Question: Why does my dog need a dogPACER treadmill?
Every cell in your dogs body is about movement. Dogs need between 30-45 minutes a day of exercise. The dogPACER dog treadmills provide the perfect solution to our busy schedules. Everyday is a perfect day indoors to run your dog, weather is never an issue. We have run over 1000 dogs and we have found that everyday on a dogPACER dog treadmill gives your dog the needed cardio and mental release in order to live a happier and more balanced life.
Question: Why can't my dog just use a human treadmill?
Human treadmills are built for upright control. The control panel is at a level that a human can easily control when walking or running. Dogs can’t push buttons to increase or decrease speed. We put the computer in the front of the machine at a low level so the owner can control everything when the dog is on the treadmill. Human treadmills also have no side panels, the side panels we have on the dogPACER dog treadmill help to keep the dog focused on what is in-front of them. If they are on a human treadmill, they could be blocked from the front, which does not allow for easy exiting of the treadmill. Human treadmills that are not motorized are not recommended and those with motors can be loud and cause your dog to become scared. We built a quiet, streamlined and safe treadmill that is designed for your especially for dogs.
Human treadmills are also shorter in length than a dog treadmill. The dogPACER dog treadmill has a longer belt to accommodate 4 legs.
Question: I take my dog for walks all the time, my dog gets plenty of exercise. Why do I need a dogPACER?
Here is the deal...A dog has 4 legs while we only have 2. After you take your dog for a walk of a few blocks, now your dog is warmed up a really ready to run. In the wild your dog would travel many miles a day but humans have forced their dogs to spend most of the days laying on their joints and sleeping. Give your dog the daily release in order to live a more natural life. They will be happier and you will see the difference.
Question: Why is exercise so important for my dog?
Dogs are not meant to sleep all day, be carried everywhere or be couch potatoes. Exercise is vital to their health and wellbeing. It is also a great way to keep your dog calm and relaxed while you are out of the house. Exercising your dog on the dogPACER dog treadmill will help them rest more calmly, improves joint health, strengthens bones, enhances mental alertness, strengthens the cardiovascular system and can help reduce vet bills.
Question: Things to consider when starting your dog on the dogPACER
Your dog’s size should be considered when starting them on an exercise plan with the dogPACER dog treadmill. Small dog breeds have little legs that may not go as fast as larger breed dogs. Make sure to start your dog out on a low speed and slowly increase the speed to a speed that your dog is comfortable with. Make sure your dog isn’t going too far forward or that their feet aren’t going off the back of the treadmill. Consult your vet if your dog has any specific physical conditions, like hip, joint or heart conditions.
Combining a healthy diet with exercise on the dogPACER dog treadmill is the best way to get your dog in shape and keep them healthy and happy. With over 50% of dogs in the US being overweight, nutrition is just as important as exercise for your dog. Once your dog has become comfortable with exercising on the treadmill, you can establish a routine for them, and we recommend having a command, like “treadmill” to tell your dog when it is time to get on the treadmill to exercise. Praise is also very important for your dog. Rewarding them for good behavior will help them to want to do what you ask of them.
Question: Is it difficult to get my dog started on the dogPACER ?
We have run 1000s of dogs and most dogs are up and walking on the dogPACER dog treadmill in a matter of minutes. There are training techniques that we will share with you in order to make this process as easy as possible. dogPACER dog treadmill owners from range from young to old and dogs from 1lb to 175lbs.
Question: Is the dog treadmill a substitute for all exercise?
The treadmill for dogs is similar to the human treadmill, in its role in fitness. You wouldn’t simply walk on a treadmill for 20-45 minutes per day and call that adequate exercise. Dogs still need to be socialized and walked outside. We built the dog treadmill to help owners who live in areas with bad weather, owners that suffer from allergies or other medical conditions that keep them from exercising their dogs as much as the dog needs to stay healthy, relaxed and happy. Most of all, we understand that people have busy schedules. More families have two working parents, two or more children and two or more pets. Dogs can run in the morning, while the family is getting ready for school and work or when owners return home and are relaxing by the TV.
Now bad weather, time and medical issues don’t have to affect the amount of exercise your dog is getting.
We still feel that socializing you dog and taking them on walks, running, hiking and other outdoor activities should be a part of your dogs’ lifestyle. Dogs are not meant to be couch potatoes or sleep all day; they need exercise and social activity for optimum health.
Question: I have more than one dog, can I run them all together at the same time?
We have all seen the fun videos of multiple dogs running on a dog treadmill on various social media and video sites, however, this is not recommended by dog trainers or veterinarians. Dogs walk or run at the pace their legs and physical condition will allow them. If you more than one dog at a time on the dogPACER, the pace could be too fast and one dog could get hurt. This also takes away from the focus a dog needs to maintain while exercising on a dog treadmill.
Question: What are some suggested training tips for the dogPACER?
We built customer training programs with the help of certified dog training professionals to help take the guess work out of training your dog. These programs are built into the computer. The dogPACER is also being used to help rehabilitate dogs after being injured or having surgery. The dogPACER is also the perfect tool to help reduce stress and hyperactivity from dogs. If your goal is to reduce your dogs’ weight, we suggest workout intervals, similar to the way human’s workout for fitness goals. You can set the dogPACER to various speeds and incline levels for dogs of all ages and sizes. Always remember to consult your veterinarian before starting your dog on any rigorous training or rehabilitation exercising before using the dogPACER. See our video below on additional training tips: