstroke. The reason is simple: after several weeks of rest, the dog no longer has the same physical condition, but they still have the same desire to pull. Here is how to organize your return.
Heatstroke can also occur in autumn
A persistent misconception is that heatstroke is an issue of closed cars in the middle of August. Data suggests otherwise. A study conducted in the United Kingdom on the records of hundreds of veterinary clinics (Hall et al., 2020, VetCompass program) showed that exercise is the primary trigger for heatstroke in dogs: it accounts for nearly three-quarters of cases with a known cause, far ahead of confinement in a vehicle. These exertion-related heatstrokes affect about ten times more dogs than those related to cars.
Another takeaway: these cases occur all year round, including outside of summer. Young dogs (under 2 years old), males, and those over 10 kg are overrepresented, as are certain breeds (bulldogs, chow-chows, greyhounds, springer spaniels). An October morning at 18 °C with high humidity can be enough to put a dog that runs too fast, for too long, in difficulty.
For canicross dogs, a British study (Carter and Hall, 2018) measured body temperature at the finish line of races. Well-trained dogs accustomed to exertion can reach high temperatures without damage. But this tolerance depends precisely on training. After a summer break, your dog has lost part of this adaptation.
Before the first outing: the 5-point check-up
Take ten minutes to check these points before starting again.
- Weight. Holidays often lead to gaining a few hundred grams or more. You should be able to feel the ribs under your fingers without pressing. An overweight dog heats up faster and puts more strain on its joints.
- Paw pads. The hard, hot ground of summer may have cracked or thinned them. Run your finger over them and spread the toes to check for a grass seed or a wound between the toes.
- Harness. Thicker coat, different weight: the pre-summer adjustment may no longer be right. You should be able to fit two fingers under the straps, and the harness should not restrict shoulder movement. If your dog has changed size, re-evaluate: an appropriate canicross harness distributes traction without compressing the trachea. For stocky dogs and mastiffs, the Chien Carré harness is adjustable at the back.
- Pest protection. Autumn is one of the two major seasons for the Dermacentor reticulatus tick, which transmits piroplasmosis. Canicrossing along the edge of the woods exposes your dog directly to it.
- Veterinary check-up. For a dog over 7 years old, a dog that had a health issue during the summer, or a beginner dog, an exam before starting again is a good idea.
The 6-week return plan
The classic mistake is to resume where you left off in June. The cardiovascular system re-adapts fairly quickly, but tendons, ligaments, and paw pads need several weeks. Here is a typical progression for a healthy adult dog that was practicing regularly before the summer.
| Week | Sessions | Content |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 15 to 20 min of fast walking and light trotting in a harness, on soft ground |
| 2 | 2 to 3 | 20 min, alternating 2 min of running and 2 min of walking |
| 3 | 3 | 25 min, including 15 min of continuous running at an easy pace |
| 4 | 3 | 30 min of easy running, one session with some hills while walking |
| 5 | 3 | 30 to 35 min, introduction of 4 to 6 short accelerations |
| 6 | 3 | Back to pre-summer volume if everything is going well |
If your dog limps, is reluctant to go, or remains tired the next day, go back to the previous week. Always keep at least one rest day between sessions.
For the runner, comfort also counts: a well-adjusted running belt/harness transfers traction to the hips rather than the lower back, and a dedicated canicross towline leaves your hands free to manage departures, which are often livelier after a break.
The temperature rule
When resuming, adopt a simple rule: if you are hot while walking, it is too hot to run with your dog. A dog dissipates heat primarily by panting, that is, through evaporation. When the air is humid, this mechanism becomes less effective, and the temperature felt by your dog is much higher than what the thermometer indicates.
In practice:
- run early in the morning in September, and favor shaded undergrowth;
- choose routes with a water point where your dog can wet its belly;
- take a break as soon as the tongue widens into a shovel shape and panting becomes noisy.
Running with your dog at night: good or bad idea?
With the switch to winter time at the end of October, many sessions move into the dusk, either early in the morning or after work. Running at night with your dog is not a bad idea in itself, provided you understand how it sees and are well-equipped.
What your dog sees. Dogs see better than we do in the dark. Their retina is rich in rods, cells sensitive to low light, and is backed by a reflective layer, the tapetum lucidum, which reflects light back to the retina: this is what makes their eyes shine in the beam of a lamp. They also detect movement very well. On the other hand, their perception of detail is significantly less precise than ours, even in broad daylight. At night, they spot a deer moving at the edge of the woods long before you do, but they struggle to distinguish a root, a hole, or a step. They largely compensate with their sense of smell and hearing, which actually makes them more reactive to the noises and smells of wildlife, which is very active at dusk.
