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mopinko

(70,103 posts)
Tue Jan 9, 2024, 10:48 AM Jan 2024

does anyone use a treadmill for their dogs?

this lil bully girl needs more exercise than i can provide. tho she’s working hard to get me in better shape, there’s no way i’ll ever keep up. so i’m looking at treadmills.
if i was still a rich lady, i’d find the spendy slat 1s attractive. but i wd kinda like 1 i cd use, just in case i get off my fat duff. what i’m seeing is that she’s small enough to use a human 1, but some r safer than others.
so curious if anyone has experience w this.

(i need to post an update about my travails w this girl. things r going well, and i got her spayed yesterday. so, we’re getting there. )

3 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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does anyone use a treadmill for their dogs? (Original Post) mopinko Jan 2024 OP
Never tried it but... Gidney N Cloyd Jan 2024 #1
we used to take our shep for hydro therapy.... getagrip_already Jan 2024 #2
Some suggestions justaprogressive Jan 2024 #3

Gidney N Cloyd

(19,835 posts)
1. Never tried it but...
Tue Jan 9, 2024, 10:58 AM
Jan 2024

...but a trainer we worked with some years ago (at the now-closed Brooks Canine Center in Des Plaines) offered treadmill training as an al a carte service so I guess it's a legitimate thing. My dogs always headed for the next room when I'd get on the treadmill.

getagrip_already

(14,750 posts)
2. we used to take our shep for hydro therapy....
Tue Jan 9, 2024, 11:00 AM
Jan 2024

It was a treadmill in a water tank. The water added extra resistance and he got a better workout in a shorter time, or that was the theory.

He liked it, or so it seemed.

Never tried him on a george jetson type treadmill, but I suspect the result would be the same as it was for poor ol' george..

justaprogressive

(2,189 posts)
3. Some suggestions
Tue Jan 9, 2024, 11:17 AM
Jan 2024

[link:https://www.thesprucepets.com/best-dog-treadmills-5296147|

[link:https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/life/pets/g45688215/best-dog-treadmills/|

From the American Kennel Club...

[link:https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/use-your-treadmill-to-exercise-your-dog/|

Use Your Treadmill to Exercise Your Dog

Key Points

A treadmill is great for indoor exercise for your dog.
Use a treadmill year-round for warm-ups and conditioning for your dog.
You can use a human treadmill for all but the largest dogs.



Getting On the Treadmill

Training your dog to use the treadmill means breaking the process down into small steps and building a positive association with each one. Start by treating your dog for simply getting up on it. “Dog gets on, click and treat. Dog gets off, click and treat. Repeat this step many times, then end the training session,” says Johnson. If your dog is not clicker trained, simply feed treats. Remember never to force the dog to get on equipment. “The goal is for your dog to want to get on the treadmill on his own,” she says. If your dog is nervous about the treadmill or not used to getting up on things, you may need to start slower by treating for simply being near, or looking at it, before working on getting up on it.

Once your dog is comfortable getting up and standing on the treadmill, the next step is to turn the power on. But don’t start the motion yet — this step is just to get the dog accustomed to the sound of the motor and fan. Treat for standing there listening to the noise. My machine was so quiet that my dog didn’t seem to notice it, so this step went quickly, but be sure to look for signs of stress and make sure your dog is completely comfortable before moving on.


HTH
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