Treadmills to help exercise dogs

[HelenePA]

I'm at my wits end with my dog... This is my last resort if this doesn't help his behavior I dont know what will.. we walk for 1.5hrs a day weather permitting. Lately it hasn't been permitting winds of 40mph and negative wind chills does not make it possible to walk him outside for that long. His coat is not made for it and I will not risk the health of my 2 yr old outside that long for him. He's a member of my family but he's lower on the totem pole than us humans. I need to buy one first off... is there anything I should look for in one? I have an old old old manual one in my basement but that's not going to work How do I start him off on it? He's a chicken **** and has such anxiety issues that even when we are in the other room he cries and wines but there is only so much of him I can take.. he just does NOT let up AT ALL. We do play with him in the house dont get me wrong but its just not enough.. its not enough even with the 1.5hr walks... and honestly I dont have much spare time to add in another 1.5hr walk.. call me a bad dog mom if you will but my human family will always come first... I know this is going to make some people mad and tell me I need to get rid of him but I'm trying my best.. honest! I dont want to give up on him but there is only so many hours in the day and so much I can do!!

 

[Robindianne]

I'm sorry I don't know about using a treadmill with dogs. Here's what I do: Dog daycare. Seriously. Even M,W,F would help. Some cost as little as 20/day if you buy in advance. Some (mine) lets me pay for "play and train" Tues and Th. Some (mine) are structured (nap time, snack time, play time interspersed) and some are "free range" where they run and play alllllllllllllllllllllll day. They are kept so busy and focused that they come home really tired. And, it gives you a break from eachother. This is the first dog I've tried that with (she has separation anxiety when I go to work) and I'm a believer now! She's like a different dog. Even before the training, when I took her to a great free range place she was calmer and quiet on the days off. Good luck to you.

I'm at my wits end with my dog... This is my last resort if this doesn't help his behavior I dont know what will.. we walk for 1.5hrs a day weather permitting. Lately it hasn't been permitting winds of 40mph and negative wind chills does not make it possible to walk him outside for that long. His coat is not made for it and I will not risk the health of my 2 yr old outside that long for him. He's a member of my family but he's lower on the totem pole than us humans. I need to buy one first off... is there anything I should look for in one? I have an old old old manual one in my basement but that's not going to work How do I start him off on it? He's a chicken **** and has such anxiety issues that even when we are in the other room he cries and wines but there is only so much of him I can take.. he just does NOT let up AT ALL. We do play with him in the house dont get me wrong but its just not enough.. its not enough even with the 1.5hr walks... and honestly I dont have much spare time to add in another 1.5hr walk.. call me a bad dog mom if you will but my human family will always come first... I know this is going to make some people mad and tell me I need to get rid of him but I'm trying my best.. honest! I dont want to give up on him but there is only so many hours in the day and so much I can do!!

 

[HelenePA]

Well I'm in NoWhere PA.. no doggy daycares. Plus 60$ a week just isn't going to happen. We have 4 "little" kids & that just is not in the budget. I just need to get thru the winter... I need to get him a treadmill until I can get outside with him more. he doesn't even like to pee yet alone take hour walks. He's a 5 yr old english springer spaniel and is always "on the hunt". He NEEDS more exercise I know this and really this is the only way he's going to get it right now.. *sigh*

 

[cepmom]

we had a spaniel growing up and it was a long time ago, but my Dad put up a dog run between the house and a tree in the back yard. We hooked the dog up to the run and she was free to run around, back and forth all day. We did not have to take her for a walk. Is that possible for you to do, then you wouldn't have to walk with him all the time but he could still run around with out you?

 

[yoopermom]

Watch your Craigslist for "cheap"(er) treadmills. Training a dog to walk on it is not hard once they get the idea, but you must NEVER leave the dog unsupervised on it, please! I've used one in the past with our hunting dogs, and it does work, but it's also a time commitment (since you have to be in the same room, at the least).

Do you have 4-H in your area? Maybe your oldest child could join the dog project with him so he could learn basic obedience?

Spaniels are very high energy, sporting dogs, and so you should *not* feel guilty if you end up rehoming him. Please consider contacting breed rescue in your state for suggestions as to how to keep him busy, so you don't have to get rid of him. Here's a for your whole family, people and critters, all!

