Treadmill For Puppies?

[12onny]

Originally Posted by observer

Now I am confused. You just said they are only walking around, at one mile an hour, but back in this post you say you let them "jog" until they get tired.

Keep them off of it -- get them their exercise in a non-mechanical manner.

the machine stays at the same LOW speed.. but they walks or jog on it.. when they are tired they just slide it off and went back on few seconds later.. when i remove one from the treadmill.. the other one just get on it.. i m always watching them when the machine is on.. and i dont let them walk or jog on that thing for more than 5 min..

[12onny]

and the reason why i got them the machine is cause many dog trainers recommend treadmill to reduce doggies energy.. i dont mean to tire them out or harm them at 3 months of age.. its more like introducing them to the machine, get used to it for later use when they are maybe 15 mo old.. its a good way to keep them fit when they are fully grown actually.

[hokisteph5]

Originally Posted by 12onny

and the reason why i got them the machine is cause many dog trainers recommend treadmill to reduce doggies energy..

Which dog trainers have recommended the treadmill? I've had my two dogs in classes the past two years and not once have any of the trainers recommended a treadmill.

Originally Posted by 12onny

I dont mean to tire them out or harm them at 3 months of age.. its more like introducing them to the machine, get used to it for later use when they are maybe 15 mo old.. its a good way to keep them fit when they are fully grown actually.

To be honest, this seems like a lazy owner's way of exercising their dogs. I've taken mine on walks, thrown a jolly ball for them to fetch, or taken them swimming. I look at exercising them as an opportunity for me to get some exercise too.

[Skip]

Originally Posted by hokisteph5

Which dog trainers have recommended the treadmill? I've had my two dogs in classes the past two years and not once have any of the trainers recommended a treadmill.



To be honest, this seems like a lazy owner's way of exercising their dogs. I've taken mine on walks, thrown a jolly ball for them to fetch, or taken them swimming. I look at exercising them as an opportunity for me to get some exercise too.

Not to mention it's a very BORING way for a pup to get a little exercise...no mental stimulation. no new sights and sounds and smells. I think it is just plain rediculous to put a puppy on a treadmill for ANY length of time....and I'm sure no reputable trainer or breeder would suggest it. Get off your butt and take the pup for a walk.

[Sharon Marples]

Another thing that the treadmill will tend to do is to teach the pups how to short-stride. They will not learn how to reach and drive by walking or trotting on a treadmill. Rather, it will shorten their stride which is not good.

[Britz]

Ok Why cant you just take your pups out for a short walk around the block instead of using the tread mill. I take my pup for walks many times aday and play fetch etc. I never once thought of using a tread mill. I will have to agree with what every one is saying here, I also think it is to early. MY Baby Zeus is 3 mths ol an I would never think to put him on the tread mill for a walk instead i take him out and we go for a little stroll, not to long of one. THEre is other ways to get yours to have less energy than putting them on a treadmill, like playing with them and taking them for walks outside.

[rottnluv]

I'm sorry but I can't get over the shock of someone wanting to put their 3 month old puppy on a treadmill for ANY reason There is no way that doing so can have any positive outcome. They are either going to get hurt and/or you are going to do permanent damage to their developing joints.

Why not listen to the advice that you posted asking for???

[observer]

And remember, while there are certainly knowledgeable trainers out there, there are many more whose ability to misguide people and dogs is mindboggling -- they are "trainers" because they "hung out their shingle" that said they were.

It is incredibly lazy to depend on a treadmill to burn a dog's energy. Play with them outside, throw toys for them, and then as they get older, take them for first short and then gradually longer walks on a leash. (separately, NOT together). You took on the task of two puppies at once (which most people would tell you is not the best idea), so you are in for a lot of WORK with each dog. And the treadmill is NOT the answer.