Treadmill - Page 1

Does any one have experience walking gsd on treadmills . Would it be good or bad for the dog? If as a experiment one wnas to do it what speeds should the dog be walked at and for how long? Please advice

Hello I use the Treadmill for my 16 month old 2 weeks prior to a show. Works Great, I start at 3.5 for 10 minutes and for the last 3 minutes at 2.0. I do this every other day, as to give her a break in between and as she is going I use the word hup hup. I also use it for my 12 month old, BUT only for 2 minutes every other day. At the speed of 2.0 just slow walking. Another good tip is, if you have a Pool I put mine in the pool holding the Leash and go around 10 times. This is better for there joints than jogging with them.

Is 3 and a half miles an hour for 10 minutes every other day enough excersize for a dog? I know mine get a whole lot more than that.

NO, but I won't do more with mine until they are at least 18 months old. I don't want to mess up there hips. You can do this every day for 15 minutes if your dog is older. Or 3-4 miles a day I would start slow if you are just starting out, when they first get on there, they may go a little crazy, but there instincts know to start walking or jogging. Just don't leave them alone in there, or let them get to tired.

people who use a treadmill should leave the race... a GSD should be trained on a natural way , I can imagine if you are physsical not in a good health to do the needed training at your own.. , but normally people who do this are lazy people, A GSD is not a horse !!!! no time, excuse? do another hobby too much dogs? why?

I Agree with what your saying clearwater2. I unfortunately can't run or ride a bike, due to Bad Knees. So for me it is good excersize for them. And in no means am I lazy, My dogs and I do allot of SchH Training and BH work. But why is it every time someone posts something as an ask for help question, people come back with negative remarks. I'm done posting or trying to help.

Hey Dottie, I know it is done. But do you have access to a pool - much better exercise. I am a runner myself and have been for 25 years - I still only run my dog outside for 2 miles a day and I go 6 ............on bad weather days - I cross train him - I know trainers that use treadmills - but I think they do it because they have so many dogs to exercise etc. - so having someone (one dog to one person to one treadmill) and I know you will think I am crazy - but do not turn your head or leave them for one minute - so many tragic injuries and accidents have happened with treadmills and dogs. As far as riding bike (springer) I think it is called - ask an orthopedic surgeon at a University about that - it is so hard on the dog - not a natural way for the dog to run and not at an acceptable pace - I think I am passing that on to you correctly - but enough of that - sorry about your knees........and good luck. WOw I sound negative - sorry,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,I just always am overkill with checking things out - because I do not want my dog to suffer because of my doings.

If you want a good way to exercise a large dog, buy freighting harness and teach him to pull weight beginning with something light such as a truck tire. Buy a book that teaches you how to do it. All the dogs running the Iditarod this week are trained using this method and they have to be in super condition to participate in that race. Weight pulling isn't strenous for the handler and works every muscle the dogs has. It can be as hard or as easy as you want it to be based on the dog's condition, age, and your goals. Nordkyn.com has been selling working dog equipment for many years. They have anything you need from harnesses to backpacks and , no, I am not Nordkyn and I don't get a commission from them. BTW Clearwater that was rather snooty of you to assume that people who aren't out running their dogs are lazy.

Hi Renz Yes I Do have access to a pool, I use it for my Dogs. It is a Great workout for them, as well as for me. And I only use the Treadmill on my dogs before shows, BUT very Little. I use the Pool allot more, as it is so much better on there joints. Oh no I would never leave there sight on the treadmill. These aren't just Dogs they are my Kids. I have 4 Show Dogs by the way. Thank you so much

Blitzen I have used a tire on them, and it sure was good Training. I mean not myself But our Trainer. That Female unfortunately came down with Pyo. And my other ones are still a little to young. But thanks for reminding me about that, exspecially for my boy. Thank you