do you put your dog on a treadmill?

[Willmafrockfit]

10 years ago i was watching an american series with a man who trained dogs and their owners
so many of the owners had their dogs on a treadmill
this seems unbelievable to me
but does this happen here?

Ermm no. We just take them for lovely long walks. Not wasting electricity or the dogs mental health for such lazy arsed bollocks.

Why would you when they can run around outside and have the stimulation of meeting other dogs, people , sniffs etc? But America isn't known for its love of walking is it?

Of course not. They don’t just need the exercise that walking gives them, it’s about mental stimulation, seeing new things, different people, different dogs and wildlife, smells etc.

I bloody hope it doesn't happen over here because dogs need undergrowth etc to sniff in for mental stimulation (it is their equivalent of reading a newspaper to find out what is happening in the world) as well as physical exercise.

I don't even think Dogs should be taken out running, fastened to the owner.
Ok, it's better than nothing at all but dog's want to race or Potter around at their own choice, smelling and playing games, not pounding the pavement strapped to a human (or bike) and it's dangerous for their hearts.

Yes. Just because people use treadmills does not mean that they are not exercised outside nor that they don't get mental stimulation in thier lives. My assistance dog was treadmill trained from being a puppy, because whilst he gets at about 12 miles of exercise (that's his walks alone) every day, and games and other mental stimulation, there are occasional days in the year when I am unable to get out of the house because it would be dangerous for me. The garden isn't enough. Actually, he likes the treadmill and will jump on it and ask for it to be switched on a couple of times a week anyway.

Just because you can't imagine it does not mean that people who do this are neglecting their dogs, as you suggest. In the "new things, different people, different dogs and wildlife, smells etc" category I will lay bets my dog gets more of that on daily basis than 90% of domestic dogs do in a week.

@Banditqueen12 On occasions we haven’t been able to walk our dogs, we have friends and family and paid help to walk our dogs. We wouldn’t have got dogs if we didn’t have a lot of back up plans. I’d never use a treadmill for them but if you think it’s good enough, that’s your choice. 🤷🏻‍♀️

Do you really think the entire sport of CaniCross would exist if it was as dangerous as that?

Did you read what I said? It's "good enough" because it is part of a package that provides for all his needs, and he's an assistance dog and needs to be with me, not with someone else. Do your dogs get at least 12 miles of off-lead exploring, socalising and sniffing for a minimum of 360 days every year? And since he likes the treadmill and asks for it, who are you to criticise me for it? He is a happy, very healthy and well-adjusted service dog and gets far more exercise, fun and mental stimulation than most domestic dogs could dream of.

@Banditqueen12 Are you ok?

I’ve already said if it’s good enough for you and your dog, then it’s your choice, just as it’s my choice to not want to use one for my dogs. As long as your dog is getting what he needs, there’s no need to be so defensive. You don’t need me to think it’s ok you know. 🤣🤣🤣

Only as part of supervised rehabilitation from injury. It’s common for sports dogs but very well managed by physios.

I ran with my last dog for over 10 years. She also did agility and long walks. She died at 17 of dementia. She suffered no arthritis or adverse effects from running. She loved it so much when she was too old to run I used to get her togged up, have a little trot round the block then drop her home to finish the run on my own.

Mine go on a hydro treadmill regularly.

I know someone who completes to a decent level in agility who has one who uses it very occasionally (handful of times a year per dog), mainly for injury rehab or when sheet ice has made it impossible to get out.
Otherwise the dogs spend their two walks a day 360 days a year out in some of the most stunning countryside and she’s got 10 acres where they can run off lead… I don’t worry for their welfare.

Yes my SBT is treadmill trained. Absolutely nothing to do with not walking him. He is a canicross dog and a show dog. He walks on treadmill on slight incline for fitness and muscle. He also uses underwater treadmill and hydropool. He happily jumps on it and walks away, he see’s it as a job and dogs like a job. A lot of dogs enjoy working, he loves to work, be it canicross , swimming or treadmill. There is nothing to stop him jumping off it if he wanted he is only walking at 1.9mph and no barriers to keep him there, he stays because he enjoys it. You also get carpet mills that dogs run on and working SBT love charging flat out on them, I’ve seen many videos where the dog is desperate to get on the mill and goes crazy on it. It’s posted purely by them , they stop it stops. A lot of dogs would much prefer a working life than a life just walked by owners. It gives breed satisfaction.

No