dogPACER Treadmill

PoetikDragon

I ordered a dogPACER canine treadmill on Monday. It was supposed to arrive Friday but it came early! Hopefully I can get it set up tonight and maybe tomorrow try it out. I'll post here what the dogs think of it.



PS. I have no idea what category this should be. Training? Working? Health? Bah.

ayk

Products & DIY. I think some other treadmills were posted there.

tjbart17

Treadmills for dogs are illegal in my area because of dog fighting.

I'm envious. It looks cool.

PoetikDragon

Really? What is the relationship between treadmills and dog fighting?

tjbart17

Physical training and endurance.

http://www.mesirowfinklaw.com/blog/2011/04/27/28-dog-fighting-penalties-and-equipment-.html

Zinja

How will you train your dog to use it? All my dogs have been afraid of treadmills, but I have never tried to clicker train my dog for treadmills

CarabooA

8-} @tjbart17 - so once again people with good intentions denied something that could be beneficial must relinquish their rights because of those idiots who use it for bad purposes? That's crazy.... bummer.

WrylyBrindle

actually Tara's link states:

"Technically, is not illegal to keep items such as pry bars and treadmills. Dog trainers also use these items. When treadmills and pry bars are found in connection with other special items, however, a law enforcement officer may suspect a person of dog fighting."

tjbart17

In my county it is. @wrylybrindle

I put a generic state article up because no one else on the forum lives in my area.

jellyfish

I own a gun. I must be in to dog fighting.

CarabooA

Shame on you @jellyfart lol I won't say how many we own...

To me it would def. make more sense if found in conjunction with other items that were linked to the offence.... that to me is more common sense than just forbidding certain items.

PoetikDragon

Other items like a crowbar and antibiotics... rofl

Heidi

Are leashes banned? Going for walks builds muscles, after all.

sandrat888

I have a doggie treadmill for my 2 Shibas. It helps them build up their endurance and core muscles when the weather in the PNW is not cooperating. Both will stay on without a leash (it's dangerous to keep the leash on them while they are on the treadmill).

Losech

Nifty! If only I could get Juneau and Sasha to go near a treadmill. Conker would if there was a piece of meat hanging from it no problem, but the Girls are much more wary of stuff like that.
Then again, I take the dogs for walks rain or shine, cold or hot, so I don't need one. Only time I won't is if they decide they don't want to go. (That almost never happens.)

*JackBurton*

So if I have a 1/100th Roman Arena in my back yard for "training" I'm ok but if I add a treadmill and a box from the US Postal Service Cycling Team I would be in trouble.

tjbart17

I know my county is lame! I think they are banned in sf too but don't quote me.

One would be nice for Koda's back legs to keep him in shape all year.

jellyfish

You have to update us all when you use this thing!!!!

PoetikDragon

I will! I got it set up last night, but I am working overtime tonight to try and have something to show at the demonstration for work tomorrow, and then tomorrow night is our LARP's anniversary and auction game which we've been preparing for weeks.

PoetikDragon

PoetikDragon

Ghidora isn't thrilled with the mill and is strong enough to stop the belt if he digs in. So we're taking it slow and making good associations. He's getting dinner on the mill every night now and lots of treats and praise just for standing on it.

Angi on the other hand will happily walk on it and gobble up canned food at the same time. We've done a couple 30 second walks with her up to 0.8 mph. (Slowest the mill goes is 0.5mph but its an awkward speed.)

Losech

Cool! I hope they end up loving it! Conker used to be that way about water, not fond of it at all, but now he loves it and will go out of his way for a swim.

Zinja

a shiba that loves water? Get a video, @Losech!

Kuma123

Nice! So do you like it? Overall construction and durability?

PoetikDragon

Yeah I think its well made and very sturdy. I am a little unhappy with the belt problems. It doesn't take much for Ghidora (75lbs) to make the belt stop moving and the motor start whirring angrily. I don't want to burn something out. Its supposed to be rated for dogs up to 180lbs so its a little disappointing in that regard.

tjbart17

@poeticdragon Koda's physical therapist never put the treadmill under .8 even after his surgery. She said they should always go a minimum of .8 for at least five minutes to get them used to it. Of course this was a water treadmill. But for what it's worth, I thought I'd pass that info. along.

Kuma123

@poeticdragon, thanks for the information. I was considering this for my dogs but Kuma is already over 100 lbs so I am not sure it would work for her size if the belt is that easy to stop.....

PoetikDragon

I haven't given up on it yet. Part of it is that Ghidora is my eternal Eeyore. Draggin' his feet, hangin' his head, not wanting to do anything. Also I am not entirely certain about the belt adjustments yet. I have it with the line between 2 and 3 like the quick start says, but it goes all the way up to 6 so I don't know what that is all for.

tjbart17

Lmao we call Koda Eeyore.

PoetikDragon

Ghidora did much better on the treadmill today. He didn't want to take any treats (took it from my hand then let it drop on the floor) but didn't mind walking at all. We did two two-minute walks at 1 mph. I stood next to him exaggerating walking in place like we were going somewhere and he paid a lot of attention to me doing that. Maybe it helped. Afterwards he wolfed down his dinner while still on the treadmill.

jellyfish

bloat! i'm afraid of that. That is all.

I'm jealous of your dogpacer, btw