How to Get a Dog to Use a Treadmill
Obesity in humans has skyrocketed over the past few years, and it is not surprising that man's best friend may be dealing with some weight problems as well. According to Dr. Rebecca Remillard, 25% to 40% of dogs in the United States are obese or at risk for obesity. Treadmill training can be a great way to help your dog lose a few pounds or to satisfy the activity requirements of a particularly active dog. Some companies manufacture special treadmills for dogs, but many people successfully use standard versions.
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Instructions
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Leash you dog and bring him into the room while the treadmill is turned off. Some dogs can be frightened by loud noises and you don't want your dog's first reaction to be fear. Make sure there is plenty of room around your treadmill for you and the dog to walk around freely.
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2
Let your dog sniff and investigate the treadmill while it is turned off. As he does this, praise him profusely while giving him a small dog treat. This helps your dog associate the treadmill with something positive.
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3
Put your dog in a "heel" position and have her walk up onto the treadmill belt with you. If she walks up there with no problems, praise her profusely. If she does not want to walk on to the treadmill, repeat Step 2. After a minute of standing, walk toward the front of the treadmill with your dog.
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Repeat Step 3 as many times as necessary for your dog to become comfortable walking onto the treadmill. Once he has no problems performing this, use the leash to gently lead him onto the treadmill without you. Praise him profusely and lead him off the treadmill.
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Have your dog sit near the treadmill. Turn it on at the very lowest setting. If she shows no reaction to the noise, praise her profusely. If she seems anxious, repeat this step as many times as needed until the noise no longer bothers her.
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Lead your dog onto the treadmill. Once he is on the treadmill, give him a command to "stay." Stand to the side, holding his leash, and turn on the treadmill to the very lowest setting.
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Praise and pet your dog profusely while you gradually increase the speed until she is walking comfortably. The particular speed depends on the size of your dog, but you want it to be a comfortable walking pace. If your dog starts to panic, stop the treadmill immediately. After a short break, slowly begin the process again.
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After about one minute of walking, turn the belt off and let it come to a complete stop before letting your dog off the treadmill. Give him a small dog treat and more praise.
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Repeat steps 6 through 8 every day, limiting the time the dog is walking on the treadmill to one or two minutes. According to the Cross Roads Search & Rescue Training Center, it should take a dog about one week to become comfortable on a treadmill.
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After a week has passed and your dog is comfortable, remove the leash and allow your dog to walk for longer periods of time. Increase the time on the treadmill gradually--start out with 5 minute periods and gradually work up to 10 to 15 minutes a day. Some dogs may be able to go longer, but that should be cleared with your veterinarian first.
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Tips & Warnings
Always supervise your dog whenever he is on the treadmill. Be very patient while training your dog to use a treadmill. Do not raise your voice or punish her if she does something wrong in the beginning. Praise and reward are the best ways to make sure that your dog views the treadmill in a positive light.
Never tie your dog's leash to the treadmill or leave the dog unsupervised. Never use the treadmill immediately after feeding your dog. Let his food digest for at least one hour before exercising. Consult your veterinarian before you start a new exercise program for your dog. Your vet will be able to determine how far and often your dog can walk on the treadmill.
Resources
- Photo Credit Egilshay at www.sxc.hu
