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Classified: One of a kind male 16 months
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treadmill training? (22 replies)
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| I am looking for some ideas re treadmills. I already own one and as winter is fast approaching in Maine I am thinking about trying to train my 11 month old to use it. I rescued her from a local shelter in July, she was going to be my husband's dog but you know how that works out. I take care of my mom who has dementia, her 12/13yr. old lab mix and my incontenent 12 yo gsd. Although I play and work w/her twice a day for about an hr each time and my husband plays with her in the evening it's not enough. She is a live wire and really needs more than we are providing. Do any of you use a treadmill? What precautions do I need to take? Any advice would be greatly appreciated, I think she could have alot of fun w/it. She is a daring and bold dog so I think it can be done. |
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I treadmill my dogs and you must first teach your dog how to walk on it. many dogs, even those with a lot of confidence, are unsure of the treadmill. You will need to be close to her when she is on it until she knows what's she's doing. You may need to always stay close if she is inclined to jump off.
The first step is walking your dog, on leash, on and off the treadmill a few times to familiarize them with it. Then you turn it on VERY low and hold the lead short. Standing at the head of the treadbelt or right alongside the dog allows you to tap the front of the belt and show the dog where to go. It helps if the dog has prior obedience and experience in trust building excercises. I use teh command "walk" as I tap the treadbelt, lavish the dog with praise as they take a few steps. If the dog seems uncomfortable, and many of them are, keep your sessions very short and positive until the dog is comfortable enough to walk on it.
Actually, my daughter's dog needs to start learning to use the treadmill. If you like, I can work on it with her tommorrow and post a video, would that help? |
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Hello KCZaja,
I too am interested in how to make my GSD use the treadmill. I sent you a email.
DiAngelo |
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Hello KCZaja,
I too am interested in how to make my GSD use the treadmill. I sent you a email. If it does not reach you mine I will PM you mine.
DiAngelo |
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Just be careful with BSL because they would automatically assume that you are conditionong your dog for a dog fight.
You also have to be very careful while your dog is on the treadmill.Never leave them un-attended,monitor your inclines(its not like your dog should only run up a hill)and start with very small sessions and let the dog advise you when he/she is capable of running for longer periods of time!! |
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The video is an old one and now-a-days he typically runs twice a week for 2-to- 2.5 miles at 5 mile per hour speed. Most of it is on level grade but occasionally I'll have him do about .75 mile to 1 mile on a 5% grade and the rest on level grade.
This level has him on a moderate pant with enough energy at the end to do a sprint into our backyard to chase the deer beyond the fence-line...
In addition he goes swimming once a week for 30 minutes and does a 3 mile bike run once a week. |
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| hi zukeeper,
you wont have to worry about a treadmill being "contraban" here in maine but in some states they will use it against you for training to fight but I have never herd of it happen other then to apbt's or ab's.
we've used them for yrs to get the apbt's ready for shows but also durning the bad weather. We've run our shepherds and even our rat terrier on them.
start out by getting her use to standing on it with out it running. after a few days of that, run it slowly.
start out slow. 5 mins 3x a week and be sure to rub the dog down after or a good long walk. you dont want the muscels to tie up. We also feed them 1/2 hour after their workout to replace what they just burned up.
here is a website that builds doggie carpet mills. go to the treadmill and watch the video of a dog running. http://colbypitbull.com/
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Lonewolf's dog clearly is a natural on the treadmill (lovely boy btw) but a dog who shows concern over being on a moving surface must be treated differently. I also notice in the video the treadbelt is VERY short. The downside of regular person treadmills is many of them have too short of treadbelts for a GSD. Running one at the end of it will encourage the dog to clip their front reach short, NOT something you want to teach a showline dog. I use a dog treadmill, but there are some people treadmills with longer belts out there. |
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 KCzaza is absolutely correct about the shorter length.... fortunately my current treadmill is an $ 899/- technological wonder that would allow you to build muscles by just looking at it and has a super long stride belt and more buttons than a 747 jumbo jet.
I would however recommend that you stick to KCzaza's advise since they are very sound.... in fact initally I had to straddle my dog for the first session until both he and I were confident about the whole thing..... In my dogs case it was much easier 'cos he was obssessed with scratching at the belt at the front of the treadmill where it seems to appear magically out of the machine... so getting him upto speed with walking required no restraints or other aids. However like she says... my dog was somewhat of a natural and it is best to be careful and go in small incremental steps.
Best of luck anyway.... nothing like having your dog workout while you kick back in a chair with a beer beside him. |
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I am using the Jog -a-dog . My young male just got used to running on it , it took one session to get him used to it . He panicked at first when I turned it on but soon adjusted. I think every dog is different so there is no set in stone protocol on how to get your dog used to a treadmill . :) new dogs that are a bit stressed should have short sessions due to the stress factor they tire much sooner in comparrison to a dog used to running on the device. Beginning dogs I stay right beside them . I found that if I move the belt to slow it causes more stress to the first timer I adjust to a normal brisk walk and they take to it better .
