I started my Husky, Lucy (11 months), on the treadmill yesterday and she took to it immediately.  I wanted to start her on the treadmill because even though I run about 2 miles with her every other day, I thought the treadmill would be a good supplement for exercising her since she can run longer and faster than me.  I also thought it would be a great resource for her in bad weather or during the hot summer months.  Yesterday she ran 1.5 miles at 6.5mph (about 9min) pace before jumping off.  Today she ran a mile at 6.5mph before trying to jump off.  Has anyone successfully trained their dog on a treadmill?  How long and fast should I work her?  Should we work distance or speed first?  Any ideas or personal experience would be greatly appreciated.

I have no experience with a treadmill for dogs. I've considered it many time. Where I live it can be single digits or below freezing for weeks at a time. Negative double digit temps are not uncommon. It can also be over 100 at 11pm for a week straight.
Exercising animals in those kind of environments sucks.

I look forward to hearing from other people on the subject, and get more updates from you too.

Now for some criticism. The reason I haven't tried this yet is I'm afraid of falling into a bad habit. Walks/jogs/play time are way more than just exercise. A walk for a dog does more than work the body, it also works the mind. They are exposed to people, animals, motion, scents, sights, etc. Smelling things and processing it is mental stimulation. Seeing a bug crossing the sidewalk and switching into hunting mode is mental stimulation. Seeing another dog or person and interacting, even from a distance is mental stimulation.
A walk on a treadmill does not offer any mental stimulation. It works the body, but not the mind.
Using a treadmill as a supplement to adequate interactive exercise is likely ok for the dog if the dog enjoys it.
Using a treadmill to replace adequate interactive exercise is likely a very bad thing for a dog.

The only advice I could offer would be to take it easy. Don't force things too fast. Make sure you are always present. Don't hook the dog to the treadmill in any way. Don't feed prior to doing the treadmill.

i have a treadmill and can not get my 2 close to it so no advice.


the only advice i have is the age of your girl and how much you are running her. Keep in mind she is still growing and be mindful of her growing plates, you do not want to over do it. i hope the runs you do take her on is on soft ground and not paved surfaces.
A dog park is a great place to let her run around at her own pace and not feel as though she has to work to please you, as they will do that.

Kmanweiss wrote:

I have no experience with a treadmill for dogs.  I've considered it many time.  Where I live it can be single digits or below freezing for weeks at a time. Negative double digit temps are not uncommon.  It can also be over 100 at 11pm for a week straight.
Exercising animals in those kind of environments sucks.

I look forward to hearing from other people on the subject, and get more updates from you too.

Now for some criticism.  The reason I haven't tried this yet is I'm afraid of falling into a bad habit.  Walks/jogs/play time are way more than just exercise.  A walk for a dog does more than work the body, it also works the mind.  They are exposed to people, animals, motion, scents, sights, etc.  Smelling things and processing it is mental stimulation.  Seeing a bug crossing the sidewalk and switching into hunting mode is mental stimulation.  Seeing another dog or person and interacting, even from a distance is mental stimulation.
A walk on a treadmill does not offer any mental stimulation.  It works the body, but not the mind.
Using a treadmill as a supplement to adequate interactive exercise is likely ok for the dog if the dog enjoys it.
Using a treadmill to replace adequate interactive exercise is likely a very bad thing for a dog.

The only advice I could offer would be to take it easy.  Don't force things too fast.  Make sure you are always present.  Don't hook the dog to the treadmill in any way.  Don't feed prior to doing the treadmill.

Agreed 100%, the treadmill is a supplement for exercise when weather is bad or too hot to get outside.

jbealer wrote:

i have a treadmill and can not get my 2 close to it so no advice.


the only advice i have is the age of your girl and how much you are running her. Keep in mind she is still growing and be mindful of her growing plates, you do not want to over do it. i hope the runs you do take her on is on soft ground and not paved surfaces.
A dog park is a great place to let her run around at her own pace and not feel as though she has to work to please you, as they will do that.

Thanks - yeah we're taking it easy for now. Just 1 - 2 miles at a time and about every other day or so. I actually try to get her to run in the grass but she goes right back onto the asphalt sidewalk as if she almost prefers it??

I have had my girl on it once. She kinda goes limp and slips off the back if I don't hold her up and let her feet drag. I started getting her used to it by feeding her on it. Then when it came to getting her used to the sound I would walk slowly on it and hand her treats or make her stand by it while I walked and she ate her dinner. Getting it through to her that she needs to move her feet on it has been a different challenge I haven't quite mastered yet.