[tpdirorg]

I FINALLY got a treadmill and of course the dog I want to use it the most with absolutely hates it.

Izzy will stand on it while its not running but shes stressed and if you turn it on she freaks out more then I have ever seen.

I had her tied to the side of it while the stupid Shep x used it and she was fine.

Anyone else had this problem and know how to get her ok with using it?

[Figelac]

I am waiting for the replies on this. My dog does not like the treadmill either but Boomer will now walk on it. I spent about two weeks just tying him to it so he could sit or lay next to it while I used the treadmill. Even doing that most of the time he panted and shook. Once he finally stated to settle down and not so scared of the darn thing I put him on it while it was not moving and fed him chicken. So far I have had him walk (slowly) on it for a whole three minutes. He hates it. We are a work in progress.

[XiWm9O9S]

Food. Lots of it. If the dog's not comfortable on it WITHOUT it moving, you can't expect it to be comfortable when it moves. Positive reinforcement with shaping behaviors aimed at the dog getting onto it themselves. Once this is accomplished, have them stay on it for a while. Then turn it on, without it moving, just make the noises happen (a beep or what have you). ALL positive or simply neutral responses get lots of treats. Once they LOVE the treadmill (when treadmill = yummy food), then you can start the belt, but only after they're completely comfortable with it.

This may take a few weeks, especially if she's already been scared. But it'll be worth it. And DO NOT take the food away after she gets comfortable. Keep it there, feed her small bits as she's walking on it, keep it positive.

[tpdirorg]

I totally forgot to add that I tried food and good food, I tried sausages and she wouldnt take it.

[XiWm9O9S]

You went too fast. Leave the treadmill there. Any time she goes up to it on her own, she gets a treat. She'll quickly learn if she goes up to it, she gets a treat. Then it becomes a game. Once she understands the first part, make her work harder. She'll probably touch it with her foot. She gets a treat. Keep doing this until she's standing on it. Only then will you know she's comfortable enough to move on.

[Accecyncphory]

See, I'm just mean... When I had my bull terrier, I KNEW she'd benefit from running the treadmill. She was scared of it at first, but I'm not one for babying dogs... so, I just kept tossing her on it. She'd freak out for a bit, but I wouldn't let her off until she calmed down even just an iota.

One day, about a week after the first time I tossed her on it, it just clicked in her little brain... and from that day forward, the treadmill was her best friend!

[pennadyFeet]

are you guys talking about a slatmill or electric mill.my dog will not run a slatmill no matter what i do.baiting/food/toys..so what i did i got a cheat electric mill and build a frame for the dog..so he was attached to it..he didnt like it and was scared.then i started and and set it to 5 mph and he had no choice but to go with the motion and about a minute later i went down to 2 mph and he relaxed and walk it.now i do not have problems with him on it.but i always hook him up to the frame. just remember to always warm your dog up and make sure he is empty before you work your dog on a emill.and never leave him unattended.

[Accecyncphory]

I used an electric treadmill. I didn't even have to secure my bitch to it once she decided she loved it!

[michael247]

Put a coon in a cage on the floor in front of it. hehe
I also collar the dog in the center of the mill. Not really a "cheat", seen it done like that forever.

[MasdMnPa]

I would probably use a toy with Otis instead of food. That's also what I used for the insane JRT mix we had. For the two of them, toys are better than food.

What we did for most dogs at work was smear some peanut butter on a crate pan and slid the pan through the handles so that it would stay in place. The dog would have to get on the treadmill to get the peanut butter. Once the dog is comfortable, then we would turn it on a slow setting so that they had to take a step between each lick. They were so focused on the smeared peanut butter, most didn't have a problem with the mill moving. Some ended up becoming tread mill addicts.

[Ornamiviant]

My methods are kinda like Teal's when I have a dog that will not walk on it. They can put all 4 feet forward all they want but they won't for too long I treat when they are on the mill. Stand over them with the leash on their collar, if they just drag theyre feet i pull up to get them moving. Once walking, treat, don't go so slow to where they do have a choice. Mine isn't set to MPH just levels. 3.5-4 is about where they just decide it's easier to walk lol and its a just a fast walk for a human. I used to treat Sophie every min or so during her walk/runs but now she only get's some when she's done (if I remember lol). She LOVES it!
If you stand over the dog with the leash tight so there head is up a bit, they will go. Just encourage and kinda pull 'em along.