I do not let any of my dogs regardless of expirience run without being secured to the treadmill and never leave them un attended ! My TM came with an arm but I found it is better to use a side anker . I use 2 short leads attached to the side rails that I can adjust according to my dogs, this comes in very handy with newbies :) Some like to run towards the front edge not enabeling them to reach with their front I back them up others like to fade to the rear which makes them kick off short and soemtimes fall off with the rear paws and need to catch up if they do :( I also do not allow a pace stride I only had one dog that fell into a pace stride I find that this stride is not effective in the GSD and if allowed the dog will not use it's body and step sequence efficiently .
Ran mine tonight and took my laptop with me :) Works good for me I watch the clock on the LT and play a game to pass the time . I also live in New Engalnd and know how hard it is to keep our dogs conditioned during winter months.
Your pup is 11 months old I would suggest building her up running on a treadmill is different then running in the yard where the dog can stop sniff and make it's own short breaks at 11 months first session keep it short due to the stress factor it will tire her out much faster then you are used to :) |
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hey Ravi :)
just watched the video :))
Pia |
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Zukeeper, treadmills are good, but your rescue femalel is only 11 months old. Be careful because she has immature bone structure. Use the treadmill in moderation. No jogging for miles and miles. |
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| wow, thank you for the great advice! I am in a tough spot w/taking care of mom, she requires 24/7 supervision and I am watching my pup vibrate. I will slowly introduce the treadmill to her. We adopted her for my husband who lost his 9yo to torsion in June despite quick response and surgery. Serena was to be his dog, her owner died and her husband dumped her skinny and full of fleas @ 6 months old. Poor thing she was terrified of everything, very reactive and defensive. For instance if you turned on the shower she would hide under the coffee table and shake, even with the water off she would not go in the bathroom. It took me some time but now while you are taking a shower she will put her front feet on the edge of the tub and stick her head in the shower to watch you, my husband saw no reason for my working on this fear. Last week he was home, I went into the garage and told Serena to stay at the open door, she started to follow me into the garage I quickly corrected her (she knew this one) he quickly said "it's o.k. I always let her into the garage" DUH! I am watching her backslide on the strides we have made, so I must be proactive. The treadmill is only a part of the changes I need to make. Sorry for the long post, a bit of a vent. |
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What happened to the good old "walk",????? there is no such thing of bad weather just bad clothing....
I don't know about your dog, but mine enjoy a good run in cold weather, a nice walk, and if there is lots of snow even better....
And for a young dog there is nothing better then lots of exposure to the outdoors..... |
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At their peak my dogs were able to run a brisk trot on the jog-a-dog for 30 min, easily, with a 10 min slow walk to cool down. I cannot run for 30 min straight. No way. Even when I'm in great shape (which I'm not) I'm not a runner. It doesn't mean my dogs don't go outside or play or get socialized. In fact, in the summer, I bike with them, in the winter, I'd rather not end up sprawled out on the ice. Nothing wrong with wanting your dog to be in great shape. |
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I gotta admit I need the excersise worse than the dog ..lol
But I couldn't jog for 30 minutes either. |
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| I would love to be able to take my dog out in the woods to run etc., cannot, mom cannot be left alone for 15 min. she has dementia and may go looking for me, she is at risk for wandering, all exits have alarms. I have someone take her out 4/5 hrs per week so I can get things done around the house etc, my situation is unique but my dog still needs exercise and training. I try to work w/her two hrs per day but most of it is in the house so that I can still monitor my mother. I feel that the treadmill is an additional outlet for my dog. We have and will still continue to take her to ob classes for the socialization and re-enforcement. Taking her to class is an ordeal for my mother/husband, as I am gone 3hrs and she will ask my husband constantly when is Anne coming back? Serena would have been at risk in another home due to her aggression/fear issues, the trainer at the shelter knows me and encouraged me to adopt her, she had to go to someone w/gsd experience and even the shelter did not realize her level of aggression. I won't come right out and say that she has been abused but from her reactions and responses lets just say that at the least she has been roughly handled. The first week that I had her, when I would get up in the middle of the night she would charge me hackles up. She will take a treat from a stranger, then body slam them and try to bite. We are now socializing w/a muzzle, she has become a reasonable, affectionate housepet. I feel that she may be wired this way but will continue to work w/her but I also know that I can never let my guard down w/her. My husband and I do not fear her at all, she would give us the hairy eyeball the first few weeks but is now very loving and affectionate, loves to learn etc. |
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Here is an article from our website, a picture & some vidieo.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ty2ZOh0l7Js
The treadmill is not a substitute for outdoor exercise time but rather an additional outlet for physical release and mental stimulation.
