The Dog Gym - Page 1

Does anyone use a treadmill for their shepherd? I was thinking about getting one, but I'm not sure how it would hold up to the claws of two large dogs.  Also wonder if the belt would be long enough to accomodate an animal with a long body and four feet. Seems like it would be great  for them if it did work though. Plus I could use it too.

I have a few lung-related health issues.  I do use a treadmill to assist in treatment of them, but I have to go slowly for as long a time as I can.  It's to build up lung function and stamina.  (I currently have less than 28% lung function for three reasons.  That is improving.)

That being said...

I have a lovely 5 month old GSD pup that, on occassion, gets up on the treadmill and walks with me outside our regular walk time outside.  (This girl is ready to try anything new.  Nothing is "strange" to her.) 

She's also taken recently to "standing" on it  when it's not on and looking at me as if to say "Ok.  Get your ass over here and let's move!"  (Great motivator.)  She's only 5 months old - not near old enough for "treadmill" work in my opinion.  Our walks outside and exercise in the yard, at the ballfield and livestock arena are better exercise without the designed stress.

Again, that being said...the belt on mine is a shorter one.  It's good for walking.  If you're looking for something more advanced for a German Shepherd Dog you should probably consider something with a minimum of a 5 or 5.5 foot belt to allow for the length that would be required for "trotting" as a form of exercise for the dog in bad weather or for conditioning. 

I can't really address the issues of the "claws".  I keep Giza's nails cut short.  I trim them about every 2 weeks.  Kept short like that her nails are not an issue on the belt. 

Not sure that helps, but that's my experience.

yES WE HAVE A 18 MONTH OLD THAT HAS BEEN ON THE THREAD MILL FOR 8 MONTHS...SHE IS ISKA V KAPBRUSH DAUGHTER WITHTOO MUCH ENERGY ,,,,SHE LOVES IT AND CANT WAIT.....HAVAE TO USE IT TO GIVE HER EXTRA WORK OUT TO USE UP THE PENT UP ENERGY...BUILDS HER MUSCLE ALSO...SHE IS     HIGH AS A FLAG POLE AND EVEN WITH WORK, THREE DAYS A WEEK AND WALKING AND SWIMMING ON THE BEACH ,,....

MYAH LOVES THE THREADMILL....HER BODY IS TIGHT AND TRIM AND IN TIP TOP SHAPE.....

From everything that i have heard and read I would not put a 5 months old on a treadmil unless you are only walking the pup.  The bones are not done growing and the plates are the big deal with running a young dog, I am just starting to put my male on the treadmil and he is 16 months.

My female LOVES it, I show her the collar, and she gets all excited jumps in the collar and up on the treadmil.  I have a manual DOG mill from www.chandlermills.com they might seem expensive but worth every penny, mine is 10 years old and works perfect!!  The new ones are even much more quiet!

Anyhow I do not think it is good to run a dog under 13-14 months of age.  Best of luck.  Kari

I wonder about stride - the treadmill folks tell us we need 6' for a german shepherd dog.  Does a normal human treadmil work ok with less than a 5' or so deck?   Can the dog get to a trot on them if they are not one of those floating american things with the superextended angulation

i got inspired by the movie i am legend lol.