Step by Step Treadmill Exercising Guide For Small Dogs
As you read in Part one and two of this treadmill series, you already know the many benefits your dog can gain through the use of it. The next question is how to teach your little poochie to walk on treadmill?
Before your dog begins exercising on the treadmill, follow the few behavioral guidelines below to ensure your dog’s physical and psychological safety.
- Dogs have the reasoning capacity of a toddler and can become apprehensive or afraid if asked to do something he has never done before.
- Never force a dog to do anything he doesn’t want to do. If he feels any fear or hesitation about going on the treadmill alone, then stop. Either try it again later or another day when he is less apprehensive or go back to day 4 and 5.
- Never force a dog to exercise beyond his potential. If your dog is already overweight or obese, don’t make him do the whole nine yard—10 minutes of brisk walk followed by 20 minutes of jogging.
It is without a doubt that many small dogs have a lot more energy packed into their tiny bodies compare to sporting dogs, however breeds like Pekingese, Cardigan Welsh Corgi, or Basset Hound might find an excursion around the house tiring. 
Other small dogs like Miniature Pinschers, Beagles, Papillons, and Miniature Schnauzers can thrive on long walks. Having said, dogs under 20 pounds are not good candidates for jogging. Due to dog’s willingness to please, they can somehow keep up the pace, but they certainly are not having any fun. Jogging is best left to medium and large sized dogs.
Supervise all training sessions. Do not put too much stress on your dog that his cardiovascular system is overloaded. If your dog is showing these signs…
- Constantly looking at you — usually the first sign of telling you, “My stamina is about to wear off.”
- Lowering his head and tail with tongue hanging out — “I’m gasping.”
- Begin slowing down his pace and lagging behind — “I’m trying but I cannot go on any further.”
- Attempting to put his rear down — “I give up!”
Stop the exercise by picking him up. Gradually put him down so he can regain his regular breathing. Let him have some water to drink before you massage his tiring muscles.
Steps to Introducing Human Treadmill to Small Dogs
Day 1 – 2: Do not put your dog on the treadmill the very day you bought the treadmill. Let it sits around for a couple days. Don’t make a big deal about it, treat it like a new piece of furniture you just bought. If he decided to investigate the treadmill, let him be. Again don’t make a fuss about it. Don’t bother to sweet talk to him about it either. Simply go on with your normal daily lifestyle.
Day 2 – 3: Let your dog sees you exercising on the treadmill. It would help greatly if you are actually enjoying it by starting it slow—brisk walking. While your dog isn’t watching, you may go ahead with your regular workout routine and sweating it out. Reason is simple, when your dog who never exercises in his entire life sees you pounding the mill and gasping for air, sends him an unpleasant and threatening message. Remember we’re dealing with pampered pet dogs.
Day 4 – 5: Carry your dog while you are brisk walking on the treadmill. This is only possible if you have small dogs less than 8 lbs. If you have no problem carrying your 10 to 15 lbs dog and brisk walking for 10 minutes, then go ahead with this method. Do this two to three times a day. (No worries, ladies, you won’t build any arm muscles by carrying your heavy pooch. It takes a whole lot more strength training exercises to build some defined muscles.) The reason for doing this is to get him accustomed to moving motions without diminishing or magnifying the surroundings in any way.
Day 6 – 7: Put your dog on the mill and stay a step behind him while both you and your dog walk on a very slow pace. You might be walking at the very edge of the belt if you have a very small treadmill. Just be careful and bear with it a little for your focus is more on the comfort and safety of your dog. If this is not possible, you might have to spread your legs and put your feet on the sides on the treadmill next to the moving belt.
Day 7 – 8: Put your dog on the mill on a slow pace. Remain close beside him and continue to “walk” (walking on the spot) on ground. Do this for 10 minutes or so. Gradually shorten the time as you back away a little but never out of sight. Again, do this two to three a day.
Once he gets the idea of walking on treadmill, you want to stay close to him until he finishes his 20 minutes walk. Many had asked me if it really takes a week for dogs to get used to treadmill exercising. In most cases, Yes! When I first introduced treadmill exercise to my Golden Retrievers (who are with my MIL), they were very cautious of the machine despite the fact that it was only a couple square feet larger than them. So looking from your little Fido’s viewpoint, wouldn’t it be scary for him to get on a moving object that’s twelve times his size?
The key to succeed in training your dog on the treadmill is to go slow.
Jan 5th 2007
7:44 PM
I have walked well over a thousand dogs on our JOG A DOG treadmill systems. Over 90% were at shows where dogs took to the exercise within minutes. Your approach is incomprehensible.
Apr 14th 2007
9:09 AM
We have a 6 mo. old Min. Schnauzer. How old should she be to begin treadmill training? Thanks so much for your help!
Apr 16th 2007
11:01 PM
Hi Dale,
Miniature Schnauzer is classified as small dogs. What this means is that small dogs mature faster than their larger counterparts. So at the age of 6 months, they are considered adolescents.
