Medium Dogs: They are the middle children of the dog universe. Not light enough for the tiny-machine group, not hulking enough for the beefier gear created for mastiffs. That middle ground makes it difficult to determine the best pet treadmill for dogs your pup's size. Most listings only spew out "small" or "large," and have an indecipherable in-between. Time to clear that up.
What Counts as Medium, Anyway?
About twenty to sixty pounds. Which is to say: Think spaniels, beagles, border collies, bulldogs, and all the infinite procession of mixed-breed dogs born with the terrible guilt of mongrelhood. Bodies will be all over the map within that. A narrow pointer and a muscly bulldog will be roughly the same weight, and will race to look nothing alike.
So weight alone won't choose your machine. Length matters. Leg reach matters. Even attitude matters, because a dog who bounces off walls requires different gear than a dog who naps through everything.
Belt Size Is Where Most People Slip Up
Grab a tape measure. Measure the length of your dog from the chest to the base of the tail. Now multiply by one and a half. That's the shortest belt you should look for. Don't take a seller's "fits medium dogs" label at face value. Marketing guesses. Your tape measure knows better.
Why extra room? Dogs change position. They move forward, move back, move faster, and move slower. What was a perfect harness on paper is going to be too tight the second you start moving in the real world.
Width's easier. It's more how do your dog's shoulders fit across the space. Enough room that they're comfortable – a couple of inches to clear each side is ideal. So tight, they're stuck, too wide they zigzag which can get a little out of control fairly quickly.
A sad reader wrote that his spaniel got himself walked in diagonal lines along a broad strip of grass like a drunk after last orders. Narrow deck, problem solved.
Weight Capacity And Frame Durability
Verify the weight limit listed and allow for some flexibility. The scale may say a machine capable of supporting forty pounds, but it will know in its heart of hearts that it is, in fact, hauling a thirty-eight pound dog and it will be sorely displeased. Dogs run in bursts and their sprinting loads may surpass what the box indicates.
Choose one that is at least ten or fifteen pounds heavier than your dog. If you intend to add a second dog, go even bigger.
A stable frame also mutes sound. A wobbly machine wobbles and a wobbly machine makes a dog nervous, more nervous than a thunderstorm in a tin shed.
Manual or Motorized? Medium Dog Options
Here's the fork in the road. Manual models have no motor, so it's your dog turning the belt. They're inexpensive and quiet, and more tolerant of nervous dogs. Most medium dogs can lean into a curved manual belt and get some momentum, though a few may need a hand.
You may like a motorized model. Perfect if your dog is new at higher speeds, or if you want a consistent speed, and if you have an energetic dog or breed. These are more expensive and louder, and require an outlet.
My two cents? If your dog is chill and interested, manual. If you want consistency, and your dog is at all athletic, motorized. Neither is wrong.
Speed and Incline: Small Dials, Big Variations
For a medium dog, their relaxed canter is between walking and jogging. Which is why you need a machine that you can ramp up with a gentle touch and easy fine tuning. Big leaps in either direction are like being yanked along by the collar. Read buyers' comments about starting speed to 10 – dogs tell the real story! Slow start is the only way to truly win a hesitant dog over!
Incline is a plus, not a necessity. Elevating the hindquarters encourages the dog to work its hindlegs, and it consumes some energy without the dog getting more speed. Always begin on the flat, and raise the obstacle a degree or two only when your dog has become comfortable with it.
Medium to large breeds and older dogs with joint problems will require more assistance. Check with your vet before you put any incline in place. A minute of discussion now is better than a dog with a limp.
Safety Features You Can't Skip
Now for the preachy bit. Sorry. It makes a difference.
Panels prevent paws from sliding through gaps. A quick-stop clip to bring the belt to a halt with a snap. Non-slip surface to keep paws from sliding instead of skidding. Controls should be well away from paws, since medium dogs are big enough to push a button intentionally or not.
A low entry height assists as well. Often dogs of this size are used to jumping up, so if your dog hesitates, introduce a small ramp. Don't force it on.
And please, don't. Ever. Leave a dog on a treadmill – for one second. Dogs are naturally curious, and an uncomfortable dog will jump.
Noise, Because Dogs Hear Everything
Dogs really do hear what we cannot. What is a dull hum to you is a hive of noise to them. Ask other owners about noisy engines or squeaky brakes.
Try running the machine empty, while your dog watches from across the room. Watch them for their response. If he vacates the room he's giving you honest feedback.
And finally, manual models usually win the noise battle. They have a soft rolling sound, which is easier on many anxious dogs.
Training a Medium Dog Without Losing Your Mind
Treats will be your friend. Begin with the machine unplugged. Allow your dog to sniff, to step on the pedal, to walk away from it. Praise your dog for all of their curious actions.
Next, start at a slow speed with you right next to them. Keep it brief, say three to five minutes. Medium dogs have an incredible amount of energy, and the temptation is to go for broke. Don't. Confidence first, fitness second.
Over several weeks, extend the sessions to fifteen or twenty minutes. Even medium-sized dogs do well with several of these a week, combined with ordinary walks. The treadmill provides additional activity, but not a substitute for nose work outdoors.
Use the word "done" and give your dog a treat when he leaps down – that little side-step makes jumping out of a window a perfectly safe action.
Keep an eye on your dog's body language throughout. If he or she begins to pant heavily, ears go back, or your pup keeps looking to leave the room, then it's time to end things. Dogs don't say "enough", they show it.
Some goofing off is good. I also talk through the set like a play-by-play sportscaster: "And as the beagle begins the final stretch, an all-cheese diet!" Your dog is indifferent, but you'll be smiling.
Budget, Space and What You Can Pass Up
Medium-dog price range can be as small or as high as you like. Opt for more safety, wider belts and quieter motors. Forget the flashy screens, phone connections and fitness-tracking programs built for humans. Your dog couldn't care less about a calorie counter.
And don't forget about space. Units that fold or roll also work in apartment style buildings. If it fits in a closet, you're more likely to use it than if it's in your living room.
Lastly, look over the return policy. Some dogs just won't. Being able to return your initial dog for up to six months or so makes a mistake less costly, and pretty easy to fix.
