Podcast Blog: Episode 41 In this episode we feature Daisy Hickman, one of our DogFit Ambassadors, who shares her story and Canicross journey. For ten years, Daisy dedicated herself to long-distance trails and club running events, however six years ago, began experiencing debilitating panic attacks during her runs.  After numerous medical tests she was eventually diagnosed with exercise induced panic attacks and the pleasure of running seemed completely lost. However enter Pepper, who came as a puppy and when she was old enough became gave Daisy the confidence to consider running again.&n ..read more

Podcast Blog: Episode 40 Canicrosser and Paralympian, Jess Tuomela lost her sight at the age of three, but never let that stop her. At sixteen, she was selected to represent Canada in swimming in the Sydney 2000 Paralympic Games. She then went on to compete in more Paralympics before taking up Canicrossing with her guide dog, Brandy and becoming a DogFit Trainer. Here, Jess talks to the DogFit team about her experiences and why Canicrossing is a great activity for everyone. Tell us about your experiences at the Paralympic Games. We’d love to hear how the journey began for you? I was a compet ..read more

Are you a keen trail runner looking to try Canicross with your dog? If the answer is yes, it’s very important not to assume your dog can simply run the same distances you are used to (even if they already do off-lead) and transfer over to a pulling into a harness without any impact. Even if your dog is particularly fit, Canicross is a different physical stress and challenge, and it’s therefore important that they are introduced to it gradually. At DogFit, we often run taster sessions for people and dogs who fit the description above because it’s important to get the right advice about th ..read more

A few years ago we featured one of our Canicross friends, Sue-Lee, in our “My Story” blog. It showcased her Canicross adventures with her beautiful labrador Darwin. You can find that post here. Fast forward to 29 September 2023, and Sue faced every dog owner’s worst nightmare. While she was away on holiday, Darwin (who was being cared for by a friend) managed to unexpectedly barge out of the front door and bolt up the road. It was nighttime, and reports then came that a large black dog had been hit by a car and then had run off out of sight into the woods. Sue was contacted immediately, and ..read more

Podcast Blog: Episode 36 Hannah Robinson is a huge dog lover with a big heart. She has recently adopted two tripawd dogs – two female vizslas called Nula and Maple – from the charity Vizslamentés. In fact, Hannah drove all the way to Hungary last year to meet Maple, more of which you can hear about below.   For anyone who hasn’t heard the term tripawd, it refers to a dog that only has three legs. This doesn’t stop them from taking part in Canicross, which is why we are talking to Hannah today. Welcome, Hannah. Tell us a bit about yourself and the dogs you have at home. Alba, Nula and Ma ..read more

Podcast Blog: Episode 35 Sarah Gillam is the reigning British Canicross Champion and is also a Personal Trainer and DogFit Canicross Trainer. She has just come back from competing in the legendary Trophée des Montagnes (TDM) in the French Alps with her dynamic duo Poppy and Sonic. Widely regarded as the toughest Canicross event in the world, the TDM consists of 8 challenging stages over 7 days, with people travelling from all over the world (mostly Europe) to take part. She is currently in her rest and recovery phase and we are delighted to be able to chat with her about her experiences. Cong ..read more

As Canicrossers, the health and wellbeing of our dogs is our main priority. We love getting out there and running whenever we can, whatever the weather. However, when the weather warms up, how hot is too hot? This is a question we are often asked, especially by people who are new to the sport. Our guests in this interview are canine researcher, Anne Carter, and small animal vet, Emily Hall from Hotdogs. They have a website where they share their research into canine heatstroke and other heat-related disorders. Welcome to you both. First of all, to give everyone a bit of background, could you ..read more

The exciting event of Crufts takes place in March in the UK, attracting dog lovers and enthusiasts from around the world. Thousands of dogs have been primed and prepped and will be put through their paces for the showing world.  It’s far cry from Canicross you might think! Showdogs and Canicross Dog Athletes are two complete ends of the spectrum – but can you combine the two pastimes? In this edition of My Story we hear from  experienced Canicrosser Lucie Allan, who has two beautiful Finnish Lapphunds, quite possibly one of the fluffiest breeds around. We are keen to find out about ..read more

In our recent podcast on Talk Canicross, we chatted with Food Mentor, Ali Migliorini about her top nutrition tips to fuel your long Canicross runs. If you would like to listen to that episode you can find it here: Talk Canicross Ali gives her top tips for keeping energised on a long run and you can also find her excellent recipe for Banana and Oatmeal energy bars at the bottom of this post. Ali Migliorini-Stubbs, Food Mentor @CookSimplyCook: Canicrossing energy requirements can partly be met by having a balanced diet but you also need a balanced lifestyle too. Aim to combine both dietary and ..read more

If you are planning your first Canicross event with your dog, you may not be sure how best to prepare for the race or what to expect on the day. We’ve written this helpful guide to ensure you and your dog have the best possible experience, whether you choose to race competitively or for fun.   1. Use the correct equipment It’s important that you and your dog use the proper Canicross kit. This consists of a Canicross harness for your dog, a running belt for you, and a bungee line that attaches the two of you to each other. The equipment is important for ensuring a safe, comfortable and po ..read more