[Guest]

Anybody have any good resources (I'm going to look now) for how to teach, support, help a somewhat (not totally) untrained dog walk on a treadmill for rehab?

I'm thinking two people to start, one on each side. One supporting/stabilizing upper body, other doing the back end (with towel or band or belt or something)....

Doesn't seem too hard. Our dogs like it, but this dog isn't fully trained...

-K

 

[BillJensWorkingLabs]

You can call Jen at 989-295-0795 and ask her about it.

Tell her I told you to call.

Bill

 

[Dave Kress]

treadmill

Easy stuff to teach kristie

In the beginning---- sideboards maybe 12"-15" high, I used visegrips in the beginning to hold this down but velco would work, something not to high in the front.
Use a pinch collar- turn the machine on slowly and coax the pup onto it, slowly increase your speed, keep the collar on with the lead over the top, grab your chair and sit patiently.

Ours do 2 minute warm-up, 25 minutes at 7.5 mph, at 3%, 2-3 minute cool down. about 2-3 times per week in the winter.

The mutts love it-mindless excercise- no chance of getting into trouble.
PM with questions.

Nice to see you this past weekend.
Dave K

 

[GONEHUNTIN']

Make sure you " air " him before you put him on the treadmill. Self explanatory.

 

[Guest]

Re: treadmill

Easy stuff to teach kristie

In the beginning---- sideboards maybe 12"-15" high, I used visegrips in the beginning to hold this down but velco would work, something not to high in the front.
Use a pinch collar- turn the machine on slowly and coax the pup onto it, slowly increase your speed, keep the collar on with the lead over the top, grab your chair and sit patiently.

Ours do 2 minute warm-up, 25 minutes at 7.5 mph, at 3%, 2-3 minute cool down. about 2-3 times per week in the winter.

The mutts love it-mindless excercise- no chance of getting into trouble.
PM with questions.

Nice to see you this past weekend.
Dave K

ok, good ideas. will rig up some sideboards.

I did it for a few minutes "freehand" yesterday and he did pretty good.

It will make his rehab a lot easier, I know that much...

Of course, I could use the exercise... LOL

Good to see you too. Sorry I was out of it. I should have stayed home. I ended up at the doctor's yesterday.

 

[NateB]

There was one mentioned here a few months ago but I did not keep the website. It was made for dogs with no motor, the dogs walking made it go and it was very affordable. I though about getting one but with 3 dogs to condition, it would take less time to walk all 3 at once, plus I get exercise too. That's probably the biggest reason for me NOT to get one<VBG>.

 

[Guest]

There was one mentioned here a few months ago but I did not keep the website. It was made for dogs with no motor, the dogs walking made it go and it was very affordable. I though about getting one but with 3 dogs to condition, it would take less time to walk all 3 at once, plus I get exercise too. That's probably the biggest reason for me NOT to get one<VBG>.

I read on some websites about the treadmills literally made for dogs... I already have a nice big treadmill... so I'm going to try to work with it.

The one they were talking about has carpet and is dog powered. So it's definately safer...

-K

 

[Sabireley]

Ours do 2 minute warm-up, 25 minutes at 7.5 mph, at 3%, 2-3 minute cool down. about 2-3 times per week in the winter

Hi Dave,

I have read that treadmill work is different from running outside because the dog cannot control the speed. Did you gradually work up to that length of time and speed? How long did it take you to get up to that length of a workout? Do you have a lead on your dogs when they are on it?

With my young dog, I am up to 8 minutes at 4.5 mph. That is a pretty easy trot. I planned to get up 15 minutes, then gradually increase the speed to a decent run. Once we have a comfortable speed established, increase the time. She has only been running on the treadmill for 10 days and took to it pretty easily.

 

[Dave Kress]

treadmill

The question was how long did it take to work up to the 25 minutes at 7.5 mph with 3% grade.

Just a few days- our group stays in pretty good condition and the treadmill is only used in the winter. Wife, Marty has a 45 degree rule- if it ain't 45 degrees and dry- she ain't trainning. Plus this year the dogs and wife took dec. and Jan. off so the treadmill was used more.

Our tripod dog, Austin used this treadmill extensively after the leg amputation to build strenght and endurance so it is a good rehab tool.

I would never consider just blasting off at top speed and even today we do not turn the machine up. Wait till you see thier eyes rollbach in the head, thier tongues hang out and they will not quit- the next day the dogs want right back on the machine. It is a mindless way of burning energy without fear of trouble.

Another thing to try- put a sled dog harness on the dog with a log chain- ours at times get a walk around the place with the harness and a backpack with water bottles. never overdo but conditioning is a key item to staying healthy.
Dave K