The Treadmill: Gone to the Dogs

Is walking your dog a struggle? Does your dog pull, jump, or get overly excited during the walk? Did you know that running your dog on the treadmill beforehand can help to alleviate behavior issues as well as provide health benefits?

When it comes to dogs, the treadmill has an endless number of uses. It's great for rainy or snowy days, for younger or more energetic dogs, helpful before training exercises, is heavily used in physical therapy and dog rehabilitation and is great for dogs with joint issues, even people who show their dogs will utilize the treadmill before entering the show ring.

What you may not know is that the treadmill offers mental stimulation for the dogs, which is just as important, if not more important, as physical stimulation. Offering mental stimulation is a crucial part of your job as a dog owner. Just imagine how children would be, full of energy if they never had to sit down and focus on something to engage their brain. The same holds true for our four legged friends.

Contrary to popular belief, the treadmill and dogs have had a working relationship for over a century. Originally patented in 1871 by Nicholas Potter, treadmills for canines were designed for the ultimate working dog. Some of the early models were created to grind stone, shell corn, churn butter, and eventually separate cream. The treadmill provides your dog with a sense of purpose. All dogs need and want jobs. If we do not provide them with one, they will make their own! Whether it be chasing squirrels, obsessing over toys or rocks, chasing shadows or light, challenging the mailman, excessive barking, or even digging; the jobs dogs give themselves are usually not as appreciated by his or her human!

The treadmill can help give dogs an outlet for their abundant energy. Keep in mind the treadmill never replaces the walk, as the walk makes up 90-percent of your working bond with your dog. It is however, an excellent tool to achieve a more enjoyable walk. Walking is instinctual for dogs, the treadmill is a huge bonus.

Some things to keep in mind when considering training your dog to run on the treadmill:

• Never let someone inexperienced train or work with your dog on the treadmill.
• Treadmill training takes patience, a lot of this training will happen on the dogs time, so don't attempt to train them if you are rushed.
• Never tie them to the treadmill.
• The treadmill never replaces the walk.
• Make sure the treadmill is a positive training experience for the do.
• Twenty minutes on the treadmill approximately equals a one hour walk.

And always remember, a tired dog is a happy dog!

Christina Kirkwood and Wendy Shaw are co-owners of on West Street. For more about , visit the business website or follow them on Facebook.