Whether you’re a new owner or a seasoned dog walker, even you might be surprised at the treadmill sitting in your garage right now, double on the price tag, and collecting dust next to that broken lawn chair. You can find a best pet treadmill for dogs, but it can also be a nightmare for its motor. The key difference is in what you look for before you plunk down your cash. Bring a flashlight, a small towel, and a healthy dose of suspicion.
Ask Questions Before You Drive Anywhere
Don’t waste your Saturday. Contact seller first. Find out the age of the machine, how much it’s been used, and why they’re selling it. “My dog doesn’t like it.” Why, what does the dog do when it sees the treadmill? That’s a sign that the problem could be with the loud motor or clunky belt, not a mutt, and worth investigating. Ask for the model number, and look up the original spec sheet. See if you can get some photos of the bottom of the treadmill, the motor cover, and the console. If the seller refuses, that’s a good sign.
Start by looking at the belt
Run your hand over the face of the belt. It will be even and smooth without frays or ridges. (Fraying indicates it’s worn out, while glossiness or smoothness indicates a worn-out wheel that needs a shave.) Look at the edges to see if there is any fraying. Look for a seam that is coming apart. Stand at the back of the snob and see whether the belt is running deadcenter or drifting to the left or right. Poor alignment, a worn-out wheel, or a bent frame will cause it to drift. A little hex driver will fix belt misalignment. A bent frame will need a professional. Lift a corner of the belt a few inches. It should come up about 2-3 inches. If it comes up very much higher, it’s loose. If it barely moves, it’s tight. Tight belts will cause the motor to overheat.
Power It On and Just Listen
Plug it in. Close your eyes. Take a deep breath. Turn to the lowest speed and listen. A healthy motor will hum along. A sick one will grind, squeal or thump with the pitch of the belt. Thumping usually signals a seam bump or broken roller. Grinding indicates bad bearings. Now ramp it up gradually. Watch that it ramps smoothly rather than hacking along and then surging to a start. Dogs can detect surges. They have no trouble detecting pitch changes. They’ll remember every squeal and grind for a couple of months. Test each speed setting to the max. Many used machines can run on a walk at 1 mph but choke on a 0.5 mph crawl, right where your dog will be for the first few weeks. Let it run for 10 minutes. Some defects won’t show up until the motor warms up.
Test the Motor and the Smell
Open the motor cover if they will let you. Shine the flashlight down inside. Expect dust. Expect a thick mat of dog hair which acts as an insulator and helps it overheat, that’s a warning sign. Check for dark scorch marks on the board or the wire. Sniff. Electrical burning odor? Walk away. A mild rubber smell? OK. If it’s burning you should be able to smell it. If it smells like something got cooked it did. And while you’re there note the rating on the label, for a medium sized dog a continuous horsepower of at least 1.0 (larger for a bigger dog) is required. Peak horsepower is marketing. Continuous is the number to look for.
Test Every Button and Safety Feature
Press everything. Start. Stop. Speed up. Speed down. Incline. Does each button respond on the first try, or do you have to punch it like an elevator in the projects? Sticking buttons mean spilled drinks, slobber or a puppy chomp. Now the critical part: the emergency stop. Clip the tether or mash the big red button when the belt’s on speed – slowly. It should shut down in a snap. If it takes a moment, run. It’s not worth a dog’s life to skimp on the price of a dogged belt. Look at the display too. Dead pixels and flashing digits mean a dying board, and boards are expensive to replace.
Measure It Against Your Dog
A good deal on a machine that is not the right size is a perfect expensive coat rack. Bring a tape measure. Measure the available belt, only the part you run on, not including the frame. A dog the size of a retriever should have 50 inches of room or more, with a little more width for wider chests on dogs. Smaller dogs can get away with less, but the width still needs to be at least a couple of inches on both sides of a dog’s shoulders. Note the height of the rails and the height of the step up, if any. If the deck is high, your old dog might not want to get on it. Can you take your dog along for a trial? A lot of stores will agree if it looks like you are a serious buyer. If your dog jumps up and steps on without hesitation, great. If your dog backs up and pretends not to recognize you, also take note.
Examine the Frame and Rollers
Get down low. Shine your flashlight along the frame and under the deck. Look for cracks, rust, bent tubing, and missing bolts. Wobble the machine. Any movement indicates a loose frame or uneven feet. Then place a hand on the front roller while it runs. It should turn smoothly without clicking or wobbling. If it clicks, replace it; the bearing is shot. That can be done, but it’s parts and some time on a nice weekend. Look at the deck below the belt. A shiny surface or new lubricant is a sign of good health. Very old, pale dry spots mean the belt has been dragging. A dragging belt consumes motors.
Go Through The Documents And Parts
Request the manual, original receipt and any service records. If a seller kept these, they likely maintained the machine. Find out if the warranty is transferable, but most aren’t. Next find out if replacement belts and parts are still available for that make/model. If not, it’s a ticking time bomb. Search for the model name and “recall” online before you buy. A 30 second search can save you a ton of heartache. Also, find out if it came with a tether, power cord and any remote. Not having a proprietary cord can be expensive.
Haggle With Facts, Not Feelings
Every problem you discovered has a cost. Worn belt? Deduct for new one. Flaky console? Deduct for that also. In simple non-threatening way: “I like it, but can’t take the belt coming apart, so I can do this much.” Buyers appreciate a direct number better than a broad complaint. Pay by check or credit card if you can, and get a brief written receipt that has the date, model, serial number. Do not give cash until you have tested the appliance.
Plan for the First Week Home
Clean it. Brush the deck, vacuum under the shroud and apply belt lube if the manual suggests. Tighten the bolts. Now gently bring your dog closer, at crawl speed, with treats and a comically enthusiastic attitude. It can be odd for a seasoned secondhand unit to smell like a different home, even if its running flawlessly. Allow your dog to take a sniff. Let them conclude it’s no monster. Patience now is rewarded many times over later.
