Since it is -35 here today I was wondering how many other people out there have taught their dog to use a treadmill? I am working with my 6.5 month old GSD. He did 16 minutes on a 1.6 setting yesterday. I am not going to have him run until after he is 1 year but I thought this would be a nice way to help him burn off energy. Any training tips you have about it would be great. My dog is high drive so I think this will be a life saver. He is food/toy wild so he is pretty easy to train. The first day he learned no walking on the treadmill meant no treats No play and no treats just crush him and will figure out what you want right away.

Dale

I've thought about it, but then I wouldn't get any exercise (unless I went the "I Am Legend" route and bought two treadmills).

And I think there's something important about the bond you create when you're out with your dog.

Hey, you're actually at the point where F and C are basically the same

When it gets that cold (usually when we're up north), I just layer up, maybe put a coat on the dog depending on how high-output our exercise will be and which dog it is, and I do shorten some things (Teagan's hips bother her more easily when it is that cold) but they can still go out, especially GSDs. I do try to put protection (wax) on their feet at those kinds of temperatures though.

I recently began short jogs with Danke (1 to 1.5 miles in 12 minutes or so). She really seems to enjoy jogging along side her handler. She has this air of regality and alertness that really makes me chuckle.

I wouldn't get that on a treadmill. Plus, I'd probably sit on my butt. I always feel weird running in place.

Does it stay -35 for extended periods of time where you are?

I'm from Sudbury (Northern Ontario), and I usually took a day off from outdoor exercise when it was -35, or just brought Solo out for pretty short plays.

However, in the -20's, I found that he was fine for our usual hour long bush-runs. I would also put Muttluks on him sometimes to avoid the freezing-toes-paw-lifts.

We have a treadmill for the dogs, it rains alot here so some afternoons they are not outside much. The only problem is I can only put one dog on at a time. On a better note, I can sit next to them and watch TV (I never ever leave them on by themselves). For me to sit is very rare, so I enjoy it, they too seem mentally stimulated when they are done.

 Quote: Tabatha Farnel

Does it stay -35 for extended periods of time where you are?

Not at all.

We did get brave and go running in this though:
http://www.komonews.com/younews/36559904.html

I don't miss a day of taking my dogs out for our snowshoe excursions. I feel that since I chose to take on the responsibility of high drive dogs ,if that means I have to go out in sub zero temps for extended periods of time then that's what I have to do. It's not negotiable.

Personally, I like winter exercise with my dogs better than summer... no bugs, no nettles, no worries about overheating. If you have the right kinds of clothes to layer, and you have a dog with the drive and temperament that mine do, then it's no different than food and water. It's one of those things you MUST do to keep them healthy.

Ed thinks I'm crazy when it's double digits below zero and off I go for my daily walk (sometimes I go twice a day). My dogs need mental and physical stimulation and even when I don't feel like it, I do it. It's good for me too.

I was thinking about this topic today when I did my "loop" and wondering how many dogs either don't meet their potential or actually go a bit bonkers because their exercise requirements aren't met. I wouldn't mind a treadmill for additional exercise but nothing beats getting out there in the elements with my dogs.

 Quote: Cindy Easton Rhodes

Personally, I like winter exercise with my dogs better than summer... no bugs, no nettles, no worries about overheating.

I completely agree. I'm moving back to northern Ontario soon, and I'm excited because southern Ontario just doesn't have enough snow for me!

 Quote: Cindy Easton Rhodes

Ed thinks I'm crazy when it's double digits below zero and off I go for my daily walk (sometimes I go twice a day). My dogs need mental and physical stimulation and even when I don't feel like it, I do it. It's good for me too.

I'm fine with -20, or even in the -30's if it isn't too windy. But when it's -39 with a wind chill of almost -50, the enjoyment factor starts to decrease.

I'm curious though, because some areas of northern Wisconsin are as far north as Sudbury.....do you get the really extreme cold there as well? And if so, do you shorten your runs at all on the really bad days?

I'm right there with you Cindy,
twice a day this time of year here. And thats only because my other half takes her out earlier in the morning....like about sixish.
Her extended exercise/work is done whatever the weather or temps happen to be are done at about eight to nine-thirty am and about two-thirty to four pm.
I've chosen to live where I do, I've chosen to assume responsiblity for Cassie.......She needs her work......nef said.

It's always surprising how wounderful a new snow fall is on snow shoes.
Randy