outdoor is always in force than a treadmill , but sometimes you have no option .
decline is nearly here , and winter — bestow snow and frigid temperatures — won’t be far behind . When the weather condition gets bad , many of us two - leggeds turn to a longtime frenemy to get our step in : the treadwheel .
Turns out , you’re able to learn your frankfurter to take the air on the treadmill , too . You just have to be sure you ’re doing it safely and constantly supervise your click when she ’s using it . Keep in mind , there are pot of other way to exercise your dog at menage , too , whether that ’s fetch or float in the tub , so if your dog wo n’t warm up to the treadmill , consider another alternative .
Ksenia Raykova / Getty
When Can You Put a Dog on a Treadmill?
An crucial note : If youcanwalk your pawl outside , do that . Using the tread-wheel should only hap when it ’s unimaginable to go outside — such as frigid temperature that would harm your puppy ’s paws — or if your hot dog is using it for strong-arm therapy .
If you get the go - ahead , it should be middling easy to train your dog , saysDarryl Millis , an expert in canine renewal and veterinary sports medicine . It could take as fiddling as a few second .
But first , spill the beans with your vet or a certify canid fitness flight simulator to ensure using a treadwheel is a good idea . small strain , for representative , might be better off getting their usage by swimming in a bathtub or sink or playing games around your house .
How to Walk Your Dog on a Treadmill
Millis commend first let your hotdog stomach on the unmoving treadmill belt ammunition , using plenty ofpositive reinforcementand rewarding her with treats . Then , begin the treadmill at its slowest mise en scene so the pawl is n’t surprised . Lure your pup to walk with a kickshaw and offer great deal of encouragement .
Start slow , ensure your frump is comfortable when the belt start move . If your domestic dog only walks , then only have her walk on the treadwheel . Do n’t make her move faster than she ordinarily would . If your dog can run or trot , then you could speed it up to that pace , Millis says . Have her walk only a few minutes during her first sitting and then , over the course of several days , work up to about 15 - 20 minutes . Haylee Bergeland , CPDT - KA , RBT , and Daily Paws ' pet wellness and demeanour editor , enjoin andiron should n’t walk any longer than that on a treadmill because they tire and bore quicker walking on it than they do outside .
Be thrifty of “ in - between ” speeds , too , Millis says . You do n’t want your pup befuddle on whether she should take the air or run . He suggests a workout consisting of a 3–5 minute tender - up walk , then some trotting followed by 3–4 minutes of sang-froid - down walk .
Even after your dog has mastered the tread-wheel , still keep a close eye on her as she ’s using it . seem out for panting or your dog laboring to keep up , Millis say . When that take place , it ’s time to right away slow down down to a walk speed before eventually shutting it off for the day . You should end the workout before your dog gets to that point .
Veterinary Behavior Solutions offersadditional tipson training your dog to use the tread-wheel , include a way of life to assist your heel overcome her fear of the treadmill . essentially , it involve get your wiener to associate the sound of the treadmill with treats , the way , say , humans might associate Altoids with a computer racket . If she ’s still afraid , view another exercise option .
If you follow these peak — please , please be safe — then your pup will be off and , ahem , run in no time .
