Calgary-based Evan Birch is not your everyday Canicrosser…and nor is his seven-year-old Vizsla, Nova.Both are ultra runners and have tackled some exceptionally long distances together, including more recently a whopping 75 miles as part of the Orcas Island 100 in the US. How is this even possible I hear you ask? And, more importantly, how do you ensure the dog’s health and well-being is not put at risk? Well, we’re about to find out from Evan who joins us on this podcast to talk about all of thi...
Apr 11, 2025•51 min
In this episode, we chat with Emma Duckworth, a former British Army soldier who opens up about her journey with PTSD, life after military service, and how a rescue dog named Miyah — her “soul dog” — helped her heal through the sport of Canicross. Emma shares: 👉 Her time in the military and the impact of PTSD 👉 How she rescued Miyah and their instant bond 👉 Discovering Canicross and its mental health benefits 👉 Training for the Manchester Marathon (yes, with Miyah!) 👉 The power of community ...
Mar 29, 2025•35 min
We are often asked on social media if any dog can Canicross, especially those with anxiety or behavioural issues. Happily, the short answer is yes…but it isn’t simply a case of buying the kit and heading off onto the trails. It’s useful to know your ‘Canicross code’ which includes using the equipment correctly and also incorporating commands whilst you are running so you can be in more control. For some people, having the guidance of a dog trainer, can also be a great benefit. We are joined by C...
Oct 19, 2024•40 min•Season 1Ep. 45
For many of us with children, September marks ‘Back to School’ but it also serves as a good time to re-set our fitness goals for the remainder of the year. And for those of you who are considering trying Canicross or even looking to improve on your existing skills, speed and endurance, this is the prefect time to seek out some classes; as the weather is also cooler and much more comfortable for our four-legged friends. So we wanted to dedicate this entire episode to giving you an insight into wh...
Sep 14, 2024•39 min•Season 1Ep. 45
In this episode, we are joined by elite Canicrosser and NonStop dogwear sales representative Georgie Lambert. She competes at Canicross Internationally and shares her insights on how to get the best out of your Canicross sessions. If you would also like to watch this episode, please head to YouTube: https://youtu.be/q2aS2JdPBiw About DogFit https://dogfit.co.uk/ We are passionate about encouraging and supporting people and their dogs to get fitter together in a fun, safe and social way. We welco...
Jun 30, 2024•36 min•Season 1Ep. 43
We are pleased to welcome Cat Batson to our latest podcast. Cat is an experienced Personal Trainer and DogFit Trainer, and we asked her to join us to discuss Strength and Conditioning (often referred to as S&C) and why all Canicrossers should consider including it in their weekly exercise programme. We’re going to delve into the 'what, why and how' of strength and conditioning and hopefully reassure you that it doesn’t need to take up too much of your time and is something every one of us ca...
Apr 27, 2024•30 min
We are delighted to have Daisy Hickman on this episode, she is one of our Ambassadors and a regular Canicrosser. 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 enou...
Mar 31, 2024•35 min•Season 1Ep. 41
If you are a regular follower of DogFit you’ll know that at the heart of everything we do and stand for is a passion to spread the positive word of Canicross and its inclusivity for all - and when we say ‘all’ that’s people and dogs of course. So when four-time Paralympian Jess Tuomela contacted us about her desire to join the team as a DogFit Trainer, we were beyond excited. And even more so when she agreed to speak with us on our podcast today. Jess lost her sight at 3 years old, but this didn...
Mar 07, 2024•40 min•Season 1Ep. 40
Do you have an anxious, reactive or nervous dog and think Canicross is the last thing you would be able to do with them, especially with a group of people and their dogs? Well, you will be pleasantly surprised to learn that Canicross can be a positive experience for your dog, and we have countless examples over the years of people who have seen their dogs transform into confident and focused dogs who simply want to run and enjoy being part of a pack. Ginetta and I receive enquiries pretty much e...
Feb 23, 2024•47 min•Season 1Ep. 39
On the 29 September 2023 our friend and fellow Canicrosser, Sue-Lee faced every dog owner’s worst nightmare. While she was away on holiday, her Labrador Darwin was being cared for by a friend. However he managed to unexpectedly barge out of the front door and bolt up the road. It was nightime, 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 she flew straight back from holiday to find her dog. ...
