can i over exercise my dog?

as we have problems with buster being off lead around other dogs i have started taking him on runs on his lead with me. i'm in the armed forces so i consider my self averagely fit. so far i have only taken him out twice, once a week as i am only back at wkends. my oh walks him through the week. so far each run has been about 35 to 40 mins, i'd like to make them longer but after a fast start he slows down into a rather slow jog and i stick to his pace as i don't wanna be dragging him along or over exerting him. once he slowed down to these slow jog speeds i started heading back, and once in home he has gulp of water and slumps on floor panting. buster is nearly 6, do you think i'm expecting to much of him or shall i keep it up?

If this is a recent change in exercise, he probably just needs some time to get used to the new pace. Just kepp doing what you're doing, going at is pace, and you'll probably find that he can handle more as he gets used to it. If I all of a suden had to start running non stop for nearly an hour, I'd be on the floor halfway through! He just needs some time to adjust I think.

ok kl i thought that might be the case but i didn't want to percivere (excuse spelling) only to find out i was over doing it as i have a feeling he'd run till he collapsed all in a bid to keep me happy and that's the last thing i want to do.

Just keep an eye on him and go at his pace, you'll be able to see easily if he has had enough. He'll slowly be able to increase his pace and endurance.

ok, he seems to enjoy it while we're out so that's a good sign, i'll just carry on as i am running at his pace and look forward to seeing both his and my fitness improve.

Just build up gradually and he'll get there in no time

Ive seen you guys train...average isnt a word id use for fitness! Stick an "above" in front of that
Can only echo what others have said and he will catch up with your fitness levels. I know of a jrt that follows his owner to work on his bike which is about 3 miles away and he is the most ripped dog i have ever seen. For the moment hes just playing catch up, someday soon he'll be keeping up. Just keep in mind his personal limits until he does mate as he will run himself into the ground trying to please you.

I have started running with Ledger again tonight I am anything but fast but can maintain a steady pace so went for just under 5km maybe its because since I lost a shed load of weight and my pace has picked up abit but tonight he didn't try and stop to lift his leg as much as he used to as for being tired he would have spells of trotting along just behind me but then decide we needed some interval training and would turn round grab the lead (handsfree) and sprint off with me the result has been since we got home he has taken himself off to bed only venturing down momentarily once when the curry was delivered and again when I put my plate on the floor

You have to build up his fitness just as you had to do when you first started, why not do your run then do a run with him until he is fit enough to run with you? It will take longer for him to run with you properly because he only does it weekends.

Dogs usually enjoy running, my Staffie loves going out with my mobilty scooter because it goes a lot faster and further than I can walk but I did take several weeks to build him up.

Good advice!