People who have a misunderstanding of the process will often comment negatively on treadmill exercise for dogs. On social media we will often post live videos on Instagram or TikTok showing how the process works, and showing the dogs exercising. Many times, people will make comments about the owners being too lazy to walk their dogs, or that forcing dogs to run on treadmills is cruel. Both statements could not be more wrong. The treadmills that RUN DAWG uses are not motorized (slatmills) which means that they are powered by the dog running or walking at the pace they choose. Instead of a belt moving under their feet that is moved by a motor, our treadmills would not move at all if the dog did not walk or run. They can stop their exercise any time they want, and take breaks any time they are tired. Their harness is leashed to a bar at the top of the treadmill so that they do not move forward or backward (this prevents them from falling off) and when they walk or run they simply move in place as the belt rolls under their feet. This gives them the ability to move as fast as they want, without being held back by the human holding the leash.
When we teach our dogs not to pull on the leash while walking, we are forcing them to walk at our pace, not theirs. Most dogs have more energy than we do, and they prefer to move at a faster pace than us. When we hold them back, we force them to walk in a way that puts the majority of their weight on their front paws, ultimately exercising only their chest and not their back end. This is why you see dogs with skinny back legs and big chests, because they have spent their entire lives walking in a way that does not exercise their rear leg muscles. Over time, this is why joint and rear-end mobility issues happen to our dogs, because their rear legs have never been worked or developed. Herding and working dogs have never been on a walk in their lives, and rarely get mobility issues later in life. Has it ever occurred to you that forcing them to walk the way we want them to is actually harming them, if it is the only exercise they get? The only way that dogs truly get to work out their muscles is running or swimming, and so few owners do either one of these things with their dogs. The result is shorter lives, medical issues and frustration.
Running in open fields would be ideal for dogs, hunting and acting in the ways they were designed to act. Dogs that are not domesticated spend 90% of their waking time hunting for food, burning calories chasing prey and running up and down hills. Domesticated dogs are expected to sit in a corner of our house or apartment and be quiet all day, waiting patiently for their next meal or for us to pay attention to them. This is not only unfair to them, it is incredibly unhealthy. The frustration they have from not being able to release their energy the way they were bred to causes thousands of dogs to be given to shelters each year because they become destructive or aggressive. Many of these issues are simply because we are not providing them with the exercise they need. While running on a treadmill inside a van is certainly not the most natural way to exercise, it is far better than not exercising at all. Most veterinarians suggest that dogs e walked several miles every day with their owners, and also provided with 30 minutes of high intensity running. Because so few owners have the time to go to a dog park every day and run their dog for 30 minutes, RUN DAWG offers the alternative of running them in a safe and secure environment. The vans are also climate controlled, which is critical in Las Vegas where the heat is far too much for walking dogs outside during the summer. In the times of extreme heat of cold, many owners will not even walk their dog every day, which leaves them with no exercise at all. RUN DAWG is here to help.
The treadmill workouts at RUN DAWG are 30 minute sessions where we come to your location and work with your dog exclusively. They are placed on the treadmill and securely fastened so they cannot fall off. They are encouraged to walk forward, and eventually to run if they can. Most dogs will need some time to get used to walking on the treadmill, and we have seen beginners start to walk comfortably in as little as five minutes. The majority of times it will take upwards of two or three sessions for the dog to understand that they can walk comfortably without being afraid. Once they are able to walk on the treadmill, we will provide a slight elevation to the machine, shifting the weight from their front to their back legs. This provides them with a great cardiovascular workout while also building and toning back leg muscles that rarely get worked out on most dogs. Once they are comfortable walking quickly or running, we take them through 3 ten minute periods of more intense running, topping for periodic breaks as are necessary. We will provide water, rest and encouragement although most dogs begin to enjoy the workout so much that they do not want to stop. Many dogs will refuse water or breaks while on the treadmill, as they have now learned a new skill and job that they enjoy doing. This gives them not only a physical workout, but the mental stimulation of performing a task the way they were bred to do. Regular workouts will provide your dog with a better physical and mental state, making them happier and healthier.
Owners who use treadmills to run their dogs are not lazy, and are not necessarily using the treadmill exercise to avoid walking with them. Most owners are actually the complete opposite of that, and are far more concerned about their dog’s health and well being than other owners. The treadmill workouts are safe and completely controlled, being tailored to your dog’s fitness level, their individual needs and their abilities that day. It is just like going to a gym for us and working with a personal trainer who motivates you to push yourself in order to get into shape. Dogs need it even more than we do, and owners who care go above and beyond the simple walking. If you love your dog, run your dog!
