Aerobics Machine

Pet lovers have been building all kinds of furniture and buying all sorts of accessories for their dogs. It’s only inevitable that someone would come up with a dog treadmill. Dog owners may claim that a dog treadmill is the best thing since sliced bread, and we can’t blame them. Below are a few reasons why.

Reasons for buying a dog treadmill

Unlike cats or birds or iguanas, dogs need to be exercised everyday to keep them fit and healthy. In fact, busy people even go to great lengths hiring dog walkers just to make sure that their pooches get a daily dose of running or walking in the great outdoors.

But if the weather isn’t as agreeable as you would like it to be – that is, in times of rain, sleet, or snow – your best friend would have to pass on that daily routine. Or should he?

With a dog treadmill, you can give your pet that needed exercise no matter what’s happening outside. Moreover, it’s a good tool with which you can observe how your dog walks or runs – especially important if you’re into dog shows. Some people think that a dog treadmill is only for the well-heeled animal lovers like Paris Hilton and her ubiquitous chihuahua, but more and more average Joes now turn to this wonderful invention to keep their pets from being too lazy.

How is a dog treadmill used?

There are animal-powered models and there are motor-powered ones. The latter are, as expected, more expensive, but are preferred because of their important features. A dog treadmill works using the same mechanism as a regular treadmill, but they have a few extras such as protective walls to keep your dog from falling off. Some models have incline and speed settings as well.

Avoid making the mistake of having your dog get up on the belt as soon as the unit arrives. Unlike us who jump at something novel, dogs need to be slowly oriented with this contraption that they may not be familiar with. Allow your pet to sniff around and familiarize himself with it.

Afterwards, the noise that the motor would make when the dog treadmill is turned on would also take some getting used to. Never make your dog use the treadmill first thing in the morning or just after waking up. Even dogs need warm-ups, too.

Do not tie your dog to a leash that is tied to the machine, or hold a treat in front of him. He could very well lunge at you, especially if he’s hungry. The best thing to do is to hold him on a leash, with you at his eye level or in front of him as if you’re leading. Always give words of encouragement as your dog is on his routine. Being showered with praise will make exercising on a dog treadmill a pleasurable experience for him.

Make sure that the room your dog is exercising in is well ventilated. Dogs can’t tolerate heat as well as we can and are prone to heatstroke. You also should not make him get on the treadmill right after a heavy meal. Since the action of a dog treadmill is continuous, your dog may control his business (which is bad for him) or do it right then and there.

After a session, make sure to give your dog a good rubdown to stimulate his blood circulation. Never overdo it, though, because this is quite different from walking your dog outdoors when he can stop and rest many times. Always make exercise time a pleasurable experience for both of you.