Terri

 

[Pea-n-Me]

It sounds like you are very busy with your children. Understandably.

If you tie the dog to the treadmill and walk away, and he slips and falls, the still-running treadmill can quickly take most of his skin and fur off in a very short period of time.

People and children have had severe injuries and even deaths from this.

Unless you will be standing there with him 100% of the time, for safety, it's probably not a good idea, IMO. Caesar Milan does it under supervision, but not everyone should.

What about playing fetch games with him in your yard to tucker him out? The kids could participate, also.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

The right way to do it if you're going to do it.

http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/dog-treadmill-a-review-1108770.html

Dog Treadmill - A Review A dog treadmill can be a great addition to your dog's exercise regimen. If you believe a short jog around the block or a short 10 minute play session in the backyard is enough, think again. A dog treadmill can be used for a wide variety of training and exercise purposes.

Looking for dog treadmills is a smart idea if you want to keep your dog in top shape. Believe it or not, many of the winners of the more known dog shows use treadmills to keep their dogs in top shape for the show.

They can also be used for gait analysis. The animal needs to go at a specific pace during the show, so when you use the machine, you can set it to that speed and then tell how well the dog's gait is at that pace. This will help you determine whether or not you have a dog that is capable of taking home a medal, and thus if it's worth it to enroll them in the show or not.

Of course, they are mainly used for keeping your dog fit. If you live in an area where it gets old outside and you want to keep your animal in good condition, this is the perfect method.

A dog treadmill can also be used for sporting dogs as well. They are perfect to use when the weather outside is not ideal. Almost any type of sporting event dog can benefit from a dog treadmill. Treadmills are also great when helping to recover from an injury. Consult with your veterinarian first, but now people are starting to realize that the faster you get the joints and muscles working after injury, the faster the recovery.

Many people think they can use a human treadmill for their dog's training, but they don't work for several reasons. Human treadmills can become full of dog hair and malfunction. Also, humans have a shorter stride than dogs, so having the proper length of treadmill is important, otherwise the dog will have an abnormally short gait.

Before beginning a dog treadmill exercise routine, be sure to talk to an experienced trainer who can set you up with a proper schedule to ease your dog into the workout. At first your dog will likely not even want to stand on the treadmill, but after walking your dog over and around the treadmill a couple of times your dog should stand on the treadmill. Also, when first starting the treadmill up, be sure to stay near the head of the dog to help control him and to give him reassurances.

A dog treadmill that is quality made costs about the same price as human treadmills. A dog needs a quality treadmill that will not feel shaky to the dog.

For obvious reasons you want your dog to be safe and out of harms way when he is exercising so there are a few things that you need to do in order for his workout to be an enjoyable yet safe one. For starters always make sure that you send your dog out to the toilet before he starts exercise.

Secondly try to create a soft landing zone behind the treadmill. Dogs have quite a short attention span and may forget that they can't just stop for a rest.

Thirdly keep a careful eye on your dog while he's exercising. He may overheat, get tangled up, want to stop, be exhausted, the list is endless. With you there watching him all of these things will be eliminated. Don't forget that your dog needs a warm up and cool down just like we do when working out so make sure you put this into his program.

Treadmills made for dogs: http://www.grandcarpetmill.com/

 

[LuvOrlando]

Do you have a yard? Could you try one of those invisible fences? I have a Border Collie and a real fence & a doggie door and the combination keeps everyone very content. He just loves to be outside and will plop down in the snow watching it fall or plop down watching the bunnies & rabbits frolic. No way could I stand being outside as much as he desires, he really likes the freedom to come & go at will. My DF has a Border Collie and a Golden and her invisible fence works very well for her and only gets into trouble when the batteries in the collar run low.

The invisible fences aren't cheap but neither is a treadmill.

 

[goofy!]

I have done it to condition our dogs before show season.

If you are using a people treadmill and not a dog one, I would consult with a trainer and/or your vet on how long, how fast and how much of an incline you should use that is safe with your dog's current conditioning.

As others have said - this is absolutely NOT the "put the dog on for an hour and walk away." You need to stand over the treadmill and hold the leash just like you would do for a walk. Once the dog gets used to it, sometimes they love it so much you can step away for a bit as they will exercise yourself. But you must always be within arms length to shut the thing off in case the dog stumbles or gets into trouble.

