Getting my dog on a treadmill

[Nomad]

Hi and sorry it this is such a contraversal first post, I have recently had an old injurty flare up really badly over the last few months to the state where I may be getting a hip replacement, and over the last month of so have foud my ability to properly walk my dog has seriously become an issue - we used to do four five mile walks a day, now I am struggling to take him on three 1 mile walks a day.

So I have been looking into and toying with the idea of addng some time on the treadmill to suppliment his walks until my health improves to the state we can get back to our former routine. Please know that I am not trying to "bulk up" my dog nor build up his muscle mass, I'm just simply concerned about my ability to meet his health needs right now and for the short term furture. So I would really appreciate some thoughts or advice from other dog owners, especially from those who have used a teadmill before.

I should add that I am uncomfortable with the thought of hiring a dog walker due to my dog having issues with dog aggression and my experience of local dog walkers.

Thanks

nomad

 

[banana]

Oh dear, poor you, it must be tough for you both to no longer be able to do what you enjoy.

I think that if that works for you and your dog is happy to do it, then it is your choice.

I would check he is happy to walk on one before you fork out hundreds of £££'s on something he wont go near.

Perhaps another thing you can do is get him to run and fetch a ball, if I dont have time to do a long walk I get my two running back and forth to me - they love it and they get lots more exercise in a shorter time...

Welcome to Dog Forum - I am Anna

 

[eingana]

Hi Nomad

I'd also try out fetching games if I were you. Is your dog at all ball orientated? I have mobility problems but can drive to somewhere where I can chuck a ball or frisbee for Molly to bring back and half an hour later she's knackered and smiling

If that's not possible then I'd look into getting a really well vetted dog walker rather than paying for a treadmill unless you really can't face that. Treadmill work is boring beyond belief for a human- can you imagine how repetitive and pointless it must feel for a dog?

I hope you're well soon and can resume your normal dog walks

 

[hanneroon]

hi there. do you mean experiences with other local dog owners? I wouldn't rule out hiring a really good dog walker. My dog can be bit of a sociopath when he's on the lead. I too have offended about half the locals! Local professional dog walkers have really helped me out though, for free, and let me join them on their walks with lots of dogs to help socialise him (he isn't daft, and shuts up if there are more than about 4 others i've found). I am lucky, there are plenty round here, some specialise in crazy (what do they call it... High energy) dogs, and they do know their stuff regarding dog politics. You never know, some have offered to walk him, but like you i feel i wouldn't like to ask anyone else to. I did consider it when i broke a few toes a couple of years ago. There is a lady who lives near me, with a jack russell that is very aggressive to all and sundry, cars, bikes, dogs, people. Her dogwalker picks it up in a van with loads of other dogs, and it is fine. Might be worth a ring round.

Failing that, do you already own a treadmill? I can't see that it would be a problem to use one but perhaps only in short bursts, i have no idea how you get a dog on one, even. My dog is so clumsy it would be hopeless i'm sure. What breed is he? If he's a tough breed, can you get him to pull something or wear one of those dog pack things with small weights, or water bottles in when you do walk him? My mate got one for her staffy, who is a wee bit hyper, games in the park sent him even more nuts, this tires him out a bit on the way and i think he genuinely loves it.

 

[lurcherman]

im a great dog walker lol :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: o

 

[Nomad]

Thanks for the replies, we do play a version of fetch - you would swear he was a kitten if you saw him play, he doesn't bring the ball back but prances and pounces around it and throws it up in the air, he only brings it back to me to tease me with it and coax me into chasing him - he prefers the "paws game".

As for not wanting to hire a dog waker, my dog has serious issues with dog aggression, he is a rescue, when I walk him in public he is muzzled at all times - except for his last walk at 2 amish, I like to give him at least 1 walk a day without the muzzle on that we can both really enjoy. But if these are the precautions I take to walk my dog I can't expect a stranger professional or not to be as vigilant as me nor accept the responsibility should anything happen. Don't get me wrong he is a real people dog, people have stopped me outside supermarkets and told me that they don't think my dog should be muzzled, for some reason the muzzle doesn't put strangers off approaching him, somebody even went so far as to take his muzzle off and buy him a mattessons smoked sausage, and if I time the last walk right the owners of two of the local take aways spoil him - he doesn't get to eat it though, I eat that I wouldn't feed him that rubbish.

I have just bought him a dog pack as suggested by hanneroon, but I am having issues with it as in turning my dog into a beast of burdon so to speak and if it may not be a bit on the cruel side, I did note that you could get harnesses designed to hold pouches of lead shot, but they looked a bit aggressive to me. But would putting a 375ml bottle of coke in each side be excessive - he weighs 28/29 kg, 2 small bottles of coke less than 1kg. He likes wearing the dog pack, I haven't taken him out for a walk with it on yet, just let him wear it in the house, nor have I added any weight to it yet, waiting for the both of us to get used to the idea of it before he goes out in public with it on.

thanks nomad

 

[hanneroon]

aaaaw you sound very kind! It is an odd thing to do to put a backpack on a dog, but i genuinely think they like having a job to do, and it is actually good to give them something they can do, get them involved in things.

You may think you are using him like a donkey, but what about all the working breeds, they fetch stuff, and get sent into brambles or whatever, or sledge dogs! My dogs job is pest control, he catches flies and wasps for me and chases pests in the gardens i work in, I blimmin wish i could harness mine and get a sleigh when he's in a pulling mood, and i'm carrying my toolbucket. Two cans of pop on a 28 kilo dog will be fine i'm sure! What breed is he? As you are introducing it slowly you'll be able to see if he enjoys it or is irritated by it.

That person feeding him a sausage?! People are so odd eh? I get a similar thing with people telling me i shouldn't muzzle mine. A jogger stopped and ran back to us the other day when he was muzzled, and cleaned his eyebogeys for him!!!!! I was so shocked i just stood there with my gob open. He said don't worry i've got two dogs and ran off! Blimmin nerve! Mine is also very good with people, but i told him he was allowed the thumbs of the next person that did that!!!

Funny i also accept food for the dog, that i eat, a lady gave me a huge chicken pie the other day!

Good luck for the future nomad! I hope everything works out and you are back to health soon.

 

[peachy79]

Have you thought about hydrotherapy? its a fantastic way to exercise your dog if you are unable to, its safer than letting them swim in the sea, and what's more its excellent fun, 1 minute in the pool is said to be equivalent to a mile walk!

 

[whippetsrus]

I sympathise with your predicament. Could you not get a dog walker? Dog's need mental stimulation as well as exercise.