Archive for April, 2009

Dog Treadmill Training

A dog treadmill can be a great addition to your dog’s exercise regimen. If you believe a short jog around the block or a short 10 minute play session in the backyard is enough, think again. A dog treadmill can be used for a wide variety of training and exercise purposes.

You might wonder who would purchase a dog treadmill? Well, a lot of trainers use them every day on the nation’s top show dogs. Treadmills can be used for show ring practice and gait analysis.

Show ring dogs are often put on a dog treadmill to have their gaits analyzed. In the show ring a dog has to run at a certain required speed and at that speed the dog must maintain a perfect gait. By practicing the gait on a regular basis you can analyze and improve your dog’s chance of winning.

A dog treadmill can also be used for sporting dogs as well. They are perfect to use when the weather outside is not ideal. Almost any type of sporting event dog can benefit from a dog treadmill. Treadmills are also great when helping to recover from an injury. Consult with your veterinarian first, but now people are starting to realize that the faster you get the joints and muscles working after injury, the faster the recovery.

Many people think they can use a human treadmill for their dog’s training, but they don’t work for several reasons. Human treadmills can become full of dog hair and malfunction. Also, humans have a shorter stride than dogs, so having the proper length of treadmill is important, otherwise the dog will have an abnormally short gait.

When buying a dog treadmill be sure to look for a company that specializes in treadmills for dogs. The treadmill should have sides and an adjustable resistance control and height. By having adjustable resistance and incline settings you can really give your dog a good workout.

Before beginning a dog treadmill exercise routine, be sure to talk to an experienced trainer who can set you up with a proper schedule to ease your dog into the workout. At first your dog will likely not even want to stand on the treadmill, but after walking your dog over and around the treadmill a couple of times your dog should stand on the treadmill. Also, when first starting the treadmill up, be sure to stay near the head of the dog to help control him and to give him reassurances.

A dog treadmill that is quality made costs about the same price as human treadmills. A dog needs a quality treadmill that will not feel shaky to the dog.

As you can see, having a dog treadmill can give you a huge advantage over the competition. By setting up an exercise routine for your dog and sticking to it, you can will a lot more competitions.

Author: Chris Suckow

Chris Suckow, DVM, live and works in Los Angeles, CA

For more dog information visit his website: ASK A VET

For a FREE DOG TRAINING COURSE visit my other page at at: FREE 7 Day Dog Training Course.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Chris_Suckow

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admin on April 18th 2009 in Dog Treadmills

Train Your Dog To Use A Treadmill

One of the most popular exercise machines out today for humans is the treadmill. The reasons why treadmills are so popular are they are easy to use, they burn calories, and they create less impact on your body compared with walking or running on hard surfaces and their conveniently located inside your home. Those same reasons can apply to your dog’s exercise routine. You can train your dog to be a treadmill dog and walk on a treadmill just as you do.

A treadmill is easy to use for both humans and animals because it allows for the natural movement as walking or running outdoors. There are treadmills made especially for pets, but they work similarly to regular treadmills.

Training your pet to walk on a human treadmill is just as simple as training them to walk on a specialized dog treadmill. When you have the equipment already in your home, there is no need to be out the expense on doggie equipment.

running with your dog
Conveniently located in your home, you are only steps away from helping your treadmill dog maintain a health fitness program. Fluctuations in weather conditions as well as daylight or darkness have no effect on his daily workout. Rainy or snowy weather and unsafe traffic conditions are also eliminated.

The first step in the training process is always safety. Make sure you have a harness with a place to attach a leash in front of the chest. This way it’s easier to control the dog while you’re in front of them, and it will prevent unnecessary tension on a neck collar.

Another thing to keep in mind while you is that they are doing all the work, and we’re not. Treadmill activity can be a big workout for dogs because it requires a steady pace. Make sure to watch and listen for signs that your dog is getting tired or overheated just as you would for any activity.

Now, make sure the treadmill is at its lowest setting. A dog can become frightened by the intensity of the ground moving too quickly beneath him. Get yourself comfortable in a spot in front of the machine so that you will be close to your pet. If you get up and leave your dog in the middle of the training, he may become anxious. Never leave your dog unattended on a treadmill. He could lose his footing and become choked.

Next take and offer your dog a treat to lure him onto the treadmill. You will want to make this a positive experience for your dog. Once your dog is positioned on the platform, thread the leash in through the front of the treadmill and turn the machine on low. Use the treats to lure your dog forward and keep them just beyond his nose until he willingly moves forward with the machine. Don’t forget to reward the behavior with a treat.

Dogs respond positively to words of encouragement, so call to him and tell him how great he’s doing. Make sure to always start out slow and progress until your dog reaches an easy trot. Do this for five minutes a day until he moves smoothly even without a treat for a lure.

Treadmill use has grown over the years due to how simple and effective they are to get a thorough workout. There is no reason why your dog can’t benefit from the same principals as you do. With a little training and reassurance, a treadmill gets results, whether for you or your treadmill dog.

By: Michael Selvon

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.comMike Selvon owns a number of niche portal. Please visit our portal for more great information on the treadmill dog, and leave a comment at our pacemaster treadmill blog.

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admin on April 13th 2009 in Dog Treadmills