Getting Max to walk on the treadmill. I have seen a few different ways to get a pup to walk on a treadmill. And in my experience, not all dogs will do this immediately. I think the worst advice is to leash the dog to the treadmill. Some pups will run and jump off the machine when the belt starts no matter what treat you have. Some do not understand to start walking and will just roll off the back. Being able to adjust to the pups reaction is important. Having your pup attached is dangerous. If you need your pup leashed, use a harness and hold the leash yourself.

I choose to not hold a leash. I put the treadmill on the lowest setting then sat in front of the belt. I cheered from the front and offered a ton of treats. Getting Max super jazzed before we started and so he was excited for the food. We got his energy up so he was not scared when the belt started. A few small wins and he was ready to try another challenge. We got him on the treadmill. We started up the belt. I cheered A LOT!! As he took his first couple steps along with the belt and I made it as if it was the best moment of my life. When your pup achieves a feat, that is the quality of the energy you need to unleash. It does not matter if you feel that way or if it is your personality. This is about communicating clearly. Meekly congratulating will leave your pup wondering if this was really done correctly.

Max, unlike my other pups, needed the movement the most and was very willing to make the treadmill work. He would even lay on the treadmill and wait for me to come turn it on for him to walk on it. Max never really got to the point that he was running on it, it takes a lot of mental focus! And the pups can't do it for too long. Max would walk on a low setting for just a few minutes and then jump off. But he would want to do it frequently.

This was a huge benefit for the summer months living in a southern state. But again, not all dogs wanted to do this. Max was really interested. Our German Shepherd-Chow was not at all interested. He just stood still and ate treats until he rolled off the back. Totally not interest in the challenge! But a Chihuahua we worked with gave it a try and our yorkie jumped off. If this was the best was for all these pups to get exercise... we could work and spend the time to get them walking on it. But pups like Max - loved it! That was a good use of resource.

If you need to get your pup to use the treadmill because of environmental reasons (hot/cold etc). Just build a system. Create a safe and slow exposure to the treadmill with small wins that increase in intensity as your pup masters each step. If you have someone to help, try walking with your pup and having someone else deliver a constant stream of rewards for the first exposure to the belt moving. If your pup generalize the experience of being on a walk with you and walking on the belt it might help him understand the walking part.

Every pup is different. There is no one-size-fits-all method to getting your pup to walk on the treadmill. The best thing for your pup is you. Objectively take time to analyze your pup. What are your pups strengths and weaknesses? What motivates your pup? Does your pup startle? Is your pup stubborn? Is your pup full or energy or lazy? What is your motivation for wanting your pup to learn this skill? Will your pup be working with you or against you?

Take all these factors, and write a system of the smallest step possible to serve as a win for your pup. Maybe just doing a sit on the treadmill. Click and reward. Then turn the belt on and off. If your pup can walk a step or two and stay on, click and reward... and so on. Write it plan it. Take it one step at a time. End on a big win or a Jack pot. Try not to fall into the trap of long, sporadic sessions. Small wins over time will add up to big gains over a longer period of time.

And maybe in the end you and your pup will have a rewarding work out schedule... Maybe your pup will get you moving too! Just write a winnable system! And Everyone can WIN!! Way to Go Max! Thanks for Show us!