FAQ’S

We designed dogPACER from the ground up. We engaged the firm SAS Mechanical Design LLC to develop and engineer our vision of creating a dog treadmill unlike any other. An engineer led the dogPACER design team with a background in designing rockets for space travel.

We literally had a “Rocket Scientist” advising us on what would be the best functional design, with the right amount of sophistication, which would provide our dog owners and their dogs the most amazing dog treadmill.

We fine-tuned the dogPACER to accommodate all sizes and types of dogs based on thousands of hours of research and testing.

We have worked with top Veterinarians and dog trainers to create the perfect treadmill for your dog! dogPACER treadmill will be your dog’s OTHER best friend!

Q: Why does my dog need a dogPACER Treadmill?

A: Every cell in your dog’s body is about movement.  Dogs need between 30-45 minutes a day of exercise.  The dogPACER dog treadmill provides the perfect solution to our busy schedules.  Everyday is a perfect day indoors to run your dog, weather is never an issue.  We have ran over 1000 dogs, and have found that a dogPACER treadmill gives your dog the needed cardio and mental release to live a happier and more balanced life.

Q: Why can’t my dog simply use my human treadmill?

A: 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 on the dogPACER treadmill helps 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 off of the treadmill. Human treadmills that are not motorized are not recommended for dogs, 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 especially for dogs.

Human treadmills are also shorter in length than a dog treadmill. The dogPACER treadmill  has a longer belt to accommodate 4 legs.

Q: I take my dog for walks all the time…my dog gets plenty of exercise, how would my dog benefit from a treadmill?

A: Here is the deal…A dog has 4 legs while we only have 2.  After you take your dog for a walk, your dog is warmed up and 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 day laying on their joints and sleeping.  Give your dog their daily release with a dogPACER treadmill in order to live a more natural life.  Your dog will be happier and you will see the difference.

Q: Why is exercise so important for my dog?

A: 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 treadmill will help them rest more calmly, improve joint health, strengthen bones, and enhance mental alertness. Strengthening the cardiovascular system can help reduce vet bills.

Q: What things should you consider when starting your dog on the dogPACER Treadmill?

A: Your size of your dog should be considered when starting them on an exercise plan with the dogPACER 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 point your dog is comfortable with. Make sure your dog isn’t going too far forward or that their feet are not 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 treadmill  is the best way to get your dog in shape and keep them healthy and happy. With over 50% of dogs in the U.S. 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. 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 your dog for good behavior will help them want to do what you ask.

Q: Is it difficult to get my dog started on the dogPACER Treadmill?

A: We have ran thousands of dogs, and most dogs are up and walking on the dogPACER 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 treadmill owners range from young to older, and dogs range from 1lb to 179lbs.

Q: Is the dog treadmill a substitute for all exercise?

A: The dog treadmill is similar to the human treadmill when it comes to 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 for several reasons. Those who live in areas with extreme weather conditions of hot and cold, for 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. Most of all, we understand that people have busy schedules and the dogPACER treadmill helps with convenience. Most 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.

Bad weather, time, and medical issues don’t have to effect the amount of exercise your dog is getting.

Socializing your dog and taking them on walks, hiking, or other outdoor activities should be a part of your dogs’ lifestyle for optimum health.

Q: What if my dog does not take to the dogPACER Treadmill?

A: We have dog trainers on staff and we can assure you that we have a 99% success rate when it comes to getting dogs up and running.  Sometimes it may take a little longer, but as long as you are patient you will change your dogs life for the better.

Q: If I have more that one dog can I run them together at the same level?

A: We have all seen the fun video’s 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 more than one dog is 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.

Q: What are some suggested training tips for the dogPACER Treadmill?

A: We built custom 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 as 3 preset programs. The dogPACER is also being used to help rehabilitate dogs after being injured or having surgery. The dogPACER is the perfect tool to help reduce stress and hyperactivity in 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.

dogPACER

You can learn even more about the dogPACER and see more videos and photos on our FACEBOOK. If you have any questions feel free to Contact Us.