Yes, I have advice on training your dog how to run on a treadmill. Both of my two dogs loooovvvveee the treadmill, and I taught each of them differently on it.
First I'd like to say that I use the treadmill in addition to walks/ball/bike whatever. The get walked/ran etc. every day and then three times a week on the treadmill if they are looking bored or didn't get a lot of "run" time in (its winter here in Canada).
Our treadmill is a human treadmill (about $1500 or so), but I know you can get them cheaper. I got this one cause its a bit longer than most, better for the dogs.
With my first dog at first i'd get him playing around the treadmill, then I would get him up and sitting on the treadmill for a treat or two, after a few days of this, I had him sit on the treadmill beside me (like a heel postion), and I walked with him just as if we were going on a walk. This worked fairly well. After a month of that I would stand beside the treadmill with lease in hand while he walked by himself. After a few months of this I gradually increased the speed to a trot (and of course he freaked, started crawling and whining; hes an excitable dog), and I had to slow it back down. After another few weeks I increased the speed again and he starting the scared crawling thing again but I bumped up the speed so he HAD to trot, and then he did! Once he realized that he was able to trot on the thing he fell in love with it. Now, I need no leash and I do not need to stand beside him. What I do is clip the stringy thing with the emergency pull pin onto his collar so if he ever slipped (god forbid!) it just stops. That being said, I usually put him on there while I do some form of exercises near him (just in case), best not to leave your dog unattended.
My second dog started when she was a pup, and she is not afraid of anything so the process was much shorter. The first day I walked her up on the treadmill had her sit (gave one treat), and said "walk" and pressed start (very slow walk) I straddled the treadmill so I could support her so she felt secure and didn't wabble around. (I never used the leash with her). Now she will hop up on the mill and sit, wait for me to say "ok, walk" and then she walks on it by herself. But she is only 7 months old so, I stand right next to her the entire time, and the speed is a slow walk, and she only walks for ten minutes. I find it best to start off with slow speeds and min. time and increase only when they are becoming very confident on it, and you can see that they enjoy it.
For example if I can't find my dog in the house I know where he will be. Downstairs sitting on the treadmill waiting quietly.......

Have your dogs worn out the tread belt as the one poster suggested? I would love to use the treadmill with my dogs, but I don't want to ruin the treadmill and I'm not going to buy one that's just for dogs. Does it cost a lot to replace the tread belt? How often do you need to replace it? Thanks,

Great advice Scott! I'll give it a whirl.
Thanks so much

Nancy, Once I get my dog conditioned to the treadmill, I'm going to find some booties with good traction. Hopefully that will save the belt on the treadmill. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Great idea! Thanks! I've got booties out in the garage!

No my dogs have not worn out the belt. In fact they leave no marks/scratches on it at all. Now my husband who weighs 200 lbs might leave a tread..... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

My mill is over 20 years old. Although the belt shows "tracking marks" it is in no danger of failing ANY time soon.

Just wanted to give an update. Our dogs went to get their teeth cleaned today and were weighed. Einstein(black lab) is now 98 lbs. and Elvis(boxer) is now 84 lbs. They both need to lose about 20lbs now but it was enough of a shock to my mom that she promised to take them on walks at least every other day.