Dog Treadmill Training: Easy Tips to Get You Started
1. Open and Assemble The DogTread™ in a Separate Room
Please plan to assemble the DogTread™ in a separate room from your canine friend. The object is new and unfamiliar to your dog and you don’t want your dog to see or hear you assembling the machine. Some dogs are more skittish and it may frighten or intimidate them. Treat it like any introduction to a new object – very slow.
It is best to assemble the machine and then bring it into a room before inviting your dog to sniff around. Let them notice it and watch the reaction. Do not make a big deal out of it. If your dog acts scared or cautious be patient and sit down near the DogTread™. Use a favorite toy, a soft smelly treat or a give a gentle massage to reassure your pup. Repeat several times a day until the DogTread™ is like another piece of furniture in your home.
It can also help to feed a favorite treat from the back end of the treadmill on the first introduction and for the first few days. Then progressively move the food to the specially designed Treat Holders located on the hood of the treadmill.
2. Read The Owners Manual and Training Guidelines Completely Before Introducing Your Dog to the DogTread™ Training Guidelines and the Owners Manual have been included for a reason, please read thoroughly before starting. They offer great tips and recommendations for getting your dog off to the best start.
3. Do Not Turn the DogTread™ on until Your Dog is Ready
It is VERY important to make sure your dog is very comfortable with the DogTread™ in its space before ever turning it on. For some dogs this may only be a few hours, for others several days and some very skittish dogs may take longer. Every dog is different.
Tips for getting the dog to use the DogTread™ are in the Training Guidelines and include feeding special treats from the tread, to placing a sleeping pad on it, to providing massages on it. The key is to make it a great place to be! The dog treadmill is not a naturally inherent place for a dog to go and just like any new experience they need to be led and guided with a loving and trusting hand.
Your goal is to get your dog comfortable enough to turn on the treadmill. Once you are able to turn the DogTread™ on for a few seconds, stop the treadmill and reward with a soft smelly treat while they are still standing on the treadmill. Do this every day, until they are completely comfortable being on the DogTread™. If you are able to do this several times a day that is even better. The more you practice the more comfortable your dog will be. The secret is practice, practice, practice.
4. Positive Energy is a Must
If you are having a bad day or you just aren’t feeling well, please avoid working with your dog on the DogTread™. Your energy is easily transferable to the pet and they will associate your negative energy with the event. Wait for a time when you are more relaxed. Never allow children or a stranger to try using the DogTread™ with your pet. This should be an activity reserved for you and your pet.
5. Use of a Leash
We recommend the use of a leash in the training process. Just like walking the dog outside the leash is used to guide and direct your dog.
NEVER, EVER tie or hook your dog to the treadmill.
The leash will help tell your dog where you want them to go. For some dogs that are not leash trained, this is also a new experience and we recommend working on this prior to using the DogTread. Never pull or yank the leash – use it gently along with commands and smelly treats to encourage your dog to move forward. Food works well to keep them in the area you want them to be on the DogTread™.
6. Smelly Treats
Many dogs are food motivated and will show extra enthusiasm for a taste of a soft smelly treat vs. a hard smelly treat. Use this as motivation for progress and to associate good feelings with the DogTread™. Once you have reached the point of being able to turn on the DogTread™ you can use the treats as bait (just out of reach of the dogs nose and the size of your pinky fingernail) in the beginning to keep the dog moving forward. Do not feed the treat to your dog when it is walking/running. Once they figure out walking on the treadmill it is not necessary to bait them. Reward with their food kibble or treat placed in the Treat Holders when they are completely done walking and the DogTread™ is stopped.
7. Avoid/Minimize Distractions
Patience is a must. Just because you want your dog to be a natural, doesn’t mean it will. Take a deep breath and realize that just like any training – if done in a consistent and patient manner results are sure to follow.
Before starting the session first try to get your dog to release itself with a quick walk outside.
Avoid starting the workout after your dog has eaten (at least 2 hours). Eating should be after your walk or exercise program, it is another positive reward for them after working out on their DogTread™.
Get comfortable and position yourself in front of the treadmill. Make sure you don’t have any distractions that will require you to get up in the middle of the session. Avoid phone calls, dinner, kids, doorbells and reaching for a chair when you start your training. The area should be clear of distractions for both you and your dog and well ventilated to avoid overheating.
8. Start Slowly
Not all dogs will like using the treadmill at first. Some will refuse. The key is to make sure they are introduced properly. If they are introduced wrong they could have a negative experience. So take the process slow and again, PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE. The training process may take a few hours to months. It depends on how confident your dog is and how much time is spent practicing - Don’t rush the process or your dog – enjoy your time together.
Start with the end in mind – your goal is to get your dog to use and like the DogTread™. After your dog is very comfortable with the DogTread™ off, then it is time to turn it on. Remember to begin at very slow speeds. Notice your dogs gait to adjust the speed accordingly; they shouldn’t be stepping on the hood.
Let the treadmill move for only a few seconds and then stop and offer praise. Continue this process of positive reinforcement extending the segments as you go. The goal is to get them completely comfortable with the treadmill and being on the treadmill – once they are use to it they will walk on their own.
During the first few sessions you may only get up to 1 minute. That is fine. Just continue the praise and calling your dog forward. Your goal will be to get them to progress to an easy comfortable trot without hesitation of the moving surface. Remember this may take a few days or a few months, it depends on the dog.
Keep your dog on the treadmill at the end of the session for an extra massage or rubdown before allowing him to get off. This also helps reduce the chance of cramps. Always use the leash to guide your dog on and off the DogTread™ for safety.
9. Speed - Fast Is Not Best
A steady, comfortable jogging pace that is consistently performed daily is most beneficial. Watch for signs of over-exertion and stop the treadmill or reduce speeds if your dog is struggling.
10. Trainers in Your Area
Association of Pet Dog Trainers
11. Customer Service
The DogTread™ was constructed to be dog friendly and dog specific to make the training process easier. If you have further questions about your DogTread™ you may contact our customer service department at 877.563.5151 or service@petzenproducts.com.
12. After Initial Training
After your dog is trained to use the DogTread™ you won’t need to practice every day. The DogTread™ can become an occasional alternative to the walk because of weather or a hectic schedule. Or it can be used in addition to the regular walk for dogs with excessive energy. Always remember to make it a fun experience. Just like humans, regular safe exercise is the best way to helping your dog live a happier and healthier life.