As for training, have the dog on it first while not running. Give them plenty of treats while on it so they associate it as a good thing.

After they will hop on when you tell them without hesitation, then after they are on it, turn it on to the slowest walk speed. Have them take a few steps, turn it off and treat. You may have to hold the treat in front of them so they have to "walk" to get it. Keep lengthening the sessions till the dog will get on it, you can turn the treadmill on and the dog will walk or jog away.

 

[HelenePA]

I do have a yard we play fetch in the spring, summer and fall this winter has been nasty cold. I have no problems being in the same room with him when hes on it that is not a problem, I can put him on it while I do dishes folding laundry or just picking up toys. its finding tha extra 1.5 hrs (after the 1.5hrs in the spring summer and fall) that Im having problems with! I dont have 3 hrs a day just to walk my dog and my 2 yr old will only sit in a stroller for so long kwim? I will look into the dog treadmill. I would have never thought to just look for them built for dogs! Thank you! I will talk to my vet and a trainer. I wish I had all the time (and energy!) to walk for 3-4 hrs a day with him but its just not possible. Dh works 2 jobs, I am home witht he kids alone for 16hrs a day (well only 1 while the others are in school but he's 2 enough said ) He came to be beause his owner just did not have any time for him at all.. he was crated for 18hrs a day. No walks no anything. I've had him for 6 months (june 24th we got him) this is the first winter I've had with him... I was not ready for this behavior with no walks.. now i understand why they gave him up!

 

[Mickey'snewestfan]

I think our dogs might be related! Mine has a thick coat of fur but I don't so his walks are still limited. I agree that daycare is a great idea even if I pay for one day midweek it's enough to encourage a few days of calm behavior. I have also thought about a weighted backpack to increase his exercise. We also walk a lot indoors for example at petco or the hardware store. Good luck, let us know how the treadmill works, maybe I will try one too.

 

[arminnie]

My dog's grandma, mom, and siblings can all use a treadmill - but will only do it for about 5 minutes.

I exercise my dog even in my small condo by just telling him to RUN - he will run as far as he can. Then I call him back and keep doing that. Notice I am not moving at all.

 

[goofy!]

I do have a yard we play fetch in the spring, summer and fall this winter has been nasty cold. I have no problems being in the same room with him when hes on it that is not a problem, I can put him on it while I do dishes folding laundry or just picking up toys. its finding tha extra 1.5 hrs (after the 1.5hrs in the spring summer and fall) that Im having problems with! I dont have 3 hrs a day just to walk my dog and my 2 yr old will only sit in a stroller for so long kwim? I will look into the dog treadmill. I would have never thought to just look for them built for dogs! Thank you! I will talk to my vet and a trainer. I wish I had all the time (and energy!) to walk for 3-4 hrs a day with him but its just not possible. Dh works 2 jobs, I am home witht he kids alone for 16hrs a day (well only 1 while the others are in school but he's 2 enough said ) He came to be beause his owner just did not have any time for him at all.. he was crated for 18hrs a day. No walks no anything. I've had him for 6 months (june 24th we got him) this is the first winter I've had with him... I was not ready for this behavior with no walks.. now i understand why they gave him up!

That is the tricky part. Until your dog is fully trained and an old pro (which will definitely take you into spring) you cannot even think about doing anything else while the dog is on the treadmill. And only if you are using a doggie treadmill.

Until then,(or always on a human treadmill) You have to stay at the dog's head at all times. This is not a quick fix for exercising a dog in the winter. You have to be at the treadmill supervising, especially if you planning on using a human treadmill that is not designed for a dog.

As the article above states, the human treadmill is not designed for a dog's pace, so it is extra important that you stay with your dog the entire time it is on the treadmill. You need to plan on "walking" your dog without any other distractions. Otherwise you run the very real risk of serious injury or even death of your pooch. Now the bonus, is that at a steady trot on a treadmill, your "walk" will be much shorter than your human paced ones with a stroller. But then again, you need to consult with a trainer to determine the best pace for your dog.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

I wish I had all the time (and energy!) to walk for 3-4 hrs a day with him but its just not possible. Dh works 2 jobs, I am home witht he kids alone for 16hrs a day (well only 1 while the others are in school but he's 2 enough said )

He came to be beause his owner just did not have any time for him at all.. he was crated for 18hrs a day. No walks no anything. I've had him for 6 months (june 24th we got him) this is the first winter I've had with him... I was not ready for this behavior with no walks.. now i understand why they gave him up!

