It’s pouring outside, and your border collie is staring at you as if you made the sun go away. Sound familiar? Treadmill will come to the rescue on those kind of days, but finding the right treadmill for dogs isn’t just a matter of googling pet treadmill and choosing the first one you see. In fact, I’ve seen several people buy the wrong treadmill for their pooch, only to end up with a very expensive coat rack. Don’t let your dog join that unfortunate group.
Determine Your Dog’s Size First
Begins with weight. There’s a reason they put a restriction on every treadmill and give the contraindications (mistral canines plus basset hounds, for example). A 25-pound terrier and a 90-pound retriever will require very different frames and drive systems. Here is fifty percent more weight for a safeguard.
Then body shape. A greyhound is high-legged and long-striding. Shoes a greyhound up short and that dog is a clumsy squat. Doxies – black and tan dashes with hunched lower backs and very short little legs – need a low step-up. Age also matters. Young, soft-plated puppies shouldn’t get a pounding with a belt, seniors with creaky hips should be walked gently. If your vet has something to say, take heed.
And then there is the sneaky factor of temperament. That energetic, wriggly dog needs a whole lot more stable as a machine than a couch potato, because energy changes everything.
Belt Size Is Where The Majority Of Buyers Fall Short
The belt should be at least twice the length of your dog’s body (nose to tail base). Less than that and your pooch has basically been run over by a phone booth. As for width, it’s less important, but don’t skimp and leave a few inches on each side so paws don’t get caught on the rail.
Feel the surface as well. The slickest belt is no fun for a wet-mouth, panting dog, and unless it’s got a little bit of torque to it, your dog’s gonna be skating all over it. I saw a poodle who slid backward on a shiny belt and snubbed his nose with the finesse of a cat on ice. Nobody had fun that time.
Motorized or Manual?
Manual treadmills work with your dog’s own push. Forget electrical. Forget a plug. Forget any kind of electric bill. They’re quiet and inexpensive, perfect for thoughtful, athletic dogs who may have a clue as to how they should moving that belt along with their feet. Anxious dogs often just halt because the belt won’t turn unless they turn it first. That takes some work.
Motors Motorized models move at a predetermined speed. You determine the pace, which is both kinder to the new handler and a boon for a hospital case. They are more expensive, require a larger footprint, and need a socket. However, I would tend to prefer motorized machines in most home environments. Never underestimate the importance of predictability.
Motor Power and Noise
A poor motor bogs down a big dog, runs hot and dies at the worst possible moment. Get a motor rated much higher than the weight class of your dog. (Peak ratings are marketing glitter; continuous-duty ratings matter).
And you have the noise part. Dogs have a way better hearing than we do. A modest grinding motor that sounds bearable to you could be a jet engine to your pooch. Go through reviews of those who have more sensitive breeds. If the hum is annoying to you at the next room, then your pup will hate it.
Speed and Incline Options
Dogs aren’t joggers on a marathon plan. They generally plod along between two and six miles an hour and there are a handful of crosstraining enthusiasts who want to go faster. A device with small speed adjustments, especially with small-step increments, helps. Transitioning from slow to medium shouldn’t give your dog a rocket blast. Large, easy-to-read displays are good since you won’t want to squint when a panting pooch is sitting waiting.
Incline is optional but helpful. It helps build hind leg muscle and expends more energy at the same pace, a plus for overweight or senior dogs. Be reasonable with the grade. Steep grades can stress shoulders, that’s a bill in your future.
Safety Features Worth Paying For
Don’t skip these. A quick-release emergency stop–with a tether to hook to your wrist if you prefer–allows you to break the belt instantly. Side panels or rails prevent your dog from leaping off mid-stride. A short, loose tether for the dog prevents runaway escapes without choking her. Rubber feet prevent the frame from rolling away like a shopping cart with a bad wheel. And check that weight rating–a second time.
Never leave your dog unattended on the machine. Not for a second. Not to answer the door. Not to get a snack. Dogs bored, scared or curious and a belt in motion will not cut you any slack.
Train Your Dog to Have Fun With It
Even the best pet treadmill for dogs is just a big, noisy rectangle if your pet is scared of it. Take your time. Day one: Visit the machine when it’s unplugged. Place treats on top and praise them like they just received a gold medal. Day two: Walk alongside the machine as it’s barely moving at its slowest setting. Day three: One paw goes on – hooray!
Begin each session of five minutes. Happy tone and favorite treat. If they run away, do not pull them back. Reset and try again tomorrow. It may take two days for some, two weeks for others. A beagle I know who is shy takes a whole month, and then she is running around like she owns the place.
Budget, Space, and Cleaning
Prices are everything. Small, straightforward manual style options are cheap, but heavy-duty motorized varieties for massive dog breeds can be astronomically high. Focus your budget on the core essentials: body construction, dependable motor, and safety features. Pass on the high-tech displays and programmed routines you’ll never use.
Know your dimensions before you purchase. These are longer than they appear in images and you need space for your pup to safely get on and off. Folding options are helpful if you live in an apartment. Consider if the belt is wipeable. Dogs drool, shed, and sometimes have mishaps. Wipeable belts will keep your mind at ease.
And take a look at warranty and support. At the minimum, have a warranty on the motor for a year. The longer, the better.
Read Reviews With Caution
The star ratings are a bit off. Go past all the five-star glowing reviews and the lemmings’ 4,999 three-star ratings, where straight-talking buyers get down to nitty gritty. Seek clues: belt slips, motor conks out in six months, customer service rings out into the empty ether. Real-life home shots trump studio videos. If there’s a money-back trial period or a policy of returns within a few weeks, go for it. Treadmills are one of those things you can’t get a handle on from specifications: your dog will have their say, and their vote counts.
Match the Workout to the Dog
A husky and a pug are not the same breed. Don’t train them the same. High-energy breeds require up to half an hour of regular exercise to become comfortable. Flat-faced breeds can overheat quickly-fifteen minutes of cool, controlled exercise is wiser. Heavy panting, lagging behind or a dog that tries to hop off is a nice way of asking for a break. Water. Always.
Treadmill time is there to enhance your walks, not substitute them. Your dog needs smells and grasses and the exhilaration of a random stranger’s dropped lunch. If you think of it as the backup singer and not the front person, it’ll be better.
