Kate Mellor didn't have a dog when she decided she would love to try canicross; she saw it on a TV programme and decided it looked so much fun, so set the wheels in motion to adopt her collie lab cross Flash.

Collecting Flash just 2 hours before national lockdown came into effect in 2020 meant that Flash's puppy training and socialisation looked quite different to most puppies, but knowing that the duo were aiming to do canicross once he was fully grown, Kate had the time and the patience to carefully train him in all the canicross commands.

Now, two years later, the team love to race together, and can't imagine life without canicross.

What kit do the team use?

• Non Stop Freemotion Harness

You can follow Kate and Flash on Instagram

Image by James Kirby

In this episode of Canicross Stories, Louise and Michelle chat to Nat, who runs every day with her dog Esme, Nat and Esme have developed a strong bond while canicrossing, and have completed ultra distances together.

parkrun have decided that, effective from (and including) Saturday 2 April, they will no longer permit parkrunners to use waist harnesses when participating with their dog. Dogs will be still be allowed to participate with their owners, but the rules from 2nd April state: “One dog on a short, handheld, non-extendable lead by the side of the participant, and within reach at all times. Care must also be taken to avoid tripping other parkrunners.”

Louise and Michelle chat about the new rule and its implications for canicross and the safety of dogs and their owners. 

Here's a link to the parkrun blog we refer to

We would love to hear your thoughts too, so please do get in touch.

This season, we talk to canicrossers across the world to hear their stories of what inspired them to take up canicross.

In this episode we chat to Mel Grier, who is based in Scotland with her dog Breagha. Mel is a member of West Lothian canicross and is a keen canicross racer. 

In this episode, we chat to sports dietician Alexandra Cooke about how we should fuel our bodies to perform at our best. Alex really simplifies nutrition and hydration for us, and busts some myths too!

You can follow Alex on her Instagram @thesportsdietician  and find out more on her website thesportsdietitian.co.uk

In this episode, Louise and Michelle chat to dog trainer and behaviourist Zoe Willingham about why some dogs develop a dislike or fear of harnesses, and how we can help dogs overcome this aversion. We also chat about muzzles, and why they might be helpful. 

You can follow Zoe on Facebook and find out more Best Behaviour Dog Training here: https://www.bestbehaviourdogtraining.co.uk/

Something slightly different for today's episode: Louise interviews Michelle about how best to get started if you're brand new to running. Michelle gives her top tips for building a running routine, how to know you're running at the right pace, warm ups, cool downs, stretching and following a training plan.

You can find out more about Michelle's online coaching here: www.mileswithmichelle.co.uk

Photo credit: Proviz Sports

This week, Louise chats to Sarah Gillam who is a DogFit canicross trainer living in Germany with her 3 dogs. Sarah's background is in sports technology, and she works for a trail running footwear brand so gives us lots of tips about trail running in general, as well as footwear. Sarah is also a qualified personal trainer and nutrition coach.

Follow Sarah on Instagram @run.and.smile and find her website here: www.trainandsmile.org

Join us for a canicross run in the West Pennine Moors today, as Michelle and Louise (and Poppy and Pickle) meet for the first time in real life. We have a chat about running, fitness, kit and what the new year might bring.

Louise currently has a Pilates for Runners course on sale focusing on:

• Posture

The course goes through both standing and mat Pilates exercises focusing on the muscles as a runner you need to strengthen as a runner.

The course consists of 12, 10-minute videos.  You have access for life and can take as long as you want to go through the course all for £27. Find out more here: https://studio44pilates.com/pilates-for-runners/

We chat to veterinary physiotherapist Dominique Armitage-Riley about how to tell if your dog has a muscle imbalance, how common injuries are treated, and how dog owners can help prevent injuries in their active dogs. Dominique gives us plenty of tips on warming up and cooling down your dog before and after exercise. 

You can find Dominique on her Facebook page or via her website, Yorkshire Animal Therapy