The real risk is being seen. The main danger is not what your dog sees, but what others see of the two of you: a cyclist, a driver at an intersection, or a hunter at the edge of the woods in autumn. A duo connected by a towline is also an almost invisible line several meters long across the path.
How to be equipped:
- For the dog, a safety vest over the pulling harness. The fluorescent orange safety vest and the fluorescent yellow vest slip over a harness without interfering with traction or movement. The orange model combines a fluorescent color for the day and reflective strips for the night.
- For the dog, an LED light. A high-visibility LED light clips onto the harness or collar, in steady or flashing mode. It also allows you to keep an eye on your dog when it is a few meters in front of you.
- For you, a headlamp. It illuminates the ground in front of your feet, and you choose the path: point it slightly downward to clearly see obstacles without dazzling your dog or the people you meet.
Finally, prefer routes you know by heart at night, reduce your pace, and keep interval training and fast descents for the daytime. Find all our equipment in our visibility selection.
Recognizing heatstroke, and reacting
Warning signs include intense panting that does not decrease at rest, dark red tongue and gums, a staggering gait, vomiting or diarrhea, followed by lethargy. At this stage, every minute counts.
- Stop the effort immediately and move your dog to the shade.
- Wet them thoroughly with cool (not ice-cold) water, focusing on the belly, the inside of the thighs, and the neck, and create a draft.
- Offer water to drink, without forcing, in a spill-proof bowl that won't empty if they drink eagerly.
- Go to the vet as soon as possible, even if they seem to be doing better: complications, particularly renal and coagulation issues, can appear in the following hours.
According to the study by Hall et al., about one in thirteen dogs that suffer from exertion-related heatstroke do not survive. Prevention remains your best weapon.
Diet and recovery
Do not let your dog run on a full stomach. For large, deep-chested dogs, exertion right after a meal increases the risk of gastric dilatation-volvulus (bloat), a life-threatening emergency. Leave at least two hours between the meal and the session, and wait an hour after the effort to feed them.
After the session, let them recover in peace, with water available. A spill-proof bowl is practical in the trunk or upon returning: the water barely spills during trips. A dog that sleeps more the first few days is normal. A dog that is limping or refuses to get up is not.
Below 10 °C: don't stop abruptly
When temperatures drop below 10 °C, the end of the session requires as much attention as the beginning. During exertion, you and your dog produce a lot of heat. As soon as you stop, this production drops in minutes, while you are still wet: you from sweat, your dog from rain, mud, or damp grass. Water dissipates heat much faster than dry air, and cooling is rapid, especially if it is windy.
The consequences: shivering, a feeling of intense cold, stiffening muscles, and poorer recovery. In humans, an abrupt stop after intense effort can also cause temporary dizziness while blood circulation adjusts. In dogs, a soaked coat loses much of its insulating power; shorthaired dogs, small breeds, and seniors are most at risk.
The right reflexes:
- End each session with 5 to 10 minutes of walking instead of stopping suddenly: breathing and heart rate will return to normal gently.
- Cover up as soon as you stop: a dry jacket, a beanie, and if possible, a spare t-shirt in the car.
- Cover your dog as well, but once their panting has calmed down, not while they are still shedding heat. Dry them with a dog bathrobe, then, if the return trip is long or if they are prone to chills, put on a warm and waterproof coat.
- Do not let them wait, wet, in a cold trunk or in the wind while you stretch.
Special cases
- The young dog. Wait for them to finish growing before intensive canicross, which is about 12 months for small breeds and up to 18 months for large ones. Ask your vet for advice.
- The senior dog. They can continue to run if they want to, provided you extend the progression and monitor their joints.
- The dog that has gained weight. Start with active walking until they return to their ideal weight.
Setting a goal
Nothing like a goal to keep motivated all winter. The CANI NINJA race, an obstacle course to do with your dog, takes place at the end of May in Échourgnac, Dordogne. A gradual return in the autumn, regular training during the winter, and you will both be ready. Find all the equipment in our canicross collection.
This article is for informational purposes and does not replace the advice of your veterinarian.
Sources: Hall E.J., Carter A.J., O'Neill D.G. (2020), Dogs Don't Die Just in Hot Cars — Exertional Heat-Related Illness (Heatstroke) Is a Greater Threat to UK Dogs, Animals; Carter A.J., Hall E.J. (2018), Investigating factors affecting the body temperature of dogs competing in cross country (canicross) races in the UK, Journal of Thermal Biology; Miller P.E., Murphy C.J. (1995), Vision in dogs, Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association; ESCCAP France, dog ticks.