Build A Dog Powered Treadmill - Page TwoAs we mentioned on Page One, building a dog powered treadmill can be a great way to provide your dog with exercise. It need not be all that expensive, as long you have some woodworking and mechanical skills. THE FRAMEFor helpful dimensions for your size dog, see Grand Carpet MillThe frame is usually built out of wood and can involve a base with side rails. Notches may be added to set the apparatus at different inclines (similar to an Adirondack chair). The frame can have rollers attached through an axle and bearings or consist of a separate shell set independently over the roller system. The frame can also be built out of metal, either using parts from an old human-powered treadmill or welding or bolting together pieces of aluminum or steel pipe. If weight is a consideration, aluminum is the obvious choice. It may be possible to go without a frame if you can get your dog to stay on the treadmill. THE ROLLERSOne design we read about calls for attaching a roller at each end of the frame made out of a steel axle and bearings, covered with insulating foam, that is then placed inside a 2-inch PVC pipe. Polyurethane plastic is then placed over the rollers for the base. See this post in the Pitbull forum for more information.A simpler process may be to purchase a gravity roller conveyor section off eBay or ask about used sections from a conveyor company. Be sure to check on shipping costs before you make a purchase though. One $75 section had a $225 shipping cost! You’ll want a width of between 15 and 18 inches. The frame can take up to 3 inches of the total width so make sure you get a section wide enough for your dog. The sections often come in 5 or 10-foot lengths and usually cost at least $75 without shipping. You may wish to check your local scrap metal yard or craigslist first. THE BELTWhen you build a dog powered treadmill, you'll need to set up or modify your roller system so at least one side or a couple of the rollers can be removed to slip on the belt. You can purchase belts from Grand Carpet Mill for around $60 with free shipping (April 2008 price). They have great tips for how to extend belt life in their FAQs section. Of course, sizing is important since you don’t want a belt that is too slack or too tight.FURTHER INFORMATIONFor good advice about getting a dog used to a treadmill, see The Use of a Human Treadmill in Conditioning Dogs.Return from Build A Dog Powered Treadmill to Dog Exercise Equipment
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