Also, dogs learn best from 4 weeks to 18 months (plus and minus between breeds and sizes). So yes, this is the best time to introduce her to treadmill exercise.
Good luck.
Aug 2nd 2007
4:14 PM
How do I get my Mini Dachshund to use my treadmill? When I put him on, he freezes up and will not move his legs. Even when I get on it with him he will not move. Shauna
Aug 4th 2007
12:32 AM
Hi Shauna,
Has he investigated (sniffed) your treadmill? Has he seen you exercising on the treadmill? Have you tried the mock up exercise (day 4 – 5)? If these experiences are pleasant to him and practice over a period of time, he will get the idea gradually.
Generally, most dogs are quite natural walking on treadmill especially when they are introduced to this form of exercise at a early age. Of course there will always be a few skeptics and this is natural. Again, the key as I said above is to be patient and not make a fuss about it. It is the unspoken words (your tension on wanting to him to walk on the machine, quickly) make the task much more harder.
Good luck!
Dec 29th 2007
7:22 PM
got one. very excited. hope my young Brittany shows excitement. keeping fingers crossed.
Apr 23rd 2008
1:41 PM
hi…. very interested in your website.. i have a very overweight chihuahua. 17 lbs. she is 3 and 1/2 years old. i have been putting her on the treadmill for about 5 or 6 weeks, about 5 times a week… started off slowly and have gradually increased the time. she is now at 20-23 minutes, at 1.9 miles per hour. she still hasn’t lost any weight… help! should i incrase the speed gradually? please help me as she has to lose weight… i am going to request that diet pill from the doctor and put her on diet food… i have reduced her snacks and food some but it is hard to do as i have a long haired chihuahua who does not need to lose weight… he is a nervous dog and she is pretty laid back… anyway hope you can help…. thanks.
Apr 23rd 2008
10:30 PM
Hi Mary,
Try to break down the treadmill exercise regime to thrice daily. Each walk should last about 15-20 minutes, and increase the speed gradually up to 2.4 m/h.
As to food, it does matter what type of food you are giving her. Not all dog foods are created equal. Have you read my article on dog’s daily calories intake?
If you need to give some snacks to the male dog, do it during her absent. It may seem unfair or sneaky, but for the benefit of her health, you have to be cruel to love her.
When you said diet pill from the doctor, I’m assume it comes from a vet’s prescription??? It’s very important that you DO NOT give your dog human diet pill. Even the mildest one can be fatal. BTW, has your vet done a test on your dog’s thyroid gland? If she has underactive thyroid hormones (hypothyroid), that could explain why she can’t metabolize the food faster than usual.
What I found to be the most effective way to sled excessive fats is put your dog on a detox program. There are many health benefits, including maintaining healthy thyroid functioning.
Hope this helps!
May 5th 2009
6:51 PM
Hi, I have a new treadmill for myself and I want to teach my 18 month golden retriever to walk on it. He has stood on it and he has watched me walk on it but he is afraid of it when it moves. What is the right way to get him going so he will enjoy it. I have back problems so long walks outside are hard for me. Thanks
May 14th 2009
9:02 PM
Hi Pupraiser,
If he isn’t afraid to stand on the treadmill, chances is that he needs more time to get used to it. Try to get him stand on the belt for a longer time without starting. Make it a 3-minutes daily routine just standing on it, then slowly increase the time to 5 mins. Only then, you start on the a very slow speed for one or two minutes.
For a start, don’t push him to do a 5-minutes slow walk even if he’s beginning to enjoy it. Stop at the approriate time allocated for his daily routine. The trick is not to allow him to quit before you say quit. Rinse and repeat with slow increment. This will help him to look forward to pleasant experience.
HTH
Nov 23rd 2009
6:08 PM
Hi there, I wonder if you could give me some advice. I live in a fairly large flat with my female staffy she is coming uo to 3, and have always exercised her well (she funnily enough plays around the flat with her toys jumping up/running etc. A problem has arisen that as I am not well at present and cannot get out as often as I would like, I do have a treadmill I purchased last year for myself will this be sufficient after I have given her a long walk in the mornings for the rest of the day. She is a marvellously obediant animal and does her business on newspapers in a concrete outhouse adjoining my kitchen that’s not a problem. My only concern is will the morning walk and then treadmill exercise be enough. I love her too much to part with her. Best regards Elizabeth
Nov 28th 2009
10:24 AM
Hi Elizabeth,
You are doing great…more (above average) than most dogs get in a day. The long morning walk and treadmill exercise should suffice for your dog, again, I have to say it also depends on individuals.
If a dog isn’t getting enough exercise or outdoor activities or social interactions, it usually shows up in their behavior (e.g. incessantly barking, toileting accidents, excessive chewing). Watch out for these signs.
HTH
Jul 26th 2010
10:50 PM
simth wilson
Good day, I will like to make an inquiry based on the treadmills that you sell or stock. I want you to get back to me with the types you have as well as their respective prices.Moreso,the size does not matter and any size will be fine by me. Hoping to hear from you soon.
simth wilson