What to Know about a Dog Treadmill

We’ve all heard that dogs are a man’s best friend, but before you bring home your new friend there are several things you need to consider including their physical well-being. Prior to looking into personal protection dogs for sale, you should ask yourself how much time you have to devote to your dog’s physical fitness as well as how you will be exercising your four-legged friend.
Most personal protection dogs are high-energy dog breeds, which means that they require a lot of exercise to burn off all of that excess energy. If they are unable to find a healthy outlet to release their bottled-up energy they could find a less than desirable way to release that energy such as chewing, barking, and jumping.
Along with behavioral issues, dogs can also develop a variety of health problems from inadequate exercise. These health issues can range from joint problems such as hip dysplasia and arthritis to heart problems such as increased blood pressure, difficulty breathing, and heart disease. An overweight protection dog is also subject to problems with their digestive system, their liver, and even diabetes.
Even if you have plenty of time to exercise your dog you will still need to give a lot of thought to his exercise plan. Since a lot of the personal protection dogs for sale high energy dogs a daily walk or run may not cut it. You also have to take into consideration what you will do if you are sick or if the weather is bad.
Treadmills are a great option for pet owners who would like to supplement their protection dogs’ daily activity. Although they can’t replace the socialization and mental stimulation that a dog can receive from daily walks, they can be great for the days when the weather is bad or to add more exercise in addition to daily walks and games of fetch. They can also be a great option for owners with disabilities and seniors.
Although there are treadmills made specifically for dogs, you can use a human treadmill as well. Dog treadmills tend to have a higher price tag, but they are designed for dogs so they are typically safer. A canine treadmill comes with side rails to help your protection dog stay on the machine as well as a special belt that will keep their paws and nails from getting caught. The motorized canine treadmills typically come equipped with a motor casing that protects the motor from getting fur sucked into it, whereas human treadmills tend to get burned out quickly because of this. Additionally, canine treadmills are generally quieter.
Since most dogs aren’t used to the concept of running on treadmills a bit of patience, training, and time is required if you decide to go this route. Take a while to introduce your personal protection dog to its new treadmill. Let it sniff around and get comfortable with climbing on to and off of the treadmill before you turn it on. You can use treats or other forms of positive reinforcement when your protection dog shows interest in it.
Once your protection dog is used to the treadmill it’s time to start training them to walk on it. A good way to start this process is by clipping a leash onto their collar and walking them onto the treadmill. Once they are in place on the treadmill stand beside them and turn the treadmill on at the lowest speed. It’s a good idea to continue to use positive reinforcement in the form of treats and praise to encourage them. As your canine friend gets comfortable you can begin to slowly increase the speed until your protection dog is moving at a walking pace. Don’t forget that continued praise and encouragement are going to help your pooch feel more confident during this process! You may need to keep the first few training sessions short and stay by your dog’s side throughout them, but as your dog gets used to the treadmill you can begin increasing the time and coaxing him along from a further distance. Even after your protection dog gets comfortable on the treadmill, you should never leave him alone on it. This can be dangerous if he begins to get fatigued.
Just like the training equipment you use at your local gym, if the canine treadmill is used incorrectly it can be dangerous. There are a few rules of safety to keep in mind if you decide to get your dog a treadmill. To avoid injury from over-exertion, you shouldn’t tie your protection dog to the treadmill. Also, if your dog is getting tired and begins to lag he will also be at risk to get hurt. For these reasons it is also important to keep a close eye on your protection dog while he is on the treadmill. If he begins to pant excessively or you notice that he is lagging behind, it may be a good idea to end the session. Just like humans, it is also important to remember that dogs need a warm-up and a cool-down period around exercises. You should start and end the sessions at a slow walking pace. It is also good to keep in mind that dogs, like humans, will build endurance over time.
A canine treadmill can be a great supplement to a protection dog’s exercise plan, especially for high-energy dogs. You need to be careful when using them and make sure your dog is still getting daily walks along with other forms of exercise, but they can certainly add to your protection dog’s well-being and his overall quality of life.