Joey on the Treadmill

Winters in the northwest are generally pretty wet so Joey and Abby don't get as much exercise as we'd like. Neither do we ;)

To make up for the "grey days" we put them on our treadmill for 30 to 45 minutes and they seem to really enjoy it!

Here's a very brief video of Joey taking a nice little "trot".

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Comment by Elizabeth, Bailey & Bruin on February 10, 2012 at 12:15pm: WOW..Cesar would be proud. You ought to post this video on his site...

Comment by Rich and Sandy Adams on February 10, 2012 at 10:50am: We bet Chloe and Sadie would really like it now! Baby steps, lots of praise plus some "special" treats did the trick for us.

BTW, here's a little review of the treats Abby and Joey enjoy during their "workouts"...

http://www.doodlekisses.com/forum2/topics/jerky-treats-plus-dog-treats

Comment by Jennifer,Chloe & Myla on February 10, 2012 at 6:27am: Wow he looks so confident and determined! You did good! We tried when Chloe was younger and driving us nuts-she was not having it, I think we should try again!

Comment by Rich and Sandy Adams on February 9, 2012 at 3:32pm: It's always worth a shot Janice! I outlined how we did it below. Let us know how it goes!

Comment by Janice Hammond on February 9, 2012 at 3:31pm: Wow!! I wonder if I could get Sadie on out treadmill. I have heard of dogs on non motorized treadmills before but never on the motorized ones.

In Calgary we too have days that long outdoor runs are not possible.

Comment by Rich and Sandy Adams on February 9, 2012 at 3:23pm: We started with "baby steps" and plenty of treats. First we just got them used to stepping up onto the tread without it moving, sitting, staying and such. Then we'd put a lead/leash on them, hold it in front and turn the treadmill on very slow so that they'd have to start walking. They'd leap off plenty of times, but eventually they'd just walk. Each time they did anything right they'd get plenty of praise and a treat. We never forced it. When they were ready to quit we could tell. But as long as they seemed happy, or at least not unhappy, we worked with them.

Initially we'd stand or sit with them so that they'd feel safe. The more comfortable they got the longer we'd "walk" them. We eventually tied the lead to the top bar with enough slack that they could move about (or even jump off) but not enough for them to slip off the back (which is what happens a lot to start if you don't have the lead connected).

You can get a feel for them walking with a lead in the other video on our DK page...

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

As time went on they both became more used to it and eventually we did away with the lead completely. Now they get on...with the coaxing of a treat or two sometimes…on their own. We start the belt moving slowly by pressing the speed control button, bringing it up to the appropriate speed. When they're done we use the speed control to slow it to a stop rather than abruptly stopping it. They get a few treats and of course plenty of praise during their workout as well.

That's about it! It takes some time and patience, but I think it would work just as well with a puppy as a fully-grown dog. It's really a matter of taking plenty of time, a few minutes more each day and making them feel safe and secure.

Our treadmill is in my office so I do some work on the computer while they're "working out". I wouldn't want to leave them alone while it's running. Nothing has ever happened, but even humans can hurt themselves on these things so being right there is a good idea.

Joey jumps right on now. But as mentioned, like Sasha, Abby is pretty skittish. She really didn't like it too much initially...mostly the noise frightened her. However we spent some time getting her used to it and although she's not a big fan, once she's walking she's fine now and really seems to enjoy it.

So as with any training I think "baby steps" and patience is the key.

It's a real life-saver when there's so much mud to be found everywhere or when we can't take them for a good, long walk.

Hope that helps!

Comment by Barbara B., Sasha & Oliver on February 9, 2012 at 2:42pm: Awesome.... my two doodles get cabin fever too when its raining. They turned my back yard into a mud hole so when it rains then go out one at a time. They are also high energy and love to run and play, if they do not get their daily wrestling matches in or a good long walk/run they go nuts in the house as well. I have a tread mill and always wanted to put Oliver on it, I know he would do well, but never knew how to start him on it. How did you do it? My Sasha is kind of skidish so I don't know whether she would like it, she loves to run and is a awesome runner and has great speed and control but certain things freak her out. Oliver I think would do best on it. Please let me know how you started your doodle on the treadmill. Thanks

Comment by Rich and Sandy Adams on February 9, 2012 at 11:43am: They actually have a "routine". Joey (about 58 lbs) "warms up" at about 2.4 MPH for around 10 minutes, then it's up a comfortable trot (shown in the video), about 3.7 MPH for another 30 minutes or so, then a "cool down" at 2.2 MPH for about 5 minutes. Since Abby's smaller (34 lbs) her workout is 2.2 MPH, 3.2 MPH, 2.2 MPH.

Boy does it ever make a difference at night...tired puppies are good puppies. If we don't get them outside or on the treadmill every couple of days they tear around the house like little possessed maniacs!

This seems to improve their appetite too AND they stay trim and fit. Wish we could say the same for us. Ha!

Comment by Jane, Guinness and Murphy on February 9, 2012 at 11:33am: I love this. I can see we can increase the speed for Murph. He is running at a slower pace than this. He really likes it too, and it's perfect when we can't walk him due to the weather.