He's a chicken **** and has such anxiety issues that even when we are in the other room he cries and wines but there is only so much of him I can take.. he just does NOT let up AT ALL.

My trainer had a saying when someone showed up with a blatently ovious mismatch of dog and owner (such as the elderly woman who could barely walk and the extremely hyper Border Collie). "It's not the right dog for them." As sad as it is, it doesn't sound like he's the right dog for you and your family. He's needy, and you don't have a lot left to give him, which is really what he needs: time, patience, stability, understanding, training, direction of energy, calmness, routine, etc. The stimulation of a house full of presumably noisy, active kids (who are probably not handling him the way he should be handled, if they're like most kids) may be contributing to his hyperactivity and anxiety. All this, not to criticize, but just to point out.

I'm at my wits end with my dog... This is my last resort if this doesn't help his behavior I dont know what will.

A treadmill may be a bandaid solution here. It may be kinder to all of you to find him a more suitable home.

I know this is going to make some people mad and tell me I need to get rid of him but I'm trying my best.. honest! I dont want to give up on him but there is only so many hours in the day and so much I can do!!

I believe you are.

 

[HelenePA]

I dont know of a better suitable home.. a marathon runner maybe? do people really have 3-4 hrs a day just to walk their dog?

ETA I wanna add.. my dog has no problems jumping my fence so I can't leave him out there alone for long Thankfully someone is always outside when its nice out so that isn't a problem just in the winter.. I wish I lived someplace that had a doggy play area inside.. sometimes small towns suck..

 

[yoopermom]

I dont know of a better suitable home.. a marathon runner maybe? do people really have 3-4 hrs a day just to walk their dog?

I understand your frustration. Have you told us how old he is? We have 8 dogs of a sporting breed, and so I understand how all consuming proper exercise can be (DH bought a pony walker this summer, I posted on it at the time). If he's at all young, he will calm down (at least a little) with maturity, too. My two youngest are going to be 3 in February, and it really wasn't until they were over 2 that I didn't get frustrated with them daily. It can also make a difference if he's out of hunting bloodlines vs show (or backyard) bloodlines, since hunters breed them to well, hunt, so they tend to be "hotter".

None of this resolves your problem, I know, but know we understand.

Terri

 

[Pea-n-Me]

I dont know of a better suitable home.. a marathon runner maybe? do people really have 3-4 hrs a day just to walk their dog?

It is probably not just a matter of exercise. Exercise will certainly help channel excess energy, but some dogs have personality and behavioral issues that require much more than that.

Whining constantly as you described earlier is a form of anxiety/separation anxiety. My dog has this as well and it takes a lot of time, effort and training to work with it. I know it can be downright draining sometimes.

 

[HelenePA]

He's 5. I would have hated to see him as a puppy holy cow! lol I had a spaniel mix growing up and he was hyper but nothing i mean NOTHING like this guy! Also the former owner did try to make him into a hunting dog, makes walks fun when we see a rabbit! lol

 

[HelenePA]

It is probably not just a matter of exercise. Exercise will certainly help channel excess energy, but some dogs have personality and behavioral issues that require much more than that.

Oh I wanna tell ya I bought him those toys kong? and he's not smart enough to get the food out. Not even chicken will entice to play with it long enough to figure it out All he likes are balls.. any kind of balls and he's good..

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Oh I wanna tell ya I bought him those toys kong? and he's not smart enough to get the food out. Not even chicken will entice to play with it long enough to figure it out. All he likes are balls.. any kind of balls and he's good..

My dogs never liked Kongs, either.

Ball drive can actually be a great training tool. Look up something called Fly Ball. If you can find someone to build it, it might be something he could do on his own that would help channel his energy. Also a tether ball on a pole. Throwing him balls will definitely help, although it can become an obsession. One of my high energy dogs became a Frisbee champ that way.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xuThwFDddYY&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zXDgT8j3uRg&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=faQ3KXMddSo&feature=related