Oddsock | 11-02-2019 04:23 PM | Our two Yorkies love the treadmill. One walks on it, the other runs. She even gets silly and has done it on two legs before (only for second at a time) and side ways.
Ours is just an ordinary treadmill for humans, but there are smaller (mini) dog treadmills that can be bought. Google mini dog treadmill should give you some ideas.
We got them to just enjoy standing on it to begin with, gave them treats for jumping on. We did that for a couple of weeks. Then when they were doing it without being asked and just for the fun of it, we started at the slowest speed, with soft harnesses (home made) (chose different harness so they wouldn't get excited about going out) and lead, just to guide them and give them support. One dog at a time. Then gave treats as they walked (sat on a chair beside treadmill)
Now they jump on together (no harness/lead) and we just slowly speed up, keeping an eye on them, to make sure they are safe and comfortable. They sometimes jump off and on again while it's slow. We don't allow that at speed-only Pip goes fast. Pip did learn to refuse to go on, if the treats stopped, we had hoped to eliminated them. So maybe don't let treats play too big a part in the encouraging. They are too smart for their own good.
Caleb had leg surgery this summer and the slow speed helped build him up, once we had Vet approval.
It's great for bad weather days. |