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

Abstract

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.

Canine detection of explosives under adverse environmental conditions with and without acclimation training

“…Although this combined program (exercise + de-sensitization) led to improved performance, it’s not clear if both components are necessary. However, given that the exercise conditioning was minimal (~5 minutes) it is possible that a more extensive fitness training program [ 15 , 16 ] could lead to greater benefits.…”

Evaluation of the Submaximal Treadmill-Based Fitness Test in Six Brachycephalic Breeds—A Follow-Up Study

“…The submaximal fitness test evaluated in this study was well applicable to all selected dog breeds and could be easily performed with the equipment commonly available in many clinics. One of the advantages of running on a treadmill is that dogs can complete the test in a structured procedure with limited influences from environmental or climatic effects [34]. Vital signs can be monitored continuously so that physiological responses can be analysed and any workload-related problems can be handled immediately.…”