Disclaimer: Both Wilson and Stella were cleared by their veterinarian for this type of exercise before we started. We also added puzzles at most meals as well as sniff walks to help with mental stimulation.
About Fast Feet Fido
Let me introduce you to Wilson AKA “Mr Fast Feet Wilson”
Wilson was so energetic that we honestly didn’t know what to do with him. He became destructive around the house, chewing and scattering things everywhere, until one day I watched a video of a dog using a treadmill and that sparked an idea. My human treadmill wasn’t suitable for a dog, so I dug into research on dog slat treadmills and eventually bought a proper one to replace it. After a few guided sessions with patient encouragement and plenty of treats, Wilson learned to walk—and before long, to sprint—confidently on the slat mill. With his excess energy finally spent, he was able to focus on training and quickly mastered the “place” command, which lets us eat a meal without having to crate him. He still counter-surfs now and then when temptation calls, but he’s steadily improving and getting more reliable every day. I started calling him Fast Feet Wilson, and that little nickname is exactly how Fast Feet Fido came to be.
Now let me introduce you to Stella, if Wilson is fast feet, Stella is a potato
Stella is beloved but very lazy. She sprints a little, has zoomies once or twice a day, then sleeps for hours. She’s not driven by food, toys, or praise—unless you’re her person, which I’m not. Her body is lazy but her mind isn’t; she gets into her own kind of mischief.
She’s brave in most situations when strangers aren’t around. She walked onto the treadmill the first time, surprising everyone. She never runs there—maybe trots when excited. I call her treadmill sessions a slow walk in the park. Even at that pace she must focus, balance, and use body awareness. Sometimes she’s on for a few minutes, sometimes 20. When she’s had enough, she simply lies down on the slats.
The changes are small but positive: she’s easier to train, has lost some weight, and regular low-impact exercise is helping. She still barks at anything she sees as a stranger. Stella is a work in progress—like the rest of us.