Slat mill training problem

I got a two year old dog and I'm trying to train him to walk/run on the slat mill I got the mill about a month ago and almost everyday since then I've been putting him on it gently and all he does is lay down and he start breathing heavy like he's having a panic attack I finally got him to stand up on it about a week ago but he was shivering I havent seen him act like this since I first picked him up from the airport at 8 wks old hes a bad mofo on the chain and he can chase a bike for almost an hr but hes scared when I put him on the mill I haven't put him on it anymore but he sees it everyday (I bring him inside for feeding) I don't want to scare him more so what do you guys suggest I do?

 

Theres one here on the yard that will freeze on a mill and bit your ass trying to get him off. Same why in a truck ride or a pet carrier. I cant get him out of it. Bullldog on the chain but freaked out when on the mill. Ive yet to figure it out.

 

I'm moving to a smaller place and was hoping to work em out since he's not going to have a yard anymore... Ive tried food toys snacks bacon nothing work s maybe I spent money on the mill for nothing

 

I hate to say it but you might be right. How does he act when you roll the mill alittle with him on it?

 

He'll just sit there I could probably roll him right of that thing he won't move when I put the chain to the collar its worse he'll let his head just hang its sad I takem off fast I no longer put the chain on em

 

This is him he doesn't do much

 

Jus be patient, leave him on there and jus let him get used to it for now. Jus talk to him, pet him and maybe give a fav toy or treat. Eventually he will relax from the distractions and the fact that he has been on there so long. That's the first step, ideally u let pups watch older dogs do it and start them about 5 or 6 months, it helps. I have a hard time running older dogs that have never ran a mill

 

Some dogs are naturals when it comes to the mill, others need lots of work. As frustrating as it is, keep your head and keep it up for the dog. Find whatever it is that your dog goes bonkers for and hold it in front of him while he is on the mill all the while encouraging him. Some dogs its a piece of hide, some its another dog, some its a rabbit... another thing to try is to let him watch another dog run the mill everyday for a few weeks. Pet and encourage the dog on the mill and soon the young dog will realize what's going on. Another good trick is to get another mill (I understand most people probably only have one mill but...) and face them together so each dog is running towards the other. I've found a lot of times a young dog or a dog that is not really into working the mill will go hard that way. They can't resist the other dog showing them up! Good luck and be patient and consistent.

 

Thanks guys for the advice that just gave me a lil more encouragement to keep trying I was loosing hope I mean after a mon

 

I mean after a month ... I am going to try some of the above maybe a mirror will do the trick I didn't think of that .he has ramd into his own reflection more than once ... toys and even his favorite snack wont do ..I'm going to keep trying and ill put a video up if we get thru this I was really feeling bummed out maybe it is his age Ive seen puppies run the first time on. I hope patience will pay off.

 

i didnt bother with the patience thing.. these dogs dont break that easily. i raised mine to a slant that they HAD to work on, and make em work it. mine get over it.

 

i have a dog was also scared as hell to even get on the mill, holding his whole body stiff, trying to jump over or flip over just to get off. swear he could break his leg trying to get of. a year later i bought another mill and tried again. he was still scared but i could attach him at 3 points so he couldnt jump of. at first he wasnt even interested in the toys he'd go mad for. now he walks at slow pace and he even seems to enjoy it. cant get him to make sprints yet but im taking it very slow. it helps to make your mill go uphill, if this is not an option on your mill, just put something under the front legs. encourage him and give him some food to associate it with the good. if you finaly have him interested, make him walk for a short time and stop it yourself before he gets bored, after it reward him with his toy or something else nice.

good luck

 

Yeah I could place a couple bricks under the front end . Maybe I should get a harness and that way he doesn't choke all advice will be taken and tried since hes not going to have a yard and summer is leaving soon I really want to get em going

 

Roc the rabbit is starting to sound like the way to go.

 

incline never failed me yet. nothing crazy though just enough to get it going.

 

I alway's let a dog see other dog's running the mill a few time's before allowing it to have a go. And before attaching them I try to get a dog to jump on, run along and jump of the end a few time's. The more comfortable they (& the owner's) are around them the more likelyhood they'll take to running them.

 

He Took his first steps on it the incline really helped ill post video once we get more than a few steps going

 

GOOD LUCK. LOOKS LIKE A DESCENT MILL you have there. everyone is giving some real good advise to you and all of it should help you. have fun that incline though should help a bit. HE is a good looking dog though

 

Thanks hes a good boy we appreciate everyone s help