Treadmill Training Your Canine
By Josiah Neuman CMT
Neuman K-9 Academy, Inc.
Dogs and treadmills go back to the early 1900’s. Back then they served a dual purpose; for instance the slate mill (animal powered treadmill) was used to churn butter, ice cream, and helped with lots of other tasks.
The benefits of using treadmills and dogs are endless. Canine professionals incorporate them for show ring practice, gait analysis, physical therapy (recovering from an injury), behavior counseling, and year around physical conditioning in harsh climates (MN!).
There are a wide variety of treadmills available for dogs. Generally speaking they are broken up into two categories:
* Motorized (electronic)
* Animal Powered
The animal powered treadmill is usually referred to as a carpet mill. These treadmills have varying options like resistance control, incline adjustments, etc., these are non-electronic (manually) dog propelled treadmills. They range in price from $300 - $600 depending on the make and model.
Motorized treadmills are what you would buy at a sports or fitness outlet. They can range from $500 - $5000 depending on the bells and whistles. These are electronic motor driven treadmills with speed control, powered incline, timer w/intervals, and distance tracking.
Regardless of the style of treadmill (animal powered or motorized) I recommend some key features that will ensure the best workout for your canine companion.
1. Incline Control
2. Speed Control
3. Track Length - In proportion to your canine
4. Time and Distance Meter
Incline control enables the handler to increase the grade of the walking surface to simulate walking up a hill. This is an important feature for dogs that are overweight, prone to hip displaysia, or dogs going through physical rehabilitation (physical therapy).
Speed control is a big benefit and the main reason we use a motor driven treadmill. We start dogs very slow (walking) to help get them become acclimated to the treadmill and work them into faster speeds. For some dogs a brisk walk is a better work and more difficult than a trot or fast jog. Higher speeds might be used for conditioning a hunting dog in the off-season or for building muscle tone in the sport competition dog.
Track length can impact the gate of the dog. What size is right for your dog? Measure the dog fully extended (in a down position) and look for a treadmill that is at least this size. At Neuman K-9 Academy we use a motor driven treadmill with a 60” deck which covers a wide variety of breeds / sizes.
Time and distance meters allow you to gauge the intensity of the work out – how long and how far your dog has been running/walking. I recommend developing a fitness or work out plan and the ability to monitor the time and distance is important.
A feature that didn’t make the top four but is worth mentioning is low impact shock absorbers. They provide a healthier workout for your dog and are worth paying the extra $$.
As stated previously in this article, we use a motorized or belt driven treadmill (electronic). If you keep the treadmill clean, greased and maintenance it according to the manufacturer&r |
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.....sorry long post, here is the rest...
If you keep the treadmill clean, greased and maintenance it according to the manufacturer’s specifications you will get several years of use with no problems. Dogs disperse their weight on 4 paws instead of two feet and in general there is less wear and tear than a human running on it.
Remember:
Do not feed or water your dog before or after a strenuous work out. This can cause bloat and can also result in bathroom accidents on the treadmill (not fun to clean up).
Have the dog on leash with a flat collar to ensure control of the exercise. DO NOT tie the dog to the treadmill and leave them unattended. The possibilities for injury and/or death are most certain.
At the beginning of the exercise I like to do a warm up and after a cool down. Just like athletes your dog can get muscle cramps and needs both.
You will find that after your dog becomes familiar with the treadmill, they absolutely love it. The positive impact it has on the dogs health (physical and mental) is significant. Each and every boot camp dog that graduates our program goes through physical conditioning which includes daily work-outs on the treadmill.
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I think I may try this with my dogs.
Can anyone reccomend a specific brand/model of treadmill (perhaps price as well)? |
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The one in the picture I posted is the EVO1 with a 60 inch deck- It was $2,400 but it was a floor model so we got it on sale for $1,600 from a local sporting goods store. Worth every penny I wish we could have bought 2 of them. It's very nice I like to use it for myself when I get the chance. |
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If there is time issues with not beeing able to leave the house i understand, but it didn't sound like that at the beginning of the thread.
I don't have to run 30 min with my dogs to get them a good workout. I don't know your situation, but If i can't walk my dogs at my house, I drive a couple of miles, and then take a good walk, with dogs off leash, they cover far more ground then i do and on top of just the excersize they have a lot to investigate, a lot of mental stim that wears them out,too. If i don't have that much time, or place to go,I take the ball with me. or lay a short track. that helps, at home you can play a lot of busy games. Or you can teah them mind games, Like learning a new skill, maybe even go into the smart dog games Nina Ottoson came up with, this way you don't have to leave the house, but can keep your dog busy and enhance the intelligence, that even works with younger dogs.
I know how it is when you have to take care of a family member.. it takes a lot of time and dediation and this way it takes you away from the puppes. I hope you fnd a good solution for the situation. |
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