Lots of runners here run with their dogs...and lots knowledable about training.

 

I have tried to train her to do simple obedience...and part of the problem is she is not food oriented. If she is on a leash or away from ho.e or around other people she will not take a treat. When I try to do anything but run with her on the leash she turns into a statue, her eyes dial ate and that is all she wrote. I am going to try to run with a shorter leash. I prefer her out in front of me because the trails I run are mostly too narrow for both and too densy wooded for her to Run next to me. She and I need a professional trainer, but I can't afford one right now.

My dog is also not food motivated.  Or toy motivated.  Or anything, really, when she is outside.  She's a hound.  When we are outside, she is focused on hunting, on sniffing, and I essentially disappear and become insignificant.  If she gets off leash, she's totally gone.  Doesn't come back.  Doesn't listen worth a damn.  I've had a few good scares over the years.  She doesn't run beside me either - she runs in front on leash.  Maybe I suck as a dog owner, but it's a heck of a lot easier on singletrack as you pointed out.

No dog is perfect.  They all have some sort of flaw.  I feel totally confident with my dog around any children of any age.  They could poke her, prod her, crawl all over her and she wouldn't do a thing.  She loves all people, gets along with all other dogs, and totally obedient as long as we are indoors.  I am lucky to have such a wonderful dog even though I will never be able to have her off leash.  (Nor will she play fetch.  *sigh*)   So you'll never have the perfect dog...so what?  You learn to work around their issues. That's the way I look at it.