Training dog to use a treadmill

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Julzei

Dogsey Junior

Location: Worcs, UK.

Joined: Feb 2009

Posts: 24

04-05-2009, 06:23 PM

#11

Originally Posted by Ben Mcfuzzylugs

personaly, as a replacment to getting a walk i wouldnt use one at all
a walk is far more than exercise, its fresh air, sunshine, socialisation, sights, sounds and most importantly smells. its physical and mental exersice
using a tredmill once or twice may tire out a dog, but then they will become fitter and you will have to put them on longer and longer for the same effect. mental stimulation will keep them much happier

if you are worried about him getting a run have you tried jogging with him, or biking. what about getting a dogwalker to help when you are busy
there are lots of dog sports you could do with him and how about finding a secure area to work on his recal

we all have busy lifes but we chose to get dogs
the very least we can do is try and give them a couple of decent walks a day, why not get up a wee bit earlier each morning and give him a really good walk

if you are too busy to walk your dog you are also too busy to fully supervise him on a treadmil

I wouldn't ever use it as a substitute for a real walk, I always take her for a walk in the morning, I'm just talking about the times when it's absolutely p*ssing it down with rain or the nights when I'm too busy too take her out.

I can't run with Molly unfortunately I'm too unfit, I can only run 60 seconds before getting out of breath. Biking is something I have considered, but only when I can train her better to stop and slow down on command, she already pulls enough as it is!

Originally Posted by Minihaha

Hi Julzei

I really don't like treadmills for dogs unless the dog has had some kind of medical problem and uses one on the advice of a vet.

The reason I don't like them is this, firstly 'exercises' for a dog should contain both mental and physical stimulation, walking/trotting/stopping /sniffing/enjoying the many sights and sounds around at the dogs own natural pace .
Secondly, when a dog is tired it will stop and lay down or change pace (as humans do ), this is a natural action which helps to prevents injury to joints, this may not happen when a dog is on a treadmill.

If you don't think your dog is getting enough exercise by going for walks I would join a club and where your dog can do agility work and get both mental and physical stimulation, very satisfying and beneficial all round for a dog .

I'm only starting her off with 2 minute/5 minute walking sessions until she gets used to it, she seems to be enjoying it so far, she willingly walks on and off it now. I don't force her on there.

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