Has anyone trained their pup to walk on treadmill?

While I do not plan this to be the main source of exercise, I'd like a "plan B".

 Quote: bev thibault

Has anyone trained their pup to walk on treadmill?

While I do not plan this to be the main source of exercise, I'd like a "plan B".

Tread mills and dogs are often associated with dog fighting , I'd recommend tug, obedience and find it games for indoors

My APBT pup was tried out on a treadmill around 5 months. He only did it once; I didn't want to put too much strain on his joints. I was just getting him used to be on it when it moved, to which he was fine with. My Boxer/APBT mix runs on a treadmill and loves it. My other APBT has run on it too though he isn't much a fan.

It's a great way to exercise your dog, especially on rainy or bad weather days. If you are using a electronic tread mill, never leave your dog's side. They can slip off if you turn it too fast. Carpet mills are best for strength building and muscle development. Slat mills are best to condition for stamina and wind. Make it a positive experience for your dog; treat treat treat! Young pups really don't have any business working a treadmill though, it's best to wait until they are older than a year.

I use one for my dogs when the weather or ground conditions are such that I can't run them safely out on the field a couple of times a day.

I did not put my male on there until he was 2, since mine is somewhat elevated & you cannot change this. (I have a jog-a-dog treadmill. This is the one used by alot of show dog handlers to condition dogs) I would definately not put a dog on there at all until he was at least 1. Most of the growth plates close around the age of 1 or so. Even at that it would be very limited & only at a easy walk. And only for a couple of minutes. Work up over at least several weeks or more to a regular walking speed for maybe 10 minutes. ( I only put my adult dogs on for only 15-20 min)I would not overwork a pup on there. It is not like talking a walk & if the pup gets tired he will stop or slow down. You have to be aware, because the dog can't just stop on the treadmill when he is tired.

I use a lure of food to start them on it. You also, need to start the dog slowly to allow the muscles to warm up & also have a cool down period after the workout. I would not run a pup on there. Only work up to a good paced walk. The same speed that you would go when you take your dog for a walk. Doing otherwise may cause more harm then good for a young dog.

I personally would not put a dog under 18 months on there. There are those that do, just not me. ( I actually waited until 2 for my youngest dog) But that's just me.

Okay - I'll wait. Can you tell me more how you got him to start walking as opposed to standing still & then falling off as the conveyor belt moves?

I'm slowly introducing it. He seems okay when it's not moving, but hasn't figured out how to walk while the deck is moving.

Given this will be a slow, gradual introduction, can you expand how you initially taught your pups to walk?

I'll treat, & having a favourite tug toy in front as a lure.

B

I would used a food lure to get him up on it. I just walk them up on & off it a couple of times. (I didn't need to, but I would suggest that you use a food lure to do this in the begining) Then get him to just stand there feeding treats (do you use marker training? If so mark the stand on there)

I would also have the dog stand there next to it to desensitize the dog to the running of the treadmill while NOT on it. Do this as many many times as it takes for the dog to feel confortable with the noise & movement of the tread.

Mine can be started at just a very slow barley moving & then you can adjust it to any speed. Have a short leash on the pup with a flat collar- you don't want any mistake corrections done here) Walk the dog up onto it & have him stand & mark & treat. Start the tread as slowly as possible(barely moving) so the dog can get used to the sensation of the moving tread. Do this for just a few seconds or so & stop. Treat. Try it again a few times. Stop & treat. If the dog is ok with this, increase the time to about 1/4 minute & work up to 1/2 minute the first few times. Never leave your dog's side & keep the leash on. Stop, treat & be done for the day. Do this for a few days. You need to read your dog on this. If he is paniced, stop & go back to the begining a few days later & try again. Work up from there to increasing the speed (very slowly over time) & then increasing the time on the treadmill. When you increase the speed on the tread do it slowly & also do it slowly when you go to stop it. No abrupt starts or stops. I would be very careful not to frighten the pup or you will destroy his trust in you & he won't go near the thing again. Your dog will need to concentrate on what he is doing while the tread is moving. So try not to distract him by talking to him. If he looses his concentration he will slide off the back & panic. Treat & praise when you stop the tread.

My dogs are used to doing weird things with strange footing, climbing up on things, loud equipment noises etc up close from when they were babies. So I just walked them on it a couple of times & then started it. But I don't know your dog & what he has been exposed to. I knew what mine were capable of handling this with no issues. You have to make the call on your own dog. Mine were adult dogs but as pups I could have taken the same approach that I did as adults. Each dog is different. It is up to you to know your dog & what he is able to do.

I think that covers it. Any more questions let me know.

ETA...I would not use food once the tread starts..he needs to concentrate on what to do with his feet. He will figure it out. It will just take some time.