Any Have A Dog Treadmill?

[Stitch]

Just wondering if any has or has had an electric doggy treadmill and what they thought of them???

Saw the advert. in the dog magazine - Fit Fur Life they were called.

They sound like a great idea - I have tried our lot on our human electric treadmill but they can't seem to get the idea of it as it doesn't have a very slow speed.

What do you all think???

[Sandra777]

Yes I have used a treadmill - both purpose built dog one (Greyhounds, geared down for little Stafford legs) and a human one. Didn't see any difference between them but the human one was one that did have a slow speed.

Useful for dogs that need to be got up to a high level of fitness if the owner doesn't have the time or ability to do the job - but boring boring boring for the dog if not coupled with fun activities to keep the mind active too. And not so good for a dog which is high energy but has a low energy owner - the dog just gets fitter, so more high energy, and more bored because the owner still isn't giving it what it actually needs.

Personally wouldn't bother with one except to get a dog up to race fitness or a high degree of ring fitness (Agility, GSD, Rottie specialities come to mind, SBT speciality shows for the look not the fitness )

[oakway]

I think it depends on the breed.

I have seen many breeds do well on a walking machine.

I have also seen some build muscles like they were going to explode.

[Stitch]

I was thinking of it to get rid of the excess energy of younger dogs before I do their obedience practice.

[Erny]

I was thinking of it to get rid of the excess energy of younger dogs before I do their obedience practice.

I'd prefer to use that "excess energy" and channel it INTO obedience practice, with a great energetic game of something they enjoy (tug/drive satisfaction; ball throw; etc) as the dog's reward for performing obedience, rather than needing to rely on dogs to get rid of energy before they'll do so.

[Sandra777]

I was thinking of it to get rid of the excess energy of younger dogs before I do their obedience practice.

As I mentioned, it makes them fitter so they have more "excess" energy. Personally I'd be using the energy not getting rid of it

[Stitch]

Thats interesting - I thought they would be more prepared to concentrate on the message at hand after they had a bit of exercise.

I can't get out to walk them currently as we have BIG trucks using the roads around us now and no footpaths.

[Aussienot]

I use a treadmill at the dog daycare centre. I have a modified extra -long human one. There is a flip up hood over the motor so that I can vacuum out dog hair easily, and there are plastic panels on the sides to keep the dog straight.

It's a great assett for those dogs who come into daycare amped up from a lack of exercise. It's extremely easy to teach dogs to walk on it, and most of the dogs seem to like using it. I also use backpacks with weights for some of the the highest energy dogs.

Mine elevates, but does not have the down slope feature. I'd love to own one of the Fit for Life models, but the price was way, way, way over my budget.

[Stitch]

Yes they are expensive but I have some savings that I would be happy to part with if it was a good investment.

However I am concerned that it might not go down slow enough to teach them easily.

Aussienot, do you remember what the slowest speed of your walking machine is???

[oakway]

Stitch,

If your interested in a good variable speed dog walking machine go to your local Greyhound training track or Race Track.

Some times they have for sale notices up over walking machines. They also have 1 dog, 2 dog etc. might be well worth a look and often in Saturday's For Sale columns. Also ring your local Greyhound Control Board to see if they put out news letter as they often have for sales in them.

[Stitch]

I have seen some of the greyhound walking machines and they are so big and bulky they look like cattle crushes and they seem to be driven by a petrol powered motor.

Do you know if they have electric ones?

[caninefriend]

Hi Aussienot

I (only yesterday) started to try to train my puppy (10 months) to walk on my treadmill. I don't like using it and if he doesn't I probably wont keep it but thought it would be worth a try.

Do you have any tips for training him? So far he is just standing on it and being treated. He is quite used to it as it is in my study and so it has always been around.

Thanks for any suggestions.

Canine Friend.

I use a treadmill at the dog daycare centre. I have a modified extra -long human one. There is a flip up hood over the motor so that I can vacuum out dog hair easily, and there are plastic panels on the sides to keep the dog straight.

It's a great assett for those dogs who come into daycare amped up from a lack of exercise. It's extremely easy to teach dogs to walk on it, and most of the dogs seem to like using it. I also use backpacks with weights for some of the the highest energy dogs.

Mine elevates, but does not have the down slope feature. I'd love to own one of the Fit for Life models, but the price was way, way, way over my budget.

[Steve]

http://www.fitfurlife-australia.com/

The lady who owns this business [Marian] is awesome and really knows her stuff .She has put heaps of knowledge and research into getting it right to be able to advise you about whats the best for your dog.

They are also a sponsor of the MDBA Dog Owners Choice Awards category award for science and Research