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Does anyone know how to train an australian shepherd puppy to walk on a treadmill? I'm from Indiana and it get pretty cold and snowy/icey here, but I feel bad when I can't take her out to walk, so I was thinking of an alternative. I have a treadmill that I would like to teach her how to walk/run on for days/winter season when we can't go for a walk outside. Any thoughts or suggestions?

Thanks,
starshowr

>>Does anyone know how to train an australian shepherd puppy to walk on a treadmill? I'm from Indiana and it get pretty cold and snowy/icey here, but I feel bad when I can't take her out to walk, so I was thinking of an alternative. I have a treadmill that I would like to teach her how to walk/run on for days/winter season when we can't go for a walk outside. Any thoughts or suggestions?
>>
>>Thanks,
>>starshowr

>>>>>>>>>>>>

Don't use a people treadmill for dogs. They need a special kind.
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Kathy Diamond Davis, author, "Therapy Dogs: Training Your Dog to Reach Others," 2nd edition, and the free Canine Behavior Series articles at http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=SRC&S=1&SourceID=47

why would they need a special kind? a conveyer belt is a conveyer belt.. As long as it's at the right speed and you're standing by all the time to stop it when the dog wants off, I can't picture needing anything special. I've seen ones where the dog is practically in a cage so they can't get off the thing, that seems remarkably cruel.. I've also seen some that are extra wide and extra long, which does far more damage if the dog tries to jump off and lands on another part of the tread.. I would think as long as you're very careful about it, it would be enjoyable for them on a regular one. If it's slow enough that if they try to jump off they can't hurt themselves.. I've also seen one where the dog is crosstied like a horse on the thing, which is completely inhumane.. Given the types of "special" treadmills I've seen, I would absolutely refuse to put my dog on one, and would feel much safer training him properly to use mine..

Please enlighten me, Kathy. I'm interested as well as I fully plan on training Kaiser to use my treadmill soon.

>>why would they need a special kind? a conveyer belt is a conveyer belt.. As long as it's at the right speed and you're standing by all the time to stop it when the dog wants off, I can't picture needing anything special. I've seen ones where the dog is practically in a cage so they can't get off the thing, that seems remarkably cruel.. I've also seen some that are extra wide and extra long, which does far more damage if the dog tries to jump off and lands on another part of the tread.. I would think as long as you're very careful about it, it would be enjoyable for them on a regular one. If it's slow enough that if they try to jump off they can't hurt themselves.. I've also seen one where the dog is crosstied like a horse on the thing, which is completely inhumane.. Given the types of "special" treadmills I've seen, I would absolutely refuse to put my dog on one, and would feel much safer training him properly to use mine..
>>
>>Please enlighten me, Kathy. I'm interested as well as I fully plan on training Kaiser to use my treadmill soon.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Google is a very good thing. This link answers that question and much more:

http://www.jogadog.com/faqs.html
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Kathy Diamond Davis, author, "Therapy Dogs: Training Your Dog to Reach Others," 2nd edition, and the free Canine Behavior Series articles at http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=SRC&S=1&SourceID=47

Yes, I've done the research before, and read their entire faq.. But their reasons are questionable at best, clearly designed to sell the product, not inform the consumer.

They say that dog hair building up on a regular treadmill is a problem, but anyone with any common sense cleans their treadmill thoroughly after each use anyway. And a little extra cleaning won't hurt anyone. Certainly not enough to justify spending $1500 on a special canine treadmill.. Of course, that's just my opinion. Not to mention quality human treadmills have sensors either covered or hidden to keep dirt and debris from building up anyway (human's aren't much cleaner than dogs).

They say that the side barriers keep the dog focused on the task. My dog would firmly refuse to step on the thing if he can't see all the way around him. Not to mention he may feel like he can't get away, which most dogs won't like. You can't force a dog into exercising without negative consequences, and most dogs are more likely to accept it and enjoy it if they don't feel trapped and forced to do it.

As for the extra padding and shock absorption, it's just as beneficial for dogs as it is for humans. A dog's joints and bones shouldn't have to take an unnecessary impact any more than a person's should. The extra padding may prevent repetitive stress injuries and hip problems in the dog's later life.

And if the treadmill you're using is unstable, you need a new one. It's just as dangerous (and uncomfortable, and disconcerting) for a person to run on an unstable surface as it would be for a dog.

There are serious flaws with every reason I've been able to find for using a specialized treadmill.. Most human treads have adjustable incline if you want to give your dog that sort of workout. And many human mills have a tread long and wide enough for you to run with your dog, which would be a comforting factor for most dogs.. The only exception I can see is if you have a giant breed. It would be difficult to find a tread with a long enough belt to accommodate the huge stride of a great dane...

I would start by walking the dog onto the treadmill without turning it on. On a leash, walk him up the back and off the front a few times for a few sessions each day. Then once he's completely comfortable standing on it, put him on the mill, and then go to the front, and call him to you. Let him walk off the front of the mill.

After doing that a few times, put him on it, and talking to him the entire time, turn it on to the slowest speed and call him to you again, praising when he takes a step forward..

That's how I plan on teaching my boy.. My treadmill is wide enough for us both to walk on it at the same time, so instead of going to the front and calling him to me I might just hop on with him and walk alongside him. Knowing my dog, I think he'd be more comfortable with that.. Then once he's really used to the idea in a few weeks/months, whatever, I'll start getting him used to being on his own..

Good luck to you : ) Be aware that some dogs might just not tolerate it, just like anything else.. But other than that, have fun with it : )

>>Does anyone know how to train an australian shepherd puppy to walk on a treadmill? I'm from Indiana and it get pretty cold and snowy/icey here, but I feel bad when I can't take her out to walk, so I was thinking of an alternative. I have a treadmill that I would like to teach her how to walk/run on for days/winter season when we can't go for a walk outside. Any thoughts or suggestions?
>>
>>Thanks,
>>starshowr

>>>>>>>>>>>>

You mention this dog is a puppy. Forced exercise is never recommended for puppies. A treadmill doesn't give the dog the kind of free choice about activity that she gets in free play. Be sure to consult your veterinarian about this whole plan before doing it. Repairing an injured dog or one who has growth plate damage due to being exercised too much too young can be terribly expensive. It also puts the dog through suffering, and can result in a dog who never enjoys working with a human.
-----
Kathy Diamond Davis, author, "Therapy Dogs: Training Your Dog to Reach Others," 2nd edition, and the free Canine Behavior Series articles at http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=SRC&S=1&SourceID=47