Treadmill

[Azure & Muppet]

I've trained Muppet to walk/run on our treadmill. I used treats in the beginning, but gradually faded them out for obvious reasons. It's an effective form of exercise, but he doesn't enjoy it like other activities because there's no play involved and no sights or smells to make it interesting. no stimulation + no excitement = NO FUN!!

Has anyone else explored this possibility? Any ideas how to make it more fun, more interesting, or more exciting? It seems to have potential . . .

[Robin, dalai, and Parker]

Yes, I've been using the treadmill since dalai was 5 months old. She is now 18 months. I also started out using treats, but don't need to anymore. She won't let me get on the treadmill without her. If I want to use it I have to lock her out of the room! I'm thinking she likes it. I've even left the room with her on it to see if she gets off and she doesn't. I try to do 1.8 miles/hr for 30 mins on rainy days.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

I haven't tried this yet, but it sure sounds like an interesting way to get indoor exercise. Do you get on the treadmill with Muppet or does he get on by himself? I'm going to give it a try...it's a rainy, yucky day here in CT.

[Azure & Muppet]

We can't both fit on the treadmill at the same time, it isn't wide enough. I wish we could both be on it walking or jogging at the same time because that's what he's used to from going on walks together. That would make it a lot easier to keep him going and I know he would like it better because he would feel like we were doing something together. In the beginning, I stood over him on the treadmill, then transitioned to standing next to it, and gradually moved to being on the bike pedaling while he's going on the treadmill (that way I can do my exercise at the same time). But I always stay near him while he's on it to praise him and supervise for safety reasons.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

So, I was going to try it with Guinness this weekend. Went to the basement to find the treadmill completely covered over with "stuff"....shows how physically fit we are. We thought the treadmill was such a great idea at the time. I need to get the DH to clear it off so Guinness and I can give it a try.

[Azure & Muppet]

I still use mine regularly, so Muppet has seen me walking/jogging on it even before I started putting him on it. I think that helped because he was already comfortable around it and kind of knew what it was from watching me use it. But when the weather is good, I prefer going for walks and jogging outside, so that's what he's more accustomed to doing (and he likes our walks and jogs outside, but not so much inside on the treadmill). Now that the weather is getting colder, I'll be exercising inside more often, which means Muppet will too.

[Rich and Sandy Adams]

Just stumbled across this older discussion and thought I'd share a couple of videos from our DK page showing our two pups, Abby and Joey using our treadmill.  

At first we used leads and lots of treats to get them used to it, but now they enjoy it "freestyle".  We still give them treats for being such good dogs.  ;)

Now WE need to use it as much as they do!  LOL!

http://www.doodlekisses.com/video/joey-and-abby-working-out

http://www.doodlekisses.com/video/joey-treadmill