Hi, I used a human treadmill and it didn't work very well for my dogs...I introduced it gradually - started by feeding them on it, feeding them by it whilst it was on etc..then eventually put them on it...it was ok but where it didn't have sides they jumped off the sides - this is where the doggy specific ones are better as they have sides - and they would leap off the back too (I know some doggy ones have a door at the back) - unless you can put it up against a wall and mimic a side the opposite side or as you said you could happily make the sides ?

I think it all depends on your dog/s - have you got a friend with a treadmill you could try your dogs on to see if they take to it or just buy a cheap second hand one that you could sell if they don't take to it ?

Or as you said just take your dog in to try one lol!!

 

One possibly daft point; a friend used one for her dog and it started to malfunction. When the repair man came the cooling unit (intake I guess) was blocked with dog hair / dust; she had to pay a fortune for the repair as the treadmill warranty excluded use for dogs.

I've never used one for a dog but use a human one a lot; the only other thing I can think of is that there are quite significant gaps down the sides of the belt on some that I'd worry about claws etc getting caught on and they seem much noisier that the (very few) dog ones that I have seen.

The costlier 'people' treadmills can be that way because of maximum speed (cheaper ones have lower max speed), quality of components, variety of programmes on it, length of belt (the cheap ones are awfully short and you have to be careful not to lengthen stride too much), how they are sprung etc etc.

ETA: I would think that you don't have to admit to a repair man that you use the treadmill for a dog.

 

Found this; mentions the dog hair repair problem (so perhaps it's common?), gap and noise so maybe I'm not talking total tripe - few other points there too Human and Dog Treadmills Compared | DogTread

 

Im not too sure about dogs on treadmills really.

Ive seen people have accidents when stopping a few times so i dont think id put a dog on one just in case.

 

Would running him with you achieve the same? I would have thought that the different terrains, gradients etc would be good, unless you need a constant speed and flat surface to achieve what you need to.

 

My mum used to use one for her terrier and it worked well but when she tried her greyhound on it she found he was too big to use it and all his paws didnt fit well on it as it wasnt long enough.

 

Would running him with you achieve the same? I would have thought that the different terrains, gradients etc would be good, unless you need a constant speed and flat surface to achieve what you need to.

Thanks for the link, it raises some valid points! Regarding the breakages, I see how that could happen for sure, however Rupert doesn’t really moult and for the cost of one of these dog treadmills I could probably afford a couple of breakages! Will look into the proper ones further though, I do remember seeing them at DD and Crufts but didn’t pay much attention to them.

I could run with him, but its difficult to evaluate his moment and make corrections at the same trying as trying to breath :thumbup: Im quite unfit at the moment so couldn’t run long enough for him to build up enough muscle tone in the right places at the moment (and off lead he tends to gallop around a lot which builds muscles in the wrong area)

 

Thanks for the link, it raises some valid points! Regarding the breakages, I see how that could happen for sure, however Rupert doesn’t really moult and for the cost of one of these dog treadmills I could probably afford a couple of breakages! Will look into the proper ones further though, I do remember seeing them at DD and Crufts but didn’t pay much attention to them.

I could run with him, but its difficult to evaluate his moment and make corrections at the same trying as trying to breath :thumbup: Im quite unfit at the moment so couldn’t run long enough for him to build up enough muscle tone in the right places at the moment (and off lead he tends to gallop around a lot which builds muscles in the wrong area)

I definitely couldn't watch Kilo's gait as he ran alongside me so that does make sense! I'd trip over him I would think. I can tell through the lead when he's running smoothly and when he isn't but couldn't tell you what it looked like so my suggestion was a bit rubbish .

I am guessing dog treadmills are expensive!!

 

I definitely couldn't watch Kilo's gait as he ran alongside me so that does make sense! I'd trip over him I would think. I can tell through the lead when he's running smoothly and when he isn't but couldn't tell you what it looked like so my suggestion was a bit rubbish .

I am guessing dog treadmills are expensive!!

No not at all- its a valid question (one my OH brings up every time talk turns to spending copious amounts of money on a dog treadmill! )

I havnt looked into it very thoroughly, but last I looked they ranged from about £2-3k

 

No not at all- its a valid question (one my OH brings up every time talk turns to spending copious amounts of money on a dog treadmill! )

I havnt looked into it very thoroughly, but last I looked they ranged from about £2-3k

You could suggest to your OH that he runs Rupert (if he runs) round and round a sports pitch whilst you observe and do whatever it is you need to.....he may come round to the idea of spending vast sums on a treadmill more easily :aureola:.

 

You could suggest to your OH that he runs Rupert (if he runs) round and round a sports pitch whilst you observe and do whatever it is you need to.....he may come round to the idea of spending vast sums on a treadmill more easily :aureola:.

....

:lol:

 

There are pros and cons to treadmills as there are to running on pavement/hills/woods etc.

It all depends on the outcome you want. This was discussed at the Christine Zink seminar I attended and she stated the following:

The good

• Good for exercise during poor weather
• Exercise can be controlled and graduated

Cautions

• Treadmill needs to be at least 2 or 3 x as long as the dogs body
• Front of treadmill should not face a wall
• Dogs should never be harnessed to treadmill
• Do not use at speeds that force a dog to canter
• Do not use if dogs show signs of boredom.

Running in the woods provides lots of balancing opportunities as opposed to running on a treadmill. It also provides mental stimulation unlike treadmills.

So it is horses for courses I think.

 

There are pros and cons to treadmills as there are to running on pavement/hills/woods etc.

It all depends on the outcome you want. This was discussed at the Christine Zink seminar I attended and she stated the following:

The good

• Good for exercise during poor weather
• Exercise can be controlled and graduated

Cautions

• Treadmill needs to be at least 2 or 3 x as long as the dogs body
• Front of treadmill should not face a wall
• Dogs should never be harnessed to treadmill
• Do not use at speeds that force a dog to canter
• Do not use if dogs show signs of boredom.

Running in the woods provides lots of balancing opportunities as opposed to running on a treadmill. It also provides mental stimulation unlike treadmills.

So it is horses for courses I think.

Thanks for that! I might look into some of her seminars actually, they look quite interesting.

I've learnt quite a lot from Rupert’s hydro treadmill lessons, regarding building him up, keeping him in the correct pace ect. He actually seems to really enjoy it; when we get to the hydro centre I let him off in the room and he runs straight onto the treadmill ready for the lady to turn it on, then its like he's on a mission when he gets going Sometimes he does get a little lazy and breaks into pacing or an overstretched walk, but can be coerced back into trotting with treats. In the hydro pool he doesn’t wear any collar or leash, or occasionally I stick a loose slip lead on to speed him up a little, but never attached to anything.

I definitely wouldn’t substitute the treadmill for actual walks, I plan to use it just as an addition for show training I also thought it would be quite nice to get some extra energy out before our walk, since they've now moved cows into our normal off-leash field and he tends to have a lot of pent-up energy in the morning and gets a little frustrated with so much energy and not being allowed off!