Dec 30, 2023•1 hr 5 min•Season 2Ep. 39
We’re joined by DogFit Trainer Manda Crofts. Manda runs Canicross sessions with her dog Arlo. She is also a personal trainer and perimenopause specialist coach and has been empowering women to feel fitter, stronger, healthier and energised for over 8 years. Manda helps women ditch yo-yo dieting and thrive through menopause with her personalised online coaching and today she’s going to share some of this knowledge and also explain why exercise is so important. Below are links to the websites ment...
Dec 10, 2023•42 min•Season 2Ep. 37
Hannah Robinson is a huge dog lover with a big heart. So much so, she has adopted two Tripawd Vizsla girls, Nula and Maple, from the wonderful charity Vizslamentes. In fact, Hannah drove all the way to Hungary in 2022 to meet Maple and bring her back to her new forever home in the UK. For anyone who hasn’t come across the word Tripawd, this is an affectionate term for dogs with three legs. That doesn’t stop them from Canicrossing though as you are about to find out! Hannah shares her very specia...
Oct 21, 2023•38 min•Season 1Ep. 36
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. So we thought we’d take advantage of Sarah’s rest ...
Sep 22, 2023•36 min•Season 1Ep. 35
Have you ever contemplated the exhilarating adventure of Canicrossing a marathon or even an ultra marathon with your dog? You might already be enjoying those longer distances together and the thought has crossed your mind. But what does it take to push the boundaries even further? Perhaps you're already an experienced marathoner or an avid ultrarunner, but have you ever wondered about the unique challenge and the rewards of running those distance with your dog? In this episode we are delighted t...
Jul 22, 2023•40 min•Season 1Ep. 34
One of the best things about Canicross is that it’s inclusive and accessible to everyone; whether you are cani-treking a couple of miles, social running with friends or competing in races. Whilst many of us are content with just putting on our trail shoes and heading outside for quality time with our dog, there is a whole other world of Canicrossers who love nothing more than competiting at the top end of the sport, which can even mean representing their country internationally.So what is it lik...
Apr 28, 2023•43 min•Season 1Ep. 33
The exciting event of Crufts attracts dog lovers and enthusiasts from around the world. Thousands of dogs are primed and prepped and are 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? Our guest on this episode is Canicrosser Lucie Allan, who has two beautiful Finnish Lapphunds, quite possibly one of the fluffiest breeds around. We are keen...
Mar 08, 2023•40 min•Season 1Ep. 32
One of the things we love most about Canicross, and something we actively promote, is that it’s an inclusive sport. Anyone and any dog can potentially take part, whether it’s Canicrossing or Canitrekking (which is hands-free walking or power walking). Over the many years, we have been involved in Canicross, we've seen more and more men taking part which is fantastic but what is it in particular that draws them to the sport? Well today we are joined by two very experienced Canicrossers, Brian Sla...
Feb 26, 2023•40 min•Season 1Ep. 32
When we start increasing the amount of exercise we do, it’s important to give consideration to what and how much we eat to ensure we sustain our energy levels and also recover well. We covered nutrition for your dog in Episode 22 of our series (which we highly recommend you listen to if you haven’t yet) but what about the human’s needs? How can you ensure you are eating the right food and amounts to get the most out of your Canicross sessions? We are pleased to welcome Ali Migliorini to today’s ...
Feb 10, 2023•36 min•Season 1Ep. 31
Running with your dog is one of the best pastimes in our humble opinion, and even better when you do it with like-minded people. But what about when you want to take it to the next level? And by that we mean racing with your dog. Perhaps you have already booked up some Canicross races for the year ahead or you are deliberating about whether to take the plunge for the first time? Well, in this episode we are talking all about Canicross events. We are so pleased to be joined by Run Series’ Race Di...
Dec 31, 2022•32 min•Season 1Ep. 30
Canicross is for everyone and everydog, however sometimes taking those first steps in the sport is the hardest part. There could be lots of reasons stopping you and having the confidence to try can open the doors to a wonderful sport and fun with your dog. In this episode we are joined by Inein Victor Garrick, who is also one of our DogFit Ambassadors. On social media he is known as @vikto_garik_runs, and together with his dog Zuko aka Firelord, they regularly Canicross and race together. We’re ...
