A Formalized Method to Acclimate Dogs to Voluntary Treadmill Locomotion at Various Speeds and Inclines

Alexander R Stigall,Meghan T Ramos,Cynthia M Otto,Brian D Farr

doi:10.3390/ani12050567

Alexander R Stigall, Meghan T Ramos + Show 2 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12050567

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Abstract

Simple SummaryThe land treadmill provides a range of behavioral and physical training benefits for dogs. Walking and trotting on the treadmill, however, is unfamiliar to many dogs and requires acclimation. This study developed and conducted a voluntary treadmill acclimation protocol on eight working dogs in training or working dogs performing detection research. The acclimation protocol was successfully completed for seven out of eight dogs. An acclimation assessment protocol was developed to measure a previously exposed dog’s degree of acclimation. This protocol was successfully used in two previously exposed dogs. A muscle soreness protocol was created to evaluate the soreness developed during the acclimation protocol. These protocols offer an option to acclimate dogs to the treadmill and determine the degree of acclimation for previously exposed dogs for research and training purposes.The land treadmill is a multipurpose tool with a unique set of behavioral and physical benefits for training and assessing active dogs. Habituation to voluntary treadmill locomotion is crucial for training a dog or accurately assessing a dog’s fitness on a treadmill. Therefore, a treadmill acclimation program was developed and evaluated with working dogs in training or working dogs performing detection research. Seven of eight naive dogs became acclimated to the treadmill using the protocol developed. Two previously experienced dogs successfully conducted an acclimation assessment to test for habituation to the treadmill. A muscle soreness protocol was created to evaluate the soreness developed during the acclimation program. This detailed protocol was successful in acclimating dogs to the treadmill at various safe speeds and inclines.

Highlights

Locomotion, aerobic exercise, provides benefits for the health of dogs because it develops cardiopulmonary and muscular endurance, is behaviorally stimulating, and can lead to weight loss [1]
The land treadmill does not replicate the exact locomotion pattern of running [2,3,4], the land treadmill provides unique benefits compared to other aerobic exercise methods
The land treadmill is typically unfamiliar to most dogs and requires behavioral acclimation before it can be effectively used

Summary

Introduction

Locomotion, aerobic exercise, provides benefits for the health of dogs because it develops cardiopulmonary and muscular endurance, is behaviorally stimulating, and can lead to weight loss [1]. The common methods to provide aerobic exercise for dogs include walking, hiking, or running on-leash, retrieving objects, swimming, and both underwater and land treadmills. The land treadmill does not replicate the exact locomotion pattern of running [2,3,4], the land treadmill provides unique benefits compared to other aerobic exercise methods. The land treadmill is typically unfamiliar to most dogs and requires behavioral acclimation before it can be effectively used. There are many challenges associated with acclimating a dog to the treadmill. A dog must become comfortable with the Animals 2022, 12, 567.

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