Top 10 Tips on Training Your Dog on a Treadmill

Written by Senior Editor Peter Gehr

Top 10 Tips on Training Your Dog on a Treadmill

Top 10 Tips on Training Your Dog on a Treadmill

Let me tell you a story: My neighbor has an energetic Jack Russell who is so lively and active that he spends a lot of time bouncing like a ball next to his owner, Sandra, who works from home. Although Sandra takes Angus for a walk each day at the local park, she is unable to fully provide the amount of exercise for him, due to her work commitments and time restraints. I talked to her about the advantages of indoor training for her pooch, and I’ve compiled these top 10 tips on training your dog on a treadmill from the advice I offered Sandra.

To this day, Angus seems much happier and stimulated both physically and mentally from his time “at the home gym” and the treadmill has proven to be a great supplement to his existing exercise schedule.

Top 10 Tips on Training Your Dog on a Treadmill

1. Positive experience

It’s imperative to be sure you take the time to introduce your dog to the treadmill, and take it slowly. Dog Whisperer Cesar Millan suggests that you could even place your pets food or water on the platform to help make it a nice place to be.

2. Treats

Use his favorite treats to encourage him to step up onto the treadmill

3. Leash

Use a leash as an aid to guiding him from the back of the treadmill—which is where you’d approach it each time you use it.

4. Naturally uncomfortable, fearful

Please realize that this equipment and a “moving floor” will be completely unnatural and uncomfortable for your dog. Ensure that you have his full confidence and have him “in the zone” when on the machine. Avoid any fearful behavior so that it becomes an enjoyable experience.

5. Noise of machine

Introduce your pet to the sound of the machine, i.e. the beeps of the controls and the whirring of the treadmill in action, and reward him for his composure.

6. Steady the dog if anxious

Once your dog is comfortable with standing on the machine, at a low speed, introduce the treadmill with your pet on a leash and move him forward to the center of the platform. Steady him with your hands if necessary.

7. Repeat when successful

As soon as your pet has done well on the treadmill for a few short minutes, take him off and repeat the whole procedure to reinforce the “fun” aspect of the exercise.

8. Slowly introduce faster speeds

Do not force your dog, or expect him to trot or run on the machine. Take time to build up to comfortable and manageable speeds. You are not trying to train him for the Olympics, but rather introducing him to a steady and comfortable pace.

9. Do not leave your dog alone on the treadmill

NEVER leave your dog alone on any sort of equipment. Be sure you are close by to assure your pet, as well as being there to monitor progress.

10. Don’t overdo it

Build up to a reasonable time-frame of perhaps 15 to 20 minutes. Depending on the size of your dog, and the breed, you may want to come up with a standard that is appropriate and achievable for your pooch.

3 Dachshund Dogs on a Treadmill Having Fun!

The main reason for introducing a treadmill to your dog’s exercise regimen is to ensure that you are providing enough exercise for your pet. Let’s face it, unless you are very active and have the time to walk and run your dog at least once a day, then your dog will not be getting what he needs to stay healthy, fit, and mentally challenged.

You may be in a situation where a treadmill becomes an ideal way of giving your dog the necessary outlet for expending natural energy, and if you train your dog correctly, he will learn to like it and anticipate his exercise with enthusiasm. I hope these top 10 tips on training your dog on a treadmill benefit you and your pet.

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Best Puppy Advice on How to Stop Jumping on People

Written by Peter Gehr Senior Editor

Best Puppy Advice on How to Stop Jumping on People

Best Puppy Advice on How to Stop Jumping on People

People often ask me how do to train your puppy not to jump on visitors. This is a common problem and one that should be dealt with to stop this bad habit. The best puppy advice on how to stop jumping on people starts with consistency on your part.

My recommendation is to not allow this sort of behavior in your puppy, and let them know this is unacceptable. First of all, when you have been out of the house for the day, and you return to an excited dog, my remedy has always been to be calm about your arrival and not to stir up to situation with exuberance.

As much as you may want to reciprocate the enthusiasm, if you allow this to happen, you will be cultivating a situation that will spill over onto every visitor to your home, and no one wants to be greeted at the door by a dog jumping all over them. This is especially true for someone who may not be comfortable around dogs, or someone who may be carrying a plate of food, a child, or be elderly and already unsteady on their feet.

Best Puppy Advice on How to Stop Jumping on People

Dog whisperer, Cesar Millan advises to:

Establish yourself as pack leader.

When a dog doesn’t have a clear pack leader, she tries to fill the vacant role, usually to disastrous results (for the owner and for the dog!) The pack leader leads by projecting a calm-assertive energy.

Don’t shower your dog with affection when you walk through the door.

This kind of attention is wonderful for a human child, but not for a dog. Remember dogs are animals, and the kindest thing you can do is to treat your dog like a dog and communicate in a way he’ll understand.

Correct bad behavior.

The dog’s mom, the ultimate pack leader, would never tolerate inappropriate activity. If she sees something she doesn’t like, she stops it by moving the puppy out of the way in a calm-assertive manner. The puppy learns an important boundary from the lesson, and her firm and unambiguous leadership balances the puppy’s submissive role in the pack.

When your guests arrive, ask your dog to sit patiently.

Your dog will follow your commands when he respects you as his pack leader. Remember, the animal pack leader doesn’t negotiate to get what he or she wants.

You can’t be a leader only some of the time.

Leadership is forever; inconsistency triggers confusion and anxiety in a dog. Animal pack leaders never waver from their leadership role, and neither should you! (Original article here)

The best puppy advice on how to stop jumping on people is to get your whole family to agree to cooperate. This is crucial to the success of overcoming the problem. Simply do not allow the behavior, and calmly enter your home to portray to your pet that excitable conduct is not part of the deal of being a member of your family.

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