Dec 02, 2022•42 min•Season 1Ep. 29
Are you new to Canicross or watching on the sidelines thinking about taking the plunge? If you fall into either of these categories this podcast is 100% for you. Today we are joined by DogFit Trainer Sian Swift, who has been on the team for 4 years now coaching her popular Canicross classes in the Leeds area. We wanted to invite Sian along because she has tonnes of experience helping people who are both new to Canicross and to running so she not only has the knowledge and experience to teach peo...
Nov 04, 2022•32 min•Season 1Ep. 28
We were very excited to have one of our DogFit Ambassadors on our podcast this week. Melissa, aka Chewy Barker Woof on Instagram, has a big following on social, particularly amongst Beagle owners as her own dog Chewy is a bit of a pin-up Beagle, who happens to love running with his Mum. Canicross has been a revelation and transformation for them both and in this episode, we hear about their exciting adventures and plans for the future. Follow ChewyBarkerWoof and Melissa on Instagram. Follow DogF...
Jun 02, 2022•20 min•Season 1Ep. 27
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 - heatstroke education for dog owners. You can find out more on their website,: www.heatstroke...
Apr 29, 2022•34 min•Season 1Ep. 25
One of the common questions we get asked is, 'Can any dog breed Canicross and are there some that are better than others’. Our answer is always yes, however we do find that there is one particular dog group that we know takes to the sport really well. The gundog group make popular family pets and are known as reliable and loving companions. However they are very active and can get easily bored if they are under-excercised and not using their heads. From Spaniels to Pointers, Viszlas to Labradors...
Apr 09, 2022•41 min•Season 1Ep. 24
Back in October 2020, Ginetta and I launched our first ever Podcast series. We kicked off with our episode 'Questions, Fun & Fears’ that involved a really fun and interesting conversation with Carolyne and Kelly, two complete newbies to Canicross. We chatted about those first steps to getting started and then gaining confidence on the trails. Carolyne had just completed the DogFit Couch to 5k programme with her Vizsla Ted and she shared her experiences with us and told us how, as a non-runne...
Feb 25, 2022•29 min•Season 1Ep. 23
A top priority is for any dog owner is the health and wellbeing of your dog and when we introduce them to a new sport that ups their activity levels it is important to monitor their weight and nutrition. The same goes for dogs that have been Canicrossing for a while, or perhaps you have decided to focus on a goal, which might involve working towards longer distances. We are joined by Rebekah Thompson, who is a Senior Customer Services advisor at Skinners. Rebekah gives us expert advice and tips ...
Feb 12, 2022•22 min•Season 1Ep. 22
One of the most common questions we get asked by our customers, is 'how old should my dog be before they can Canicross?’ We always advocate waiting until your dog is fully grown before they do anything too rigorous as their growth plates are still forming but we thought we’d get an expert in to explain in more detail why this is so important. Grace Bird, who is our guest today, is a radiographer and DogFit Trainer, so she not only has the knowledge but she can relate it to this sport we all love...
Jan 29, 2022•36 min•Season 1Ep. 21
We’ve all been there…as we close one year and another fast approaches we start to think about what we want to strive for in the new year. For many of us we tend to reflect on our health and fitness goals. But how do we find the motivation to get started and, most importantly, how do we stick to a plan beyond the first month? Well, fear not, help is on hand. We are joined by DogFit Trainer and Personal Trainer Cat Batson who has plenty of advice to help you set your fitness goals in 2022 and stic...
Dec 31, 2021•26 min•Season 1Ep. 22
It's nearly Christmas and at this time of year many of us enjoy the festivities and the treats it brings. We all want our dogs to join in too, but what is safe to treat them with? In this episode we chat with Zoe Russell, Nutrition Officer at Skinner's about foods that your dog can and can't eat. Zoe's answers some of those FAQs about which delicacies you can spoil them with. For information about Skinner’s range of foods and nutritional products for active dogs, please visit their website at / ...
Dec 12, 2021•14 min•Season 1Ep. 19
One of the great things about Canicrosss or Canitrekking is that you can run absolutely anywhere with your dog. Through trails, farmland and finding new places together and enjoying the countryside - you are also safe in the knowledge that you are attached to your dog, so you won’t loose each other. It’s one of the great joys of the sport and seeing areas that you would have missed if you had just been driving by. There is nothing quite like just discovering a new route, but how do you go about ...
Nov 26, 2021•30 min•Season 1Ep. 18
