How to teach your dog to walk or run on a treadmill

This video shows you how to introduce your dog to the treadmill. This method works with any size of dog or age. The footage is raw, and we apply this method to a rescue mix dog. The steps are easy but take repetition and patience. Step 3 is the most challenging. Look for these steps in the video, and I will explain each.
Step 1: Desensitize your dog with the treadmill. Try to create a positive experience with the machine. Give a lot of praise/treats for moving on, off, and around the treadmill. Step 1 is to be carried out for at least a week or a few days.
Step 2: Turn the machine on, push the buttons, run the belt and give them treats/praise around the device and all of its noises. Jump on it, run on it, etc. Step 2 is to be carried out for at least a week or a few days.
Step 3: Use a leash or hold them from their neck collars and walk/ guide them to stay on the treadmill. Give them positive feedback and keep them on the treadmill for a few minutes. Then go back to steps 1 & 2.
Step 4: Repeat step 3 until you feel the dog has a calm mind and is no longer trying to get off the treadmill.
Step 5 (Optional): Lead with your hand and treat to teach the dog to get off the treadmill and get back on it while it is running. This step will take several tries and days. Repeat step 5 until you feel the dog has mastered it.

[@nancygarcia2379]

👍Nicely done! Thanks for the tips.

[@purduetom90]

Very helpful! Thanks! Step 6 is getting the dog to turn on/off the TM 🤣

[@RachelPham13]

Haha 😂 Glad it was helpful. Thanks for watching!

[@alidaruiz9258]

Your video is the best so far but I would use a harness for safety reasons

[@RachelPham13]

Great recommendation. Thank you for the comment. 👍

[@magdacortez7489]

So amazing! Thank you for sharing.

[@rlfolder5437]

Would you recommend this to a King Charles Cavalier. A dog that is smaller,

[@RachelPham13]

Yes, I recommend it for all dogs. I've tried this method with Chihuahuas and smaller dogs. Depending on the confidence and motivation of the small dog, it will be different. You may need to spend more time desensitizing. Or, in some cases, it's easier to train smaller dogs on the treadmill-best of luck.

[@marioramirez2307]

Hello!. Our problem is that my dogs don't want to take any food or toy wjen they feel any kind of threat or new thing becoming, ¿what could I do? Thank you for share. Best wishes 🙏 🐾 🫂

[@RachelPham13]

@marioramirez2307 Thank you for the wishes 🙏 And thank you for your efforts to better your dogs' lives. First, I would learn as much about your dog's breed/background and respect their limitations. The treadmill training can be set aside until confidence and trust are built between you and your dogs. Do not graze feed. Then, very patiently and lovingly, build your dog's confidence. If you have not done so, begin or perfect clicker or basic obedience training (sit, paw, stay, name recall, etc.). Find the “Jackpot” treat or reward; for some dogs, they are liver treats, a particular toy, a ball, kisses, praise, etc. Train between meals (short but several sessions a day). Challenge them inches at a time day after day, and reward them generously with a loud “good job”. Continue doing this, and trust that in time and with tenacity, you will see your dog become more confident to attempt different challenges. I hope this helps, it is a balance of respecting their limitation and at the same time challenging their boundaries. Best, please let me know how it goes.