There’s a ton of misconceptions about dogs running on treadmillswhich have caused many social media battles online recently so in this article we are going to bust some of the main myths and put to rest the misinformation!
First of all dog treadmills are nothing new, in fact the first dog treadmill was patented by John R. Richards, of Oak Park IL in1939. The design was conceived from an idea John had whilst seeing an earlier version of a manual treadmill which was used to automate farm and domestic chores by live stock. By the 1960’s the treadmill was no longer used for chores but instead was being used by working dog enthusiasts to help condition their dogs. The pit bull community were the first to use dog treadmills particularly as a way to exercise dogs in preparation for the illegal activity of dog fighting. Unfortunately this has tainted it’s use and created a hysteria about dog treadmills despite the fact that it is used today by a variety of breeds including canines in military and police departments around the world. For a more in depth history of the dog treadmill read the following article>>>>History of Dog Treadmills
3 Myths about Dog Treadmills.
MYTH 1: Dog Treadmills Are Cruel
It has been claimed that dog treadmills are cruel because dogs are forced to run on them. This is a complete myth especially in the case of the non motorised dog treadmills such as our Slatmills and Carpetmills. The fact that they are non motorised (manual) means the dog is in full control of the treadmill belt and it therefore only moves when the dog moves. You can learn more about the different dog treadmill models by reading the following article but suffice to say that manual dog treadmills (when made and used correctly) are 100% safe >>>>>Dog Treadmill Types
MYTH 2: Dog Treadmills Are Dangerous
First and foremost running is a natural activity for all dog’s. A dog treadmill merely facilitates this natural canine movement pattern with an added layer of safety since all dog treadmills have safe and secure fixing points which keep your dog running securely on the treadmill in case they get distracted. In fact, we have even added more safety to our dog treadmills recently through our unique shock absorption system. This provides your dog with extra support while they are running to mimic a soft ground and therefore reduce any possible tension on their joints. Furthermore, when you introduce your dog to the treadmill in the proper way and maintain good treadmill etiquette it’s virtually impossible for your dog to have an accident. To find out how to introduce your dog to the dog treadmill read our article here:
>>>>How To Introduce your dog to the Dog Treadmill
MYTH 3: Dog Treadmills are for lazy people, just take your dog for a walk!
Moderate intensity exercise for a dog is defined as an exercise that is at least 60% of their maximum capacity. Running is an example of a moderate intensity exercise. Walking on the other hand is a very low intensity exercise for most dogs let alone for a working breed such as a herder. Not only that but there are times when weather may not permit a dog walk or run which means a dog can miss the opportunity to ‘release’ their energy. Therefore the dog treadmill is of paramount importance. For more information about breed specific exercise guidelines, read the following article:
>>>>>>Breed Exercise Guidelines
If you have any questions regarding the use of dog treadmills feel free to contact us at support@fitdognation.com
To view our full range of dog treadmills go here: >>>>>Dog Treadmills
Keep them FIT,
FITDOG NATION